Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand spent his career wearing shorts on the football field - but the clothing item is BANNED for diners at his swanky city centre Italian restaurant Rosso. A number of male diners are fuming after being turned away from the celebhaunt restaurant for wearing shorts, despite temperatures sizzling up to 29C in Manchester.
Diners have hit out at Rosso on review site Tripadvisor after three separate incidents in recent weeks. They all say they were turned away from the luxurious Spring Gardens eaterie for wearing what they described as "smart shorts".
The restaurant says it makes its dress code clear to all diners on both its website and in confirmation emails for every booking. On its website it issued a statement on May 19, 2022 saying: "Rosso has a smart dress code – no shorts/sportswear/hats. Management retain the right to refuse entry."
Read more : Ryan Giggs' Worsley restaurant responds after some diners left negative reviews on Tripadvisor
But that has not met with the approval of certain diners - particularly given the warm temperatures of recent weeks. Diner Saintsdave left a fuming report on Tripadvisor last week.
He wrote: "Booked a table and turned up in shorts (tailored shorts I might add) on a very sunny day in Manchester only to be turned away by a very abrupt and rude doorman.
"When we asked to speak to the manager we were told very aggressively “ring them”.... another ‘customer’ entered in cargo pants, when we questioned this the doorman said “well there not joggers are they” we did ring the restaurant from outside but the manager refused to come out, also the doorman seems to not recognise that bookings are secured with card details with a no show charge, they did cancel this after we called them from outside.
"Maybe the doorman was the owner and under the current economic climate can afford to turn customers away. Also what if someone has a hidden disability that forces them to wear shorts!
"We have passed our comments on direct to the restaurant but we’re not expecting any response. Will not be returning."
The restaurant responded to the review to state: "We appreciate your feedback, and are too disappointed you couldn’t dine with us. Regarding your experience with our door staff, this certainly does not sound like our usual high standard of service that we strive to provide and will be taken very seriously.
"Our dress code is smart casual and subject to the discretion of management along with our door team upon arrival. This is available to view upon booking with us via open table.
"Once you have selected a booking slot online, this is detailed under ‘What to know before you go – a note from the restaurant’ (explaining that shorts, caps or sportswear/tracksuits are not permitted.). This is also available to view on your confirmation email along with the terms and conditions section of our website."
On June 4, reviewer Snowy797 wrote a post entitled "Won't be going back ever!" He wrote: "After having lunch in 20 Stories (who also have a dress code) we turned up for our dinner at Rosso. We are two 60+ gents in smart shorts…..apparently unsuitably dressed? Ladies in skimpy clothing admitted? It’s 2022 ffs!"
Meanwhile in a post entitled "Beware ambiguous dress code" on 15 May, Rik1972 wrote: "Booked for daughters 17th birthday and travelled in from Cheshire. Got as far as the door to be told that my tailored chino shorts didn’t meet their dress code (it’s described as ‘smart’ on their website)
"We were then stuck there for 20 minutes whilst their manager finished on the toilet (yes really) so he could make his final decision if our party of 5 would be let in. Reader, I won’t keep you in suspense, we weren’t.
"It was mildly amusing to watch a stream of young blokes in jeans and trainers being welcomed in whilst we were stood there, so the restaurant's idea of ‘smart’ is shall we say rather flexible. Less amusingly my daughter was on the verge of tears as she’d been looking forward to her birthday meal."
The reviewer added that after being refused, they went to the Spanish tapas restaurant Tast further down King Street - famously co-owned by Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola - instead.
He wrote: "Luckily we were welcomed at Tast 400m down the hill where we had a beautiful meal. So that’s Pep Guardiola 1 Rio Ferdinand nil. "
Rosso is known as a celeb hotspot, with recent famous faces dining at the venue including the likes of fashion boss Molly Mae Hague, a host of Love Island stars, former Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan and super-WAG Coleen Rooney.
The MEN has asked Rosso Restaurant about the complaints about the dress code. They said in a statement: "We truly value all our customers but we do have a very clearly stated dress code which guests are made aware of at the time of booking and is available for all to see.
"The last thing we wish to do is to upset any of our guests."
Other reviewers on Tripadvisor have spoken out about the "no sportswear" part of the dress code at the fancy Italian restaurant which is named after the Italian word for red. The venue was first launched by England and Man United sporting hero Rio Ferdinand and his co-owners in the city back in 2011.
Last week reviewer rauf101h wrote: "Refused entry due to wearing plain black jogging bottoms (no logos or symbols), despite there being no dress code specified on their website. I had booked this as an anniversary dinner a couple of weeks in advance so very disappointed! If a dress code was specified I would understand."
The restaurant responded to his comment to state: "Thank you for taking some time to leave some feedback regarding your recent experience at Rosso Restaurant. Our dress code policy is stated on both our online booking service, your booking confirmation and our website. If you have any concerns or would like more details regarding the dress code, feel free to give us a call."
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