Eating Out.

Bruce Rioja · Post by **Bruce Rioja** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 2:17 pm

TANGODANCER wrote:Is the Indian on Westhoughton's Market Street still going? (forgotten the name) That used to be a very decent place at one time? Also, surprisingly, The Royal Balti House in Farnworth I've had a good meal in the past at too.

Tango. Years ago I used to work with a couple of guys from Farny and they'd never stop banging on about a curry house over your way called Joi Bangla (or somesuch). Is it still going?

TANGODANCER · Post by **TANGODANCER** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 2:38 pm

Bruce Rioja wrote:
TANGODANCER wrote:Is the Indian on Westhoughton's Market Street still going? (forgotten the name) That used to be a very decent place at one time? Also, surprisingly, The Royal Balti House in Farnworth I've had a good meal in the past at too.
Tango. Years ago I used to work with a couple of guys from Farny and they'd never stop banging on about a curry house over your way called Joi Bangla (or somesuch). Is it still going?

I remember the name but I'm sure it's long gone now Bruce. Market Street is full of eateries, like a miniature curry mile, mainly take-away, and a new one seems to open every month or so. I could have filled a wheelie bin with the numbet of leaflets I've had through my door in the last twelve months. One of the best local restaurants around is the Horseshoe Pub at Ringley. Good atmosphere, food-a-plenty and reasonable prices.

Of course- back to Indian- there will never be one to match the old Kismet (next door to Prestons on Bank Street). First ever Indian restaurant in Bolton (Tai-Tung on Great Moor Street was the first Chinese) and it was utterly superb. I was an unadventureous eater in that I knew exactly what I wanted: Beef Madras, half rice/half chips and a two gallon jug of water. Heaven. Aye thenk yooooouuu.

runningonbravado · Post by **runningonbravado** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 10:33 pm

has anyone made the "i do a lot of eating out with my girlfriend. hurts my neck tho" joke yet?

if not, consider it made.

Bruce Rioja · Post by **Bruce Rioja** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 11:18 am

Bruce Rioja wrote: Right, I'll report back on Sunday regarding how we get on at the Olive Press.

Well I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised given that slagging that the place has received. Excellent and attentive service, the food was pretty much bang on the money too. I had a seafood risotto which was very nice. Perfect use of fennel so as not to drown out the more delicate flavours, perfectly cooked calamari, all in all very nice. The house wine's well selected as well.

Rated R Superstar · Post by **Rated R Superstar** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 5:49 pm

Bruce Rioja wrote:
Bruce Rioja wrote: Right, I'll report back on Sunday regarding how we get on at the Olive Press.
Well I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised given that slagging that the place has received. Excellent and attentive service, the food was pretty much bang on the money too. I had a seafood risotto which was very nice. Perfect use of fennel so as not to drown out the more delicate flavours, perfectly cooked calamari, all in all very nice. The house wine's well selected as well.

Glad you enjoyed it.

Me and the missus went to the Spinning Mule last night. It wasn't spectacular, but decent enough. Made all the better by results yesterday!

boltonboris · Post by **boltonboris** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 6:17 pm

Went to St. Petersburg last night and loved it! We did a 2 for 1 offer but still managed to spend 50 quid! Wine list and Vodka list was enermous but pricey - The food though was magic! I had Prawn Brini (prawns wrapped in a pancake) and the missus had a Goat's Cheese Kiev which was class!! For main course I got a old fashioned pot with Big chunks of Lamb cooked in a Red wine Sauce with Mash which was gorgeous, the best bit about it was the fact I had no idea what I was ordering so it was a pleasant suprise when it came!

We were put off at first by how dingy it looks from the outside, but inside it's very nice and I recommend anybody to go - Make sure your wallets packed though!!

boltonboris · Post by **boltonboris** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 4:47 pm

Went to Frankie and Benny's last night (Not my idea) as my girlfriend and I were meeting some of her mates there...

... Never been so appalled by the service and foul tasting food in my life, That's 40 quid and 1.5 hours I'll never, ever get back

Lord Kangana · Post by **Lord Kangana** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 4:50 pm

boltonboris wrote:Went to Frankie and Benny's last night (Not my idea) as my girlfriend and I were meeting some of her mates there...

... Never been so appalled by the service and foul tasting food in my life, That's 40 quid and 1.5 hours I'll never, ever get back

My advice, for what its worth, is never, ever, ever go in a franchised 'restaurant'.

boltonboris · Post by **boltonboris** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 4:52 pm

Lord Kangana wrote:
boltonboris wrote:Went to Frankie and Benny's last night (Not my idea) as my girlfriend and I were meeting some of her mates there...

... Never been so appalled by the service and foul tasting food in my life, That's 40 quid and 1.5 hours I'll never, ever get back
My advice, for what its worth, is never, ever, ever go in a franchised 'restaurant'.

I try to stay away, I really do - But on this occasion, the choice was made for me..

Same thing with Pesto, if anybody is wondering

Raven · Post by **Raven** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 5:23 pm

I've been to the Frankie and Benny's in Nuneaton a load of time, did the daughters party there once too and its always been very good.

Will never touch and TFI place though, went once and the waiter was so over the top he nearly got a slap!

warthog · Post by **warthog** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 5:28 pm

Raven wrote:I've been to the Frankie and Benny's in Nuneaton a load of time, did the daughters party there once too and its always been very good.

Will never touch and TFI place though, went once and the waiter was so over the top he nearly got a slap!

You've eaten on Chris Evans's Friday night TV show? I'm impressed. The closest I've got was TGI Friday's. It was shite.

Bruce Rioja · Post by **Bruce Rioja** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 6:41 pm

Raven wrote: Will never touch and TFI place though, went once and the waiter was so over the top he nearly got a slap!

I've been to TGI Friday's in Coventry, Watford and Birmingham. From said visits I've deduced that they are universally shit.

I've been to one Frankie and Benny's up in Sunderland and that was shit.

However, none of these can hold a candle in terms of shitness to absolutely anywhere that has a brass number your table, a food order point and that requires payment up front for a portion controlled ready-meal. Just don't do it. They don't in any other European country so why do we accept it here?

TANGODANCER · Post by **TANGODANCER** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 7:28 pm

Bruce Rioja wrote:
Raven wrote:
However, none of these can hold a candle in terms of shitness to absolutely anywhere that has a brass number your table, a food order point and that requires payment up front for a portion controlled ready-meal. Just don't do it. They don't in any other European country so why do we accept it here?

Normally, I'd be in full agreement there. I did however, do lunch in the Manchester Wetherspoon's a couple of weeks ago and had a passably good cod lunch. Laughable part was though, a couple of hours after lunch time the same meal was £2 cheaper.

On a brighter note, I just had two grilled pork chops, cauliflour chesse, baked potato and a nice cheese sauce for tea. Makes me want to just stay home.

Dan.M · Post by **Dan.M** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 9:05 pm

Heard some not so good stuff about Milan!

Puccinis is really good. Apparently prices have rocketed recently though, with Magners coming in at just under a £5 a bottle!

Sotto Vento which is co'owned by Mark Halsey just up Bolton Road where Halfway house used to be in Farnworth was also good, REALLY nice at Christmas.

Portofino up Blackrod is also lovely, just next to Douglas Valley.

Also heard a bit about Dimitris Tapas Bar ( just off Deansgate way ? ) in Manchester.

Dan.M · Post by **Dan.M** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 9:09 pm

Worthy4England wrote:
Salford Trotter wrote:
The chef who left Puccini's to set up Isis is no longer there. He has opened a takeaway called Nico's on Memorial Road in Wagdin....Yang Sing/Little Yang Sing work for me too..Milan can be inconsistent in terms of quality...some days it's excellent occasionally it's a bag o spanners

I think he's talking about Mr De Luca Ross, he's head chef at Isis, but used to be at Puccinis.

Lord Kangana · Post by **Lord Kangana** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 10:00 pm

Bruce Rioja wrote:
Raven wrote: Will never touch and TFI place though, went once and the waiter was so over the top he nearly got a slap!
I've been to TGI Friday's in Coventry, Watford and Birmingham. From said visits I've deduced that they are universally shit.

I've been to one Frankie and Benny's up in Sunderland and that was shit.

However, none of these can hold a candle in terms of shitness to absolutely anywhere that has a brass number your table, a food order point and that requires payment up front for a portion controlled ready-meal. Just don't do it. They don't in any other European country so why do we accept it here?

Erm...they kind of do in France (the home of some of the best AND worst restaurants on the planet). However, the 'outline plan' of the establishments doesn't end in the kind of cuisine idiocy that prevails here.

The problem is we Brits are culinary cavemen - most people seem to consider opening a Tesco ready meal as home cooking. We get what we deserve (IMVHO)

Dave Sutton's barnet · Post by **Dave Sutton's barnet** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 10:07 pm

Lord Kangana wrote:France (the home of some of the best AND worst restaurants on the planet).

Indeed. We took some American bon vivants to a beautiful medieval walled city in France. They were so excited for the first 40 minutes of waiting to be seated. Then it kinda freaked them out. As some American stand-up comic once put it, "Here's two English words you Brits should get your heads round: Customer. Service."

boltonboris · Post by **boltonboris** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 8:59 am

Dan.M wrote:Heard some not so good stuff about Milan!

Puccinis is really good. Apparently prices have rocketed recently though, with Magners coming in at just under a £5 a bottle!

Sotto Vento which is co'owned by Mark Halsey just up Bolton Road where Halfway house used to be in Farnworth was also good, REALLY nice at Christmas.

Portofino up Blackrod is also lovely, just next to Douglas Valley.

Also heard a bit about Dimitris Tapas Bar ( just off Deansgate way ? ) in Manchester.

DON'T.DO.IT

honestly!

Raven · Post by **Raven** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 9:26 am

OK its TGI Friday and the one I went to was in Coventry and it was vile, OTT waiter far too Americanised for me and we don't do that American style service well, its comes across as fake.

enfieldwhite · Post by **enfieldwhite** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 9:57 am

Raven wrote:OK its TGI Friday and the one I went to was in Coventry and it was vile, OTT waiter far too Americanised for me and we don't do that American style service well, its comes across as fake.

I went to a TGI in New York and it was just the same.

Whilst on Franchise restaurants - Old Orleans. What a big fat bag of Bollocks!

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