user Clodagh

Mon Nov 19th 2007

I visited Mesa for Sunday brunch with three friends visiting from overseas. The industrial setting is impressive but on a cold, grey Sunday, the upstairs area had a rather "morning after the night before" air to it. Service was generally attentive, although they did get our complicated "caffeinated/decaffeinated, low fat/full fat latte combination" wrong - but changed it without a fuss. The berry smoothies were delicious and very soothing to jet lagged throats. We ordered a wide selection of brunch food - brunch platter, spinach and mushroom brioche, toast, spicy french fries, fruit platter - but, apart from the french fries, the average temperature was lukewarm to cold which was disappointing as the presentation and flavour were good. As another reviewer commented, we were surprised that the waiter told us when he presented us with our credit card slip that "service is not included" - so it must be in the staff handbook. Overall, the experience was a rather lacklustre one - not bad enough to make me never want to go back but not good enough to ensure a speedy repeat visit either.

user rokpan19

Tue Nov 13th 2007

Had a great night out on the terrace, a real relaxed atmosphere to eat or throw back a few cold ones.

user JayHeyHey

Tue Oct 16th 2007

I ate brunch last weekend on the terrace at Mesa and it was delightful. The mushroom & spinach brioche was absolutely perfect, the weather was steller, and there was a good crowd (not too quiet, not too loud!) I absolutely appreciated the nanny room as the kids interfered with my bloody mary. A special thanks to Jacob for checking on us during the rush. Thanks Mesa team! We'll come back soon. X

user Sugarpants

Mon Jul 9th 2007

I agree with the comments above. My friends and I came in for drinks on a Sat. afternoon. It took 10 minutes for the waitresses to notice us. After we got our drink menus it took them another 10 to take our orders. We had to wait for about 15 minutes to get our frozen drinks and even longer for hot coffees!? They served no napkins or water with it and after we asked for them they looked puzzled by our request. The drinks were OK, but the service was awful. I am fine with it as long as they don’t call them selves “the best bar/restaurant in town.”

user foodanddrink

Sun Oct 1st 2006

I once was a great fan of Mesa-Manifesto, recently I was extremely disappointed with both their service and quality of food & dink: They used to server great after diner drinks and especially their Chocolate-Martini’s (both dark & white) was something I would tak a taxi across town for. NO LONGER twice now the drinks served were below standard and nothing more than a bas copy of what they used to be! On top of this, after I asked for the check and paid by credit card, the waitress had the audacity to whisper to me the question: “NO TIP?” Having been in China for more than 3 years, this is a first! We all know that tipping is not a common practice in China and on top of this, after having paid 15% service charge, I it up to me as a guest / client to decide to leave a tip. I will not go back to this restaurant again! Badly mixed drinks at steep prices and a waitress begging for a tip that sums it up!

user LALogan

Tue Sep 26th 2006

Having been in Shanghai for just a month, and having been to most of the top restaurants the city has to offer, I'd without a doubt hold Mesa as one of the top restaurants this side of the PacRim. Whether dining in Mesa or working through a few mojitos and the well rounded tapas menu in Manifesto, the atmosphere has the mood for the moment. While some of the tableside service leaves a little to be desired for, that tends to be a normalcy here. My one negative moment revolved around the host. Considering the host is the first person you see and interact with one would think Mesa would want someone who actually smiled and did not give the cold aloofness that she did so well!! As for the bar, it is a bad bad bad place for me... Not in the way an obviously unhappily married Karin is (read above review), but for the reason that Manifesto is all around a great place any day of the week. Whatever is going on behind the scenes, don't change it!!

user Karin

Mon Jul 17th 2006

I have been to Mesa with my husband on a Saturday and I was actually a bit disappointed. Food was good but not as stunning as I remembered it from being there a year ago. There are certainly other places where you get more value for your money. Anyway, what was really irritating was the blonde Australian (?) girl who obviously seemed to work at Mesa. We unfortunately could not figure out what her role was. No matter whether she is just an intern or even a manager with her rude, unprofessional behavior and arrogance she does not really fit into restaurant business. When we asked one of the Chinese staff to change the air-condition temperature from ice-cold to a normal temperature the waitress did not fully understand our request and went to the Australian girl to ask for help. The Australian only turned up her nose at our plea looked into our direction and was only reluctantly responsive. While all the staff has to wear decent clothes at Mesa she dressed sluttish and was giggling and playing with her hair instead of taking care of the customers. In a place with prices like this we also expect certain manners from staff and management particularly when they come from a western country.

user princess79

Wed Sep 28th 2005

The food there is absolutley delicious and the ambience impeccable. The only thing that Mesa is short of is good service. It seems when you host an event, the assistant manager will not make an effort to ensure things go smoothly in addition, not even capable of having simple customer service knowledge. Don't be surprised if something goes wrong for your large gathering and the assistant manager goes missing but somehow has enough time to send a waitstaff over with an email message. You know something is seriously wrong when they call hospitality "bending over backwards".