La Sera

I've been to La Sera a few times and the overall quality really does depend on how busy the restaurant is.

During the week, the service is brilliant. The food is delicious and fresh, making the experience good value for money, but be warned, it is the opposite when busy!

The staff do try to cope, but it appears that the Management have made no plans to cater for when the restaurant is more than half full. Around 45 minute wait for a starter, same for the main course. Orders forgotten, requests for wine and water forgotten, no clean cutlery, no finger bowls, etc, etc, the list is endless. It was such a shame as I have raved about the place to everyone, took friends along (once on a Friday night and once on a Saturday) and they hated it! When I go during the week - when quiet - it is fabulous.

Other diners were experiencing the same problems and one table left before their starters.

I spoke with our waiter, he was very apologetic and didn't charge for one starter and one bottle of wine, but we still all paid over £20 each for a very poor experience.

I have tried the same dishes at different times of the week, and the quieter it is the larger / better quality the dishes are.

I may have shot myself in the foot writing this. I could go there on a Wednesday evening and it'll be packed!
Comment on this reader review

Laura B
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 1
Sunday, December 11, 2005