For one's pre theatre dining experience this evening, we ventured to the other side of Llandudno's famous promenade to a restaurant close to the Great Orme which was called, rather self-advertisingly Homecookin'.
To say that this experience was a mix of the sublime and cor blimey is not an understatement. We ordered and received our starters. Slices of smoked salmon and prawns for my companion, whilst I opted for homemade chicken liver, brandy, and herb pate, with a plum and apple chutney. My companion was delighted by her salmon and prawns, whilst I simply could not get enough of the pate and chutney; both were absolutely delicious... mouthwateringly so, and served both neatly and appetisingly.. We both gave our starters five stars!
However, when we recieved our main courses, we were somewhat crestfallen to say the least. We both ordered the same here, which was advertised on the menu as a slow roasted leg of lamb. This came with both boiled and roasted potatoes, a mint-infused stuffing, seasonal vegetables, and a thick gravy.
The first comment to make here is that my companion wished to substitute the boiled potatoes for chips, but for some reason, known only to the restaurant themselves, we would have to pay extra for the roasted potatoes if we did this! However, I had substituted both styles of potato for chips and for this there was no extra charge!
The second issue that we both had was with the presentation of the dish. Both of us expected to receive meat that was still on the bone, cooked to tender perfection. In reeality we were given three slices from a larger joint which was sadly both much more mutton than lamb and undercooked. Moreover, the gravy, which should have arrived separately in a gravy boat or server, was poured liberally over the whole meal, leaving the chips soggy and unappetising. We both looked at our plates and were instantly not hungry any more. We had gone from quality restaurant food and presentation with the starter, to a cheap transport cafe or dare I say Wetherspoons styled main course!
Credit where credit is due, and the waitress did respond to my requests and change the plate for dry chips and gravy separate, but she was obviously put out by this, and had not had any similar requests before. Maybe they don't have any repeat custom? This would be a pity, since the food, quality, service, and indeed location, are all good, but they need to decide in which direction they want to go.... up with the starters or down with the mains?!
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
No comments:
Post a Comment