Gourmet 4 Shirley - Solihull

The staff didn’t care, it was a bunch of kids messing about and going outside to smoke when there was still customers. No professionalism at all. Food was inedible, over cooked, no flavour, horrible. The best part of the meal was the drink, that’s how bad it was. We paid £30 for the two of us and my god it wasn’t worth that much at all. We barely touched the food from how nasty it was. The place needs some older staff to put the young ones in place because they were running wild. Do yourself a favour whoever reads this and go to either Prezzo next door for the same price and much higher quality of food and staff, or go to the Spoons, a lot cheaper, nicer staff and better food. I’ve told everyone to avoid this place.

The staff didn't care, it was a budding child who was superior and smoking outside when there were still customers. no professionalism. the food was unusable, over boiled, no taste, terrible. the best part of the meal was the drink, which is how bad it was. we paid 30 pounds for the two of us and my god was not worth it at all. we barely touched the food from what it was. the place needs some older employees to place the young because they run wild. make them please themselves one that reads this and go either to prezzo next door for the same price and much higher quality of eating and personal, or go to the spoons, much cheaper, nicer staff and better eating. I told everyone to avoid this place.

I was then asked to pay upfront, even though I hadn’t received any food or drinks yet. I refused and insisted that I would pay after my meal, which turned out to be a smart decision. While we were waiting, a delivery driver from Just Eat came in to pick up an order. He politely asked the manager to maintain social distancing and showed his phone with the order number. Instead of helping him, the manager refused to hand over any food unless he could see the order on the phone. He even told the driver to get another job and not to come back! The manager then complained about the restaurant and claimed someone was helping the driver because I didn’t engage with him. Shortly after, a woman in a tracksuit came in and handed the Just Eat driver his order, while the manager continued to berate him for merely trying to do his job safely. The manager then approached our table to justify his behavior, suggesting that if the driver needed to maintain social distance, then he shouldn't be a delivery driver. I countered, pointing out that the driver might have a vulnerable family and this could be his only job opportunity. The manager responded by saying, “But I was happy to approach him, and he could have AIDS.” I was taken aback and horrified that someone would say that. I asked, “What did you just say?” He backed off a bit, then continued to argue about the driver potentially getting sick. At this point, our server returned to inform us they had also run out of chili. We were disgusted and decided to leave. What a terrible and ignorant experience from start to finish.

To our surprise, I was asked to pay upfront even though we hadn’t received any food or drinks yet. I declined, opting to pay after our meal, a decision that proved wise. While we waited, a Just Eat delivery driver entered to pick up an order. He politely showed the manager his phone with the order number and requested that social distancing be maintained. Instead of cooperating, the manager shouted at him, refusing to hand over the food because he couldn’t see the phone clearly. He even told the driver to find another job and not to return. The manager then yelled across the restaurant for someone to handle the situation since he didn’t want to deal with the driver. A woman in a tracksuit eventually stepped in and handed the order to the driver while the manager continued to berate him for simply trying to do his job. After this disturbing encounter, the manager came to our table to justify his actions, claiming that if the driver needed to practice social distancing, he shouldn’t be a driver at all and that he had the right to check the driver’s phone. I disagreed, stating that the driver might have vulnerable family members and this job could be his only option. In an astonishingly inappropriate response, the manager exclaimed, “BUT I WAS HAPPY TO GO UP TO HIM AND HE COULD HAVE HAD AIDS!” I was taken aback and could hardly believe what I had just heard. He backpedaled slightly but continued insisting that the driver might be diseased. At that moment, our server returned to inform us that they had also run out of chili. In disbelief and disgust, we decided to leave. Overall, it was an appalling experience, completely marred by the ignorance of the staff. Would not recommend.

The dining experience was enjoyable, and the staff was exceptionally friendly. I would definitely recommend this restaurant.