Clearly a while since you've been for food in Barnsley. Some really nice places these days. And i'm the first to call it out when Barnsley is **** at something, but quality of food is not something that is lacking these days.
Well if you can highlight where you think is good (quality, not a fan of huge plates where quantity is the driver) Had awful meals at 1 Momento, Puccinis and pinocchios. Better ones were beatson house (though a bit old fashioned) and rob royd, but mums not been able to get in for ages.
MezzALuna in Maplewell is fantastic. Favela and Estabulo are great Brazillian places. Strafford Arms is really nice for a good sunday dinner. Just off the top of my head. There are others that are just as nice.
I’m not sure if I’ve been to strafford arms or not to be honest, Talbot was awful and was a place towards Wakefield on a61 that had a nice cosy interior, but the food was a bit lacking in taste sadly... not sure if that’s strafford arms? Not bothered about Brazilian to be fair, generally just an excuse for a big lump of meat.
Well glad you like it. But I stand by my view based on the restaurants listed and the experiences I’ve had in the ones listed, and other general ones I’ve frequented.
I eat out a lot in Hamburg in Germany and also very occasionally in London. The quality in both places is superior, but then the prices reflect that too. It's not surprising that major international cities have better options, but Barnsley does really well for a small town.
I find generally I skip Italians anywhere outside of Italy, pasta always overdone, far less rustic than osterias, and experience of Barnsley ones always very poor, not tried secret Italian, and not sure I would. Maybe Barnsley has upped its game relatively, just found places I’ve tried that have been heavily recommended have been below par. What’s the summary of the indian you mentioned, not tried that, have generally gone to royal spice, but that had dipped last two visits. I know I’m a pain, love authentic food, whatever the nationality.
I'm a bad person to ask about the Chilli Indian, as I'm in the Curry Mahal 2 or 3 times a week so when in town I prefer something else. However, I've enjoyed it when I have been and, unusually for an Indian, they often have a couple of beef dishes and even a pork dish. As far as Italians go, I can't comment on the pasta as I never eat it - to me it's like eating cardboard. I usually go for a seafood dish, or a meat dish. I must say I'm not trying to change your views, I just feel the need to compliment the restaurants in Barnsley as at the moment there's a great choice. It's not always been like that, so credit where it's due. As far as the Secret Italian is concerned, it's almost impossible to get a table there. Friday and Saturday nights are booked up until 2020 (and I don't mean twenty past eight). That must mean something. A couple may get in mid-week but a group will struggle unless you're prepared to wait 6-12 months.
I’ll pass on secret Italian as it’s usually short notice when I know I’m back up. I love pasta, and love the variations per region, it’s all too common for restaurants to anglicise dishes, and I see it al the time, not just in Barnsley, or to lump wildly non regional dishes altogether and do them poorly. Same with Indian/ Bangladeshi really, but I’ve never been to that part of the subcontinent, so I’m less picky ;-)
Found beatson house to be **** personally. Using the old tactic of tricking people into thinking smaller portions means better quality when that's not always the case. A restaurant for snobs who want to feel rich by paying over the odds for average tiny portions. Imo of course
Cooper gallery Civic/brasserie Garrsions alright as well Back yard bbq 00 bar Evoo Cafe aroma White bear isnt bad for pub grub either. New turkish place on wellington street Cafe ruelle did half decent tapas but its changed hands recently Old george. Treat for sweet stuff Thai at darton. White bull at cannon hall farm Cawthorne garden centre Lakeside bistro new miller dam Pavillion by gatehouse plaza Stafford arms Travellers up dodworth Talbot
I hasten to add Crown and ****** at low bark Millers used to be half decent Miners rest/chippy at old town The cafe on the market... baileys? Old post office India gardens has reopened under a new name but ive yet to sample its delights under the new stewardship.
Last time i had a pub meal in london it was up covent garden. No better than a spoons but twice the price. Prior to that was up Parsons green in some prentious greasy spoon where no one could say avocardo it was 'avvo' Paid 30 quid for two breakfasts and two drinks. *****. Ill stick to the turks up kings cross ...
Just the same as every other McDonalds is the point. McD have a standard which franchisees have to meet so customers know exactly what to expect. I would have thought that being a new outlet the standards would be being met as there hasn’t been much time for standards to start to slip. That’s probably why I expected better. I would think it’s hard to remain enthusiastic on that rate of pay especially for young ‘uns. It’s not the first time I’ve had lukewarm fries at a McDonalds and I’m sure they would have been replaced if I’d taken them back but having been back to the counter three times already I just couldn’t be arsed. As somebody’s already said, you get what you pay for. The lads enjoyed theirs and that’s why we were there. No doubt they’ll want to go again.
I thought the portion sizes were good last time I went (but that's a good few years ago so it may well have changed), and one of the few places that had seasonality in the local area. Think I had rabbit which was really decent. But each to their own. I understand there are many in Barnsley who just have a cake ole to fill and don't really care what it tastes of.
Anyone who goes central London, you're going to get stung. Avoid covent garden, avoid Leicester square. They are tourist traps and will charge you a fortune for poor food. £30 for 2 breakfasts and 2 drinks is pretty good value to be honest! There are some cracking places round here, Peckham Rye has some great places, Nunhead too and likewise Camberwell. All miles out of the city centre, not pretentious at all, good seasonal tasty food that's been cooked well. But absolutely, its going to be more expensive than Barnsley... though its actually not that big a difference once you avoid where all the touristico's go.
Ever thought all these staff are new and probably don’t fully know what they are doing yet? ***** food like. Gives me shits * and a thread about McDonald’s gets 60 replies. Well I nivver