Dimitri's Tapas Bar and Taverna

I wanted to like this place. It LOOKS like the sort of place that would be great. Sadly, looks and reality do now always coincide.

The service is sometimes brusk, sometimes simply sloppy. The food is about a 5 out of ten. Not good. Not bad.

But it's expensive. For the money you'll spend in here for a dinner for two you could go to dozens of high-end restaurants in Manchester that have much better food.

If you want this type of food, go to Topkapi, about 5 minutes away. Even Topkapi is only "pretty good", but at least you don't leave thinking your pocket has been picked, and the food is definitely better than Dimitri's.
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Adam Roberts
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 2
Wednesday, October 01, 2008

Unfriendly staff, food was OK, quite good but nothing special. Surroundings were good, but spoilt when for some reason our waitress gave our table (that we had booked days in advance) to another customer! Then with no explanation or apology plonked us next to the door. Felt really unwelcome. Won't bother going again.
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Emma
Sunday, November 04, 2007

Would just like to share a recent DREADFUL AWFUL MOST DISAPPOINTING ETC ETC experience shared by our 19 people party on the 3rd March celebrating my girlfriends birthday at Dimitri's. The food was ok ( but nothing special ) but I think the customer service was the most appauling we ve EVER experienced ( and we eat out very regularly!) Considering that we put £500+ of our hard earned cash in their tills on the night, I cannot express how much of an inconveinience we were made to feel we caused. Tell me if Im wrong but was this too much to ask :

1 - after delivering the cake to the restaurant in the morning and blowing up 25+ balloons we asked if they could just pop one or two of the sparklers and candles on the cake ( which we also delivered !)??? They managed to put One candle on the cake - YES ONE CANDLE!!!!

2 - We budgeted for £70 worth of wine to be put onto the table. When they said 3 red and 3 white would cost £71.65 I jokingly replied "cant we call it £70 quid?" the reply I got was that " we dont do deals!"

I could go on but im gonna end up go off on one! To top it off they did not even bring us ANY desserts ( as advertised on the party menu ( see Dimitri's site ). When I questioned this the day after they accused me of lying! The Manager said " I cant see how that would happen?" Well ive got another 19 witnesses who ll back me up! Why would someone lie about that?

To top it all off they had the cheek to put a £50.60 charge on the bill for service- itemised on the bill as an I OWE YOU? Smart ! In summary dont go to this place to eat! The majority of staff couldnt keep an collection of monkeys satisfied! Great job Dimitri,s!
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Dan
Sunday, March 04, 2007

I am afraid that I would have to agree with Ms Hamers review of 2005. Upon a recent visit I will never EVER again frequent Dimitri's after a similar bad experience. I too have been a regular customer since I arrived in Manchester as a student (way back in the day!)The pleasant atmosphere and fabulous food was a must for special occasions. My LAST visit however was a much different event. Initially, friends and I had booked a table for 10 persons. Approx 10 minutes before we were due to take our table 3 members of our party contacted us to say they weren't able to make it. I subsequently informed a member of staff who rudely asked if I "had I not heard of a telephone" I was stunned by his attitude but still tried to explain that I had only just found out myself. The waiter then muttered under his breath and told us our table was ready but we had to sit down immediately or risked losing our (booked)table. The food as usual was great - no falut with the actual meals but the staff finally added insult to injury when we came to settle the bill. The waiter (yet another rude and unpleasant character) to our disbelief stood at the table and counted the notes in front of us all.....Needless to say, although I would still rate the food, the whole experience of my LAST visit was so unforgiving of what used to be one of Manchester's best dining establishments that I just feel let down and disappointed more than angry.
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Claire
Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Dreadful food and not enough staff to serve the ridiculous amount of covers squashed into the smallest of spaces. Avoid.
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Wednesday, December 13, 2006

I hate to go to the same restaurant on many occasions, ofcourse it's nice to try different places. But i have to say that if your looking for a good choice of restaurants Manchester is not the best city.

However, Dimitri's is top of my list. The food is always fresh and tasty. Dimitri's offers great value for money and the staff are very friendly. It can get busy, if you want a table at the weekend you will have to book, otherwise it will be a wasted journey. Except not completely wasted as there is an adjacent bar that offers great, cheap and cold rose with live music.

I am generally hard to please but i would say that Dimitri's is Manchester's little gem.
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Jo Carter
Sunday, June 25, 2006

I've just seen Dawn Hamer's bad review. Does she have an axe to grind? It's not the Dimitri's I know. The service can sometimes be a bit slow, but it's the busiest place in Manch. The food and drink are top notch, and the ambience is great esp at weekends and outside in the summer.
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James Hickey
Wednesday, January 25, 2006