Restaurant-Guide.com
hand picked restaurants

Frankie and Benny's combine classic American and Italian in both style and cuisine. They specialise in home style cooking 'just like Mamma used to make it'. This is a great place to take the entire family and represents excellent value for money. The restaurant and bar is suitable for any occasion, whether it's a leisurely lunch, a family meal or a fantastic evening with friends - they make sure you have a wonderful time.

Walking into the restaurant is like stepping back into 1950s New York, from the clatter and chatter of the open kitchen to the bottle lined bar. Walls with black and white family photographs showing life in Brooklyn's 'Little Italy' surround cosy booth seating and tables. Combined with the classic music of the fifties, a mix of American swing and beat, they definitely provide a fun and friendly atmosphere for all to enjoy.

Frankie and Benny's offers starters, main courses and delicious desserts, and favourites include char-grilled burgers, pizzas, pastas, steaks and house specialities such as chicken parmigiana, BBQ ribs, lamb shank and much more. The bar serves a wide range of beers, wines, spirits, cocktails and soft drinks.

Start with sticky wings, crispy coated chicken strips, tiger prawn skewer or Frankie's fried calamari and if you are dining in a group choose the giant sampler platter. The pastas, calzone and pizzas are all made freshly on order. An interesting dish on the menu is a the Boston 7 speciality pizza fully loaded with slices of pork meatballs, spicy pepperoni, ham, crispy bacon, chicken, peppers and red onion, served on a BBQ sauce base. They also serve a variety of sandwiches and burgers throughout the day.

A good value lunch menu is available on weekdays from 11am until 5pm offering a range of popular dishes from the main carte with one course at £5.95, two courses at £7.95 and three courses at £8.95.

For children up to the age of eleven, an all-inclusive menu features a selection of main courses, desserts and drinks starting at £3.95. As an added treat, they'll also receive an activity pack to entertain them whilst you eat.

Enjoy an American Italian meal at Frankie and Benny's with freshly prepared food and warm hospitality that makes you feel right at home.

"Banthai" means Thai house, and this restaurant in St Annes on Sea is designed keeping its name in mind, using lots of wood and Thai crafts to give it a comfortable, informal atmosphere.

The delightful waitresses are from Thailand or other parts of Asia, and add that special touch of class to the service; their chef is also Thai, with many years of experience working in quality restaurants, and guaranteeing an authentic dining experience.

Thai cuisine is a combination of styles and flavours from many regions of Asia. Investigate further by trying starters of moo yang or juicy marinated grilled pork, or flavoursome coconut, mushroom and herb soup, alongside Thai fish cakes.

Among mains, gaeng noh mai or bamboo shoot curry in your choice of red, green, matsuman or phanang paste, and roast duck in red curry with tomatoes, and basil and lime leaves, jostle with nuae kow pord, stir-fried beef with sweet baby corn, and minced chicken salad. Phad Thai and assorted rice dishes accompany the food.

The Auberge Restaurant is located in High Street, Rishton, near Blackburn. It was formerly the National Westminster Bank, but now serves a much worthier and entertaining mission in life than the transaction of mere money, perhaps best demonstrated by a vault that is full of wine rather than dusty papers and filthy lucre. English cuisine tinged with influences from Europe sets the tone, and Auberge does a brisk trade in weddings and funerals, so in that context at least a sense of match and despatch continues to make itself felt. Functions, special occasions and parties of up to 50 people are very welcome.

Over the years I have reached the view that, in general, any restaurant which takes trouble over its Sunday lunch stands a good chance of being pretty much on the ball at other times, and Auberge is no exception. Their à la carte menu is always available and starting courses could offer some of the famous Bury black pudding served with fried onion and bacon, stir-fried tiger prawns and vegetables tossed in garlic butter. A plate of smoked salmon, or wild duck confit served with red onion and beetroot compote provide a cold option before turning attention to a good range of main courses, starting with the guest fish of the day or, by giving 48 hours notice, fresh lobster prepared to your taste.

A vegetable korma is served with a timbale of rice, and by way of contrast a griddled fillet steak of ostrich with a wild cracked black pepper cream sauce could introduce you to something new. Stuffed loin of suckling pig, a 6oz venison steak or pan-fried lamb rump are all served with sauces of your choice, seasonal fresh vegetables or salad if preferred. A pleasantly sharp citrus shortbread is served in layers, filled with orange cream, but before you leap spare a thought for the homemade brandy snap basket, packed with stem ginger ice cream and topped with a brandied apple sauce.

It's bright, it's vivacious and it epitomises Italy perfectly, bringing you a lovely and continental setting, right here in the UK. Chic and modern elements fuse seamlessly with traditional charm and classic brasserie feel, and what you get is an ambience that resonates with a vibrant and contemporary buzz. The food is simply some of the best you can have outside Italy, and the fresh and superb quality ingredients along with the Neapolitan wood stone oven, makes sure that every dish is turned out authentically.

The fritto misto with fried squid, king prawn, asparagus and roasted garlic mayonnaise is a great way to begin, and crispy duck with honey roasted apples and Valpolicella red wine sauce makes a delicious main course. Pasta options are plentiful with favourites such as spaghetti carbonara and tagliatelle alla Bolognese; dessert includes the refreshing baked vanilla cheesecake with citrus blueberries.

Predominantly Italian, the wine list at Piccolino offers a number of choices alongside spirits and liqueurs.