Refuge MCR

Review summary

1. A

   Andy

   Manchester1 review

   3.0

   Dined today

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 4

   We had been for Sunday roast at Refuge before and it was very good, food and service. This time, not so good. We were first ones to sit down at 12pm, but no waitress came over to take a drinks order until 12:10, and that was after I flagged one down after seeing her serving someone else. We ordered vegan wellington and a roast beef. My wife isn’t a vegan, but liked the sound of the wellington. When it came, it was missing the Yorkshire pudding. There was no check back by the waitress, so again, we had to flag someone down. Apparently, it was missing because it isn’t vegan but I feel they should have checked if she wanted it with the meal. It was also frustrating we didn’t get offered more drinks after we had finished our first ones. We were in the restaurant for just over 1.5 hours, too long really for just a main and dessert, a lot of that was waiting for some basic service. The waitress, Rebecca, seemed nice enough, but was not as attentive as she could have been and her colleagues in other sections were clearly more engaged with their guests. All in all, food was nice, service was poor and for the price I would have expected better, so will think twice before going back.
   

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2. j

   john-paul

   Dublin2 reviews

   2.0

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 2

   A reasonable venue, however, too loud (noise mainly coming from the bar, but meant diners had to talk loudly to be heard). Waitress service good, but the person on reception cold and unfriendly. The food we ordered good, but the portions a bit mean - and we weren't told our side order of broccoli had a chilli sauce, which rather ruined it for me. You have to order sides if you want a reasonable sized meal. You get a thimbleful of wine if you have just a glass with the meal - again, I thought this a bit frugal. That said, the actual food was well cooked and very tasty - I had the beef cheek, which was lovely, flavoursome and tender, sitting of a bed of velvety celeriac puree - although it could have been hamster cheek, the portion was so small. Perhaps because it was Saturday, busy and we only had a set time to leave as we were going to a concert, it just felt a bit rushed, noisy and I was just glad to pay the bill and leave. Moreover, they pack the tables in and if you're bored of your own conversation, you can hear several going on around you, even over the noise coming from the bar. The men's toilets in the basement were a bit weird in that the hand-driers are where you least expect them - poorly designed really. Overall, I thought it might be good to visit again - perhaps when not so rushed and the venue not so busy. But I can't say I enjoyed the experience, even if the food (what you got of it) was very good.
   

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3. W

   Wendy

   London11 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Food was lovely and the service was excellent. Would recommend.
   

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4. D

   David

   Manchester1 review

   2.0

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 5

   Amazing interior and the good is good. Service was pretty poor. Was seated and had to ask to be served. Considering they add service charge automatically, you expect service to be decent. Food arrived before our drinks. Then starters weren’t cleared and no further drinks offered. Mains arrived and they had to clear starters at same time. Then offered us another drink. We would have ordered a bottle of wine but didn’t as it seemed rushed. Waitress was pleasant in manner when she did serve us. I try to get her attention but she smiled and looked away. Think she didn’t want to be there maybe. Won’t rush back as service is key when you’re spending this kind of cash.
   

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5. A

   Alison

   Derbyshire1 review

   2.0

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   Lovely setting and comfortable No fault whatsoever with service and politeness of staff but very disappointed with food. Very limited choice on menus. We went for the large plate Very expensive for the meal .My main was smoked bacon chop which initially arrived cold and v tough.I was expecting it to be served with cavolo Nero as a vegetable as this was listed on the menu.It was served as a one inch crisp .. just garnish as opposed to anything of substance .The sauce was very sickly My friend had salmon which was also initially lukewarm .It had some type of salad accompaniment which was extremely ‘sharp’ and made her cough and her eyes water. The food was re served hotter and 25% was taken off the food bill but we were still very disappointed
   

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6. M

   Mark

   Manchester10 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Lovely food and service in beautiful surroundings.
   

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7. J

   Jarrad

   New York City3 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 5

   Excellent food, the staff were attentive and great atmosphere.
   

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8. OT

   OpenTable Diner VIP

   Manchester1 review

   5.0

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 5

   Wow. We have found THE Sunday lunch. I thought Albert’s was perfect. This was divine. The service was good. There was a girl with very short dark hair who brought our food who clearly didn’t want a tip. Or to be there. No one asked was the food ok as they were chatting at the bar. But fortunately we didn’t need them. And the some weird situation where we had to put out leftovers in some tin foil ourselves at the table because apparently they weren’t allowed to touch our food. Which is bonkers. And resulted in me not leaving at tip. Shame.
   

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9. C

   Colin

   Yorkshire1 review

   5.0

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   The Sunday Lunch platter was excellent, plenty for 2 to share . Will definitely revisit , thanks
   

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10. H

    Hina

    Manchester4 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on March 8, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 4

    Was really disappointed as they would not accommodate my allergies and food intolerances I don’t eat beef I and asked them to swap this out with something else and they said they couldn’t not do this We suggested they give me two of one item instead and again they said it was a very strict policy It’s a shame as the ambience was beautiful
    

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