All Restaurant Reviews

Albert Restaurant (Bakewell)

We went for Sunday lunch at the Albert Restaurant and, like the last reviewer, found it all of excellent quality. The four of us - two adults and two children eating off the set menu - found it hard to find fault, although we tried hard in the interests of a balanced review. For starters two of us had celeriac and butternut squash soup, which was superb and creamy with just the right balance of vegetables. We also had salmon cured in vodka with what was effectively a sweet beetroot pickle and venison carpaccio with walnuts and horseradish shavings. The restaurant advertises the quality of its aged Derbyshire beef and that certainly lived up to its billing, as did the roast pork with generous crackling. Both are served with all the trimmings, including fresh horseradish and homemade apple sauce. The vegetables were traditional and seasonal with generous helpings of root vegetable mash, which seemed a close relation of the soup with leeks, potatoes and carrots. Puddings continued the good form of the rest of the meal, Eton mess, white chocolate and pistachio mousse, and burnt Cambridge cream were all just right. Now for the criticism; it's a measure of how good the food was to be criticising the price of the bottled water, and the table numbers, which were more suited to a greasy spoon than the wood panelled and white linen dining room there, but that's about the most we can come up with. This area of Derbyshire has its fair share of excellent dining. The Albert has only been open around three months, but deserves a place amongst the best.

Respond to AuthorJonathan Armstrong (23 November 2008)

Bocca di Lupo (Mayfair, Soho & Fringes)

You simply must go; this is the best Italian in London without a doubt.

Respond to AuthorMark (23 November 2008)

Kitchin N1 (Camden, Islington & Marylebone)

Kitchin N1 is a concept I have not come across in London before. Chinese, Thai, Indian and Italian buffet style with a la carte items all in an up market swish setting. Once we got stuck in we found the food was tasty, and there was a wide selection. The Indian dishes were authentic and tasted great, and the Chinese stir fry was made a la carte and is worth a special mention. The service was attentive and all in all was exceptional value for £12.95 for the evening menu. I would highly recommend a visit to this restaurant.

Respond to AuthorSarah Martin (23 November 2008)

Sheridan Restaurant (Oldham)

I recently attended a wedding at the Bower hotel and I thought it was brilliant. The staff, the food and the relaxed family atmosphere made the whole day so special. It was my first time in Oldham and if I am ever in the area again I will be sure to visit. The rooms were comfortable and clean and the discounted rates were a bonus. All in all it was one of the best weddings we have been to. It was a pity though that it didn’t stop raining all day as the gardens were very nice. Keep up the good work and well done.

Respond to AuthorAmy Whitehead (23 November 2008)

Olive Press - Manchester (Manchester)

The Olive Press is housed in an interesting and attractive Victorian building just off Deansgate. The interior design is modern and comfortable, but complements and enhances the impression of a quality restaurant. The dishes on the Sunday specials menu are all good and offer excellent value. The restaurant is child-family friendly and the staff are helpful. If you are in Manchester on Sunday this is the place to head to.

Respond to AuthorBill (23 November 2008)

Russian Tavern at The Port Royal Hotel (Isle of Bute)

Sailing the west coast of Scotland in August-September 2008, we discovered this great stopover on the Isle of Bute. At Port Bannatyne, The Russian Tavern is right on the seashore. There are guestrooms and a good selection of beers, but it is outstanding for its fine cuisine. The seafood is truly fresh; we saw it when it landed. There is also plenty of good fresh fruit and vegetables. Everything we had was cooked fresh from obviously well sourced materials. The Russian dishes we had were excellent and everyone in the place seemed excited they were having a well crafted meal. The French seemed particularly satisfied they had found a restaurant to their expectations. Well done to The Russians. Finding Port Bannatyne really made the holiday, so this review is a thank you.

Respond to AuthorMarius van Rijn (23 November 2008)

Fat Loaf, The (Sale)

I have visited all three Fat Loaf restaurants. The food is superb with friendly chefs and members of staff. Most of the food is locally sourced and the menus are changed regularly. They are good value and well worth a visit.

Respond to AuthorEve (23 November 2008)

Left Bank, The (Glasgow)

I have eaten several times mainly at lunchtime at the Left Bank, and the food has always been very good. The soups are brilliant and very unusual. The small dishes like tapas are not small, but very filling and have a fabulous flavour especially the ribs and the prawns. The members of staff are friendly and efficient. I rate Left Bank as one of the best eating places in the West End.

Respond to AuthorRenee (23 November 2008)

Imrans (Birmingham)

It was our second visit, and yes, the food was nice. However, the service was slow with several tables complaining of the same, and the attitude of the front of house server was appalling. When paying, the pin terminal was passed to me to enter my pin with no amount showing, as the staff had pressed enter once too many times. I stated I would not enter my pin without confirming the amount, as the members of staff were so busy and an error could be made. The attitude I then met with for refusing was unbelievable. When he realised I was not going to enter the pin he shouted about wasting paper, and when the amount was re-entered he thrust the terminal in my face, virtually spat the word 'happy' at me before smacking it on the counter for me to enter my pin. I thanked him, and asked him if he would have agreed to pay when he hadn't seen the amount. I was met with a sarcastic 'yeah whatever, you're right, I’m wrong, have a nice day' as he handed over the card and receipt. This was an unbelievably bad attitude for what was his error and a simple mistake. I will never be going back again.

Respond to AuthorMo (22 November 2008)

Le Caprice (SW1, Belgravia & Westminster)

Yes, most of the front of house members of staff are most pleasant, but the place is very cramped, and accessed by a perplexing revolving door without directional arrows. There is very little bar space so you really need to arrive exactly at the time you have booked, not early. It was delightful to spot Lorraine Chase who is slim as a willow wand tucking into her lunch. Having ordered a steak tartare as starter, completely without embellishment, it was surprising that the standard accompanying condiments arrived when the delicious steak was 3/4 consumed. It was also most distracting when the table was interrupted by the removal of excess glassware. In all honesty the food was acceptable, but nothing out of the ordinary. Two of the waiting staff were most amicable and this causes me to ask if the ‘discretionary’ tip really has its place? It was not a bad experience, but not as special as we had hoped for. As a p.s. the toilets were nothing special and could be problematic, should anyone have a mobility problem.

Respond to AuthorMaura Newman (22 November 2008)