Latest reviews by Brunetteandred

Bella Italia

Brunetteandred — Fri, 30 May 2008 20:52:29 +0000

Rating: 1.0

Location: Star City, B7 5SB, Birmingham, United Kingdom

Phone: 0121 328 9696

Website: http://www.bellaitalia.co.uk/locations_restaurant.php?id=72

Tags: italian, indescribable, pretentious, expensive

Cold food, microwaved food and no atmosI took my daughters here for a birthday celebration. Never again.

The place is cold, has no atmosphere and the service is slow and sloppy.

My meal (a Penne Alpini - chicken and bacon in a creamy sauce with penne pasta) was stone cold. When I complained, the waitress took it away saying I'd get a fresh dish and returned five minutes later with the exact same dish that had been microwaved - and the plate had loads of fingermarks around the edge too. And they wanted Â£9.25 for that!

My daughter's soup had been microwaved just prior to coming to the table as the bowl was so hot you couldn't touch it and the soup was still bubbling around the edge of the bowl.

I paid in cash and the waitress did not return my change; I had to ask her for it.

Don't bother.

Hawthorn Cafe

Brunetteandred — Wed, 14 May 2008 21:28:19 +0000

Rating: 3.0

Location: 107 Hawthorn Road, B44 8QT, Birmingham, United Kingdom

Tags: crowded, top food, proper food, good brew

Fantastic farmhouseSimply the best farmhouse breakfast for miles. Perfectly cooked every time and all for Â£3.95. They also do a vegetarian breakfast.

They have an extensive menu and the staff are always friendly, even when busy. Can get very busy at lunchtimes on Saturdays and is popular with senior citizens (who have special meals deals).

Children catered for amply.

Open on Sundays until 2pm.

Mongolian Bar & Restaurant

Brunetteandred — Wed, 14 May 2008 21:24:22 +0000

Rating: 2.0

Location: 24 Ludgate Hill, B3 1DX, Birmingham, United Kingdom

Phone: 0800 294 2032

Tags: crowded, oriental

UugghhDidn't like this place at all. The idea is that you choose your own ingredients and they are cooked in front of you on a large hotplate. In rotation, along with everyone else's.

It tasted like a generic mess and I felt decidely ill the following day. Ok if you get hammered with the office party I guess; you wouldn't notice what you are eating then.

Pasta Di Piazza

Brunetteandred — Wed, 14 May 2008 21:21:28 +0000

Rating: 4.7

Location: 11 Brook Street, B3 1SA, Birmingham, United Kingdom

Phone: 0121 236 5858

Tags: italian, good value, romantic

Never had a bad meal hereSituated just off historic St. Paul's Square, this is the perfect venue for whatever occasion. Romantic meal for two? Family birthday? Mothers/Fathers Day? Parents celebrating a special anniversary? The welcome is always warm and the food is superb. Authentic Italian food served by Italian staff in a venue that is Italinate without being too contrived.

Service is swift and polite, prices around medium and the menu & wine lists extensive.

I have eaten here with colleagues, my young family and as a couple with my partner and have enjoyed the experience greatly every time. Children are made welcome and not frownded upon, which is a huge bonus for parents looking for a decent family eating experience.

Pre-booking is essential as this place is very popular!

Ye Olde Restaurant & Fish Shoppe

Brunetteandred — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 19:57:32 +0000

Rating: 5.0

Location: 8 Hare Lane, GL1 2BB, Gloucester, United Kingdom

Phone: 01452 522502

Tags: good value, british, family & home feel

Fresh, fast & fabulous!After an awful eating experience the evening before (New Inn restaurant - see my review), we stumbled upon this absolute gem of a place down a side street. We almost thought it was shut because it was obscured by a sheet of corrugated plastic from the building works going on next door, but a sniff in the direction of the building said otherwise!

It is a family owned and run business and the food is cooked fresh i.e. the chips come from potato, to chipper, to fryer, to plate on every occasion. Portions are very ample and prices are very competitive. As a family of four, we all ate well and had various drinks and fresh water on the table for less than Â£30.

The tables are clean and there is a homely welcome feel about the place but without being too contrived. The menu is varied - not just fish & chips but also jacket potatoes, faggots, pies, burgers, fritters etc.

The proprietors are very friendly and bend over backwards to accommodate any special needs. There is a take away part and the restaurant is downstairs and upstairs and is fully licensed.

A must-do for anyone fancying a decent meal in Gloucester that won't break the bank! And all in a Grade 2 listed building too! Fabulous!

New Inn

Brunetteandred — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:26:12 +0000

Rating: 1.0

Location: 16 Northgate Street, GL1 1SF, Gloucester, United Kingdom

Tags: traditional pub, pop, beer garden

Overpriced and overcookedWhat an awful eating experience. This 'restaurant' is part of the New Inn real ale pub (allegedly renowned in Gloucester) and we had to go in there as the pub was not admitting under 18s (even though there was a history festival going on all around the city that weekend).

There was a group of around 8 people when we arrived, who were waiting for their food and waited a further half hour after we arrived. It was staffed by one woman who spoke really awful broken English. Half the menu was off and we landed out waiting almost an hour for overcooked steak (in two bits; charcoaled on the outside and tough as an old boot) and chips that were processed and cold. We paid Â£9.25 for the privilege of eating that to the sound of an Abba tape played on a continuous loop.

The tables were grubby and indeed a dirty dishcloth had been left on the one next to us.

I would not recommend this place to anyone.