Restaurant Spy - British

Riddle & Finns Champagne & Oyster Bar, 129 Church Road, Hove BN3 2AE

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 08:56:41 +0000

Address:
129 Church Road, Hove BN3 2AE

Review:

I’ve reviewed Riddle & Finns Brighton establishment before but they’ve recently opened a branch in Hove so I popped in. I’ll keep this review short since the general feel is similar to their Brighton place, but smaller.

We sat down and ordered a drink. ‘Does your Guinness come in bottles?,’ I asked the waitress. ‘Yes, I’m afraid so,’ she replied. Well, since I like bottle Guinness and not draught, this was good. It arrived already in a glass. ‘Did this come out of a bottle?,’ I asked the (different) waitress. ‘Yes,’ she said. ‘Then why has it got an inch and a half of head on it?’ I wanted to know. ‘We pour it so well,’ she said. I frowned. ‘Oh, and there’s a widget in the bottle.’ I smelt a rat and took a sip. It was out of a can or I’m a Dutchman. I returned it and ordered a Budvar, which – interestingly – arrived at the table in its bottle, just like all the other beer I saw that night. If it’s in a can, chaps, why not admit it, or better actually get a few bottles in. Some of us know the difference.

Fred’s Fish and Chip Shop, 55 Pier Road, Littlehampton, West Sussex

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 18:48:29 +0000

Address:
55 Pier Road, Littlehampton, West Sussex

Review:

If you ever look at the Restaurant Spy messageboard (see top of home page for a link) you will be acquainted with a quantity called Mark White. He helpfully suggested Fred’s chippy when I was looking for one in Littlehampton in November. Well, I finally took him up on his suggestion during a bitterly cold March Easter.

‘Situated by the banks of the picturesque River Arun,’ says Fred’s website, ‘in the old town of Littlehampton in West Sussex, Fred’s Fish and Chip Shop is a traditional family owned English Fish and Chip shop… Fish and Chip Shop of the Year for 2002 and in SIX previous years, Fred’s has been serving high quality fish and chips for two generations.’

Wimpy, 105 Blatchington Road, Hove BN3 3YG

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 13:07:41 +0000

Address:
105 Blatchington Road, Hove BN3 3YG

Review:

Ok so I went to Wimpy – so what?!

Wimpy is little changed from the places I remember from my 70s youth. Lots of plastic, strange food and a feeling that the driftwood of life washes up here.

There was me, Mart, and T. We had had a couple of beers and fancied a face full of something before a few more beers. Wimpy was closer than the curry house and it seemed like a novel idea.

We found a seat without trouble – there being only two other people in the place: both staff.

The Ewe and Lamb, 26 Maytham Road, Rolvenden Layne, Kent TN17 4NP

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 12:15:01 +0000

Address:
26 Maytham Road, Rolvenden Layne, Kent TN17 4NP

Review:

A traditional and very pleasant free house which does a superb Sunday carvery as well as classic English and French dishes (so their business card says). Myself and some fellow ramblers all enjoyed our food, I opted for the pork which was cooked to perfection. Others chose the beef which also went down well. Portions are generous and the accompanying leak dish complemented the meat very well. Food prices are reasonable but a pint of coke will set you back a staggering £3 which is excessive by anyone's standards hence the ££££ rating. My dessert was chocolate fudge cake which was delicious, highly recommended. By the time we left the pub was full which is always a good sign. Overall I was impressed although be prepared for high soft drinks prices! The Who

The Wild Daffodil, Stock Lane, Grasmere, Cumbria LA22 9SL

Mon, 09 Apr 2007 10:00:37 +0000

Address:
Stock Lane, Grasmere, Cumbria LA22 9SL

Review:

Having had a disastrous meal at the Ash Cottage restaurant the previous, and our first night during a week long stay in Grasmere, it was with a certain amount of trepidation that we entered the Wild Daffodil.

On a lovely sunny evening we were happy to wait the 45 minutes for our table in a busy, (always a good sign), little restaurant. Boy was it worth the wait. The restaurant is a family run affair and dad is head chef, mum and son are the hosts and young daughter is the table clearing technician. The food is made and served with a passion and all cooked to perfection. On our visit I had the prawn cocktail to start whilst my partner tried the black pudding with wild mushrooms served with a delicious suace. My prawn cocktail was delicious and served in a colourful display that matched the scenery of our surroundings whilst my partner's starter was so tasty that I managed to talk her into parting with half of one of her two black puddings, a task in itself as it was in her mouth at the time.

Princes Marine Hotel, 153 Kingsway, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 4GR

Thu, 22 Mar 2007 10:29:56 +0000

Address:
153 Kingsway, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 4GR

Review:

You know how some dining experiences are so crappy they cross the line into farce? Well eating out last night at the strangely named Princes Marine Hotel, a hideous red cube on Hove seafront, was one of those times.

I should explain that this was an official function and that the table had been laid for 50 or so of us in ‘The Boardroom’. The strip lighting had been turned off so it was mildly gloomy, but there was still enough light to see the nasty stainless steel cutlery and the cheap paper napkins folded into a special decorative feature on everybody’s plate, and the ghastly chairs.

The Northwick Hotel, Waterside, Evesham, Worcestershire, WR11 1BT

Mon, 12 Feb 2007 19:40:57 +0000

Address:
Waterside, Evesham, Worcestershire, WR11 1BT

Review:

The Northwick is a bland plastic palace corporate hotel, part of the Best Western chain. It is like an 'executive show home' on one of those 'luxury' estates, expanded to hotel proportions; everything 'comfortable' and safe without the smallest touch of individuality - except for a courtyard with a fountain in it which is very pleasant to sit in. Nothing wrong with that - an average, functional, businesslike hotel. With one difference. The food is not average and functional. It is very good.

Ocean Drive, Walnut Rd, Torquay. Devon. TQ2 5JY

Fri, 10 Nov 2006 20:18:39 +0000

Address:
Walnut Rd, Torquay. Devon. TQ2 5JY

Review:

Looking for somewhere different to celebrate the parents wedding anniversary this year just after xmas. We booked for 12 adults for Dec 29th Fri Evening. We decided to visit with a couple of friends recently just to try it out never having been before. We booked a table for 4 people for 20.30hrs. We arrived at about 19.40hrs and were shown to the drinks area to await the food order being taken. Not until approx 21.00 (30mins late) did they take our food orders. At 21.30 (1 hr late) we were shown to our table which was cold and near a drafty pair of doors, just after sitting down the waitress arrived to ask one of the party how she wanted her steak cooked (this was cleary stated with the original food order).I asked the waitress to find out why we were 1 hour behind our booked time but got no response at all. We were moved across the room, when the food eventually arived at 21.50hrs( 1 hr 20 mins after our original booking time) it was no more than just ok with limited potatoes and vegetables for 4 people.
After the meal we went to the bar to pay and immediately cancel the anniversary booking for 12, to which the waitress showed no concern at all as to why we had cancelled I hope they can afford to turn away a booking for 12 adults.
Neil & Patricia Caunter

Mr Fish, 51 Salusbury Rd London NW6 6NJ

Thu, 09 Nov 2006 09:57:31 +0000

Address:
51 Salusbury Rd London NW6 6NJ

Review:

It's not always easy to find a reliably good fish and chippery but next time you're visiting Queens - no apostrophe - Park try Mr Fish. It's a common-or-garden chippy but of high quality. You can sit down or take away and they are polite and helpful. It's clean, with no tell-tale congealed yurgh around the sauce dispensers. Hot, generous and proper-strength tea. Chips always hot, never twice fried, same for fish. Excellent mushy dayglo peas still visible when you turn out the lights, a sure index of quality; also hot. Pies, sausages etc: what you'd expect. Tried the spring roll once; oh dear! Stick to fish and chips. Mid-price. Perry Stalsis

Golden Fish Restaurant, 102-104, Farringdon Rd, London, EC1R 3EA

Mon, 11 Sep 2006 10:49:08 +0000

Address:
102-104, Farringdon Rd, London, EC1R 3EA

Review:

In the old Little Italy that is Clerkenwell, London, there is very little remaining to remind you of the once overwhelming Italian influence. True there is still a little Italian deli, and there is still the Golden Fish, a fish 'n' chip take away and "restaurant" that has survived unchanged since time immemorial. I used to come here fifteen years ago and have Sausage and Chips for 80p, the menu has not changed although the prices have gone up, and the immovable half-smirks of the family who run the place are as fixed and as charmless as ever.

The Fryer's Delight, 19, Theobald's Rd, Holborn, London, WC1X 8SL

Mon, 11 Sep 2006 10:27:37 +0000

Address:
19, Theobald's Rd, Holborn, London, WC1X 8SL

Review:

Fish and chips rule. Good fish and chips rule even more. And good fish and chips which cost the same as your local chip shop rules ok. Frequently crowded for the simple reason that its good and word has spread. It still feels like a quiet sea-side town chippie where you spent your summer holidays as a nipper though. Approved. King Mob

Fish!, 41a Queenstown Road, Battersea, London SW8 3RE

Mon, 11 Sep 2006 10:19:43 +0000

Address:
41a Queenstown Road, Battersea, London SW8 3RE

Review:

What will I put - an OK or an Approved?, I asked Q. Well I think you should put that we were "nearly fooled".

Fish is a hatchet job - sharp, suave and cynical - a huge diner with habitat "style" written all over it down to the menu, logo and little match books.

It's not to say that Fish is bad - no, in fact, lots of things are just perfect. All of the fish are line-caught, langoustines are creel caught and everything is open to view and clearly fresh - service is almost impeccable, but you can't leave Fish without feeling that you've been slightly "done". My Fish and chips with mushy peas cost £11.80 - a silver fresh shard of Haddock with crispy batter but with slightly hard chips and mushy peas that appeared to have come from a can - Q had an admittedly tasty fillet of sea bream with a spicy tingle of salsa left her still a bit peckish. A couple of beers and a coffee made the bill race to nearly £40 and that was without starters or puddings. A bit naughty. M

The White Dog, Village St, Ewhurst Green, Robertsbridge, East Sussex, TN32 5TD

Wed, 06 Sep 2006 12:12:31 +0000

Address:
Village St, Ewhurst Green, Robertsbridge, East Sussex, TN32 5TD

Review:

My partner and I came here the other evening. Having stopped at the nearby Castle Inn, we decided to venture slightly further for our evening meal. The White Dog is quite a quaint old pub, serving decent well kept ale in nice surroundings, with great views to nearby Bodiam Castle.

They have an extensive bar menu as well as specials and a restaurant menu. However, these can be mixed and matched, which I think is quite a nice little touch.

Clarke's Pie and Mash Shop, Exmouth Market, London EC1

Tue, 29 Aug 2006 14:34:09 +0000

Address:
Exmouth Market, London EC1

Review:

Battling against the increasing poncification of Exmouth Market, Clarke's Pie and Mash shop is a genuine throwback to the old days.

If you can manage to get the attention of one of the two ladies serving, pies come as "small" or "large" although you can barely tell the difference and your two little mounds of fluffy mashed potato come drowned with a sea of green parsley sauce. It never costs too much, there's a jar of chilli vinegar knocking about on one of the pew-like tables, and you'll certainly end up with a nice old fashioned working class warmth. Lovely Jubbly. M

Chimes, 26 Churton Street London SW1V 2LP

Mon, 21 Aug 2006 10:59:07 +0000

Address:
26 Churton Street London SW1V 2LP

Review:

Chimes is a small place with wobbly wooden tables in the cosy restaurant and a small menu of very good English dishes. Tucked away within gobbing distance of Pimlico market and Victoria station it's handy if you are heading south after grub. The best thing about it is the small bar which serves excellent ciders on draught. They will bring you a GIGANTIC looking jug of the stuff when your'e eating. But beware it is poky old stuff some of it. They seem also to have a pretty good variety of wine in a teeny-weeny rack. I went to Chimes with J for my birthday, in November, on a Friday night without booking. I often do this, because if they can't squeeze me in I just drink cider in the bar and eat crisps -- much cheaper. Anyway, we got there at 7.30ish and sat in the bar -- basically just two or three church pews at right angles. And I asked for a table at 9pm. Then the drinking began. All I remember of the rest of the evening is a delicious fidget pie (game): nice and HOT!, some fried black pudding: VERY HOT! and lots of cider. I remember nothing else. But from previous trips I can tell you that the decor is kind of knocked about pine, with sprigs of things and a huge old brown clock. Service is fine, prices are OK and it's easy to stagger to the train. I like this place. Approved. Perry Stalsis 2003