• Added: 13th of December 2007
• Area: Manchester
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Manchester M29 7JB

kiteman said
The Old Boat House
Excellent canalside pub. Probably very nice in summer, but I only seem to in winter. Excellent local produce menu, (not (portion controlled). Good curry menu. Small portions for small appetites.

Good ales particularly recommend Jennings Cumberland now spreading around since brewery takeover.

Live music most weekends, which I cannot comment on as I have not been to one.

• Added: 13th of December 2007
• Area: Chester
• Category: Restaurants

Chester CH1 3DZ
01244 347410

kiteman said
Chester Tandoori
Excellent value all you can eat Sunday buffet for £6. OK, not as big a range of dishes as some I've been to, but this has an up side, you get to try every dish there.

Menu changes every week so you never get bored with the same old stuff.

• Added: 13th of December 2007
• Area: Chester
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Chester CH1 1LQ
01244 314540

kiteman said
Boot Inn
Could not sample food as we were in on a Sunday, but Sam Smiths well kept.

Interesting old pub, (17th century I think), be sure to see original walls upstairs. Real beams, not fibreglass stuck on.

Intend to try again for food.

• Added: 7th of December 2007
• Area: Manchester
• Category: Restaurants

Manchester M3 4NQ
0161 839 7740

kiteman said
The OX (originally Oxnoble)
Good food, well prepared. Service could have been better. We were offered bread and olives whilst we waited and had to chase these up. (Sort of defeats object).

Price, not the cheapest around (I ate in an Italian Restaurant in Bloomsbury the previous weekend for almost the same price for three courses and a couple of pints)

Disappointing range of ale.

• Added: 26th of November 2007
• Area: Bloomsbury
• Category: Restaurants

London WC1B 4BL
020 7405 8001

kiteman said
Trattorio Verdi
I saw reviews for this restaurant before we went to London for the weekend but thought it was out of our area, but found it accidentally recognised it and decided to give it a try. It's been there 40 yearsso it must be doing somthing right.

Firsly - the staff - friendly, helpful attentive without sitting on your shoulder (compare to the hotel I stayed at which I shall not name here but I am sure staff were on commission based on number of plates they cleared)

Food -- far more than just pasta and pizza , fish dishes delicious

Prices -- I guess a la carte 10-20% more expensive than Manchester (home for me) but it is our capital city, but 2 course special for under a tenner!!!

Overall -- A long time since I spent a night in London as a tourist, and I was worried about being "ripped off", but at Trattoria Verdi, far from it. Good value, good atmosphere oh and forgot, a pianist

• Added: 13th of October 2007
• Area: Porthmadog
• Category: Cafes and Coffee Shops

Porthmadog LL49 9DY

kiteman said
Russell Cafe
Excellent tea and coffee and snacks. Staff always pleasant and helpful. Added bonus are the steam trains.

• Added: 13th of October 2007
• Area: Beckermet
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Beckermet CA21 2XB

kiteman said
Royal Oak at Beckermet
Full five stars.

One of the best. A small village pub with seven or eight rooms and some of the best food you'll find in the area. Ask for the bread rolls while you wait. If you are lucky they will be straight out of the oven.

I have never seen salads quite like them (not just a bit of soggy lettuce cucumber and tomato,). It's to reccommend any single dish it's all so good. Good beer, comfy beds, good value, breakfast when youwant it, they're used to early starts.

Rooms get booked quickly.

Try it

• Added: 12th of October 2007
• Area: Seascale
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Seascale CA20 1AL

kiteman said
Wheatsheaf Inn
Seemed to haved stopped last time I visited (May 2007 i think). Av shame because the food was good solid pub food, their Cumberland Sausage, Egg & Chips was heaven on a plate.

Good ale and friendly people as well.

Bring back food for extra star.

• Added: 12th of October 2007
• Area: Seascale
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Seascale CA20 1AL

kiteman said
Globe at Gosforth
This has undergone regular changes in ownership/management over recent years. I have not stayed there for over a year now, and prices had gone up considerably on food, beer and accommodation, in a village with half a dozen pubs in walking distance.

That said, rumour has it they have seen the light and dropped their rates a little. I will investigate next time I am in the area and report back.

• Added: 12th of October 2007
• Area: Seascale
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Seascale CA20 1AL
01946 725242

kiteman said
Lion & Lamb
Friendly , busy local. Well kept ale, always a good range of guests including their own bitter.

Home made pies are excellent.

Sky sport on TV.

Accommodation is good value.