Have been here a number of times over the years, and this was our second visit since sharing our second date here just over one year ago. As this features in the Hi-Life book, we thought we'd give it another go.
Took three courses this time, starting with Foie Gras pate (average) and frogs legs in batter (interesting). My beef pie was acceptable but side vegetables were delicious - one of the best potato mashes i've had. Bobby had the fillet au poivre which was pretty good.
Finally, finished with mango & ginger sorbet and creme brule.
Even with the Hi-Life card paying for only the most expensive of each of the three courses, this was still more expensive than deserved. Not the best atmosphere, and service was average.
Service: 6/10
Quality of Food: 7/10
Value for money: 5/10
Overall: 6/10
Wednesday, 20 June 2007
19/06/07 - Rookery Hall, Cheshire
Having recently upgraded our Hi-Life card to Premium, we thought we'd try Rookery Hall and enjoy a 2 for 1 main course offer.
A very delightful and tranquil country hotel and restaurant with very comfortable lounge/cocktail area. We enjoyed aperitifs whilst making our selection from the short but quality menu before being led into the delightful oak-panelled dining room enjoying fantastic views over the front of the hotel's grounds.
We skipped starters and went for Lamb and Fillet mains that were well presented, and finished off with a shared dessert and coffee back in the lounge.
Fantastic location, and very comfortable pre and post dining, and would loved to have just stayed there with one or two nightcaps ...
Service: 9/10
Quality of Food: 8/10
Value for money: 8/10
Overall: 8.5/10
A very delightful and tranquil country hotel and restaurant with very comfortable lounge/cocktail area. We enjoyed aperitifs whilst making our selection from the short but quality menu before being led into the delightful oak-panelled dining room enjoying fantastic views over the front of the hotel's grounds.
We skipped starters and went for Lamb and Fillet mains that were well presented, and finished off with a shared dessert and coffee back in the lounge.
Fantastic location, and very comfortable pre and post dining, and would loved to have just stayed there with one or two nightcaps ...
Service: 9/10
Quality of Food: 8/10
Value for money: 8/10
Overall: 8.5/10
15/06/07 - Union Oyster House, Boston MA
Described as "America's Oldest Restaurant", this is something of a gem. Very busy and had to wait an hour even after booking, very popular tourist restaurant on the edge of Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market.
A group of 6 of us shared New England Clam Chowder, Oysters and Lobster. The chowder was reasonably good (although you can't go too far wrong anywhere in Boston on that score), and the Oysters were not particularly fantastic (not so fresh to me). However, the lobster was quite incredible, and certainly the biggest and meatiest lobster I have had outside the Carribean.
Overall atmosphere very good and very enjoyable evening there followed by some drinks in the surrounding bars around Faneuil Hall.
Service: 7/10
Quality of Food: 9/10
Value for money: 6/10
Overall: 7.5/10
A group of 6 of us shared New England Clam Chowder, Oysters and Lobster. The chowder was reasonably good (although you can't go too far wrong anywhere in Boston on that score), and the Oysters were not particularly fantastic (not so fresh to me). However, the lobster was quite incredible, and certainly the biggest and meatiest lobster I have had outside the Carribean.
Overall atmosphere very good and very enjoyable evening there followed by some drinks in the surrounding bars around Faneuil Hall.
Service: 7/10
Quality of Food: 9/10
Value for money: 6/10
Overall: 7.5/10
14/06/2007 - Green Field Churrascaria, Boston MA
A poor version of better chains in and around New York, but similar theme.
Salad bar a little disappointing, some sushi, but thinly presented, and meat not particularly high quality either. Not as much on offer as at the better versions of this Brazilian barbecue.
Service: 6/10
Quality of Food: 5/10
Value for money: 6/10
Overall: 5.5/10
Salad bar a little disappointing, some sushi, but thinly presented, and meat not particularly high quality either. Not as much on offer as at the better versions of this Brazilian barbecue.
Service: 6/10
Quality of Food: 5/10
Value for money: 6/10
Overall: 5.5/10
Monday, 4 June 2007
3/6/07 - Chetwode Arms, Lower Whitley, Warrington
We'd been meaning to come here for a few weeks after a personal recommendation and after discovering it in our Hi-Life Dining club book. We called them up to see if our card would be valid on a sunday evening, and decided to give it a go.
A very attractive country pub in lovely rural setting (close to Whitley, Arley and Antrobus). Having already booked a table, we were shown to a rather cosy room although we were startled to see a flame-effect gas fire rather than a more authentic rustic real-fire, but it had been a gloriously warm day, and no heat was really needed.
In fact, we soon had additional heat brought to our table as I ordered the mixed meat selection on a "rock". This is a square slab of granite heated to 440c which sits in the middle of your plate with the meat cooking on it. This was great as you can cook your meat as little or as much as you want, but not as easy to eat off with the head under your face and smoke hitting your eyes.
My meat selection included Barbary duck and fillet steak, and complimented with hand-cut chips and a side order of green vegetables. Bobby tried the Steak and Kidney pudding with chips.
Both meals were extremely good (yes, I had to help Bobby finish her pudding too).
We declined starters and desserts but did accept the invitation to try a "Don Pedro" with Tia Maria (with home made vanilla ice cream).
Although the prices are a little on the high side (approx £7.50 for a starter, £17-21 for mains and £5-6 for desserts), the service was excellent (from bar staff to manager) and we definitely rate this as a place to return.
Service: 8.5/10
Quality of Food: 9/10
Value for money: 7/10
Overall: 8.5/10
A very attractive country pub in lovely rural setting (close to Whitley, Arley and Antrobus). Having already booked a table, we were shown to a rather cosy room although we were startled to see a flame-effect gas fire rather than a more authentic rustic real-fire, but it had been a gloriously warm day, and no heat was really needed.
In fact, we soon had additional heat brought to our table as I ordered the mixed meat selection on a "rock". This is a square slab of granite heated to 440c which sits in the middle of your plate with the meat cooking on it. This was great as you can cook your meat as little or as much as you want, but not as easy to eat off with the head under your face and smoke hitting your eyes.
My meat selection included Barbary duck and fillet steak, and complimented with hand-cut chips and a side order of green vegetables. Bobby tried the Steak and Kidney pudding with chips.
Both meals were extremely good (yes, I had to help Bobby finish her pudding too).
We declined starters and desserts but did accept the invitation to try a "Don Pedro" with Tia Maria (with home made vanilla ice cream).
Although the prices are a little on the high side (approx £7.50 for a starter, £17-21 for mains and £5-6 for desserts), the service was excellent (from bar staff to manager) and we definitely rate this as a place to return.
Service: 8.5/10
Quality of Food: 9/10
Value for money: 7/10
Overall: 8.5/10
31/5/2007 - Est Est Est, Knutsford
Italian style eaterie on main Knutsford road. Have been here a couple of times before and found again the accoustics of this building mean the amplified chatter and bar noise is not ideal for a cosy dinner for two.
We shared a starter of cured meats and fried dough and then finished off with Fiorentina Pizza and penne pasta with pepperoni. All very acceptable and enjoyable.
Service a little curt at times, but about what you expect in these chained restaurants.
Service: 5.5/10
Quality of Food: 8/10
Value for money: 7/10
Overall: 6/10
We shared a starter of cured meats and fried dough and then finished off with Fiorentina Pizza and penne pasta with pepperoni. All very acceptable and enjoyable.
Service a little curt at times, but about what you expect in these chained restaurants.
Service: 5.5/10
Quality of Food: 8/10
Value for money: 7/10
Overall: 6/10
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