Saturday 11th July, 2009
Arriving at our cottage in the middle of nowhere, deep in the Northumberland countryside, and with friends joining us for the weekend, we needed to find a good restaurant close by.
We came up with Linden Hall, only a couple of miles (as the crow flies!), from our cottage.
This is a hotel owned by the Macdonald group, and boasts a 2 AA rosette restaurant called Dobson's ( methinks he must have been the butler at one time)
We booked a taxi to drive us down the long and winding country lanes (here lies another story for another day), and later the same evening he pulled up outside this impressive looking building in beautiful grounds, perfect for that summer evening (I think we had it a couple of weeks ago if memory serves me correctly) However I digress................
The foyer/entrance hall was somewhat dated and shabby, but we made our way to the restaurant, obviously a little too early as there was no-one around. However, a waiter did arrive and suggested we had a drink in the bar, and he would bring the menus through.
A little disappointment followed when I was told they did not have any Southern Comfort for me, nor any draught beer for one of our friends.
The menu, although limited for choice, had plenty to set my taste buds going.
Three of us chose 'Surf and Turf' for our starters (Scallops, belly pork and black pudding) and my husband chose smoked salmon.
For our main course, two of us chose organic salmon with smoked salmon ravioli, one chose chicken and the fourth chose Dover sole. We also chose a couple of vegetable dishes (extra charge)
We were shown to our table with wonderful views over the gardens. The tables were quite old and worn. Some may feel this blended in with the ambience of the place, I felt that it would have benefited from a freshly laundered table cloth.
We were offered homemade bread from a selection of tomato, rosemary, and another which escapes me at this time. The bread was delicious. I was disappointed we weren't offered any more.
The Surf and Turf starter was amazing. It was one of those dishes that you never wanted to end. The testures and flavours were just delicious. I was reliably informed that the smoked salmon starter was just as good.
When the main courses arrived, my first impression was that they were extremely small portions, but I have to admit that by the time we finished them we were all quite full. I could not fault mine in any way, nor could the others. We were all very impressed.
The dessert menu only had a choice of 4 items, one had run out, and the other was cheese for which an extra £3.00 or so was charged to an already hefty £10 cost per dessert. Way too expensive in my opinion. This left me with a bit of a sour feeling rather than the sweet one that was intended.
We settled for coffee and chocolates in the lounge.
The meal was resonably priced for what we had.
Two courses were £26.00
Three courses were £36 which I re-iterate was a little too high.
I could be a little picky and, for the sort of prices charged, comment on how the wine was never topped up, I had to pour my own, and no-one else was asked if they needed another drink.
There were just one or two little details like this, that for me, let the restaurant down a little bit.
I found the location of the toilets a little bizarre, and even a little creepy. They were located down some stairs, which led to what I can only describe as a cellar type area. There were several doors and no clear signs as to which to go through. Eventually, I selected the correct door and for a split second or two it was pitch black before the lights automatically came on. The toilets, although clean would definitely benefit from some updating to bring them into the 21st century and not the 19th!
However, as a one off we had a wonderful evening and a really good meal. Overall, I don't think that I would rush back.
Sunday, 12 July 2009
Thursday, 21 May 2009
Boat House Experience
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.
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.
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.
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