• Added: 20th of September 2008
• Area: Stirling
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Stirling FK8 2HX

lesa60 said
Popular bar
Pivo's is a Czech themed bar in the city centre, next door to the library.

It apparently has a selection of Czech beers although I haven't tried these and I can't say the decor would particularly lead me to think that this was a Czech bar. It offers 2 for 1 cocktails on Friday nights and is popular for leaving do's and after work drinks. They serve meals till 9 p.m but I haven't eaten here so can't comment on the standard.

The have a few outside tables when the weather is good and an area to the rear for smokers. It seems to be one of the 'in' places to go and if you feel like dancing to the music, they also have a dance floor.

I've mainly been here with the after work crowd, so the age group was mixed. Later on in the evening though, the place starts to get busy with a younger crowd out for fun.

I've also been in for a coffee during the day and this was brought to the table in a cafetiere. There is a mix of seating but we sat on the leather sofa at the window, drinking our very good coffee and watching the world go by.

I think this place will retain its popularity for some time to come.

• Added: 20th of September 2008
• Area: Glasgow
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Glasgow G1 2DH
0141 225 0160

lesa60 said
Counting House
As this pub is right next to the train station it's ideally placed for a drink before travelling. It overlooks St George's Square and is a large venue. It used to be a bank which I'm assuming accounts for the name. For all its size though it can still be difficult to get a table.

It's part of the Wetherspoon's chain and as such prices are cheap and they serve the usual Wetherspoon's food. A burger and a pint, or glass of wine for under a fiver is certainly cheap. They have large screen tvs showing the news with sub-titles and often run drink promotions. If wine is your drink, there's plenty of choice here.

The ladies loos are downstairs and on my visits have been clean and tidy.

Any time I visit Glasgow with colleagues, we invariably end up here and although it's always busy, it's a relaxed atmosphere and a beautiful building. The staff always seem friendly too.

• Added: 14th of September 2008
• Area: Bournemouth
• Category: Take Aways

Bournemouth BH2 5AA
01202 295818

lesa60 said
Not as good as they claim to be
Maybe I was expecting too much from Harry Ramsden's but my dining experience in Bournemouth was distinctly average.

It's a fairly large restaurant at the seafront so a quick walk up from the beach and you're there. I was surprised to learn that it closes at 9 p.m and on our first attempt to eat here, we arrived too late to be served. In the height of summer, I would have assumed it would be open later than this. Undeterred, we arrived in plenty of time the following evening.

I had the regular haddock, peas and chips, whilst my friend had the 'large' version. I have to say that I couldn't see much difference between the two meals but at £7.99 and £9.49 respectively they weren't cheap. The meal was fine but I've definitely had better fish and chips for a lot less money.

We were served by a foreign student (I can't remember now where he was from) and he couldn't have been more helpful especially when we asked to change part of our order. A few of the other staff didn't appear quite so friendly.

I'm glad I've now tasted their famous fish and chips but I can't say I'd rush back again.

• Added: 14th of September 2008
• Area: Bournemouth
• Category: Restaurants

Bournemouth BH1 2BZ
01202 296850

lesa60 said
Wagamama
I visited the Wagamama in the early evening and was a bit wary, having never tried a noodle bar before. The tables are long with seated benches to climb in and out of and you could be seated next to strangers. Fortunately I was in company of 6 and it wasn't too busy at the time.

Chopsticks are provided but there are no worries if you aren't competent with them - cutlery is available too! I chose the chicken chilli men which is stir-fried chicken with onions, green and red peppers and mangetout in a sauce served with noodles. A friend had the chilli beef ramen, a chicken soup with grilled sirloin steak on top! It certainly took him some time to eat it all. I found this a very strange concept so obviously I need to get out more!

I enjoyed my meal and the prices are reasonable but would probably make a different menu choice if I were to return. We also ordered a sake to drink which is a bit of an acquired taste and sampled the green tea too.

I'd definitely like to return and sample more - until then the jury's out!

• Added: 14th of September 2008
• Area: Alloa
• Category: Restaurants

Alloa FK10 1EH
01259 729243

lesa60 said
Pasta and patter
A bright, airy, Italian restaurant in central Alloa, I first visited last year at Christmas time. I was impressed by how it looked, very clean and modern looking.

Our group booking had chosen the set Christmas lunch menu which was excellent value for money. Including coffee, there were 5 courses and all of them were excellent. Although a busy time of year, we were not hurried through our courses and the staff were very friendly and obliging.

I went back recently with a friend for an evening meal and again, have no complaints about the meal. It's a typical Italian restaurant, so no real surprises with what's on offer and the prices are reasonable.

The one drawback, if you can call it that, is the patter from a few of the waiters. I suppose it depends on the mood you are in really and I also suppose that he thought he was being charming and funny. Hmmm....

• Added: 14th of September 2008
• Area: Stirling
• Category: Restaurants

Stirling FK8 1BJ
01786 473208

lesa60 said
A little bit special
A lovely little Italian restaurant on Baker Street in the centre of the city, en route to the castle.

They have a really exceptional menu in that it has such variety and they have tried to be that little bit different with their versions of classic pasta dishes. Of course they also do a variety of pizzas and chicken dishes and although I haven't tried any, their steak menu is mouthwatering. You'll be spoilt for choice here.

They happily cater for larger companies and we booked ahead for a works night out to ensure a table.

The main downside for me is it is expensive - their cheapest pasta dish is just under £11 and that's for pasta without meat. However, as a special treat, I'd definitely go back to Italia Nostra as it really is a cut above the rest.

• Added: 14th of September 2008
• Area: Stirling
• Category: Restaurants

Stirling FK8 1HA
01786 479151

lesa60 said
Rana's
Formerly the Quismat, this Indian restaurant has been revamped and had a name change since my last visit. Gone is the lunchtime buffet style dining to be replaced with set lunchtime menus.

I'm happy with buffet style eating but there's something nice about being waited on at your table. They have a couple of differently priced set menus for lunchtimes and all the usual varieties are on offer, i.e. pakoras, chicken tikkas, dopiazas, kormas etc.

I have only positive comments about the revamp. It's much more upmarket looking than before with beautiful, modern seating and a nice ambiance.

On my visit, we were seated swifly and the food was served quickly and was delicious. From memory, prices for the set menus were around the £6-7 mark upwards.

If you're looking for a lunchtime Indian meal without a buffet, this is the place to go.

• Added: 14th of September 2008
• Area: Stirling
• Category: Restaurants

Stirling FK8 1HA
01786 469911

lesa60 said
All you can eat
Jimmy Chung's is a chinese restaurant chain in Scotland with branches from Aberdeen to Edinburgh. Their website lists one in Dublin too so maybe they're branching out.

They serve buffet meals, so after you are seated it's all you can eat, get it yourself style. The Stirling restaurant is all on one level and a medium size. It's a very popular place to eat and always seems to be busy.

I've tried other buffet style chinese restaurants but none can compare with Jimmy Chung's. The number of dishes available is large and varied and always of excellent quality. You name the chinese dish and the likelihood is it's available, so I won't list examples here. They do a small selection of British dishes too so everyone is catered for. One of the good things about this style of eating is that you can have whatever you fancy and try food that you wouldn't normally order. A colleague of mine only ever eats the starters and fills and refills her plate with these.

The staff in Stirling are really friendly and quick to clear tables. Watch out for your plate though - they're a bit too efficient at lifting them sometimes if you haven't finished. No problem though, just go for more!

Prices are £6.50 for lunch weekdays, £7.50 on a Friday and Saturday with their evening menu more expensive.

If someone in your party is celebrating a birthday, they dim the lights and put on a happy birthday song with candles - can be quite embarrassing! I went to a leaving do here for a colleague at work and they played 'leaving on a jet plane'!

Recommended.

• Added: 13th of September 2008
• Area: Bournemouth
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Bournemouth BH2 5AQ
01202 652090

lesa60 said
Moon in the Square
A Wetherspoon's pub, this is a cheap and cheerful place for a pint. It's in the centre of Bournemouth, so it's handy for a lunchtime refreshment or an evening drink. It's just along from Debenhams and overlooks the square.

It's a large place with plenty of seating on different levels including a roof top patio area. There are also a few tables on the street outside in the summer.

The food is the usual Wetherspoon's fare - maybe not fine dining but certainly cheap and filling for your money. If you have a burger and fries, they'll even throw in a free pint or glass of wine for under a fiver.

• Added: 13th of September 2008
• Area: Alloa
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Alloa FK10 3JR

lesa60 said
Mansfield Arms
This little pub in Sauchie oozes friendliness and hospitality. As is typical for many small pubs, one door takes you into the bar area, whilst the other is the entrance to the lounge bar. The decor is nothing special but it's cozy and welcoming.

It has a bit of a reputation for its pub grub and rightly so. The one thing I'd say is that you have to be hungry to eat here - the portions are enormous but the prices are cheap. My particular favourite is the gammon steak - sounds a bit boring? Well, it takes over 3/4 of the plate, is thick and the best bit is the meat just flakes when you cut into it, it's so tender. The menu is large and varied, with specials on offer too. On a summer evening, you have to arrive early to snag a table as the locals head here to eat out.

I'm not a beer drinker but they serve real ales here, so if that's what you're looking for, it's worth a visit.