Sides in Manchester

I rarely write reviews, but I felt compelled to share my experience at The Lost Dene because I genuinely believe it has the potential to be a great establishment with just a little more focus on customer care. While it's in a fantastic location and could be a welcoming spot, my visit was unfortunately let down by poor service, which had a noticeable impact on the overall atmosphere. The issue arose when I ordered a burger meal through your app. The signage around the pub, as well as the app itself, clearly states that a drink is included with all burger meals. However, when placing my order through the app, there was no option to select a drink. I assumed this might be prompted at the end of the transaction, as certain drinks may not be included in the offer, but I expected some sort of selection process. When I realised no drink had been added, I went to the bar to clarify the situation. I spoke to a young man with short black hair and explained that the app did not provide an option to select a drink, despite the offer being clearly advertised. I asked if he could provide a Coke, as part of the meal deal. Unfortunately, he refused, stating that I should have added the drink separately on the app. This was not made clear anywhere, and given that there are usually limitations on which drinks are included in meal deals, I had expected some guidance during the ordering process. What made the situation worse was his attitude. Instead of trying to understand the confusion or offer any assistance, he dismissed my concern outright, saying, “It’s not my problem.” When I asked if he was the manager, he admitted he wasn’t but said, “You can try with the manager, but he’ll probably say no.” Thankfully, when I spoke to the manager, he resolved the issue immediately with no hesitation, which I greatly appreciate. However, the lack of customer service, empathy, and professionalism from the first staff member was incredibly disappointing. A simple misunderstanding could have been handled in a much more professional and helpful way, but instead, the interaction put a real damper on my visit. Additionally, I couldn’t help but notice another member of staff, a gentleman wearing a red checkered shirt, who appeared visibly unhappy and disengaged. He seemed frustrated and unapproachable, which made for quite an uncomfortable atmosphere. I completely understand that everyone has bad days, but in a hospitality setting, customer service is key. If there are any underlying issues affecting staff morale, it may be worth checking in with him. However, if this is simply his approach to customer service, it might be worth considering whether this role is the right fit. I wanted to bring this to your attention in the hope that staff can be trained to handle customer interactions with more understanding and professionalism. The Lost Dene has a lot of potential, but poor service like this can really discourage people from returning. I appreciate your time in reading this and hope my feedback is helpful.

Excellent cocktails. Went last October. Highly recommended

Sweet and sour was incredibly weak. Felt like it was diluted 50%. Salt and pepper chickens and crispy it was still a bit moist instead of crispy. Very under seasoned luckily I have my own salt and pepper mix at home so I added another tablespoon. Ribs from massively overseasoned with star anise felt like they were boiled for 3 days. Prawn toast was surprisingly delicious. Crispy and a good thick layer of meat. Rice was average at best. Won't be trying again anytime soon.

Bit cold ad no salad on burger and both squshed

Genuinely don't know why it's rated so badly. Delicious burgers and fries. Been a few times and always banging. Always survives the Deliveroo trip too.