Such an interesting piece, with great insights from Will. I couldn't agree more about restaurants trying things out/tinkering with their menus to see what works (and what doesn't). There are some (to me obvious) things that put me off going back to a restaurant. For instance, I ate at one West End restaurant recently with a friend who is vegan. I chose the restaurant because it had interesting-sounding plant-based dishes among the meat and fish. On the night I was shocked by the price of the wine, which was so much higher than elsewhere. Every bottle on the menu was upwards of £42, with only an oaky chardonnay slightly less at £38. So many people don't like oaky chardonnays. There was almost nothing by the glass. I asked to taste a Portuguese wine I hadn't heard of that was £42 a bottle but was told I couldn't. I'm not going to spend £42 on a wine that might be horrible. We ended up spending £48 on a wine I knew, but I was so cross about it that I will never go back. I sent a (polite) email with my thoughts, saying that if they had one or two bottles under £40 on the menu, plus more by the glass, they would be likely to entice more people to return. Did I get a reply? Of course I didn't. And NB: the restaurant wasn't even half full, despite it being in a brilliant location with a great atmosphere and an appealing, not overly pricey menu.
Aside from that, we live in a rural area and our two nearest pubs – both owned by the same person and both of which do excellent food that's generally quite pricey – do a community meal on a Monday, all day and evening. One charges £5 (one choice: either meat or veggie), plus it's another £5 if you have pudding; the other charges £15 for two courses (again no choice but always good). Both pubs are generally full and, of course, people drink alongside their £5 mains. I can tell the dishes make clever use of leftovers from Sunday lunches (perhaps a flatbread with seared lamb, a spicy yogurt sauce and lots of fresh herbs/veg; or, one week, pheasant katsu curry); I applaud that. And a community meal gives a strong message: that the pub isn't just for people with deep pockets. Such a great idea.
That’s a brilliant idea! My stepdaughter runs a neighbourhood café in Hastings that does a daily special with a vegan alternative for £6 and soup and sandwiches for less. Unsurprisingly it has a loyal following
Sympathy with the wine costs. They should definitely have had a better BTG option!
Dare I say it, it’s relatively simple (not easy, just simple), to operate efficiently. Price appropriately, staff to the right level, spend a little less on your broadband.
There’s almost no substitute for a busy restaurant though. Achieving a critical mass, is without a doubt one of the biggest challenges I’ve faced.
Something I’ve endeavoured to do - counterintuitively - is to bring back some of the opulence of dining out. An abundance of wine by the glass (with a taste prior to ordering, should you want it), complimentary truffles at the end of the meal.
Value is enormously important. That doesn’t mean to be cheap, but rather to exceed expectations. Although there’s a broad spectrum of restaurants and price points, I think for guests to justify a pricier meal out, it’s our job to pepper them with hospitality, and hopefully imbue a sense of warmth on them that makes them endeavour to return.
Yes it’s definitely the extras that make you feel special. A little something that’s free - in my case at the Seahorse today, focaccia, olives and anchoiade (which everyone gets when they sit down)!
HARD agree with your excellent point that great value isn't (and should't be seen as) a synonym for cheap!
Given that many of us go out to eat less than we once did, making it feel special is important (for me, at least, can't speak for everyone). And I love the idea of more wine by the glass for those who drink -- and as Karen said, at least a handful of affordable bottles on the wine list.
Another thing I've just thought of as I read this, though it's completely tangential, is having good options for those who don't drink alcohol (whether it's because of personal taste, health reasons, religion, sobriety or anything else). I'm so disappointed when I see places offering only the usual global soft drinks and a cheap bottled fruit juice.
I am happy to spend money on good quality non-alcoholic drinks; though I also won't spend exactly the same as the cost of a spirit on a non-alcoholic "spirit" since there is no alcohol tax to pay that would justify that, I will pay more than the price of a coke or fanta orange or cheaparse orange juice for a really good indie soft drink, juice or cocktail.
I don't enjoy beer or wine (other than dessert wine) so my options are often very limited. Which is why I really appreciate places that put even a small amount of effort into soft drinks that aren't coca cola, pepsi, sprite, long-life orange juice.
We like ones that serve good food and wine. Totally with you on 'Guys', we are not in a US soap for goodness sakes. Hello and welcome to..... is just fine. one of our local place does special Fish and chips at lunchtime for £10 - so we often take visitors or go on our own. It has tempted us back to some of their special evenings. I'd hurry back to Great Queen Street if it re-opened, a great loss. But freight is one thing that has made prices soar and i hear there is even more pressure on it recently. Good old wine society have kept increases to a minimum.
Especially these days - I have had a few deliveries from Svinando of late who also have some decent prices. I am biased as they stock one of my all time favourite- Remole by Frescobaldi. it is a very reasonable £9.90 from them.
Lungarotti's Rubesco was another great wine I used to get at Valvona and Crolla when they had a wide range of Italian wines. Did once drink it in Trastevere Rome some years ago. Not seen it for a while. Umani Rochi also seems to have disappeared their straight Montepulciano D'Abbruzzo was in Waitrose for a while. Jorio was also great. Must find my old Valvona and Crolla wine catalogues from the 80's and 90's! Trouble is I remember the prices from then and as the article says a lot have gone skywards.
As a restaurateur, I'm still amazed by the idea that restaurants are "suddenly so expensive", unfairly implying that everything else is not. Restaurants are not shielded from inflation at all, in fact as Will rightly points out, we get shafted by it on all fronts. Then customers come in aghast at menu prices for food and drink and service charge to reward our hard working staff (NB - restaurants cannot keep a single penny of every service charge you pay, we have to swallow every cost including bank/card machine charges which means we actually pay staff for service charge the business has not been paid). Restaurants are NOT suddenly expensive. Everything is expensive and we are simply trying to survive. Fact is, the vast majority of independent brands like me are wondering why we bother anymore. Margins are almost non existent now, most operators I know are running their business to break even (if they are lucky), so the idea of growth or improving your restaurant, let alone opening more sites is the privilege of the very few (Will and Hawksmoor deserve all the success they get, it has always been a brilliant brand). So please stop this narrative that restaurants are somehow more expensive than other enjoyable experiences. If you stick with this line, closures will continue to accelerate and the next article will be "Why are restaurants suddenly all gone?!"
I had hoped it was supportive rather than critical - giving a platform to a couple of restaurateurs - albeit one of them in the family - so am sorry if it didn't come across that way! I think you have to recognise that is what people are feeling though - not to the exclusion of other things that are expensive but it's a pleasure they (maybe wrongly) took for granted as part of their leisure time that they're now struggling to afford
As a resident of Cornwall since Covid we have seen prices go up substantially which gets worse in the tourist season so just as you mention we are eating much more at home, but better.
However there is a new initiative nearby, effectively a food court with a bar, where I’ve now eaten twice, both enjoying it very much. Nice mix of different types of food, (Asian, Italian, etc) all well cooked so far as I can tell, (I haven’t tried all 6 choices yet) and all in a historic building. Definitely the way to go in an area like Cornwall where wages are definitely not keeping up with prices.
I loooove a good food court (and more than 6 years after moving away from London I still miss Bang Bang Oriental). We have a food court in Newport (which is where my job is based). On the rare occasions I'm actively going into the office rather than WFH and its a day of the week they are open, I love to visit. An issue there this winter though was (in a huge, old and cold building) they refused to put their overhead heating lamps on all through this last winter (no doubt to save costs) so we stopped going until the weather improved. Sometimes the savings surely cost them more in lost customers than any potential cost reduction saved. But yes, a good food court is a great option for a less spendy meal!
So many restaurants do tasting menus nowadays. I know it keeps costs/variability down but hopeless for anyone with a smaller appetite. So we never go to these restaurants.
I often opt for a starter or two and, instead of sharing a bottle of wine between us, usually have a glass each.
We rarely go for tasting menus because whilst I like to eat virtually everything, my partner (who is by absolutely no means a picky eater) has a few more things he doesn't like and rigid, no-choice tasting menus are rarely suitable. Even more difficult when we go for meals with friends as people have different tastes. Places that only do tasting menus I guess have a much narrower potential audience, though I appreciate that some are still successful on that basis.
Yep, I don't mind a QUICK reminder of what we're getting, but a loooong convoluted explanation that meanders onto what the meaning of the dish is rather than what the fuck is actually in it? NO THANK YOU!
'You probably only have one course at home. Do you really need three to justify going out?'
Yes, I really do. The idea of going to a restaurant and not getting the full experience is just anathema to me. It would be like going to see a film and arriving halfway through the running time. If it's a very casual restaurant and the idea is to be in and out in 45 minutes or whatever, then fair enough, but generally speaking I put quite a lot of time and effort into choosing a restaurant and I want to try all of their good stuff, whether it's an a la carte, tasting menu or small plates place. I also really don't want to be a 'no starter just tap water' sort of diner. Isn't that gaming the system in a way? High five to me for 'escaping' with a small bill, but isn't that the death of the restaurant by a thousand cuts?
Agreed! The point of dining out is not merely to be fed, but to try different dishes and particularly ones that are too difficult and time consuming to prepare at home. We now dine out once rather than twice a week, but want dining to be a special experience, with starters and good wine.
Fair enough, Barbara. I agree about going to restaurants for dishes you don't want to or can't make yourself. I was just suggesting an alternative for those who want to eat out but are struggling with the prices.
I totally feel you on this! I'm still going out more frequently than the average person, but I think I'm becoming more and more conscious of a place being value for money. I don't begrudge being charged a bit more if the whole experience is consistently really good quality - I think very fondly of recent meals I've had at both high end (Hawksmoor Spitalfields, Rochelle Canteen, Toklas) and cheaper places (C&R Cafe in Chinatown does excellent Malaysian food, My Homies the Donkeys in Leytonstone has very good hipstery tacos). But equally, now that things are more expensive, if I leave the restaurant thinking "That was...fine? 6 out of 10?" I won't take a chance on it again.
The combination that really gets my goat though is shrinkflation on the plate - don't think I don't notice when I order a meat main course for £36 and get exactly four small slices of lamb! Or three stalks of asparagus for £12! It's such a pisstake. I'd so much rather be served dishes that the restaurant could afford to portion more generously. I'm sounding like the Jewish granny in the old joke, such terrible food, and such small portions, but I go to restaurants to be fed, so FEED me already!
Have noticed that too. The Trio restaurant in Berlin I mentioned skilfully avoided that. It's all about keeping your customers loyal and that's many things - food and service probably top of the list.
A very timely and interesting article. Good value lunch menus are certainly well worth looking out for. Occasionally restaurants have them but cheekily don't mention them unless you ask. Josephine's Lyonnaise 'Menu de Canut' is always proudly on display though, and excellent value —especially for tripe lovers :-) https://www.instagram.com/p/C8Y--mwodv5/
A great read, and very on topic for us, as we were having a “what makes some restaurants work” chat as we tucked into our fantastic Greek sharing set menu (£33 for two including hummus, taramasalata, tzatziki, break, meat platter chips and Greek salad) in a packed Andy’s Taverna in Camden yesterday. Their winning formula of reproducible, predictable yet still delicious food and excellent service clearly keeps people coming back.
I had the best ever grilled whole sea bass in a great Turkish place in Alnwick with a glass of very nice portugese wine. At only £25 for those very good value. It was the first farmed Sea bass I've seen that had no black veins (worms!) and it tasted like I had just caught it at the beach. I'mgoing back for the Lamb shank!
Sometimes! The area has certainly changed out of all reognition compared to the 70's and 80's bleak pubs selling very little interesting food - but too many sunday supplement articles have increased visitor numbers and property prices. hello Cornwall and Lakes!
Definitely going more down the fixed price route for either lunch or dinner. It would seem to make sense for the restaurant as less waste and therefore loss of profit . I still enjoy the experience especially if a glass of wine is added. See Rick Steins offer in his Padstow restaurant for the anniversary meal, £65 and a glass of fizz . Yes I know it’s a one off but what value.
I applaud Steins for the anniversary meal, but the launch of it was awful. They announced it and advertised it but did not say it was only available in the evening. We went for lunch and asked if we could have it and the server said she would go and check. She didn’t return. We went with the set lunch instead. Not rushing back. There is no excuse for poor communication these days.
Pleasantly surprised to have complimentary rice and jasmine tea at Hou Hou Mei in Inverness - perhaps that’s why you can’t get in without a booking and a deposit! Prices reasonable and no one called me ‘guys’.
Brilliant. Very informative and full of ideas. I like the idea of a choice of 2 main courses. My favourite restaurants are those where there’s no choice, just good food well prepared.
Such an interesting piece, with great insights from Will. I couldn't agree more about restaurants trying things out/tinkering with their menus to see what works (and what doesn't). There are some (to me obvious) things that put me off going back to a restaurant. For instance, I ate at one West End restaurant recently with a friend who is vegan. I chose the restaurant because it had interesting-sounding plant-based dishes among the meat and fish. On the night I was shocked by the price of the wine, which was so much higher than elsewhere. Every bottle on the menu was upwards of £42, with only an oaky chardonnay slightly less at £38. So many people don't like oaky chardonnays. There was almost nothing by the glass. I asked to taste a Portuguese wine I hadn't heard of that was £42 a bottle but was told I couldn't. I'm not going to spend £42 on a wine that might be horrible. We ended up spending £48 on a wine I knew, but I was so cross about it that I will never go back. I sent a (polite) email with my thoughts, saying that if they had one or two bottles under £40 on the menu, plus more by the glass, they would be likely to entice more people to return. Did I get a reply? Of course I didn't. And NB: the restaurant wasn't even half full, despite it being in a brilliant location with a great atmosphere and an appealing, not overly pricey menu.
Aside from that, we live in a rural area and our two nearest pubs – both owned by the same person and both of which do excellent food that's generally quite pricey – do a community meal on a Monday, all day and evening. One charges £5 (one choice: either meat or veggie), plus it's another £5 if you have pudding; the other charges £15 for two courses (again no choice but always good). Both pubs are generally full and, of course, people drink alongside their £5 mains. I can tell the dishes make clever use of leftovers from Sunday lunches (perhaps a flatbread with seared lamb, a spicy yogurt sauce and lots of fresh herbs/veg; or, one week, pheasant katsu curry); I applaud that. And a community meal gives a strong message: that the pub isn't just for people with deep pockets. Such a great idea.
That’s a brilliant idea! My stepdaughter runs a neighbourhood café in Hastings that does a daily special with a vegan alternative for £6 and soup and sandwiches for less. Unsurprisingly it has a loyal following
Sympathy with the wine costs. They should definitely have had a better BTG option!
Where is this in Hastings?
Not sure to what extent it's open to the general public. She runs is for a charity and the local community. But will send you the deets.
Dare I say it, it’s relatively simple (not easy, just simple), to operate efficiently. Price appropriately, staff to the right level, spend a little less on your broadband.
There’s almost no substitute for a busy restaurant though. Achieving a critical mass, is without a doubt one of the biggest challenges I’ve faced.
Something I’ve endeavoured to do - counterintuitively - is to bring back some of the opulence of dining out. An abundance of wine by the glass (with a taste prior to ordering, should you want it), complimentary truffles at the end of the meal.
Value is enormously important. That doesn’t mean to be cheap, but rather to exceed expectations. Although there’s a broad spectrum of restaurants and price points, I think for guests to justify a pricier meal out, it’s our job to pepper them with hospitality, and hopefully imbue a sense of warmth on them that makes them endeavour to return.
Yes it’s definitely the extras that make you feel special. A little something that’s free - in my case at the Seahorse today, focaccia, olives and anchoiade (which everyone gets when they sit down)!
HARD agree with your excellent point that great value isn't (and should't be seen as) a synonym for cheap!
Given that many of us go out to eat less than we once did, making it feel special is important (for me, at least, can't speak for everyone). And I love the idea of more wine by the glass for those who drink -- and as Karen said, at least a handful of affordable bottles on the wine list.
Another thing I've just thought of as I read this, though it's completely tangential, is having good options for those who don't drink alcohol (whether it's because of personal taste, health reasons, religion, sobriety or anything else). I'm so disappointed when I see places offering only the usual global soft drinks and a cheap bottled fruit juice.
I am happy to spend money on good quality non-alcoholic drinks; though I also won't spend exactly the same as the cost of a spirit on a non-alcoholic "spirit" since there is no alcohol tax to pay that would justify that, I will pay more than the price of a coke or fanta orange or cheaparse orange juice for a really good indie soft drink, juice or cocktail.
Fortunately the situation is improving, especially if you're a beer drinker, but agree not fast enough in some places!
I don't enjoy beer or wine (other than dessert wine) so my options are often very limited. Which is why I really appreciate places that put even a small amount of effort into soft drinks that aren't coca cola, pepsi, sprite, long-life orange juice.
Offer corkage - even if limited to a specific day - like Hawksmoor.
That’s a great deal which I know a lot of people in the wine trade take advantage of!
Love it… not sure about the veggie bit though ! 🤣 x
Thought that might rankle!! 😂
We like ones that serve good food and wine. Totally with you on 'Guys', we are not in a US soap for goodness sakes. Hello and welcome to..... is just fine. one of our local place does special Fish and chips at lunchtime for £10 - so we often take visitors or go on our own. It has tempted us back to some of their special evenings. I'd hurry back to Great Queen Street if it re-opened, a great loss. But freight is one thing that has made prices soar and i hear there is even more pressure on it recently. Good old wine society have kept increases to a minimum.
Fuelled by a booming membership! Still think they’re unbeatable for value.
Especially these days - I have had a few deliveries from Svinando of late who also have some decent prices. I am biased as they stock one of my all time favourite- Remole by Frescobaldi. it is a very reasonable £9.90 from them.
That's one I haven't had in a while! Always one of my favourites from my Oddbins days - eminently slugg-able.
Majestic did it in the 90's for about £6 a bottle! Still a great wine.
Yes, and Oddbins too. I do like Frescobaldi's stuff - I remember enjoying a glass of their Pomino Bianco at an enoteca in Florence :)
Don't know that one - will have to investigate!
Lungarotti's Rubesco was another great wine I used to get at Valvona and Crolla when they had a wide range of Italian wines. Did once drink it in Trastevere Rome some years ago. Not seen it for a while. Umani Rochi also seems to have disappeared their straight Montepulciano D'Abbruzzo was in Waitrose for a while. Jorio was also great. Must find my old Valvona and Crolla wine catalogues from the 80's and 90's! Trouble is I remember the prices from then and as the article says a lot have gone skywards.
As a restaurateur, I'm still amazed by the idea that restaurants are "suddenly so expensive", unfairly implying that everything else is not. Restaurants are not shielded from inflation at all, in fact as Will rightly points out, we get shafted by it on all fronts. Then customers come in aghast at menu prices for food and drink and service charge to reward our hard working staff (NB - restaurants cannot keep a single penny of every service charge you pay, we have to swallow every cost including bank/card machine charges which means we actually pay staff for service charge the business has not been paid). Restaurants are NOT suddenly expensive. Everything is expensive and we are simply trying to survive. Fact is, the vast majority of independent brands like me are wondering why we bother anymore. Margins are almost non existent now, most operators I know are running their business to break even (if they are lucky), so the idea of growth or improving your restaurant, let alone opening more sites is the privilege of the very few (Will and Hawksmoor deserve all the success they get, it has always been a brilliant brand). So please stop this narrative that restaurants are somehow more expensive than other enjoyable experiences. If you stick with this line, closures will continue to accelerate and the next article will be "Why are restaurants suddenly all gone?!"
I had hoped it was supportive rather than critical - giving a platform to a couple of restaurateurs - albeit one of them in the family - so am sorry if it didn't come across that way! I think you have to recognise that is what people are feeling though - not to the exclusion of other things that are expensive but it's a pleasure they (maybe wrongly) took for granted as part of their leisure time that they're now struggling to afford
As a resident of Cornwall since Covid we have seen prices go up substantially which gets worse in the tourist season so just as you mention we are eating much more at home, but better.
However there is a new initiative nearby, effectively a food court with a bar, where I’ve now eaten twice, both enjoying it very much. Nice mix of different types of food, (Asian, Italian, etc) all well cooked so far as I can tell, (I haven’t tried all 6 choices yet) and all in a historic building. Definitely the way to go in an area like Cornwall where wages are definitely not keeping up with prices.
I imagine it's nice to have the variety too! Certainly conscious I'm seeing rather more pop-ups.
I loooove a good food court (and more than 6 years after moving away from London I still miss Bang Bang Oriental). We have a food court in Newport (which is where my job is based). On the rare occasions I'm actively going into the office rather than WFH and its a day of the week they are open, I love to visit. An issue there this winter though was (in a huge, old and cold building) they refused to put their overhead heating lamps on all through this last winter (no doubt to save costs) so we stopped going until the weather improved. Sometimes the savings surely cost them more in lost customers than any potential cost reduction saved. But yes, a good food court is a great option for a less spendy meal!
Good to hear! We could do with one in Bristol!
But at least you have loads of other choices Fiona. Redruth is a culinary desert, unless you count the one dozen+ places selling pasties.
True!!
Visit Cornwall Kavey and we can go together.
<3
So many restaurants do tasting menus nowadays. I know it keeps costs/variability down but hopeless for anyone with a smaller appetite. So we never go to these restaurants.
I often opt for a starter or two and, instead of sharing a bottle of wine between us, usually have a glass each.
Funnily enough I’m doing exactly that at this very moment!
We rarely go for tasting menus because whilst I like to eat virtually everything, my partner (who is by absolutely no means a picky eater) has a few more things he doesn't like and rigid, no-choice tasting menus are rarely suitable. Even more difficult when we go for meals with friends as people have different tastes. Places that only do tasting menus I guess have a much narrower potential audience, though I appreciate that some are still successful on that basis.
My main problem with them is that they invariably have to be 'explained' thus hindering a good evening's chat!
Yep, I don't mind a QUICK reminder of what we're getting, but a loooong convoluted explanation that meanders onto what the meaning of the dish is rather than what the fuck is actually in it? NO THANK YOU!
'You probably only have one course at home. Do you really need three to justify going out?'
Yes, I really do. The idea of going to a restaurant and not getting the full experience is just anathema to me. It would be like going to see a film and arriving halfway through the running time. If it's a very casual restaurant and the idea is to be in and out in 45 minutes or whatever, then fair enough, but generally speaking I put quite a lot of time and effort into choosing a restaurant and I want to try all of their good stuff, whether it's an a la carte, tasting menu or small plates place. I also really don't want to be a 'no starter just tap water' sort of diner. Isn't that gaming the system in a way? High five to me for 'escaping' with a small bill, but isn't that the death of the restaurant by a thousand cuts?
Agreed! The point of dining out is not merely to be fed, but to try different dishes and particularly ones that are too difficult and time consuming to prepare at home. We now dine out once rather than twice a week, but want dining to be a special experience, with starters and good wine.
Fair enough, Barbara. I agree about going to restaurants for dishes you don't want to or can't make yourself. I was just suggesting an alternative for those who want to eat out but are struggling with the prices.
I totally feel you on this! I'm still going out more frequently than the average person, but I think I'm becoming more and more conscious of a place being value for money. I don't begrudge being charged a bit more if the whole experience is consistently really good quality - I think very fondly of recent meals I've had at both high end (Hawksmoor Spitalfields, Rochelle Canteen, Toklas) and cheaper places (C&R Cafe in Chinatown does excellent Malaysian food, My Homies the Donkeys in Leytonstone has very good hipstery tacos). But equally, now that things are more expensive, if I leave the restaurant thinking "That was...fine? 6 out of 10?" I won't take a chance on it again.
The combination that really gets my goat though is shrinkflation on the plate - don't think I don't notice when I order a meat main course for £36 and get exactly four small slices of lamb! Or three stalks of asparagus for £12! It's such a pisstake. I'd so much rather be served dishes that the restaurant could afford to portion more generously. I'm sounding like the Jewish granny in the old joke, such terrible food, and such small portions, but I go to restaurants to be fed, so FEED me already!
Have noticed that too. The Trio restaurant in Berlin I mentioned skilfully avoided that. It's all about keeping your customers loyal and that's many things - food and service probably top of the list.
A very timely and interesting article. Good value lunch menus are certainly well worth looking out for. Occasionally restaurants have them but cheekily don't mention them unless you ask. Josephine's Lyonnaise 'Menu de Canut' is always proudly on display though, and excellent value —especially for tripe lovers :-) https://www.instagram.com/p/C8Y--mwodv5/
Of which I’m not one, I confess! One of the few things I don’t like
Bit the restaurant - and lunch deal - is great
A great read, and very on topic for us, as we were having a “what makes some restaurants work” chat as we tucked into our fantastic Greek sharing set menu (£33 for two including hummus, taramasalata, tzatziki, break, meat platter chips and Greek salad) in a packed Andy’s Taverna in Camden yesterday. Their winning formula of reproducible, predictable yet still delicious food and excellent service clearly keeps people coming back.
That's brilliant value! I'd certainly be up for that!
I had the best ever grilled whole sea bass in a great Turkish place in Alnwick with a glass of very nice portugese wine. At only £25 for those very good value. It was the first farmed Sea bass I've seen that had no black veins (worms!) and it tasted like I had just caught it at the beach. I'mgoing back for the Lamb shank!
Things seem to be better - as ever - up north!!
Sometimes! The area has certainly changed out of all reognition compared to the 70's and 80's bleak pubs selling very little interesting food - but too many sunday supplement articles have increased visitor numbers and property prices. hello Cornwall and Lakes!
Definitely going more down the fixed price route for either lunch or dinner. It would seem to make sense for the restaurant as less waste and therefore loss of profit . I still enjoy the experience especially if a glass of wine is added. See Rick Steins offer in his Padstow restaurant for the anniversary meal, £65 and a glass of fizz . Yes I know it’s a one off but what value.
I applaud Steins for the anniversary meal, but the launch of it was awful. They announced it and advertised it but did not say it was only available in the evening. We went for lunch and asked if we could have it and the server said she would go and check. She didn’t return. We went with the set lunch instead. Not rushing back. There is no excuse for poor communication these days.
That's a real shame
Pleasantly surprised to have complimentary rice and jasmine tea at Hou Hou Mei in Inverness - perhaps that’s why you can’t get in without a booking and a deposit! Prices reasonable and no one called me ‘guys’.
Well that’s a blessing! Sounds a great place
Brilliant. Very informative and full of ideas. I like the idea of a choice of 2 main courses. My favourite restaurants are those where there’s no choice, just good food well prepared.
And if there are two of you you can share!