Onze

[mrs-b]

Has anyone been here recently to provide an up to date review?

It received mixed reviews on the forum when it opened last year, from myself included (great location, 'style over substance', but worth a second chance).

We are coming out in the next few weeks (very excited!), is it worth giving it another go? Is it busy?

mrs b

[kelly]

we went last year and it was lovely. we went last night and it was quite busy but it was awful!!! We sat down at 8.15 didnt get bread for half an hour and didnt get our mains until 9.50 and the food was good but wasnt worth that wait. we didnt get any apologies for the wait or anything. we will never go there again.

[mrs-b]

Oh dear! That doesn't sound too good!

They obviously have some serious timing issues going on - which is a shame because it potentially has so much going for it.

[hedley]

We went last year and it was exactly the same.The waiting was unnacceptable,the food was above average but not worth the wait.

There was no flow to the evening and everyone around was talking about the poor service etc rather than just ejoying the restaurant and its surroundings/setting which is a shame.

I will be arriving on Thursday and was thinking of giving them a second chance but it seems that the teething problems may still be apparent.

[Gary/Gaynor]

Obviously management happy to take your money but no time or effort has gone in to either training their staff to a competent level or better still taking on experiences waiting staff. Very sad as it's a great location. When will restaurants learn that you have to stay ahead of the game to keep existing business and attract new business.
Gaynor

[e-richard]

I went last week and had an awful Cod which came after a very long wait. Decided against complaining as I did not fancy waiting another hour for any replacement.

But when we left at about 8.30 on a Monday, the outside Patio was full, with lots of diners "spilling over" inside.

...When will restaurants learn that you have to stay ahead of the game to keep existing business and attract new business. Gaynor

It seems you just need a great location to attract business. Food and service are irrelevant - and often, so is price

[Gary/Gaynor]

I went last week and had an awful Cod which came after a very long wait. Decided against complaining as I did not fancy waiting another hour for any replacement.

But when we left at about 8.30 on a Monday, the outside Patio was full, with lots of diners "spilling over" inside.

...When will restaurants learn that you have to stay ahead of the game to keep existing business and attract new business. Gaynor

It seems you just need a great location to attract business. Food and service are irrelevant - and often, so is price

You are so right with regards to location, they have it nailed. I wonder how much is repeat business? We've been caught out before with other resturants (not necessary CVO, although there are one or two I could mention and have before on other posts) they just want to make a fast buck!
Oh well 6 weeks and counting for us.
Gaynor

[HampshireRich]

I went last week and had an awful Cod which came after a very long wait. Decided against complaining as I did not fancy waiting another hour for any replacement.

But when we left at about 8.30 on a Monday, the outside Patio was full, with lots of diners "spilling over" inside.

...When will restaurants learn that you have to stay ahead of the game to keep existing business and attract new business. Gaynor

It seems you just need a great location to attract business. Food and service are irrelevant - and often, so is price

Best thing to do then would be to get up and walk out prior to the meal coming if the time has been too long. A few episodes of people walking out may change their minds.

[mrs-b]

Do you think the problems may be with the kitchen?

From what I recall, there seemed to be enough waiting staff. Other establishments seem to manage with a similar number of staff and don't seem to have the problems experienced at Onze. I appreciate there may be a slight delay during the height of the season (and then it is nice to relax with your family/friends with a glass or two of something chilled and some bread and olives etc), but waiting over an hour for 'something' to arrive is ridiculous!

Does anyone know what it is like later in the evening - do many use it as a bar?

[fmm]

Last year the waiting staff were mostly the people that owned/ran the restaurant.

I shall be disappointed if it has not achieved what I had expected it to. I will probably try it over the summer. I don't think they are great with fish to be honest, but the rest of the menu was very tasty. I only really have fish at Marisqueira - nothing else tastes as good as theirs! Oh - had fish at Villa Nova as they fillet at the table - that was also very good.

[Ma-Ja's]

I went last week and had an awful Cod which came after a very long wait. Decided against complaining as I did not fancy waiting another hour for any replacement.

But when we left at about 8.30 on a Monday, the outside Patio was full, with lots of diners "spilling over" inside.

...When will restaurants learn that you have to stay ahead of the game to keep existing business and attract new business. Gaynor

It seems you just need a great location to attract business. Food and service are irrelevant - and often, so is price

You are so right with regards to location, they have it nailed. I wonder how much is repeat business? We've been caught out before with other resturants (not necessary CVO, although there are one or two I could mention and have before on other posts) they just want to make a fast buck!
Oh well 6 weeks and counting for us.
Gaynor

This is so frustrating for restaurants that don't have location, location, location including us. In our experience, you will tend to find that you will receive better service/food and the prices will be cheaper in restaurants that are just off the beaten track. These type of restaurants survive purely on recommendations and repeat business as they don't get much "passing trade". For the little "passing trade" that they may get, if they see the restaurant is empty or not very busy, they then assume the reason is because the restaurant offers poor service, food etc. and do not go in.

So please, next time you pass a restaurant that is just off the beaten track, go in and give them a try, you never know you maybe pleasantly surprised.

[Gary/Gaynor]

So right Jan, there are some restaurants that can afford these wonderful locations and that's what they bank on. As always we have had great food, great service and a great welcome from Ma' Ja's . We actually like the idea that you are slightly off the well worm track as it's much quieter. See you soon and thanks for your help for mum’s up and coming 80th birthday dinner, so nice of you guys to arrange one of Mark’s homemade cheesecakes to celebrate.
Gaynor

[Michael Crane]

.....So please, next time you pass a restaurant that is just off the beaten track, go in and give them a try, you never know you maybe pleasantly surprised.

Do not pass Ma-Ja's. If you do you'll miss out on a great meal, excellent service, and a very friendly welcome.

[SAM SPARKLE]

I second that. Stacey ,if you're watching, add Ma-Ja's to your list, very nice people Jan and Mark.

[mrs-b]

Moving back on the topic of Onze.......

I think we are all agreed that even though the service is slow, it must have 'something' to make it so busy. I'm not so sure it is all location, as apart from a few tables at the front of the patio, you don't really have a great view.

I'm baffled....