Noreen's Reviews

We visited The Summerhouse for Sunday lunch today, our first visit since last summer. Good news for Richard E… Things may have greatly improved since his last visit. We were almost put off from going, but decided we would check it out for ourselves.

A lovely warm afternoon, we booked a late table and decided on reading other reviews, not to get too hung up on a waterfront table. We had a friendly welcome from a vaguely familiar looking maitre d', and were shown to a table inside, which actually turned out to be a good spot, as the afternoon sunshine gave a lovely glow to the restaurant, and it was much nicer looking out, than the times we have sat at a waterfront table looking in. So that's my first tip. Don't fret over sitting at a water front table.

More good news; the food is still of a very high standard, three of us were dining, two shared the meze of hummus, taramasalata, tzatziki, halloumi, olives and pitta bread, my husband had prawn cocktail all of which were fresh and tasted fab. To follow we all chose differently one had fishcakes with poached egg and hollandaise on a bed of spinach, one had fillet of sea bream, and finally, the most amazing tagliatelle with prawns, chilli and garlic. I can honestly say the food we ate was really good, well cooked, well presented and pretty much to the same high standard we remembered.

The service was efficient, attentive and we were spared any napkin waving. Towards the end of our lunch we still hadn't worked out why the maitre d' looked familiar and asked him, it turns out he arrived just a couple months ago, and we recognised him from Worral Thompsons' restaurant Notting Grill. If the service we received was down to him, then I would say The Summerhouse is in a safe pair of hands, and Richard should give it another go, particularly as he liked it so much before. Perhaps they were going through some changes at the time he visited.

And the final bit of good news for Claire W, they hope to stay open this winter.

Reviews for Relais de Venise seem to fall in to two categories either good or bad. Notice the negative reviews have all been from people expecting to have some time for a relaxed meal and then being utterly disappointed at the set up and finding a special meal completely ruined, and I can totally understand why they would feel that way.

We only go for a quick meal on the way home from work, because we know we can be in and out in virtually the same time it would take for us to walk home and make dinner ourselves. You will probably be in and out in 45 minutes. This is fast food French style! They don't take reservations, it's first come first served and if there is a queue and you get to the front they won't let you in if you are not all present, there is nowhere to wait inside if it is raining or cold.

It is run with what can only be described as military precision, which can easily be misinterpreted as rude and brusque, but at least you know they are treating everyone the same. We always try to speak to the waitresses who seem to be on fast forward and are invariably taken aback that anyone should actually take time to talk to them! Everyone is served with the same starter, a green salad with mustard dressing, everyone has the same main course steak, sauce and chips, and there is none of that medium rare, slightly pink choices palaver. It's straight up Rare, Medium or Well Done. You get probably a medium plate full, (very small if you are used to American portions), and then they will bring you second serving. There is a choice of about 6 desserts.

Probably not a great venue for vegetarians, as the last time we went there was obviously one veggie on a table of eight next to us. Her main course was a huge cheese plate…

It is slightly frenetic, as the tables are turned fast, and in keeping with the French brasserie style you are quite squashed so you will be extremely close to your neighbours.

That said we like it very much, so if you want a super quick meal it fits the… More

Aren't we the lucky ones to have The Grazing Goat virtually on our doorstep? There couldn't be more of a transformation from when it was the Bricklayers Arms pub, gone is the dark, dingy neglected pub, with a surly landlady and a carpet that your feet stuck to, and in its place is a light really well fitted out gastropub, with wooden floors and friendly staff – who actually talk to the customers. The owners have literally ripped out the old and replaced it with new and there is now one huge open space on the ground floor with tables you can eat or just drink at, a bar with plenty of stools, and some comfy chairs in front of the fire to sink in to.

A great menu with the usual suspects… Beer battered fish and chips with mushy peas, steak pie and a fabulous burger, there is also a good selection of starters which change frequently depending on what is in season.

It has a great atmosphere, mainly due to the fixtures and fittings and well thought out lighting which all help to give a cosy feel. They also have full length doors which will obviously be opened in the summer and will no doubt make the GG a perfect venue on a sunny day.

There is also a first floor bar and restaurant.

We first visited WestBeach when it very first opened probably about 8 years ago, there was just nowhere better to be on a lovely sunny afternoon, great fish, lovely wine, sitting right on the edge of the sandy beach with a great view of both good and bad, sights walking along the promenade. Subsequent return visits saw it slowly deteriorate, in service and decor, ending up with the feeling of a neglected and rundown restaurant. Much as the previous review says.

Poor old Bournemouth… it is a complete nightmare to try and find somewhere decent to eat if you want to be any more daring than Cafe Rouge – all rather depressing really. A couple of years ago a new restaurant opened called the Print Room, which was fantastic, and so when we went back this year we were really sad to see that it had closed down, and not being able to bring ourselves to going to Zizzi decided to have a look at WestBeach again.

We were pleasantly surprised when we visited in September 2010 to see that they have made some improvements. They have smartened up the interior so it looks a lot fresher, the food is still of a really good standard, the service was really efficient and friendly. Between the four of us we had had a really good meal including a well prepared seafood platter, my husband had the mussels (no beards!), I had the sea bass which was cooked really well. I hope the earlier reviewer will give it another try, we certainly will next time we are down.

Oh dear… I think I just don't get the Fat Duck! I have honeslty never in my life endured a meal like I had last week. We were taken by friends who love the restaurant and urged us to join them for the tasting menu. 13 courses later I was silently begging to be let out.

The restaurant is lovely, very cosy, the service is superb and exactly as the previous reviewer says it is run with military precision. The wines we had were beautiful and all chosen carefully to go with the food, and there for me it all ended… The snail porridge, the roast foie gras with almond fluid gel (can you think of a more off putting ingredient?), salmon poached in liquorice gel all left me cold.

I wish I got it, I really do because I have really wanted to go the the Fat Duck for a long time, but I was so disappointed. Anyone who is thinking of going probably should look on the website and check out the menu first, its not for everyone, so be careful if you suggest it to others for dinner.

Caffe Caldesi is actually two restaurants. Upstairs is more formal with linen table cloths and you need to book, downstairs more simple with plain wooden tables ans you can often walk in and get a table. However the food in both is absolutely wonderful. If you want a quiet meal go upstairs but for a more informal and relaxed meal or even just a drink then the ground floor is the place to be.

The antipasti platter which is served in both is just to die for, perfect in every way form its presentation on a wooden platter to the sublime mix of parma ham, salami, olives and wonderful home made bread to mop up the olive oil drizzled on top. The caprese salad has the best buffalo mozarella you will ever taste outside of Italy! It is served with roasted tomatoes and basil. Two great starters that never fail to please.

The menu changes all the time, but there is always a choice of pasta, risotto and maybe gnocchi all served with great sauces ranging from lamb ragu to a simple tomato sauce. Just when you think you have no more room left you then have a tempting choice of meat and fish dishes.

I can't comment on any of the desserts because we have never in all the times we have been to the restaurant managed to get that far!

Authentic Italian food, simply and beautifully cooked and served – what could be better?

Made our first visit Friday 12th Dec 08 for a quick birthday lunch. We had half a dozen oysters, 50g of caviar, some smoked salmon and a bottle of champagne. The new Oyster Bar is fantastic! It was very busy so there was a great atmosphere, they have extended sideways by knocking through from the old bar. There is a bar with stools running around the centre and just a few tables along the front, all very compact but just perfect for what we wanted. If there is a very big group in a party it would be quite tricky but for two or four it's fine. The food was lovely, the champagne gorgeous and as always – service was with a smile! I couldn't recommend it any higher.