stephen (stephen-258)

This was our dream of the Lyon dining experience: richly flavored earthy classics in a warm and lively setting. The servings of first courses and desserts was l... Weiterlesen This was our dream of the Lyon dining experience: richly flavored earthy classics in a warm and lively setting. The servings of first courses and desserts was literally bottomless, with the bowls of delights set on the table for you to serve yourself from, and the main courses were awesome and could have fed us very satisfyingly all on their own. The wines by the glass were totally up to the quality of the food and the service could not have been warmer or more welcoming. All in all not to be missed.

We came here last year and could find almost no fault so were very disappointed when we returned, expecting the same but did not get it. It is still a stunning... Weiterlesen We came here last year and could find almost no fault so were very disappointed when we returned, expecting the same but did not get it. It is still a stunning location right on the lovely old market square in the little rural French town of Nant with tables on the square, under the old market arches and inside. We ate on the square which it being a nice evening was busy and lively. For ambiance, you cannot beat it. The service was erratic, friendly enough when they came but a number of overlong waits. The menu is extensive but most of it boiled down to grilled meat steak, lamb chops, pork chops. There was very little of what one might call ‘proper cooking’, really only two dishes. We went straight to the main course, I had one of the proper cooked dishes a lamb tagine. It was quite good, tasty, lemony, plenty of well cooked meat, probably the best choice on the menu. My wife ordered the entrecote medium rare and after a long wait got one cooked to death. To be fair when we complained it was changed but she had to eat after the rest of us and although the replacement was cooked as ordered it was stringy, gristly bit of meat and it came with very poor, greasy, flaccid chips, barely eatable. Our companions had lamp chops, one with aligot, the local potato dish and another had a faux filet with chips. Both were fine, although the chips were no better. We had a carafe of house white wine which was barely drinkable, our aperitifs were limited by them not having gin or tonic and this is an area popular with the British! We were not given bread and had to ask twice to get it. The menu has been dumbed down and standards lowered, I think the place is getting too popular and is sitting back on its laurels. There is a lot of competition on the market square, all of which we have tried and none of which are that good. It’s a pity that such a lovely situation no longer has a single good restaurant among the five or six on the square.

We went here a couple of years ago and were very impressed, we went again last year and found it had slipped and that was the same this year. The setting is sup... Weiterlesen We went here a couple of years ago and were very impressed, we went again last year and found it had slipped and that was the same this year. The setting is superb, right on the pretty cobbled market square surrounded by old stone buildings. We ate outside, barely worth going if the weather is not suitable for this. There is a quite extensive menu, featuring the standard dishes of the area, fairly simple straightforward cooking, grilled meat or fish and veg. Most of the party had the trout and some curried vegetables, which really did not go with a dish as delicate as trout, and I had the lamb chops which were very tough and despite this had little or no flavour. They came with chips which were very overcooked, almost burnt. It’s a lovely place to eat, the service was OK and it was not expensive but the food is quite ordinary, not a patch on what we had two years before and it is now no better that the other two or three café/restaurants vying for trade in this lovely square.

I have been coming to Nurnberg for over 30 years and visited Da Claudio many times. As you walk in the food always looks and smells fresh, it feels Italian and... Weiterlesen I have been coming to Nurnberg for over 30 years and visited Da Claudio many times. As you walk in the food always looks and smells fresh, it feels Italian and the wait staff are just great. You can find some great wines on the list and I do appreciate it is not the cheapest in town it just feels right to me. The food does not disappoint with a menu that changes daily. I actually had lunch and dinner there yesterday with both meals meeting the Da Claudio standard.

Excellant food and service for the price. If you enjoy sushi this is absolutly the best Japanese restaurant since living in Mexico. Weiterlesen Excellant food and service for the price. If you enjoy sushi this is absolutly the best Japanese restaurant since living in Mexico.

We went to this small suburban Thai restaurant for dinner with friends. It is a pretty standard, ordinary sort of place, the fitout is a little basic, lots of s... Weiterlesen We went to this small suburban Thai restaurant for dinner with friends. It is a pretty standard, ordinary sort of place, the fitout is a little basic, lots of surface mounted electrical cables. The service was pleasant and prompt and we ordered a selection of starters, all of which were fine. I had a soup which was good, hot but not unbearably, tasty with some depth of flavour not just chili For mains I had the red duck curry another good choice. Duck curries well it is strong enough in flavour to compete with the spices and the overall effect was good, tasty, slightly sweet, with some flavours of duck coming through. Overall a very pleasant, reasonably priced evening out, I am not a big fan of Thai food but this was fine, its not haute cuisine but a decent dinner.

Thai Ingah has been one of our favourites for many years. The staff are excellent, the food is great and prices are great value. Weiterlesen Thai Ingah has been one of our favourites for many years. The staff are excellent, the food is great and prices are great value.

I’ve held off writing a review of Wilson Road Fish Shop for over seven years as I was always hopeful that things would improve, but today my optimism finally di... Weiterlesen I’ve held off writing a review of Wilson Road Fish Shop for over seven years as I was always hopeful that things would improve, but today my optimism finally died. My wife’s family have been frequenting this place for many years; the shop has a pretty captive audience as it’s the most convenient takeaway shop for a lot of people in Waihi Beach. I generally try to avoid it and go elsewhere usually a drive to Waihi but today the timings didn’t work out. Most places which offer a range of takeaway options do at least some things well, but for Friday night takeaways these guys consistently fail to impress across the board. They offer the usual fish and chip options (obviously), burgers, and a few Chinese options. The food is average on a good day but typically underwhelming. “Why did I pay good money for this dross?” I asked myself tonight as I choked down a soggy and insipid piece of some battered fish which was billed and charged as “snapper.” This people who own the place must make money doing it; they remain in business but clearly have no love of food nor any interest in customer service. The shop itself is an absolute dump. I have given them an extra star for service because they provide employment to some young people in the village. Very public spirited but I suppose it also keeps the wages low. If Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares starts up in NZ I feel this place would make an ideal venue for the pilot episode. Service: Take out Meal type: Dinner Price per person: NZ$20–30 Food: 1 Service: 2 Atmosphere: 1

Aux Sablettes is a few kilometres outside Tournon, but very well placed for the several camp sites and small hotels on the route de Lamastre, and only a 20-minu... Weiterlesen Aux Sablettes is a few kilometres outside Tournon, but very well placed for the several camp sites and small hotels on the route de Lamastre, and only a 20-minute walk from the Train de l'Ardèche and camp sites on the opposite bank of the river Doux. Looks quite glam and glossy from the outside; rather more homely inside, the kind of atmosphere that puts people at their ease. The proprietor and his wife are chef (with the status of Maître Restaurateur) and front-of-house. On a glorious summer's evening (I chose the covered, but almost outdoor, terrace over the cosy interior) the pace of the meal was perfect: leisurely enough to savour the food and wine, but quick enough for a solo traveller not to get bored. I opted for the 4-course set menu at 25 Euros, which was outstanding value for food of this quality. Frogs' legs, sweet, tender and absolutely lathered in lovely garlic butter; a lamb steak in a rosemary and thyme glaze, served with a small potato pancake and a selection of Mediterranean veg; the cheeseboard; then a rich chocolate fondant served with a feather-light coconut meringue. The bread which accompanied the meal in normal French fashion was (in common with everything else) made on the premises and was of superb quality, if a little crusty for what remains of my poor old teeth. From an excellent wine list (after all, this is one of the great wine areas) I went for a half-litre bottle of Côtes du Vivarais, a full-bodied red of very deep colour which complemented my lamb beautifully. and a coffee to round it all off. For an additional 6 Euros you could up it to five with a fish course, but I was very satisfied and replete with what I had. The food was delicious and of high quality; the level of service and attention was just right; the atmosphere comfortable and relaxed. As civilised and enjoyable a meal as I have eaten in a good long while.

Friendly, welcoming little café just across the way from the cathedral. A very welcome place to repair to on a pouring wet morning. Good coffee, chocolate, soft... Weiterlesen Friendly, welcoming little café just across the way from the cathedral. A very welcome place to repair to on a pouring wet morning. Good coffee, chocolate, soft drinks, nice atmosphere. Sitting outside would have been relaxing in sunny weather perhaps next time?