Michael Caines at ABode

From start to finish, this was an unmitigated disaster. We sat in the restaurant downstairs, admittedly with no booking fairly early on a Wednesday night. I took four people to decide whether or not there was a table available for us in an almost empty restaurant.

There are three elements to the menu. A grazing menu – tapas size small sharing dishes, an a la carte and a tasting menu. We opted for the first. You HAVE to order a minimum of 3 dishes each, which is a bit cheeky, particularly as we felt that this would be too much for us. When the dishes arrived, it was clear why. I am not entirely sure that they could actually spare the food. There is no way you can share these plates, far too small. Which was a blessing as nothing could be described as better than mediocre. The quail specifically, was a very expensive insult.

The took more than 30 mins to arrive, they didn't come together and we repeatedly had to ask for cutlery. The staff are pleasant enough in an incredibly in ept way and even the maitre d' kept blaming the chef and so divorced himself from any authority or responsibility.

If this restaurant wants to be a destination and gain a star, it better massively up its game.

Dropped in for lunch on our way back to London from Cornwall and were delighted to experience the ‘amazing graze’ menu for a mere £9.95 (3 courses). Some of the dishes we really enjoyed were the chicken rillettes, tender porkloin and cod with chorizo. Small portions for some, but PERFECT for lunch and the quality of the service and food was second to none. Great all round!