tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723901521102060136.post9039514875892971266..comments2024-02-08T15:14:11.323+00:00Comments on The Secret Diner: Carluccio'sThe Secret Dinerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03234142113837499731noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723901521102060136.post-78631915930461163132013-09-04T02:40:45.536+01:002013-09-04T02:40:45.536+01:00I have received the following email from Sarah Mur...I have received the following email from Sarah Murray, Chief Operations Officer of Carluccio's Ltd<br /><br />Dear Secret Diner,<br /> <br />We read your review last month and I can see that it has generated some similarly negative comments which is of course disappointing.<br /> <br />I can tell you that we have been working very hard since we opened to ensure that we make a good impression and I know that initially we have really struggled to do this which has resulted in upsetting far too many people.<br /><br />We have been overwhelmed by the response to the brand arriving in Newcastle, which is fantastic – but of course no excuse for coming up short.<br /> <br />Since you wrote the review I believe we have made massive progress and we are well on the way to delivering the standards of food quality and service that we pride ourselves in.<br /> <br />We are continuing to support the team in Newcastle with additional managers and chefs as it is essential we ingrain the standards. I hope you will be inclined to give us another try in the future when I hope that everyone’s hard work will be evident,<br /> <br />Yours sincerely,<br /> <br />Sarah Murray<br />CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER<br />Carluccio's Limited<br />35 Rose Street<br />London<br />WC2E 9EB The Secret Dinerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03234142113837499731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723901521102060136.post-66599165991685225372013-08-16T14:00:56.552+01:002013-08-16T14:00:56.552+01:00Unfortunately I took my boss there on the same eve...Unfortunately I took my boss there on the same evening of your visit - the place was packed, but there were massive gaps between the taking of orders, the serving of starters and then even bigger gaps from the starters to the mains. The starters were tasty enough but no better than average, but the huge disappointment was the veal - poor quality meat, overcooked and tough enough to use as a sole on your shoe. Staff were apologetic and we did get a reduction in the bill, but it will be a while before I ever venture back (if at all) and especially as Piccolino's on the Quayside is a much better bet.Les_0565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723901521102060136.post-73077079534888197862013-08-03T21:04:54.457+01:002013-08-03T21:04:54.457+01:00I had a similar experience today (3 August)- poor,...I had a similar experience today (3 August)- poor, soulless, unapologetic service and average food. We deserve better but is it our fault for accepting poor food and service? Dont expect these reviews will make any difference...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723901521102060136.post-36798784088080311912013-08-02T12:03:10.275+01:002013-08-02T12:03:10.275+01:00It's interesting that the North East twittersp...It's interesting that the North East twittersphere was almost hysterical with excitement at the prospect of Carluccios opening. After all, it's yet another chain place, albeit with pretensions to sit at the upper end of the chain market. I guess what I read into this is that we're struggling for really decent restaurants: you can probably count them in single figures, and with the exception of the excellent Rasa, they're all independents. What do we need to do to encourage the very good chains or some quality independents to open here? Until that happens, I suspect the North East will continue to accept the sort of quality you describe because there's little to challenge it or (to use a horrid phrase) "raise the bar".Nickyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14014546311920762759noreply@blogger.com