Category: Restaurant Review

If your restaurant requires constructive criticism and promotion, I have an empty stomach and a car full of petrol ready. Discretion is assured; bribes are happily accepted.

All photographs and words are my own: I endeavour to review fairly, considering restaurants’ cost, level of trade and intended target market.

Restaurant Review: Pond, Preston

Leave a comment

Pond – Licensed To Grill

Pond is a mid-sized independent tapas Preston restaurant, with a homely and distinctive feel. Some may think its bold, warm colours are intimate; others would say enclosing – either way, Pond had character.

Pond’s menu was extensive and all sounded delicious. Diners were spoilt for choice,  yet the menu held itself together enough not to disorientate. Pond provided unusual choices, which kept a potentially tired format interesting. Most of the food was very good and was all presented attractively; however, it got carried away with itself in places as the ‘Chicken – Raspberry Pepper’ sounded exciting but had no balance of flavour. I may as well have had a bowl of raspberries. The benchmark for any tapas restaurant is their chorizo; Pond’s sticky chorizo was very generously portioned and didn’t hold back on the chilli. Having tried most of the menu (in a large group), the standout dish was the ‘Luv a duk’, with an incredible depth of flavour. This brought a smile to all who were wise enough to try it. The chilli chocolate ice cream was an interesting way to finish a meal; not for everyone, but certainly a talking point. A leper could count on one hand the number of restaurants that offer memorable dishes in Preston City Centre – this was one of them.

Given the high-quality ingredients and healthy portion sizes, Pond offered average value for tapas in Preston, although being charged for tap water (despite ordering various bottles of wine) seemed below the belt.

Pond’s staff were welcoming but slightly confused by the order. Nor was there the capacity to discuss the food in any regard – the hallmark of good service. I requested Sangria, which although not on the menu, was presumed unchallenging for a tapas restaurant. I can only assume this was the servers first weak attempt at such an exotic concoction.

Pond’s food was sluggish to appear, not a massive issue, but the concept of tapas is to order little and often, not hungrily wait for everything to arrive together. Frustrating as one is forced to wolf down the food while it’s still hot, rather than enjoy the flavours to their full potential.

Overall Pond is a characterful restaurant with some proper cooking going on. It provided an intimate atmosphere and great flavours. Something that Preston city centre is in short supply of.

Pond Review Summary

Atmosphere 8    Cost 6    Quality 8   Service 5

Duk Preston Restaurant Review
Porky Goodness
Duk Preston Restaurant Review
Cheesy Goodness

*Since this review was first published, Pond is unfortunately no longer with us – hence the lack of link*

Restaurant Review: The Shampan, Preston

Leave a comment

The Shampan – Didn’t Curry Favour

In the most fantastic piece of PR hyperbole ever witnessed, The Shampan Preston promised a ‘zen like atmosphere’. Last time I sat under gaudy neon, watching giant TVs playing hypnotic music I waited for lap dances, not a Chicken Tikka Masalas. I have visited on various occasions, and more than once the staff were comically rude and void of rapport. My all time favourite example was a Shampan Preston’s server abruptly

I’ve visited The Shampan Preston many times, usually, the staff were comically rude and void of rapport. My personal favourite demonstration was a server abruptly stopping in his tracks, cartoonishly double taking, and with a broad smile, zealously proclaimed my partner looked like ‘Ugly Betty’ – the ensuing awkward silence was suffocating.

I have thick skin and a nose for a bargain, so keep crawling back. The Shampan Preston’s Early Bird Menu offers fantastic value, guaranteeing a decent meal for cheaper than I can cook myself, minus the hassle.

The poppadums, sundries and starters were uninspiring but perfectly edible. If used in conjunction with The Shampan Preston’s Early Bird offer, they’re basically free. If you like food that is so hot it makes you cry, go for Chicken Naga Naga. It’s the highlight of The Shampan Preston’s menu, saturated with flavour and full of married together oomph. There is something to be said for eating a meal that doesn’t leave you painfully leaking from every orifice; if you don’t enjoy the exhilaration of inflamed stomach lining and trachea, the Nepali Chicken is a tasty, sensible choice. The Classic Favourites are fine but forgettable, the Madras being particularly flavourless. The side portions and bread were generously portioned, moreish and fabulously unhealthy. The Shampan Preston’s drinks were pricey, but with the Early Bird Menu being so inexpensive, this was no cause for alarm.

The Shampan Preston is not designed for romance but is a great value midweek eatery for chilli-heads looking for speedy service and lots of choices.

The Shampan Preston
Review Summary

Atmosphere 2   Cost 10    Quality 6    Service 2

*Since this review was first published, The Shampan Preston is unfortunately no longer with us –   hence the lack of link*

Restaurant Review: Mr Cooper’s House & Garden, Manchester

Leave a comment

Mr Cooper’s – A Barrel Of Fun

I was greatly looking forward to Mr Cooper’s Home & Garden restaurant, being a long-time fan boy of Simon Rogan. In the unlikely event, my bank balance reaches even just three figures, I will visit one of his Michelin starred establishments In the meantime, thankfully Mr Cooper’s provided an affordable approach to fine dining.

Mr Cooper’s is housed on the ground floor of the imposing Midland Hotel, a grand Edwardian building, with distinctive Baroque architecture. The restaurant has a quirky heritage, with the eccentric interior design being both impressive and unpretentious. As a side note, the eponymous Mr Cooper was a something of a Manchester local legend back in the day, owning a house & garden back on the site in 1819. He was a passionate horticulturist and intrigued by the science and art of cultivating flowers, fruits, vegetables and ornamental plants.

The starters were reasonably priced for food of this quality, ranging from £4 to £8.50. Unusual touches on classic flavour combinations were the pleasing hallmark of the menu. The deep-fried prawns, mango and chorizo marmalade, were succulent and delicious. The corned bread, chicken livers with mango chutney and watercress, were simple but scrumptious.

Mr Cooper’s is an excellent choice for pescatarians, with lovely fish and vegetation options. The mussel, monkfish and potato romesco let the quality of the ingredients shine through, as did the halibut baked in a cabbage leaf, with broad beans and Vin Blanc. Both were presented beautifully, pairing perfectly with the not outrageously priced Chilean Sauvignon Blanc. The side order of deep fried pickles was staggeringly moreish – so good they can’t have been legal.

Desserts at Mr Cooper’s restaurant sounded interesting but were not the highlight. White chocolate cake with pineapple cardamom compote had all my favourite flavours together in one place. It should have been memorable, but was a little dry. The peanut parfait with marinated strawberries and sweet cucumber syrup didn’t inspire, but credit for providing such quirky options. I doubt even Nigella Lawson won’t be bothered to whip up cucumber and peanut deserts after work.

All the staff were conversational, smart and down-to-earth. Service at Mr Coopers’s was perfectly pleasant although sluggish in delivery. A final and important point should be given to the bar. As they correctly proclaim: “Manchester needed a proper, grown-up bar” – and this is it. Mr Cooper’s cocktail list is as fine as anywhere, with a sophisticated and exciting broader drinks menu. Unique options such as the East Amber Dram Sour, consisting of sesame seed infused scotch whisky, pear, lemon, lemongrass, egg white, served with lemongrass and pear slices, will make the synapses sparkle of any proper drinker.

Mr Cooper’s Review Summary

Atmosphere 10  Cost 8  Quality 8  Service 9

Mr Cooper's Restaurant Review Manchester
Mr Cooper’s – I just want to leave here
Mr Cooper's Restaurant Review Manchester
Always a great shout

Find Mr Cooper’s
House & Garden