Perhaps quite ill-advisedly taking our cue from Google's search engine and TripAdvisor, myself and my companion opted for pre-theatre dining at Sale's Linguine Restaurant this evening.
From the outside, the restaurant looked inviting; however, once inside it was a different story. Arriving just after the restaurant opened, and with only a single diner already in the establishment the restaurant was empty; however, we were asked to sit on a table next to this single diner which none of us particularly liked. The dining area is small enough in any case, and the tables are simply too close together for comfort and privacy, with one of the tables so close to the main door that anyone seated there will be banged on the back of the chair each time the door is opened.
The dining area was at least very clean, and the tables correctly set; even if we had different waiters / waitresses attending to us during our visit, and had them approach us in quick succession to ask us the same questions. One server per table is more than adequate one feels. But it was the head waiter this evening who irritated us the most. Brusque and offhand to the point of rudeness on more than one occasion, and didn't seem in the habit of listening to his customers' but would rather tell his customers what they would be having to eat, how much they were going to pay, and even when to leave.
As for the food, it was mostly acceptable, but not of a very high quality on any count. Our starters were a mix of the delightful (mushrooms), and the awful (goats cheese). The cheese itself was lovely, but was not through-cooked meaning that the further into the interior of the cheese you went the colder it became with the centre being hardly cooked at all. Whilst the salad garnish was presented in a soup of dressing, liberally sprinkled with balsamic vinegar. The mixture of sweet dressing and balsamic vinegar was most distasteful. The main courses fared little better. Both the pork and the veal were nicely cooked and tasty. However, the sauce in which they were cooked was greasy, and for my companion left a rather unpleasant taste in her mouth for several hours afterwards. The onions, carrots and broccoli were less than al dente... they were raw (and cold); but the sauteed potatoes were piping hot and delicious. We finished with tiramisu - homemade and speciality of the house. We both agreed that Aldi's were much nicer! The very thick layer of chocolate powder on the top was catching in the throat and the consistency of the dessert varied the further down the glass you ventured. A Bailey's liqueur coffee came only half full.
The waitresses knew nothing about table serving and etiquette, and we were even given a glass of white wine when we asked for rosé. If you do visit this restaurant in the late afternoon, they have an 'Early Bird' offer for two or three courses at set prices; but be warned, it is not all the menu, and it sometimes isn't too clear which parts of the menu this applies to.
This is not a restaurant to loiter or spend time in; they operate a conveyor belt system, and all their food is "fast food" presented to look like haute cuisine.
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
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