Places to Eat in the UK

[Astrid]

We all know that there are hoards of brilliant places to eat out in Florida and it struck me yesterday that over here in the UK we don't appear to have anywhere near the same amount of choice.

We ate at TGI Fridays yesterday and, as much as I like the food there, I can't help but think it's massively overpriced, and, sad to say, the service (especially yesterday!) just can't compare to that of the States.

So, I'd be interested to know where you go when you want a nice family meal out. (Unfortunately Indian and Chinese meals do not feature on my kids list of good things to eat - give them time!)

Astrid x

 

[Mazzy]

Hi Astrid

Well my kids just love the Pizza Hut chain. They do a buffet and the kids have the freedom to help themselves to what they want, so they eat more than they would with a set menu, so better value for us.

We also like the Beefeater and Brewsters chain of pubs, very varied kids menu, and Brewsters have a great play area for them.

Nothing flash when eating out with the kids, but as long as they are happy, we are happy!

 

[Goofyish]

Don't forget we have the bet Indian Restaurants in the World in the UK

 

[Edayy]

Being away from the main land for the last two years i have been abit out of touch but before we used to enjoy going to the Rainforest Cafe or To the Harvester Restaurants but i have to agree that nothing compares to Florida!!!

I don't know if i remember correctly but did someone mention previously that they have the Outback chain in the UK, if so where are they?

Eda

 

[lisag1]

We usually go to Brewsters - brilliant play area where the kids are taken off your hands and you can enjoy a meal in peace watching them play on CCTV. Other than that its Harvester, Wacky Warehouse (dodgy meals tho'!), TGI's, New Orleans.

Eda, yes I think they have an Outback restaurant in London.

Lisa

 

[vernon]

Don't know much about the rest of the UK, but I know London has some of the best restaurants in the world ( if you're prepared to pay for them)

I can't say enough good things about Ramsey's , it was simply the best food I've had anywhere ( but it was £150 a head inc wine , the food was £80 for an eight course meal I think) I believe his restaurant at Claridges has lunch menus from £30 which isn't too bad. You can get some pretty good Japanese in London, Benehana's has never let me down and the adventurous might like the sushi at Yo Sushi. Other good restaurants that I like are, Butler's Wharf Chop House (steaks and chops) , The Greenhouse ( modern European) , Mju (european/asian infusions), Smith's @ Smithfield ( Steaks and modern European), Titanic ( good food and this also has a "clubbie" type area with music.It is open to about 3 in the morning so it's a good place if you're out in a group with no kids and staying in town). In Covent Garden area Christopher's and Joe Allen's are both really good places to go.

I think in "pub food" the "All Bar One " chain are pretty good, Smollenski's are also quite reasonable, There are a number of outstanding Indian restaurants as well as any number of Chinese and Thai restaurants.

I really must get on with my London food review at some time LOL, as you can see, I really do enjoy finding out

 

[UKDEB]

Gloucester is restricted to the usual suspects which I'm not very keen on. The only chain I really like in Gloucester is Pizza Piazza - decent handmade pizzas similar to Pizza Express. Cheltenham has some better chains - TGIs and ASK (pizza again) and Pizza Express, but it also has some superb independants, two of my favourites being Le Petit Blanc (a Raymond Blanc Brasserie - there are about 3 others nationally) and The Daffodil which is a converted 30s cinema with all the original Art Deco intact and an open kitchen. That doesn't help you much Astrid. Ditto Clifton in Bristol. Plus, most of the old banking district in Bristol has been taken over by restaurants. One of my favourites is San Carlo, a genuine Italian restaurant which also specialises in seafood. Their menu is immense and they do have a couple more around the country, but I can't remember where.

 

[lisag1]

There aren't many italian restaurants in Lichfield which is a shame because it's one of my fave foods. There is one supposed italian eatery called Pizza by Golly but it makes me soooo mad when you are given a choice of steaks or chicken dishes accompanied with................. frozen chips!!!! That is my pet hate - I hate frozen chips, if a restaurant is going to serve chips why can't they be at least home-made??????

Actually we went for a meal today at a local pub called the Horse & Jockey in Whittington and the meals there are fantastic. We had a huge fillet steak on a crouton base topped with pate in marsala sauce this is served with a platter of lovely FRESH veggies (parsnips, red cabbage, carrots, courgettes, cauliflower cheese and rosemary & garlic roasted potatoes). All for £9.95!!!!

Lisa

 

[Janice]

Sadly, although Canvey has absolutely tons of eateries, most of them are your standard seaside-ey Fish and Chip/Burger/Chicken in a bun type of places. Within 10 minute walking distance of our house, there are no less than 28 Restaurants/Take Aways. They consist of Indian, Chinese, Pizza, Thai, Fish & Chips, Traditional English, Macdonalds, Kebabs. This is without those along the Seafront! And plans have just been granted for a KFC! For such a small place we have an abundence of them and it really is a joke!

There is one superb Restaurant, which is called The Labworth, which is right along the Seafront. This used to be a cafe, back in the fifties and sixties - the building was designed by the same Architect who designed the Sydney Opera House - and it fell into disrepair some years back. A local man who was a chef at another Restaurant in Rayleigh won the lottery and with his share - he bought the Labworth and now it is supposedly a superb restaurant. We have not managed to get a reservation yet - it is booked so far in advance, but my brother has eaten there and says it is fabulous.

We tend to visit a little Italian in Westcliff called Topo Gigio's for a nice meal - easy going atmosphere and reasonably priced. Alvaro's is another one, Portuguese and really nice, although I haven't been there for a while - I assume it is still there!

The Hawk out a South Hanningfield is an excellent pub for good grub - you have to get there as soon as it opens to get a table as it is so popular.

 

[Goofyish]

Vernon - I don't care how good the food is, I would not pay £150 a head for a meal!!

 

[profdsny]

A friend of my brother had a small chain of pizza places in and around Canterbury in the 70s called Sweeney Todds. Rather strange name. I also met the guy who had the Chicago Pizza Pie factory chain. Coudn't believe how expensive it was the last time we were there. And not that great.
Are there still any carvery restaurants in London? Oh, how about Starbucks? Can I get a good cup there somewhere?

 

[Angeluk]

jan
Love the sound of the one in canvey have to try it some time!

We love Topo Gigios too, also have you tried Azzuros in Westcliff....its really lovely, service food and value

mama Amalfis, an italian, is good in Southend, also have one in Lakeside, tho this branch isn't so good.

Love Costa's and Starbucks for coffees

 

[WDWfan uk]

If it's a family meal, the boys like going to the local Cafe Uno and there is an extremely good Chinese restaurant in the neighbouring town that they always ask to go to. We have a lot of pubs in the countryside out this way which have some good restaurants attached but we don't often go to these with the boys
They also like the local Pizza Express, and like to go to TGIFridays if we are near one. ( We don't have one locally).

 

[UKDEB]

profdsny - we had a Sweeney Todd's in Gloucester years back and it was very popular. And the UK is catching up with the US in terms of Starbucks - you can't turn a corner in most cities without coming across one. We even have one in Gloucester. You couldn't say that Gloucester is at the cutting edge of ........ well, anything, really!

 

[BevS97]

I have to agree about TGI's - we were really excited when one opened up in Gateshead, but we've been once and we won't go back - far too expensive and the service was terrible.

We had a chain up here called 'Frankie and Benny's' which is an 'Italian-American' restaurant - we really love it, it's the closest thing to an American style restaurant that we have seen in the UK. Booth's to sit in (I love a booth!) good burgers, steaks, or massive salads (the kind where you can eat the bowl) and although it's not cheap, it's not in the TGI bracket - I think we can usually eat for about £25-£30 (for the 3 of us) which I think is reasonable.


Frankie and Benny's Home Page

Bev

 

[BONZO]

...or do you have a Harry Ramsdens near by?

Harry Ramsden's

 

[Astrid]

Well you've all given me food for though (ha ha!! ) and some ideas of places to go - thanks.

Vernon - 150pounds per head - oh my, think that's way out of my price range!!

Lisa/Eda - Never heard of Outback - would like to know more.

Janice/Deb - Seems like Canvey and Gloucester have better places to eat than Southampton, or else I need to get out more!!

Bev - We've a Frankie & Bennys down here but I've never been! Ditto Bonzo and Harry Ramsdens - shall have to give them both a try.

Ta all!!

Astrid x

 

[lisag1]

Eda/Astrid

Here's the address for the Outback Restaurant in the UK......

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE
Wandsworth
Dolphin House
Smugglers Way
Wandsworth London SW181EG
United Kingdom
Telephone: + 44-2088-771599
Fax: + 44-2088-777181
E-mail: ob1@outbackpom.com

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE
The Brewery
Loading Dock 1
Unit FR8 Romford, Essex RM1 1AG
United Kingdom
Off Waterloo Rd, right next to the flicks at the Brewery.

Telephone: + 44-1708-737955
Telephone: + 44-1708-729845
E-mail: ob2@outbackpom.com

And their website address follows

http://www.outbackpom.com/

Check out their menu - the steaks are great (only tried the Orlando one though!)

Lisa

 

[Dr. Happy]

Does anyone know if the restaurant, Topo Gigio's, is still open? It was in the Picadilly Circus section of London. I LOVE that restaurant!

 

[LouiseB]

I went to Topo Gigios in Brewer Street, just off Piccadilly Circus a couple of years ago, and when I walked down that street about two months ago, I'm sure it was still there!