The food at Luke Mangan's gastropub, The Palace is very good.

I have visited twice now, once for lunch a couple of weeks after opening, where the service was slow and recently on a Saturday night where any glitches in service should have been ironed out.

Sadly this was not the case.

The place is clearly popular, with tables extended into the bar area and some tables haveing 2 sittings. Immediately one senses the emphasis on numbers and throughput rather than the individual. At peak times the restaurant is very noisy and one can sense the stress emanating from the overstretched floor staff and the kitchen.

My main issue of concern was that the main courses took over an hour to arrive. When I mentioned this to the manager I was taken aback by his unapologetic stance and the comment "This is usual for a Saturday night. It is common to expect a half hour wait for the entree and then a half hour wait for the main course" When questioned that some diners might find over an hour wait for the main course a bit long and that it might be a good idea if someone had informed us that our meals were on the way and that the kitchen had not lost our order, this request was met with the same unapologetic tone and a stoney face. I would have got better problem resolution from a manager at McDonalds!

For the prices charged ($18 entree, $33-$40 main, $15 desserts), I expect more. Am surpised that a place with Luke Mangan's moniker could provide such poor service. If content to put up with shoddy service and the lackadasical attutide of the manager then give this place a go, but I will not be back!

The food was fantastic