James (27 June 2008)

I have read the gentleman's review regarding fine dining. I don't believe that Frankie and Benny's have ever stated that they were fine dining. It is what it is. The prices are reasonable and, like most establishments, service can be a bit hit and miss. F and B's is geared around family dining with children and caters for that extremely well. The food is reasonable and you do not have to wait for a huge period of time. We have two young children and it is quite difficult to find a restaurant, which caters for both adults and kids. The children have plenty to occupy themselves with and the atmosphere is not stuffy. Do not let the gentleman's review put you off especially if you have children. I will visit again.

Converted of Derby (21 December 2007)

I recently visited the Telford Frankie and Benny’s dining establishment for a work Christmas meal. The venue had been selected on the basis of positive feedback from colleagues ranging from melt in the mouth divine to awesome. My expectations were set high and I was certainly not going to be disappointed. The restaurant is ideally situated next to a petrol filling station on an industrial estate which proved ideal as my car was running low. I was able to fill up and, with a full compliment of diesel, proceed past the McDonalds drive through to park in the ample car park. An added feature to the restaurant was a Ford Capri complete with fluffy dice which proved of interest to a number in my party. On entering the restaurant I was amazed at what I saw, I usually frequent restaurants that are scathingly referred to as sophisticated by my Cannock bred colleague, and that was the first time I had visited an eatery he would term full factory and I have realised the errors of my way!

The inside of the establishment reminded me of The Pogues Fairy Tale of New York – bars big as cars, authentic New York\ Italian influence décor, and family photos of the small Italian family that started the Telford restaurant. I believe all the meals served are from secret family recipes. Following a leisurely club soda at the bar they led us to our booth by the door to the kitchen, and that was the best place to sit to really enjoy the hustle and bustle of the restaurant. A nice touch was that the table they had provided us with usually only seats four, sitting the nine people from our team at work so close only helped to build the already exceptionally strong bond between us all. The waitress, Lisa, was exceptionally friendly and attentive. Lisa provided us with three complimentary bottles of fine wine (I felt like a true VIP) to enjoy with our meal - and enjoy was to be the word that summed up the evening. My soup arrived, which looked fantastic, a brilliant white colour with real lumps of raw garlic floating on the surface - I had never tasted Mediterranean vegetable soup like that. For a real taste of the Mediterranean forget Nice and Monaco - the true experience is to be found in Telford! Just as I was finishing my soup the lights dimmed, the music rose in volume, and the best version of happy birthday I had ever heard burst into life. A waitress came out of the kitchen with a splendid looking cake while the whole restaurant sang along - what a fantastic way to celebrate a birthday! When I thought the celebrations were over Cliff Richard suddenly burst into song with Congratulations. The whole experience was truly exhilarating! That was to happen a further five times during the course of the meal, and I enjoyed every bit of the song.

After a couple of drinks I felt the need to visit the lavatory, even there the true Italian feel of the restaurant did not end. They imaginatively pipe learn Italian tapes into the room, I now know how to understand prices in Lire – that would have been useful when I visited Italy in 1976.

My main course was a thick sirloin steak, which I understood was fresh from a local farm shop - the succulence was certainly testimony to that. However I wish, like my colleague, that I had opted for the chicken with BBQ sauce. The charred skin and sweet smelling sauce was a sensory experience never before experienced and probably never to be repeated! The dessert as you can imagine was special - real American apple pie just like Mom used to make – that’s a New York Italian Deli after all. I asked Lisa to get the recipe from the Chef however she informed me that was a close guarded family secret! I don’t blame them not wanting to give a winner like that away. All in all, it was a fantastic evening, the only reason I left the restaurant was to beat the traffic, or otherwise I would still be their now!