kingcole
Well-known member
As I was taking all the family to yesterday's game, I decided to treat us all (9 of us) to a proper meal in the East stand restaurant.
I booked easily about midday on Monday for 6pm. They have 3 sitting times, 530pm, 6pm and 630pm.
We got to the door a couple of minute to 6, and was escorted up the stairs, where a polite lady found our reservation and we were shown to our seats.
Then Jack the Lad from Heart came over. He was like the Matre D and done a great job of introducing himself and taking some of the kids names and birthdays, which got a mention later in the evening.
The restaurant itself, although many posters of Albion legends and key moments in our history, had a rather sterile look. The tables were odd, plastic with no table cloths, but perfectly set, silver service cutler and a stiff linen napkin!
The service was friendly, reasonably efficient, but amateurish. A great line from one young chap was when he saw our bottle of wine was empty he picked it up and said "You don't want any more wine, do you!" and wandered off. Actually we didn't but so much for pushing sales!
The girls shared the wine, kids had diet Pepsi and I had a pint of Albion ale.
Can't remember the price of the beer and soft drinks, but the wine was expensive. Now, I'm no cheap skate, far from it, but £23 for a fairly basic Chardonnay, and £45 for a Sancerre is simply a piss take. Even Ramsay don't charge anywhere near that for his signature restaurants! The reds were similarly priced.
Kids menu was £10 for 2 courses and £12 for 3. Ours all chose Garlic bread to start and chick Nuggs and chips for main. For the price, the chick nuggs were poor. Simple out the freezer ones, but the chips were awesome.
The adult menus were £25 for 2 and £30 for 3 courses. We opted for 2.
We were all blown away by the starters, just amazing. The mains were lacking a little though. The choice was limited. There was a vegy option and one other I forgot, but our group had either the Chicken or Fish n Chips.
The chicken was basically a quarter on a bed of mash with the rich mushroom sauce. It was good, but nothing to write home about.
The Fish n Chips were probably the best I have had in ages. Great fish, perfect batter and amazing thick double (or maybe treble) fried chips. Fresh peas, a little mushy and a great tangy tartar sauce.
The problem here is £25 for Fish n Chips and a starter is too steep IMO.
I might to it again, but would not be in any rush too. Considering it is early days for us at the stadium, it was quiet. At these prices, once poeple have tried it, they won't be in a rush to come back.
Although I love good food, at footy for some reason I would prob enjoy a Pie or Hotdog more.
Overall, excellent food, sterile surroundings, pricey, polite but amateurish staff.
Two more points. The East Stand 1901 area blocks any view of the pitch. If you could see the pictch (and the west stand) the view might be worth the price itself. But as this is hidden, I could really have been anywhere.
And timing: We had 2 courses, and finished about 730pm with a prompt 6pm start. If you want time to enjoy your meal, don't do the 630pm one and if you want 3 courses, get there for 530pm.
I booked easily about midday on Monday for 6pm. They have 3 sitting times, 530pm, 6pm and 630pm.
We got to the door a couple of minute to 6, and was escorted up the stairs, where a polite lady found our reservation and we were shown to our seats.
Then Jack the Lad from Heart came over. He was like the Matre D and done a great job of introducing himself and taking some of the kids names and birthdays, which got a mention later in the evening.
The restaurant itself, although many posters of Albion legends and key moments in our history, had a rather sterile look. The tables were odd, plastic with no table cloths, but perfectly set, silver service cutler and a stiff linen napkin!
The service was friendly, reasonably efficient, but amateurish. A great line from one young chap was when he saw our bottle of wine was empty he picked it up and said "You don't want any more wine, do you!" and wandered off. Actually we didn't but so much for pushing sales!
The girls shared the wine, kids had diet Pepsi and I had a pint of Albion ale.
Can't remember the price of the beer and soft drinks, but the wine was expensive. Now, I'm no cheap skate, far from it, but £23 for a fairly basic Chardonnay, and £45 for a Sancerre is simply a piss take. Even Ramsay don't charge anywhere near that for his signature restaurants! The reds were similarly priced.
Kids menu was £10 for 2 courses and £12 for 3. Ours all chose Garlic bread to start and chick Nuggs and chips for main. For the price, the chick nuggs were poor. Simple out the freezer ones, but the chips were awesome.
The adult menus were £25 for 2 and £30 for 3 courses. We opted for 2.
We were all blown away by the starters, just amazing. The mains were lacking a little though. The choice was limited. There was a vegy option and one other I forgot, but our group had either the Chicken or Fish n Chips.
The chicken was basically a quarter on a bed of mash with the rich mushroom sauce. It was good, but nothing to write home about.
The Fish n Chips were probably the best I have had in ages. Great fish, perfect batter and amazing thick double (or maybe treble) fried chips. Fresh peas, a little mushy and a great tangy tartar sauce.
The problem here is £25 for Fish n Chips and a starter is too steep IMO.
I might to it again, but would not be in any rush too. Considering it is early days for us at the stadium, it was quiet. At these prices, once poeple have tried it, they won't be in a rush to come back.
Although I love good food, at footy for some reason I would prob enjoy a Pie or Hotdog more.
Overall, excellent food, sterile surroundings, pricey, polite but amateurish staff.
Two more points. The East Stand 1901 area blocks any view of the pitch. If you could see the pictch (and the west stand) the view might be worth the price itself. But as this is hidden, I could really have been anywhere.
And timing: We had 2 courses, and finished about 730pm with a prompt 6pm start. If you want time to enjoy your meal, don't do the 630pm one and if you want 3 courses, get there for 530pm.
