poor experience

Rating - Overall: 1  Food: 1  Service: 1  Ambience: 1

Gallini
Rookie Reviewer
Member since Feb 10
Rating: 0

9 Feb 2010

The food is not what I would class as fine dining. Not good, my partner had a piece of plastic in his coleslaw which he nearly choked on. When he raised this they gave him £3 discount off the bill. They even had the cheek to add on a service charge to the bill.

We have been to other restaurants where the cost of the meal is refunded if we are not satisfied.

We were sat opposite the kitchen which was dirty with food on the floor. Have written twice about our experience with no response. We would not go there again

Visited: September 8, 2009
What I ate: Burger and chips with coleslaw

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I love this place!!!

Rating - Overall: 5  Food: 5  Service: 5  Ambience: 5

lollypop09
Foodie
Member since Sep 08
Rating: 1

23 Jan 2010

After reading a couple of dodgy reviews on here, i wasn't so keen on going to try this place out considering me and my partner hardly ever get the time to have a nice meal without the kids.

but, it was late, and we were tired so decided to give it a go.

and boy am i glad we did!!!!!

I dont know where people have been eating, but some people really got this place wrong. maybe they should step off of their pedistool!!

we were seated very quickly, next to the open kitchen, so we could see the food being preped and cooked, and it was fresh for sure!!.

they seem to have a good team that work together quickly. The waitress was lovely, friendly and very helpfull. Being pregnant, I requested a dish that should have had mozzerella in it but asked if it could be done without. she asked the male chef and he said that would be fine, but warned that it would take away a bulk of the taste as it was a staple part of the dish. this didn't bother me so agreed.

she came back a couple of mins later saying she had just talked to the female chef (being a mum herself) and was told that it was pasturised and not buffalo, so it is safe for me to eat and would taste much better with it.

I was really chuffed cause she was right, it was beautifull!!! lots of it, fresh, and the nicest food i'd tasted in sooo long for the very reasonable price we paid.

My partner was also really pleased and we can't wait to go eat there again!! and we are 2 people that like to pay good money for good food, and this was really good.

We went in expecting some cheap tasting over priced food, but left feeling very full, with good fresh food, and with change to boot ( which we used to tip the very helpfull waitress).

The menu is very exciting with some very yummy tempting options. you would think it was more like a steak house, but its not, it has alot more to offer.

GO GIVE IT A TRY!!!

Visited: January 16, 2010
What I ate: bacon and mozzerella chicken on ratatoulli, oven baked potatoes,

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Average

Rating - Overall: 3  Food: 2  Service: 2  Ambience: 2

Larryd
Rookie Reviewer
Member since Aug 09
Rating: 0

10 Sep 2009

My partner and I met our lad in Bristol and decided to eat at Coal, I had Beef Fajitas, he had the same but Chicken, she the Nachos. I'm under no illusions, this is fast food for a consumer clientele, and that's exactly what we got. The food arrived promptly, was warm and filling and tasted ok. That's what we expected, that's what we got.

Visited: September 6, 2009
What I ate: See above

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TOP MARKS!

Rating - Overall: 5  Food: 5  Service: 5  Ambience: 4

jennyrodgers
Rookie Reviewer
Member since May 09
Rating: 1

24 Jul 2009

When visiting my mother in Bristol we thought we'd take her for a meal. We were all very impressed (as always with Coal)- including my mother who can be tricky to please!! I had the chicken fajitas, my husband had the battered cod and my mother had a mouth watering prawn salad! All food came out quickly and the service was efficient!! The only small thing that wasnt perfect was the lights were too low! It's probably down to our age but we found it to be a problem! However, on mentioning it to our waitress, they were promptly turned up! Very happy and enjoyable exprience.

Visited: July 22, 2009
What I ate: Chicken Fajitas

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great food

Rating - Overall: 4  Food: 5  Service: 3  Ambience: 3

alexred
Rookie Reviewer
Member since Jul 09
Rating: 0

14 Jul 2009

Very lazy late brunch - just what the doctor ordered - great brakfasts, quality food and believe me we are fussy when it comes to quality!! Great guest larger - shame I was driving as I could of sat with the hubby andsat and watched the world go by all afternoon slowly sipping!! Great frendly servcie, we will certainly be visitng again.

Toilets slightly let them down - did not look as if they had been cleaned from the night before and one ladies toilet was just unbelieveable!

Visited: July 14, 2009

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customer service

Rating - Overall: 3  Food: 5  Service: 1  Ambience: 1

lisa1981
Rookie Reviewer
Member since Jul 09
Rating: 0

13 Jul 2009

that blonde girl o dress diferent!!! she needes to stop flirting with male customers and start do her job properly, that is not the kind of customer service we expect.....

Visited: July 12, 2009
What I ate: blonde gril

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Waiter/waitress never arrived!

Rating - Overall: 1  Food: 1  Service: 1  Ambience: 3

john251282
Rookie Reviewer
Member since Jun 09
Rating: 0

22 Jun 2009

So my girlfriend and I have been keen to try out coal since walking past it on our way to the cinema.

After specifically scheduling in over 90 mins to have a meal there before going to the cinema we turn up and we were seated by the manager. We were next to another couple who seemed to have been there for a few minutes already. There were menus on the table so we started to pick what we wanted.

After 5 mins we were a little confused as to why no one had been over to at least take a drinks order.

By the time it had got to 15 minutes with no sign of any staff coming over to take out order and we could not even catch the attention of any walking around we had a random drinks order come over to us, which was the final straw. We decided to go next door to Zizzis! A much better experience, prompt ordering, polite staff and they even rushed our food through to help us get to our showing!

I will not be going to Coal again!

Visited: June 22, 2009
What I ate: Nothing

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Exceptional!!!!

Rating - Overall: 5  Food: —  Service: —  Ambience: —

jennyrodgers
Rookie Reviewer
Member since May 09
Rating: 1

28 May 2009

On my first visit to Coal Grill and Bar i was very impressed!!!! Friendly and professional staff who seemed like nothing was too much trouble! They even sang for my daughter's birthday as a pleasant suprise for us all! Great selection of drinks (the children loved the milkshakes!) and the selection of steaks were varied. My daughter had the firesticks which was presented in an innovative way and tasted just as great!! Will definitely be coming back!

Visited: May 22, 2009
What I ate: Coal Burger (Yum!)

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A filling lunch

Rating - Overall: 5  Food: 5  Service: 5  Ambience: 5

Cliff
Rookie Reviewer
Member since Apr 09
Rating: 0

7 Apr 2009

First time i have visit a Coal and i will be returning soon. The restaurant was packed yesterday for lunch. I had two courses for £6.95 a brie salad followed by a Burger. The food was great, good portions, tasty and fresh. Don't normally expect to get such a good luch for under £10. Service was good as well.

Visited: April 6, 2009
What I ate: Brie salad and a Burger

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Go to Giraffe instead!

Rating - Overall: 2  Food: 1  Service: 1  Ambience: 2

woodle
Rookie Reviewer
Member since Apr 09
Rating: 0

1 Apr 2009

Ate here today. Despite being one of only three groups in the place, service was slow and rude, and they have the nerve to put 12.5% optional service on the bill! Ordered a calzone which was undercooked, bland and dreadful, a chicken schnitzel which was greasy and a burger which was average at most. Definately steer clear. Awful awful awful.

Visited: April 1, 2009
What I ate: see above

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Saturday Spectacular

Rating - Overall: 5  Food: 4  Service: 4  Ambience: 5

Edsykes
Rookie Reviewer
Member since Mar 09
Rating: 0

30 Mar 2009

Went to Coal with two other couples. Hadn't been before but were recommended by friends

Taken to the bar for drinks while they got the table ready (very busy place) then sat in one of the booths. Starters arrived quickly, we recommend the deli plate and waitress checked back all the time, keeping drinks topped up and flowing. Main courses were straight off the grill, hot, tasty and surprisingly good value

We were talked into their sharing chocolate fondue.... to die for!!

Definitely would go back and recommend anyone looking for a busy bustly friendly place to spend an evening and not feel ripped off when the bill arrives

Visited: March 28, 2009
What I ate: Deli platter, Prawns , quaedilla and others, fajitas & fire stic

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A Great Evening

Rating - Overall: 5  Food: 5  Service: 5  Ambience: 4

Edsykes
Rookie Reviewer
Member since Mar 09
Rating: 0

30 Mar 2009

Visited Coal today and found they had launched a new menu. Great selection of dishes and we ate from the new lunchtime prix fixe.

Attentive service, generous portions and great atmosphere.

Have booked a table for Sat eve for my wife's birthday!

Really recommend

Visited: March 30, 2009
What I ate: Seafood Crepe and Beef and Prawn Fire Stcks

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Never again

Rating - Overall: 1  Food: —  Service: —  Ambience: 1

RedFyre
Rookie Reviewer
Member since Feb 09
Rating: 1

3 Feb 2009

We visited coal after seeing a film, and I have never been so disappointed in a restaurant before.

The waitress was rude, the ambience was dull, the service was slow and the food was awful.

Over expensive for micro waved dinners and salads that come pre-made.

I had bacon and brie salad and I have never known a “chef” to ruin an easy dish.

What actually arrived was something far different to what was described on the menu, infact the menu would have been more appetising that the food it’s self.

The “watercress” was not watercress the Sliced bacon was 1 piece smothered in salt and dumped on the top of wilting leaves that has the unmistakable aroma and taste of dilute chlorine. The “salad” was covered in olive oil, and hidden with large slices of brie, in a vain hope that this might disguise the taste.

My house mate had 2 of their prawn fire sticks with some mulched vegetables that had been re-heated a little too frequently and some type of potato product. No effort had been put into this dish, well apart from the waitress removing the prawns from the sticks; I assume they are a safety hazard.

My Boyfriend had a burger, which was the best dish on the table; at least his chips were nice.

I have never complained about the food, by paying nearly £10 for a salad that’s not edible or pleasing to the eye, something had to be said. The retort was “well, that’s now the chef does it” Hence to say we left and wont be returning.

Visited: January 28, 2009
What I ate: Brie and Bacon Salad, coal fire sticks and one of their burgers

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Surprisingly Brilliant!

Rating - Overall: 4  Food: 4  Service: 5  Ambience: 3

tfc10
Gastronome
Member since Jun 08
Rating: 1

29 Jan 2009

A group of 5 of us decided to eat here following a rather long shopping day, when we got there we were told that there would be 30 minute wait, we were sat down within 15 and a very polite waitress apologising for the delay! the restauarant was packed to the rafters, however the service that we recieved was nothing short of outstanding!

All of the food and drinks that we ordered were correct, promptly served and with regards to the food was presented beautifully and tasted even better! The quesadilas were the best i had ever had, so fresh, bursting with flavour! All of the main courses that everyone ordered were beautiful and everyone was amazed at the quality, the burger, the steak and in particular the skewers were lush, these are a must.

Yes the food is quite pricey, however no more than TGI Fridays or Frankie and Bennys, and it was of much higher quality.

This is genuinely a restauarant for people who enjoy quality food....honestly!!

The only negative was the cost of the drinks which to be fair were quite steep, £3.05 for a J2O, is outrageous!!

With this exception the evening was superb, great atmosphere, great service and great food!! Highly reccommended!!

Visited: December 10, 2008
What I ate: Chicken Quesadilas, 5 spice roasted duck breast

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Awful food and restaurant

Rating - Overall: 1  Food: 1  Service: 1  Ambience: 2

hurleycat
Rookie Reviewer
Member since Dec 08
Rating: 1

29 Dec 2008

Whilst shopping in the Cabot Circus decided to pop in with wife and two children for lunch. My steak was literally fridge cold, my daughters jacket potato was rotten in the middle, the service was awful, waited ages for food and drinks to arrive.

Visited: December 29, 2008

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Actually Terrible

Rating - Overall: 1  Food: 1  Service: 1  Ambience: 2

MrHayes
Rookie Reviewer
Member since Dec 08
Rating: 1

19 Dec 2008

I'm sorry, but Coal has to be one of the worst restaurants I have ever visited. The food was over cooked and the service was terrible. Our waitress was pushy and rude. Do not visit this restaurant.

Visited: December 17, 2008
What I ate: Prawn Fire Sticks with bombay potaotoes

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Can Recommend

Rating - Overall: 4  Food: 5  Service: 4  Ambience: 4

spicyspiral
Rookie Reviewer
Member since Dec 08
Rating: 1

12 Dec 2008

Located just a few doors along, Coal seemed the logical place to eat before going to the cinema in Cabot Circus.

It seemed quite quite busy and so was pleasantly surprised to be shown to a table immediately.

A nice selection of wines to choose from and lots of choice on the menu. Nothing particularly fancy, but it's a grill bar after all.

My Crab Cake with Sweet Chilli Sauce starter arrived quickly and was piping hot. For main course I choice the Wok Tossed Tiger Prawns with Rice and was not disappointed. A nice size portion with plenty of flavour. Thought it a little strange to be offered Ketchup or Mayo by the waitress for such a dish but I guess the best of us work on auto pilot at times!

We were in and out relatively quickly, but at no stage did we feel we were being rushed.

Reasonable prices, and overall an enjoyable experience.

I will most definitely return again.

Visited: December 11, 2008
What I ate: Crab Cake, Wok Tossed Prawns with Basmati Rice

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Coal Bar & Grill

Rating - Overall: 5  Food: 5  Service: 5  Ambience: 5

Cericole
Rookie Reviewer
Member since Nov 08
Rating: 0

11 Nov 2008

What can I say but Excellent!!!

I was extremely impressed with the service here.

We took our 15 month old and usually find alot of places very unchild friendly. Under 2s eat free and they brought his food (sausage, mash & Beans - small portion) out before ours which meant I could eat a hot meal.

Well worth a visit

Visited: November 10, 2008
What I ate: Shepherds Pie

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