Carluccio's Manchester

Save yourself the bother, i try hard to not write bad reviews however ....... thought this would be a nice way to send a friend on her way back home before her train journey, walked in to have both staff members ignore us, before we asked do we take a seat or do you take us? ordered brunch, my friend being a vegan asked for the vegan special breakfast to be asked how do you want your eggs and then for the food to come out and not actually be what was on the menu (plate of mushrooms, spinach and potatoes), when asking the serving staff why the menu was different to the order, we were told i only write the ticket, do you want me to take it back? food was cold on arrival, and for some reason the coffee 's and a cocktail arrived around 10 mins after the food (even though we waited a fair while between ordering and receiving food) only saving grace was when looking to pay, and not being able to grab the attention of the server, the girl who had just come on duty, waved at us and allowed us to pay her at the till.

I've been here a few times before and unfortunately this time I found it shocking how much it had gone downhill. On entry we weren't greeted despite the fact that a staff member (a woman with dark hair, very glamourous I don't have her name) was at the bar making coffee and could easily have acknowledged us. Service was appalling and at one point we were sitting with finished starters in front of us for a full five minutes before noticing that our mains were sitting on the hotplate ready to come out to us but all three members of staff were behind the bar chatting. We found a bit of overcooked bacon or something in the greek salad (which was on the menu as vegetarian) The one ladies toilet was out of service so I used the men's which wasn't clean and the tap didn't work so I left the toilet with horrible soapy hands. Our server was a very young man who was clearly doing his best but under terrible management and without proper training. Woman with dark hair was once again surly and aloof on our exit. Not good and won't be returning after 5 years of very pleasant visits. What a shame!

I hate giving poor reviews but there were very few people in the restaurant and I ordered from set lunch menu for 2. Tomato Bruschetta was a bit of toast with some sliced tomatoes on. Completely uninspiring that a 3 year old could have done better with. We then waited an hour for spag bol for goodness sake. The staff were pleasant but young and seemingly inexperienced, didn't seem to be any leadership or management there. No wonder Caluccios (which used to be so good) are closing left right and centre, this was just poor all round. Very sorry and I wish you well but you really should be doing much better

Alexis is a great server, was very welcoming and friendly, would recommend a raise. Food was served very fast and tasted fresh which was a bonus.

Was told to sit at any table. Five minutes later waitress comes over to take order spaghetti carbonara and some focaccia. She returns after another five minutes, says they don't have any carbonara left. I ask if she's serious, this being a famous Italian chain. Have you run out of spaghetti, I ask? No, just no carbonara, she says, and anyway they're shutting at 7pm. So why seat me at all? Do they make it in advance? Rubbish.