All Restaurant Reviews

Pizza Express - London Bridge (South of the River - East)

Having been to the London Dungeons for a birthday treat, we had booked a table for ten at 1.30pm. We had a great time. The kids enjoyed the junior menu and the two adults had adult pizza. Despite being the noisiest table by far, we were treated fantastically. Without notice the restaurant found a chocolate cake with candles, and didn’t mind the excess noise coming from eight very boisterous boys. The restaurant was packed and the service excellent. I will give it a 10/10, and 100% recommendable.

Respond to AuthorBaz 9th Birhday (24 November 2008)

Host Restaurant & Bar (Bishop's Stortford)

I live in the USA and my son and his spouse took me to the Host Restaurant for dinner recently. The food was excellent; I had the chicken liver and foie gras parfait with apple and grape chutney, and toasted brioche for starters. The char-grilled 8oz fillet of English beef with horseradish dauphinoise potatoes served with Savoy cabbage and red wine jus were my mains. However, the service had some rough patches. Our waiter seemed uncertain whether our wine should be chilled or not, after we requested it be put in the wine chiller for a while. He settled on an ice bucket brought to the table, then after opening the bottle he left so we eventually had to do our own tasting before drinking the wine. The service was slow, but that was probably due to a large group of people at one table, and we had to wait a long time for our mains until they were all served. Finally my son clearly asked for the bill at the end and our waiter acknowledged us, but nothing happened. After another long wait in a now closed and almost empty restaurant, my son asked another member of the staff for the bill, and this time it came quickly. I would recommend the food at the Host to anyone, there are too many poor restaurants in London and Washington SC where I live that charge more. Pity I am left thinking about the quality of service.

Respond to AuthorTony B (24 November 2008)

Wife of Bath, The (Wye)

Six of us went for a decadent two and a half hour lunch at The Wife of Bath on Saturday. We all opted for the three-course menu at £18, which meant between us we got to try almost everything on offer. The food was outstanding and the members of staff were really friendly, with just the right mix of being relaxed and familiar without being intrusive. There’s a lovely ‘arriving room’ for those who want a relaxed drink, and a long look at the menu before settling into the restaurant. All of the food was beautifully presented with great combinations of tastes and delicate accompanying sauces. I had mackerel and horseradish fishcake to start followed by sea-bream with lemongrass dauphinoise, which was perfectly cooked with a citrus butter sauce with a great combination of tastes. Others tried duck with lentils, pork tenderloin with mash and pesto, a Moroccan hake dish, and tortilla with tofu and wild mushrooms. Everyone was very impressed and full without being full-to-bursting. It’s worth having a sparing breakfast to make room for something from the dessert menu, which is amazing and beautifully presented; our favourites were bitter chocolate cake and expresso ice-cream and a great plum and apple cobbler, and a tangerine in Fio pastry dish. All their cheeses were local, from Wye herds, which we thought was pretty impressive, and they said that they try to design their menu around seasonal produce. There was a good selection of wines, we went for the most reasonable red on the menu and can recommend it. We’ll definitely be going there again.

Respond to AuthorNathalie (24 November 2008)

Rhos Harbour Bistro (Colwyn Bay)

I visited the Harbour Bistro today on the recommendation of my brother, a Colwyn Bay resident, and could not fault the place. They have good food, well cooked and at a reasonable price. The members of staff are very attentive including the owner, who is always on hand. Sunday is carvery, as well as an extensive menu, with well cooked joints and excellent vegetables. The others in the party ate from the normal menu. All the meals were excellent, the chips were big chunky and dry, and not at all greasy. All the food was hot and all the meals were served together. Jugs of iced water were given at no cost, unusual in today’s climate. Don’t be put off by the outside, which looks a little run down, the inside is clean and the views out to sea even on a cold day like today were great. The owner has his priorities right in getting the food and interior and staffing correct, before seeing to the outside of the premises. I do not normally write reviews, but the last time we visited relatives in Rhos we ate a little further down the road at a nice looking restaurant, and the food was overcooked, badly served with gravy on my clothes and on the floor with no apology. I would recommend the Harbour Bistro to anyone looking for very good, reasonably priced food in a friendly atmosphere. We will certainly return on our visits to the area.

Respond to AuthorStuart and family (23 November 2008)

Zizzi - St Albans (St Albans)

Just wanted to say what a great restaurant Zizzi in St Albans is. As a regular customer who goes there once a week, I can honestly say that the food is always great and the staff provide really good service, in what is always a vibrant and buzzing environment. I highly recommend Zizzi, especially at the weekends.

Respond to AuthorPaul Johnson (23 November 2008)

Lunesdale Arms (Tunstall)

There are none better in the region. This is possibly the best gastropub I've eaten in. David was absolutely right, it's better than its much-publicised neighbours. The Lunesdale has better food, service, ambience, staff, drinks - and customers and is highly recommended.

Respond to AuthorToffee-toes (23 November 2008)

Bay Horse (Wetherby)

I had the ‘early-bird’ two course dinner there last night and really enjoyed it. The cauliflower soup, with bacon pieces etc, was pleasant as was my well done sirloin steak. I had a good appetite, but still couldn't finish off all the potatoes and vegetables, which I shared with the ‘good lady’. Getting the hot tomato bread free at the start was a nice touch and the service was just right. I was comfortably seated on a cushioned bench, which could have done with sewing up a bit though. It was not too dark, I hate it if I can't see what I am eating, and there was a nice atmosphere although thought it might have been a bit fuller for a Saturday night. I would certainly go again.

Respond to AuthorDave (23 November 2008)

Aagrah - Pudsey (Pudsey)

This used to be my local and this place was excellent. After moving away I had not been back for fourteen years, only to find time has been not good to the Aagrah – Pudsey. The standard of cleanliness is not good. The first plate was dirty, the food warmer had traces of other food, and the table cloth also had evidence of previous curries. The chicken tikka balti was more heat than flavour. It was busy, but there are far better curries and value out there. I've been telling my wife how great this place is for years, only to find that my local in Somerset not known for its curries, is far better.

Respond to AuthorPhil (23 November 2008)

Fox & Hounds Inn, The (Whitby)

I went a few times before the fire, and returned with friends in early November. The food is still good, but the portions are much reduced, and it is poor value for money now; I won’t go back.

Respond to AuthorBob Smeety (23 November 2008)

Froggies at The Timber Batts (Ashford)

We had our first meal at Froggies today and can endorse the glowing reviews below; it is very high quality cooking and good value. The house Loire wines at £15 a bottle are produced by Joel Gross' cousin and have an authentic ‘gout du terroir’ - i.e. typically earthy French. My wife had garlic petoncles, which were incredibly flavourful and I opted for a smoked salmon millefeuille which was actually a three decker, on thin crispy pastry discs, of salmon terrine and smoked salmon and were much better than the usual stodgy mille-feuille. Our main course was chops for my wife and slow-cooked belly of pork for me. Both were cooked to perfection, high quality produce handled respectfully. My pork was melt-in-the-mouth and had the best crackling I have ever encountered, the vegetables were seasonal and in reasonable portions. Indeed portion control was spot-on; so many country establishments feel they have to load your plate up to a point where it actually puts one off. With friendly and not over-intrusive service and a generally warm and welcoming atmosphere, we will definitely be returning and may pop in on our way to or from Hythe to try the French pub grub. Plus, Froggies source from Wincheap butchers in Canterbury, Griggs fishmongers in Hythe, and from the Goods Shed in Canterbury Patriana, hams etc, and Tom, English cheeses - all suppliers we know and trust. I am sorry about Mr Innes' unfortunate episode, he obviously appreciates and enjoys Froggies' cuisine and I hope he gives it another try.

Respond to AuthorJohn Morrison (23 November 2008)