After his four-year-old children received chicken and chips at a Christmas dinner, a father of four has hit out at a local restaurant.
Rick Arpino, who visited the Ruposhi Indian Bar & Restaurant in Bury on Saturday with his partner and their four children, has posted scathing reviews on Facebook and TripAdvisor.
He said that he had ordered Indian meals for two adults, and Christmas traditional dinners for children, but upon arrival, he was served half of a fried tomato, chicken chips, and chips.
He explained that he was ‘completely disappointed’ by the dinner and then complained about how ‘what an absolute farce it is – Christmas Dinner destroyed for our kids at the will of this restaurant.
Rick’s actions were criticized on social media by others who suggested that he had misunderstood curry houses and was wrong to expect a traditional Indian meal.
Rick Arpino, who visited the Ruposhi Indian Bar & Restaurant in Bury on Christmas Day, has divided opinions after complaining that his children were served chicken and chips instead of a traditional festive roast dinner (pictured)
Rick, furious at his poor dining experience, wrote on the internet: “My partner (and our four children) visited today for Christmas and were deeply disappointed by what happened.
I confirmed the booking by phone. We booked two Indian dinners and one trad christmas for our children.
The manager informed me that the decision to not serve turkey was made due to a shortage of reservations.
“Fair enough. Not a significant change. And the children probably wouldn’t notice.”
Restaurant manager Shah Munim said customers were told why traditional Christmas dinner wouldn’t be available before coming to Ruposhi (pictured) on Christmas Day
He continued: ‘Wow! Although I was aware that the meat had been changed, I didn’t bother to inform myself that the family had substituted the trimmings for chips and half a fried tomatoes.
Advertise a variety of menus, then let people choose what they like.
‘[It is] obviously a cost issue but to attempt to charge £30 for a plate of chicken and chips is a joke!
“We weren’t the only ones to be affected by this, as it happened again on the second sitting.”
He ended his post: ‘Stay away because they don’t care about you.’
There have been hundreds of complaints about Rick since Rick published his complaint. One person wrote, “Christmas dinner was ruined when you went for Indian food for Christmas!”
Another person said, “Ruposhi Indian Restaurant serves amazing Indian food. We love it there.”
The place would be far from my top choices for hosting a British traditional Christmas meal. You might consider trying another place rather than giving it negative reviews.
One third said she visited Ruposhi Christmas Day, and was informed they were not doing Christmas dinner.
Her words were: “We went yesterday, couldn’t fault that we all had the delicious curry. It is an Indian curry house.
“If you want English food, I recommend you go to a pub. They did come round asking if everything was ok so really you should off said something and not sl** them off all over Facebook.’
Rick posted a complaint on TripAdvisor that the restaurant had swapped out Christmas decorations for chips and a deep fried tomato
Ruposhi Indian Restaurant said it had called customers before Christmas Day to confirm their order and explain they no longer offer a Christmas dinner menu.
Shah Munim, the manager of the restaurant, stated that he had written TripAdvisor about his disappointment with the review.
Shah, who has managed the restaurant for over 11 years, explained that it has been difficult to bring all his customers back in the restaurant after the lockdown.
He explained to us that this was because very few people had ordered Christmas dinner.
He stated, “We want to please customers.” They were given options. They chose chips and chicken.
“I completely agree with them. They’re not happy. I did my best.
“But unfortunately, after leaving they wrote in Facebook and on Tripadvisor. He added that he didn’t understand why they were doing this.
He stated that it was difficult for him to manage a business at the moment. Negative reviews could have a negative impact on his business, he said.
He stated that while it is easy for customers to review Tripadvisor, it can be difficult for businesses to operate and maintain customer satisfaction.
He explained to us that Ruposhi had served approximately 80 people on Christmas Day. One customer left a 5-star review.
The reviewers wrote that they came to the restaurant for Christmas Day, with six people. They were impressed by the food and service, as well as the excellent curries. Thanks for an amazing meal.