Another day, another lunch!
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of meeting a friend for lunch at the Boat House, Farndon, Notts.
It is a beautiful setting right on the River Trent, with ample parking and outdoor tables and chairs for that glorious summer day when it finally arrives.
We arrived early (around 12.20p.m) and were surprised when we were asked if we had made a reservation as the restaurant was empty. However, within 30 mins the restaurant had filled up, so not such a daft question after all...........
I have been reliably informed that this restaurant is owned by the same people who own Tom Brown's at Gunthorpe, another favourite of mine. This could well account for the very similar 'Early Bird' menu which is available at weekday lunchtimes and from 6-7p.m.
On offer was 2 courses for £12 or 3 courses for £15.
There was a choice of around 4 starters and 5 mains
I chose brocolli and stilton soup which, again for me, for me lacked flavour and seasoning. This was served with delicous home made bread which tasted a little like a light pizza.
My friend chose a play on a Welsh Rarebitt, which was haddock with cheese on top. This was described to me as very sloppy, but tasty. Ideal for those without teeth!
For the main course I chose a rump steak, served with sweet potato chips, mozzerella cheese and tomato. The steak was cooked EXACTLY as ordered. In fact, one of the best pieces of rump I have ever had the pleasure of being served. There was, however a £3 supplement for this dish.
A little steep, maybe?
My friend chose 'posh fish and chips'. which was a lightly battered piece of salmon served with homemade chips. She told me the salmon was also cooked to perfection.
As there was only a choice of two deserts (a little disappointing) we went straight on to coffee with a very tasty amoretto biscuit.
The restaurant was bright, modern and exptremely clean.
We were served by friendly and attentive staff.
I highly recommend this restaurant.
Thursday, 21 May 2009
I Love Langar Hall
My husband and I are regular diners at Langar Hall, a country hotel on the outskirts of Nottingham.
It is owned and run by a rather eccentric lady, named Imogen, and without her, each dining experience would lack the interesting and individual little touches we know and love.
For the past few months Langar Hall has been offering superbly competitive menus for just £12.50 (2 courses), without compromising on quality. Admittedly, there is only a choice of two starters, and two mains, but the rather expensive A la Carte menu is always available.
Yesterday, I had Aspargus soup which, in my opinion, lacked sufficient seasoning, and my husband had a terrine of pigeon andduck terrine which he enjoyed immensly. These were served with delicious homemade bread.
It is owned and run by a rather eccentric lady, named Imogen, and without her, each dining experience would lack the interesting and individual little touches we know and love.
For the past few months Langar Hall has been offering superbly competitive menus for just £12.50 (2 courses), without compromising on quality. Admittedly, there is only a choice of two starters, and two mains, but the rather expensive A la Carte menu is always available.
Yesterday, I had Aspargus soup which, in my opinion, lacked sufficient seasoning, and my husband had a terrine of pigeon andduck terrine which he enjoyed immensly. These were served with delicious homemade bread.
The main course for me was fillet of beef, cooked to perfection served with homemade chips and peas topped with a Bernaise sauce. A superbly delicious experience. My husband chose Turbot served with asparagus and new potatoes. He was equally complimentary.
Langar Hall uses mostly locally produced foods where possible.
Although, for us, quite an expensive lunch as we chose to 'mix and match' our menus we do not begrudge a single penny spent at this unique restaurant and thoroughly recommend it.
Tuesday, 12 May 2009
Claireg's first ever blog and review!!
I have just returned from a weekend in York where I have been served with some of the worst food that I have ever had the misfortune to endure.
This has prompted me to write my first ever blog.
On Saturday night, 9th May 2009, seven of us arrived at restaurant 31, Castlegate, York, UK.
The entrance would have prohibited anyone with a walking disability from entering the restaurant as there were several steps to negotiate before entering the restaurant.
However, first impressions were all good. It was a fairly small restaurant with seating for approx 34 people, with a further few table downstairs. There was a small seating area in the reception area, but not large enough to accommodate our party. It was spotlessly clean, always an encouraging sign.
We were shown straight to our table, and offered drinks. Apart from not having any Cinzano, a favourite tipple of my mother-in-law, all was well.
The menus were handed to us by a cheerful and competent young lady. Disappointment was apparent for two vegetarian members of our party, as there were only meat and fish dishes to choose from.
My husband was also disappointed as the only fish dish was Sea Bass which he had eaten the night before (yet another culinary story to relate another day), as he prefers not to eat red meat in the evenings.
However, we all eventually chose our dishes and waited hungrily for our meals to arrive.
All was well with the starters, and the homemade bread was delicious. I had scallops, and whilst they were a long way from the best ones I had ever tasted they were perfectly acceptable. I was also informed by members of my party that the soup and cold, thinly sliced tuna starters were very good indeed.
And then it was downhill all the way.............
I chose duck breast, served pink, for my main course, and when it arrived it just looked wrong. However I didn't want to make a fuss, as we were being treated to this meal by my father-in-law, so I took a bite and I am not exaggerating when I say it was so awful it made me feel quite sick. I could not even pretend to eat it it.
It neither looked nor tasted anything like duck, and believe me I have eaten plenty in my time. My husband took a bite and said it tasted more like liver than duck and agreed that it was inedible.
The waitress was very good and immediately offered to change it for something else. Reluctantly, not wishing to spoil the evening, I agreed to try the chicken. By the time this arrived, everyone else had finished their mains, and I had lost interest.
The chicken was bland and tasted cheap, whilst the chips were soggy. There were no vegetables, just a bunch of cherry tomatoes.
My husband and brother-in-law chose the sea bass with risotto and found the portion of fish minuscule and the risotto could only be described as 'stodge'
I do like to be fair so it is important that other members of my party found no particular fault with their dishes other than to say the portions were small and the experience was unmemorable.
Deserts were ordinary, except my husband's ice-cream could have been drunk with a straw. It had obviously been standing a while before being served.
Coffee would have been more enjoyable had it been served with chocolates or mints.
I was also reliably informed that the ladies toilet left a lot to be desired!
At at rather expensive £36 per head (inclusive of drinks) the overall dining experience was disappointing to say the least. We will not be visiting it again.
This has prompted me to write my first ever blog.
On Saturday night, 9th May 2009, seven of us arrived at restaurant 31, Castlegate, York, UK.
The entrance would have prohibited anyone with a walking disability from entering the restaurant as there were several steps to negotiate before entering the restaurant.
However, first impressions were all good. It was a fairly small restaurant with seating for approx 34 people, with a further few table downstairs. There was a small seating area in the reception area, but not large enough to accommodate our party. It was spotlessly clean, always an encouraging sign.
We were shown straight to our table, and offered drinks. Apart from not having any Cinzano, a favourite tipple of my mother-in-law, all was well.
The menus were handed to us by a cheerful and competent young lady. Disappointment was apparent for two vegetarian members of our party, as there were only meat and fish dishes to choose from.
My husband was also disappointed as the only fish dish was Sea Bass which he had eaten the night before (yet another culinary story to relate another day), as he prefers not to eat red meat in the evenings.
However, we all eventually chose our dishes and waited hungrily for our meals to arrive.
All was well with the starters, and the homemade bread was delicious. I had scallops, and whilst they were a long way from the best ones I had ever tasted they were perfectly acceptable. I was also informed by members of my party that the soup and cold, thinly sliced tuna starters were very good indeed.
And then it was downhill all the way.............
I chose duck breast, served pink, for my main course, and when it arrived it just looked wrong. However I didn't want to make a fuss, as we were being treated to this meal by my father-in-law, so I took a bite and I am not exaggerating when I say it was so awful it made me feel quite sick. I could not even pretend to eat it it.
It neither looked nor tasted anything like duck, and believe me I have eaten plenty in my time. My husband took a bite and said it tasted more like liver than duck and agreed that it was inedible.
The waitress was very good and immediately offered to change it for something else. Reluctantly, not wishing to spoil the evening, I agreed to try the chicken. By the time this arrived, everyone else had finished their mains, and I had lost interest.
The chicken was bland and tasted cheap, whilst the chips were soggy. There were no vegetables, just a bunch of cherry tomatoes.
My husband and brother-in-law chose the sea bass with risotto and found the portion of fish minuscule and the risotto could only be described as 'stodge'
I do like to be fair so it is important that other members of my party found no particular fault with their dishes other than to say the portions were small and the experience was unmemorable.
Deserts were ordinary, except my husband's ice-cream could have been drunk with a straw. It had obviously been standing a while before being served.
Coffee would have been more enjoyable had it been served with chocolates or mints.
I was also reliably informed that the ladies toilet left a lot to be desired!
At at rather expensive £36 per head (inclusive of drinks) the overall dining experience was disappointing to say the least. We will not be visiting it again.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)