[Food] Restaurant 2020 Thread
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Rick Stein's - Sandbanks
Normally I'm a bit wary of 'names' and this time had to be persuaded by Mrs WS to go here but boy am I glad we did.
Almost casual dining, loads of families ( thankfully with very well behaved children ). We were seated upstairs with a fantastic view over the habour. Mrs WS started with a class of champers and I had a local beer.
Water came to the table straight away which I always see as a good sign - we didn't even ask for it.
To start with I had Grilled mackerel salad with sun-dried tomatoes, fennel seeds and a sherry vinegar dressing - the mackerel was so fresh that I almost looked out the window to try and find the person catching it to order. Mrs WS has salt and pepper prawns and decided they were some of the best she'd ever had.
Main for me was Hake alla Carlina. A Venetian recipe of a pan-fried hake fillet with a sauce of tomatoes and capers which came with minted buttered new potatoes - I also ordered a side of French peas. Hake was the best I'd ever had. Meaty yet flakey and a decent portion. Mrs WS has Lobster Thermidor - she was lucky it was on special ! Very decent chips and a very good salad.
Dessert was shared - one lemon tart with orange sorbet and a creme brulee with rhubarb. Both devine.
Throw in a decent bottle of wine and a dessert wine for Mrs WS and we were very happy. Even with a service charge it only came to £150.
Service was impeccable - attentive yet not over bearing. Scenery stunning. Jumps straight into my top three of which the other two are Little Fish Market and The Sportsman ( Whistable not Withdean ! ). I'll not question a name again ! 9.5/10 - half a point lost because there really isn't a lot else at Sandbanks and it's a bit of a pig to get to by taxi. Didn't see Harry either !
Normally I'm a bit wary of 'names' and this time had to be persuaded by Mrs WS to go here but boy am I glad we did.
Almost casual dining, loads of families ( thankfully with very well behaved children ). We were seated upstairs with a fantastic view over the habour. Mrs WS started with a class of champers and I had a local beer.
Water came to the table straight away which I always see as a good sign - we didn't even ask for it.
To start with I had Grilled mackerel salad with sun-dried tomatoes, fennel seeds and a sherry vinegar dressing - the mackerel was so fresh that I almost looked out the window to try and find the person catching it to order. Mrs WS has salt and pepper prawns and decided they were some of the best she'd ever had.
Main for me was Hake alla Carlina. A Venetian recipe of a pan-fried hake fillet with a sauce of tomatoes and capers which came with minted buttered new potatoes - I also ordered a side of French peas. Hake was the best I'd ever had. Meaty yet flakey and a decent portion. Mrs WS has Lobster Thermidor - she was lucky it was on special ! Very decent chips and a very good salad.
Dessert was shared - one lemon tart with orange sorbet and a creme brulee with rhubarb. Both devine.
Throw in a decent bottle of wine and a dessert wine for Mrs WS and we were very happy. Even with a service charge it only came to £150.
Service was impeccable - attentive yet not over bearing. Scenery stunning. Jumps straight into my top three of which the other two are Little Fish Market and The Sportsman ( Whistable not Withdean ! ). I'll not question a name again ! 9.5/10 - half a point lost because there really isn't a lot else at Sandbanks and it's a bit of a pig to get to by taxi. Didn't see Harry either !
MattBackHome
Well-known member
- Jul 7, 2003
- 11,736
Just seen Bombay Aloo on Ship Street is reopening as something else (it looks chicken-y).
Sad day for everyone who is a fan of huge urns full of suspiciously lukewarm cheap veggie curry.
Sad day for everyone who is a fan of huge urns full of suspiciously lukewarm cheap veggie curry.
I’m a big fan of CinCin as well. Be interested to read your review!
That was a bit of a Brighton institution. Anyone know how long it had been there? Served me well in my younger days. Shame.
MattBackHome
Well-known member
- Jul 7, 2003
- 11,736
We were discussing precisely that in the office. Maybe 30+ yrs? I went in sometime over the winter for the first time in ages for a fantastic solo lunch; pint of cobra and a huge bellyful of mixed veg curry and dahl. Genuinely I'm sad to see it go.
Actually it was a bottle of Cobra I think
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I reckon it must be around the 30 year mark.... at least.
Crikey. How close to the harbour were you?
thedonkeycentrehalf
Retired
- Jul 7, 2003
- 8,672
I've been to Pitch a couple of times and found that the service has been very good - unfortunately it looks like you just got unlucky.
With both Tito's and Picasso's closed in Worthing, I'm trying De Lavante in Chichester tomorrow night for meal out.
Today I had lunch in The Real Greek at West Quay Southampton. Their lunch deal for £7.95 is quite good value and quality for these type of chain restaurants
keaton
Big heart, hot blood and balls. Big balls
- Nov 18, 2004
- 9,680
I've been to Rick Stein's in Winchester a couple of times and I thought it was excellent
thedonkeycentrehalf
Retired
- Jul 7, 2003
- 8,672
Quick double review for you all.
De Levante - Chichester
Family dinner on Saturday evening so we headed West to Chichester to try out this place which had good reviews. Friendly welcome on arrival with one way system around the restaurant and middle tables out of use.
As usual with tapas we over ordered. The restaurant describes itself as Mediterranean Tapas so not only Spanish dishes but a few from other parts of the Med including Turkey. With one exception, all of the dishes went down well - the only miss was a chicken and chorizo dish with peppers where the sauce wasn't quite right. Good value for money and we will definitely go back.
Bailiffscourt - Climping
Went for afternoon tea although at the moment they are only doing the cream tea. It was a bit disorganised on arrival but we put that down to the sharp shower which meant people who had been dining outside had to be switched inside. We then sat in one of the lounges but were asked to swap seats as some people with dogs in another lounge had dogs which didn't get on. When we got to the next lounge, the seating was not great so we asked to move to the main restaurant.
Service was fairly slow but the cream tea itself was very good - nice warm scones, a homemade jam which was very thick and fruity. All beautifully presented.
However, we had also ordered homemade biscuits with the tea which never turned up but they tried to charge us for them when we finally managed to get someone's attention.
For a place which is supposed to be one of the premium hotels in the county, the level of service was really disappointing.
De Levante - Chichester
Family dinner on Saturday evening so we headed West to Chichester to try out this place which had good reviews. Friendly welcome on arrival with one way system around the restaurant and middle tables out of use.
As usual with tapas we over ordered. The restaurant describes itself as Mediterranean Tapas so not only Spanish dishes but a few from other parts of the Med including Turkey. With one exception, all of the dishes went down well - the only miss was a chicken and chorizo dish with peppers where the sauce wasn't quite right. Good value for money and we will definitely go back.
Bailiffscourt - Climping
Went for afternoon tea although at the moment they are only doing the cream tea. It was a bit disorganised on arrival but we put that down to the sharp shower which meant people who had been dining outside had to be switched inside. We then sat in one of the lounges but were asked to swap seats as some people with dogs in another lounge had dogs which didn't get on. When we got to the next lounge, the seating was not great so we asked to move to the main restaurant.
Service was fairly slow but the cream tea itself was very good - nice warm scones, a homemade jam which was very thick and fruity. All beautifully presented.
However, we had also ordered homemade biscuits with the tea which never turned up but they tried to charge us for them when we finally managed to get someone's attention.
For a place which is supposed to be one of the premium hotels in the county, the level of service was really disappointing.
George at Burpham again, FIL was paying so why not...
Pretty decent all round, the vegetable pakora starter I had was banging. Sadly the main of lamb tagine was a bit of a joke, the portion was embarrassingly small - probably 4-5 spoonfuls of couscous and 2 or 3 spoonfuls of lamb. I tried to eat it as slowly as I could but still finished 10 mins before everyone I was with. The missus had steak again and the triple cooked chips no longer appear to be triple cooked, still decent quality 'home made' chips but not as a good as a few weeks back.
The place was rammed and we got turfed out after 2h15m because the next seating was waiting, even though they'd literally just bought out dessert + coffees. No delay on our side in terms of ordering or anything and was promised a table outside but got out there and there was none.
Still the others food was good and I'd go back but clearly cut some orders for EOTHO and maybe needed to accommodate for timings of back to back seatings
Pretty decent all round, the vegetable pakora starter I had was banging. Sadly the main of lamb tagine was a bit of a joke, the portion was embarrassingly small - probably 4-5 spoonfuls of couscous and 2 or 3 spoonfuls of lamb. I tried to eat it as slowly as I could but still finished 10 mins before everyone I was with. The missus had steak again and the triple cooked chips no longer appear to be triple cooked, still decent quality 'home made' chips but not as a good as a few weeks back.
The place was rammed and we got turfed out after 2h15m because the next seating was waiting, even though they'd literally just bought out dessert + coffees. No delay on our side in terms of ordering or anything and was promised a table outside but got out there and there was none.
Still the others food was good and I'd go back but clearly cut some orders for EOTHO and maybe needed to accommodate for timings of back to back seatings
Eat Out to Help Out
A few days off have coincided with this scheme running Monday to Wednesday and we took full advantage. Instead of trying anywhere posh or destination we made the decision that we'd go very local and try to give business to the restaurants on our doorstep that we don't want to disappear. However, on a trip out with the kids further afield, for golf and climbing, we also got a cheaper than expected on site meal. Bonus! So, in no particular order.....
Cafe An An
This Japanese lunch cafe and coffee shop used to be literally a two minute walk away. The old venue had a couple of tables inside but mainly did takeaway and that was a regular Friday staple when working from home pre Covid.
Just as the virus hit they exchanged on a new place on the north side of Portslade Station that had been the coffee shop on the corner of Hallyburton Road and as lockdown bit they suddenly had a bigger premises that they weren't allowed to open. If anyone needed our help.....
Well, it turned out that at half price half of Portslade wanted to help. We arrived at 12.30 and got the last outside table and already a queue was building up to order. There are three ladies running the cafe who do everything between them, no dedicated server or kitchen porter and it was quickly evident that they'd gone from 0-100 in a few days and were struggling to cope. The old fast food takeaway that they'd been had gone and the sheer weight of people wanting to eat cheaply saw a big queue for tables that didn't really reduce. That said, they immediately apologised to us that there would be a "long wait" as they needed to prep more chicken. Despite that our drinks came quickly and we were glad we'd ordered starters. Some crispy ebi fry prawns and delicious gyoza dumplings kept hunger at bay while the main event was prepared. Exactly half and hour later - which was exactly what they said it would take - a huge plate of crispy katsu chicken, stir fried yakisoba and pickled ginger arrived. My teenage son who is currently eating for England but can be a bit picky, practically inhaled his.
This is very authentic, back street Tokyo cafe fare and all the better for it. However, whereas at the old place you could order takeaway at any point over lunch time and get it within ten to fifteen minutes, eat out to help out has ensured the ladies have had to adapt to their new premises a bit too quickly. Arrive early.
Blue Anchor
The Blue Anchor serves the same sort of purpose as the Trafalgar and the Vic. A good old fashioned working class boozer with sport and a pool table. Then, right next door to everyone off the site having a beer and game of pool is a spaced out, socially distanced Thai restaurant room with authentic food made by the lovely Apple. This makes for a slightly strange atmosphere at times but the food is out of this world. Again, it's a take away regular but we went to sit down and get the government's discount. I had squid in "blow your head off" style spicy sauce (accompanying pint of cider very much needed) and a much calmer but huge and flavourful Pad Thai. Our kids both had a crispy duck main (not your Chinese style, these are sweet crunchy pieces of duck in a stir fry) and the Mrs had a red curry she said was excellent. Again, none of this is news to us but if you're passing and like Thai food then it's well worth going in.
Colesseo
This is the new Seasons. We couldn't quite work out if the new owners are the old owners, are related to the old owners or are new but trying to so a similar thing. The menu has been slimmed down (a good thing) and one or two old favourites have gone. However, they've added a few new ones. We took the kids to Seasons loads when they were growing up and they absolutely love the pizzas and pastas. However, in our opinion, the food in the new place is better than Seasons ever was. Mrs GB had a prawn dish that undoubtedly had very fresh prawns and a quality, flavour packed sauce. I had a new dish, the Prosciutto Saltimbocca which was amazing and went nicely with the basic but palatable house red. This was our biggest extravagance, two courses each for all of us plus dessert (still bought in) for the kids but that just meant the saving was bigger. This is Seasons atmosphere and decor but with better food. Ace.
Out of Bounds Angmering
An odd one this. We took the kids for adventure golf before my daughter went climbing and me and my son played footgolf. We had to fit in lunch in between the activities. The food itself was your standard box meal stuff - burgers, pizza, sandwiches and ok-ish. The point of including it was that it was very cheap (normally on a day like that we'd take a packed lunch) thanks to the deal, but very busy thanks to the deal. With only a few tables and only table service there was a total bun fight for sit down spots and we only just got the food in time for the next activity. This is going to be a real issue with the new reality if schemes such as EOtHO carry on. Here, as at An An, demand outstripped supply leading to higher stress levels than I'd like over a meal. We may find, until a vaccine arrives, that booking tables even at back street cafes and kids' activity centres becomes the new normal.
A few days off have coincided with this scheme running Monday to Wednesday and we took full advantage. Instead of trying anywhere posh or destination we made the decision that we'd go very local and try to give business to the restaurants on our doorstep that we don't want to disappear. However, on a trip out with the kids further afield, for golf and climbing, we also got a cheaper than expected on site meal. Bonus! So, in no particular order.....
Cafe An An
This Japanese lunch cafe and coffee shop used to be literally a two minute walk away. The old venue had a couple of tables inside but mainly did takeaway and that was a regular Friday staple when working from home pre Covid.
Just as the virus hit they exchanged on a new place on the north side of Portslade Station that had been the coffee shop on the corner of Hallyburton Road and as lockdown bit they suddenly had a bigger premises that they weren't allowed to open. If anyone needed our help.....
Well, it turned out that at half price half of Portslade wanted to help. We arrived at 12.30 and got the last outside table and already a queue was building up to order. There are three ladies running the cafe who do everything between them, no dedicated server or kitchen porter and it was quickly evident that they'd gone from 0-100 in a few days and were struggling to cope. The old fast food takeaway that they'd been had gone and the sheer weight of people wanting to eat cheaply saw a big queue for tables that didn't really reduce. That said, they immediately apologised to us that there would be a "long wait" as they needed to prep more chicken. Despite that our drinks came quickly and we were glad we'd ordered starters. Some crispy ebi fry prawns and delicious gyoza dumplings kept hunger at bay while the main event was prepared. Exactly half and hour later - which was exactly what they said it would take - a huge plate of crispy katsu chicken, stir fried yakisoba and pickled ginger arrived. My teenage son who is currently eating for England but can be a bit picky, practically inhaled his.
This is very authentic, back street Tokyo cafe fare and all the better for it. However, whereas at the old place you could order takeaway at any point over lunch time and get it within ten to fifteen minutes, eat out to help out has ensured the ladies have had to adapt to their new premises a bit too quickly. Arrive early.
Blue Anchor
The Blue Anchor serves the same sort of purpose as the Trafalgar and the Vic. A good old fashioned working class boozer with sport and a pool table. Then, right next door to everyone off the site having a beer and game of pool is a spaced out, socially distanced Thai restaurant room with authentic food made by the lovely Apple. This makes for a slightly strange atmosphere at times but the food is out of this world. Again, it's a take away regular but we went to sit down and get the government's discount. I had squid in "blow your head off" style spicy sauce (accompanying pint of cider very much needed) and a much calmer but huge and flavourful Pad Thai. Our kids both had a crispy duck main (not your Chinese style, these are sweet crunchy pieces of duck in a stir fry) and the Mrs had a red curry she said was excellent. Again, none of this is news to us but if you're passing and like Thai food then it's well worth going in.
Colesseo
This is the new Seasons. We couldn't quite work out if the new owners are the old owners, are related to the old owners or are new but trying to so a similar thing. The menu has been slimmed down (a good thing) and one or two old favourites have gone. However, they've added a few new ones. We took the kids to Seasons loads when they were growing up and they absolutely love the pizzas and pastas. However, in our opinion, the food in the new place is better than Seasons ever was. Mrs GB had a prawn dish that undoubtedly had very fresh prawns and a quality, flavour packed sauce. I had a new dish, the Prosciutto Saltimbocca which was amazing and went nicely with the basic but palatable house red. This was our biggest extravagance, two courses each for all of us plus dessert (still bought in) for the kids but that just meant the saving was bigger. This is Seasons atmosphere and decor but with better food. Ace.
Out of Bounds Angmering
An odd one this. We took the kids for adventure golf before my daughter went climbing and me and my son played footgolf. We had to fit in lunch in between the activities. The food itself was your standard box meal stuff - burgers, pizza, sandwiches and ok-ish. The point of including it was that it was very cheap (normally on a day like that we'd take a packed lunch) thanks to the deal, but very busy thanks to the deal. With only a few tables and only table service there was a total bun fight for sit down spots and we only just got the food in time for the next activity. This is going to be a real issue with the new reality if schemes such as EOtHO carry on. Here, as at An An, demand outstripped supply leading to higher stress levels than I'd like over a meal. We may find, until a vaccine arrives, that booking tables even at back street cafes and kids' activity centres becomes the new normal.
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- Thread starter
- #215
Yo. Last night we finally got round to trying the Little Fish & Chip Shop on Upper Hollingdean Road. Started up by the guy from Baby Bao at the Pond it offers up regular chippy stuff with some amazing sounding specials. Being our first visit we went straight up cod and chips with some salt and pepper squid. It was all really good and decent value at 30 quid all in which included a completely unnecessary portions of chips (1 large is plenty for three people) and a pot of some of the best tartare sauce I’ve ever had, but I still felt a bit flat about it. I think fish and chips really needs to be eaten straight away and not have to travel at all. Anyway, I will visit again for the specials which included southern friend tofu, slaw and chips and loaded chips with crab. Also available proper jumbo sausages and a fiendish sounding deep fried frankfurter with cheese. I give it 8/10 as it was definitely high quality gear but if you want proper fish and chips just go to Wolfies innit as they are unbeatable. Will review again as I think the specials good tip them up to an 8.5.
Bye now.
Bye now.
Kricket, London (Soho)
Been wanting to go here for ages but COVID struck. Made it to London today which is super eerily quiet and still big working bits boarded up and like ghost town.
Anyway Soho - usual small plates, sharing fare. I think the story is some English guys that spent a few years in India so I’d say it’s Indian spiced ingredients rather than proper Indian food. Fascinated by being sat by the tandoor chef, enjoyed a bone marrow & anchovy bread, tandoori cooked lamb neck & a brilliant sea bream dish. Had a couple of veggie dishes which Probably weren’t quite at the same level but were super tasty.
£106 for 6 dishes, carafe of wine which seemed about right.
Been wanting to go here for ages but COVID struck. Made it to London today which is super eerily quiet and still big working bits boarded up and like ghost town.
Anyway Soho - usual small plates, sharing fare. I think the story is some English guys that spent a few years in India so I’d say it’s Indian spiced ingredients rather than proper Indian food. Fascinated by being sat by the tandoor chef, enjoyed a bone marrow & anchovy bread, tandoori cooked lamb neck & a brilliant sea bream dish. Had a couple of veggie dishes which Probably weren’t quite at the same level but were super tasty.
£106 for 6 dishes, carafe of wine which seemed about right.
TheJasperCo
Well-known member
Can anybody provide a recommendation for a good-value pub/restaurant for a quick spot of brunch: just off the A27 or M27, eastbound between Southampton and Brighton? We don't want this to break the bank, but for the food to be of decent quality.
Visting Brighton for a couple of days with a friend, we're driving and looking for a better alternative to your average service stations en-route.
Visting Brighton for a couple of days with a friend, we're driving and looking for a better alternative to your average service stations en-route.
Try the Black Rabbit at Arundel, as long as not travelling on a sunny weekend (it gets very busy)
Yes Chef
Well-known member
With respect, The Black Rabbit is mediocre at best and only gets busy for the views. The George at Eartham is much better and has better beer
Richmond Arms, West Ashling. But check that it is open again.