[Food] Restaurant thread 2021

[WATFORD zero]

I had also forgotten this thread.

So, last Friday we found ourselves in FANOOS Persian restaurant. Spoiler, if you are "west side" this is well worth a visit for a good value family meal.

Situated on the South bit of Station Road and with a big, covered, outdoor area this is very much like that place you go to when you are on holiday that does salads, olives and absolutely fantastic meat or veg with rice or chips. The next night you say you'll find somewhere different but end up there again and repeat for the rest of the stay.

Arriving it was encouraging that olives were put straight on the table and were some of the best I've had in a UK restaurant. The starters are mostly salads or breads with hummous but you won't need one of those because the mains are MASSIVE. They have Persian specials which are meats, rice and veg cooked in together, lamb ribs, spicy chicken, chicken breast in pomegranate sauce but I went for the more UK Fusion sounding "mixed grill". Delicious marinated chicken wings, falling off the bone, well spiced lamb kebab and a chicken marinated heavily with garlic and lots of lemon that was my favourite. The chips are thin, hot, perfectly crisp and well seasoned. The salad is fresh but, quite possibly superfluous. The rice fluffy.

It's BYO with no corkage and a meal that was more than we could finish for a family of two adults, a younger child and a 14 year old boy who eats more than me was under £60.

It's great to see what's happening to that particular bit of Boundary Road / Station Rd now. With the Foghorn, Brazilian butchers, Fanoos, Madam Eat and the Thai at the Blue Anchor there's something good for everyone and it's like there's an invisible fence that stops the chavalanche at New Church Road.

7/10

Did you climb it or go under it ?

(Good review, I'll try and give it a go as £600 for four is a little out of my league)

 

[Machiavelli]

I had also forgotten this thread.

So, last Friday we found ourselves in FANOOS Persian restaurant. Spoiler, if you are "west side" this is well worth a visit for a good value family meal.

Situated on the South bit of Station Road and with a big, covered, outdoor area this is very much like that place you go to when you are on holiday that does salads, olives and absolutely fantastic meat or veg with rice or chips. The next night you say you'll find somewhere different but end up there again and repeat for the rest of the stay.

Arriving it was encouraging that olives were put straight on the table and were some of the best I've had in a UK restaurant. The starters are mostly salads or breads with hummous but you won't need one of those because the mains are MASSIVE. They have Persian specials which are meats, rice and veg cooked in together, lamb ribs, spicy chicken, chicken breast in pomegranate sauce but I went for the more UK Fusion sounding "mixed grill". Delicious marinated chicken wings, falling off the bone, well spiced lamb kebab and a chicken marinated heavily with garlic and lots of lemon that was my favourite. The chips are thin, hot, perfectly crisp and well seasoned. The salad is fresh but, quite possibly superfluous. The rice fluffy.

It's BYO with no corkage and a meal that was more than we could finish for a family of two adults, a younger child and a 14 year old boy who eats more than me was under £60.

It's great to see what's happening to that particular bit of Boundary Road / Station Rd now. With the Foghorn, Brazilian butchers, Fanoos, Madam Eat and the Thai at the Blue Anchor there's something good for everyone and it's like there's an invisible fence that stops the chavalanche at New Church Road.

7/10

Thanks for this. I might see if I can get the boy and Mrs to head over your way for this. The BYO tempts me hugely, but it'll mean a bus or taxi back which, no doubt, will induce whingeing from the others.
On a related note, a friend indicated that the ex-chef at Cin Cin had set up on Portland Road. Is this the case and, if so, what's it called? Have you (or others) been? Any good?

 

[Machiavelli]

Looks like we're heading to a field in Kent in 10 days, so looking at booking at the following, both of which were recommended by Stephen Harris of The Sportsman:

Folkestone Wine https://folkestonewine.com/

Angelas of Margate https://angelasofmargate.com/

 

[Guinness Boy]

On a related note, a friend indicated that the ex-chef at Cin Cin had set up on Portland Road. Is this the case and, if so, what's it called? Have you (or others) been? Any good?

I'd not heard that. I will investigate because that would seem to be a "must visit" if he's that close.

 

[Simgull]

Good to see this thread again.

FANOOS sounds great [MENTION=616]Guinness Boy[/MENTION] - will give that a go possibly on Friday/Saturday.

Hadn't heard that about Portland Road [MENTION=28490]Machiavelli[/MENTION] - Franco's Osteria had a pop up along there over last few months - maybe this? Think its gone now.

Etch has, somewhat bizarrely, closed for a refurbishment during July/August (they'd only just re-opened after lockdown). They have relocated to South Lodge for the summer though.

In a reversal of current norm, Chilli Pickle cancelled us on Friday as they had to self isolate! Quickly managed to book Indian Summer instead which was excellent. The food was great but also they seem to have retained many of the cooking and serving staff which helps. Prices have increased but that seems to be the same story everywhere.

 

[Machiavelli]

Good to see this thread again.

FANOOS sounds great [MENTION=616]Guinness Boy[/MENTION] - will give that a go possibly on Friday/Saturday.

Hadn't heard that about Portland Road [MENTION=28490]Machiavelli[/MENTION] - Franco's Osteria had a pop up along there over last few months - maybe this? Think its gone now.

Etch has, somewhat bizarrely, closed for a refurbishment during July/August (they'd only just re-opened after lockdown). They have relocated to South Lodge for the summer though.

In a reversal of current norm, Chilli Pickle cancelled us on Friday as they had to self isolate! Quickly managed to book Indian Summer instead which was excellent. The food was great but also they seem to have retained many of the cooking and serving staff which helps. Prices have increased but that seems to be the same story everywhere.

I think we've just got to accept increased prices. Restaurant finances were on the edge pre-Covid, but the pandemic has tipped them over it. Eat out less, but better has been my policy for a good while now.
RE Portland Road, I did do a brief search, but couldn't find anything -- it might not be there, it might no longer be there, they might have changed plans, it might be imminent, etc. My friend mentioned it at the same time as introducing Tlaloc, and both seemed worth a stab. He did indicate that the chef/s had had a falling out with Cin Cin, and were setting up on their own.

 

[Simgull]

Im guessing its this? https://www.ciarans.co.uk/

 

[Machiavelli]

As Hong Kong Phoey says: could be.
Looks good, although no pasta, which is what's best about Cin Cin for me (their pasta was made by a student at the Medical School, who also turned up at Florence Road market every now and again -- don't know if he's still doing either).

 

[Icy Gull]

Long thread. Has Andalucia in Ferring made this thread? Can’t recommend the food highly enough. Fantastic Tapas and quality is top notch every visit. Not cheap but when was great food ever cheap?

 

[Munkfish]

Im guessing its this? https://www.ciarans.co.uk/

Been twice enjoyable. id get in now before you cant.

they also bring in a guest chef now and then for a supper club, my mrs went last week with a few friends. think it was £45per head and BYO.

 

[Machiavelli]

Been twice enjoyable. id get in now before you cant.

they also bring in a guest chef now and then for a supper club, my mrs went last week with a few friends. think it was £45per head and BYO.

Ooo, thanks for this.
A question: will they tweak dishes such that they're pescatarian-friendly?

 

[matski_98]

On a whim I went to The Bronze on St James Street last week (used to be the Cloak and Dagger craft beer place).

Its had a refurb since it was the Cloak and Dagger and is nice cosy with less exposed brick and steel than before. They're going for a sort of comfortable, laidback, speak easy vibe and they've pulled it off well. They serve a really good selection of craft beers/whiskeys/cocktails all of which are reasonable priced. The staff were really friendly and there was a jazz band playing which was a bonus (not massively into jazz but its the first live music I've seen in 18 months so it blew my tiny mind!)

The real reason to go though is the food which is provided by Low and Slow Smokehouse. Its not your usual pile it high, meat explosion BBQ. They concentrate on the flavours and each mouthful was incredible, it was the kind of meal where I could have happily eaten it all again (before the regret sets in).

A definite 10/10 from me. Couldn't fault it.

 

[Munkfish]

Ooo, thanks for this.
A question: will they tweak dishes such that they're pescatarian-friendly?

I don't know I'm afraid.

 

[Originunknown]

Visited the Fig Tree in Hurstpierpoint some weeks ago and was pleasantly surprised.

Tasting menu, most of which was exceptional however the sweet courses weren't to our tastes; a sweet yet savoury hybrid. Reasonable value but small portions as you'd expect. Priced at £48 a head with a superb wine list.

The service perhaps slightly over attentive but didn't detract from an enjoyable meal. 8s

 

[amexer]

Visited the Fig Tree in Hurstpierpoint some weeks ago and was pleasantly surprised.

Tasting menu, most of which was exceptional however the sweet courses weren't to our tastes; a sweet yet savoury hybrid. Reasonable value but small portions as you'd expect. Priced at £48 a head with a superb wine list.

The service perhaps slightly over attentive but didn't detract from an enjoyable meal. 8s

Ex chef from Ginger Pig Went twice ordered from main menu but would not return as portions are so small. Cant argue with quality . Seems to concentrate on quality and presentation but we left hungry

 

[Originunknown]

Ex chef from Ginger Pig Went twice ordered from main menu but would not return as portions are so small. Cant argue with quality . Seems to concentrate on quality and presentation but we left hungry

I can believe. After the 6 course tasting menu I was still hungry, such were the small size of the dishes. It wasn't until after the cheese board (I've had better) could I say the meal was truly satisfying.

 

[Beach Hut]

I had also forgotten this thread.

So, last Friday we found ourselves in FANOOS Persian restaurant. Spoiler, if you are "west side" this is well worth a visit for a good value family meal.

Situated on the South bit of Station Road and with a big, covered, outdoor area this is very much like that place you go to when you are on holiday that does salads, olives and absolutely fantastic meat or veg with rice or chips. The next night you say you'll find somewhere different but end up there again and repeat for the rest of the stay.

Arriving it was encouraging that olives were put straight on the table and were some of the best I've had in a UK restaurant. The starters are mostly salads or breads with hummous but you won't need one of those because the mains are MASSIVE. They have Persian specials which are meats, rice and veg cooked in together, lamb ribs, spicy chicken, chicken breast in pomegranate sauce but I went for the more UK Fusion sounding "mixed grill". Delicious marinated chicken wings, falling off the bone, well spiced lamb kebab and a chicken marinated heavily with garlic and lots of lemon that was my favourite. The chips are thin, hot, perfectly crisp and well seasoned. The salad is fresh but, quite possibly superfluous. The rice fluffy.

It's BYO with no corkage and a meal that was more than we could finish for a family of two adults, a younger child and a 14 year old boy who eats more than me was under £60.

It's great to see what's happening to that particular bit of Boundary Road / Station Rd now. With the Foghorn, Brazilian butchers, Fanoos, Madam Eat and the Thai at the Blue Anchor there's something good for everyone and it's like there's an invisible fence that stops the chavalanche at New Church Road.

7/10

I actually walked past that place the other day, looked at the menu and thought this looks good so thanks for that now I know.

Do they sell any alcohol or do you just BYO ?

 

[Guinness Boy]

I actually walked past that place the other day, looked at the menu and thought this looks good so thanks for that now I know.

Do they sell any alcohol or do you just BYO ?

BYO and no corkage (at the moment). Mrs GB and I had our own bottle of wine between us so tipped extra.

 

[thedonkeycentrehalf]

Long thread. Has Andalucia in Ferring made this thread? Can’t recommend the food highly enough. Fantastic Tapas and quality is top notch every visit. Not cheap but when was great food ever cheap?

Has been on previous years. Not been for a while as they seem to have cut the menu right down and taken off our favourite dishes.

I can recommend a couple of other good tapas places out West. First of all, tapas night at Boathouse Littlehampton Marina is really good - all prepared by NSC's own [MENTION=34109]Yes Chef[/MENTION]

Further West still, Viento De Levante in Chichester is also worth a visit (went recently for Fathers Day)

 

[HantsSeagull]

went to Pitch in Worthing a month ago - amateur masterchef winner owned - excellent food, great service and not absolutely bonkers expensive. recommended