24th August 2008
Large portions, Friendly Service
We had thought of going into London but the traffic was static on the motorway as we drove out to collect granny. So we opted for a trusted chain, in a new location for a change.
I knew the Orchard - it used to be a hotel and I'd passed it many times driving through Ruislip to Heathrow. I'd expected to find a historic gastropub with ancient beams (like the Cafe Rouge nearby, or the Blubeckers nearby). But once inside, you would not know what the outside looked like.
Ambiance:
The usual Beefeater decor. Just like our familiar Leefe Robinson. Same pictures on the wall. Same booths with high backs separating you from the next table. Same large menu.
Seating and Privacy:
Wait to be seated says a sign, but we hardly wait a moment and the manager is with us. Mostly banquette alcoves with one or two round tables. We looked at a couple of tables and then settled on our ideal for maximum privacy.
Pre-drinner drinks:
Freshly squeezed orange and cranberry - delicious and fresh. A glass of rose zinfandel. A glass of red merlot. Lots of choice.
Ordering:
Specials are the soup of the day. The bargain roasts of the day are finished by Sunday evening. We've been to Beefeaters before, so we are not surprised.
Starters:
Disappointingly no melon, nothing fresh. But I could have had salmon and couscous for a higher price. I opted for the ribs and kebabs which was the price and size to suit two diners, or three.
Main course:
We were full before the main course arrived. I had the chicken and ribs. Another of the many options was steak and chips. I swapped the chips with my dish for baked potato in its jacket with melting butter.
Desserts:
I went for the fresh fruit kebab. I wanted chocolate sauce. Somebody else suggested I should have the cream, because that's what they wanted. The server said she'd bring both.
Coffee:
The regular size milky slightly frothed cappuccino is in a gigantic cup. I have a double espresso which is Costa, assuming the coffee matches the name on the cups. Nice strong flavour. Hot milk and brown sugar I've ordered comes up.
Portion Size:
Ridiculously large. You can bring an American football team here and know none of them will go home hungry.
Leftovers:
I asked for the leftovers to go. The server said she could wrap the meat in silver foil but had no suitable containers. So I went without the salad. Because I didn't want the package unravelling in my handbag I kept it separate but arrived home without it.
I've lived in the USA for almost two years and had several holidays there.
Suggestion to restaurants: Since almost every restaurant across the vast United States of America can supply suitable containers for leftovers, Britain's major chains which serve huge portions should be able to do the same, instead of leaving us having to decide between over-eating or letting the restaurant throw food away. Especially in these lean times, when a restaurant which feeds your family twice rather than once has to be good value.
Suggestion to customers: If you want to keep leftovers, take your own container and / or plastic bag.
Service:
Lovely smiles from the manager and the server, despite the fact that we changed tables, granny told her life story to the manager, then to the server when asked for her order, and sent back her glass of wine.
After we start eating, somebody comes up to ask if everything is all right.
Later, as if to test the patience of saints, my son, in a moment of enthusiasm, accidentally knocked his red wine over the jolly waitress.
She charmingly replied, 'That's okay, so long as it's only over me. '
(He admitted to me, 'Not my best chat-up line.)
At the end of the evening the staff are still smiling. And so are we.
Location:
Easy to find on the corner, big gabled building. The lawn out front has lots of seating for fresh air freaks and smokers. Plus a model aeroplane.
I reckon all the Beefeaters have the same decor, the same menu and the similarly jolly staff.
To sum up, huge menu, huge choice, huge portions, huge welcome.
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