Restaurant Review: Angels, Ribchester (No.II)

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Angels Restaurant – On Cloud Nine

In this restaurant review of Angels Ribchester, I won’t bore anyone by deconstructing the welcoming service, eccentric interior and sophisticated atmosphere Angels Restaurant offered – mainly because I already have, but secondly because it’s simply excellent and I’d suggest requires no further elaboration that that.

Despite recently reviewing Angels Restaurant, their ‘Gourmet Evening’ seduced me into Ribchester with their super-reasonable midweek price point. I know the restaurant is an annoying drive to get to for most people; and yes, you’ll probably have to get up early for work in the morning, but it’s still well worth a visit. For the money they’re asking, you won’t find a smarter restaurant around. The Angels Restaurant Gourmet Evening was a delight; the menu contrasted unusual combinations and predominately classic British cooking, with every course well balanced and beautifully presented. Angels Restaurant should be applauded for putting ambition above blandness, standing out against the pedestrian Ribchester crowd.

After the usual choice of excellent warm bread and soft butter, Angels Restaurant kicked off with ‘golden beetroot, whipped goat’s cheese, tempura cauliflower’. The starter was a wonder, with the humble beetroot and exotic tempura batter getting along like inter-racial soul mates. This apparently simple starter is a guaranteed cock-up if attempted at home, and was the jazziest thing to ever happen to a cauliflower. The paired Pinot Noir was non-offensive but not the life and soul of the party. It was certainly not a bad pairing, but maybe a richer white wine could have been better.

The ‘salmon, ginger cream, orange purée’ was memorable, as those elegant flavour combinations were a personal first. The citrus notes of the delicate Chablis worked wonderfully with the dish, and I found myself sitting up straight, feeling rather pleased with myself. The ‘mushroom & apple veloute’, balanced the acidity of apple with the earthy mushrooms admirably. The ‘blade of beef, watercress & grain mustard sauce’ was hearty and delicious, with the mustard commendably picking out the peppery Rioja pairing.

The local cheese was well a piece of cheese really, but the artisan biscuits and chutney were fit for the Queen. Finally, the ‘pineapple caramel, banana brownie and coconut ice cream’ provided a satisfying mixture of textures and temperatures. The desert wine was an absolute sensation – think incredibly refreshing port and cranberry juice. If you think dessert wines are all sickly and syrupy then please reconsider. I immediately made a mental note to drink more dessert wine.

Some fat, greedy people criticise Angels Restaurant’s small portion sizes. Have these people ever been to a restaurant before? I’m far from wasting away, yet I unbecomingly took my belt off before the bill. Luckily Angels Restaurant manager Claire, ever the epitome of discretion, recognised the number of plates I’d tucked away, rather than forwarding me onto the Ribchester Sex Offenders Register.

Angels Restaurant
Review Summary

Atmosphere 9  Cost 10  Quality 9  Service 9

Angels Restaurant Ribchester Review
‘golden beetroot, whipped goats’ cheese, tempura cauliflower’
Angels Restaurant Review Ribchester
‘salmon, ginger cream, orange purée’

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Ribchester

Restaurant Review: Turtle Bay Restaurant & Bar, Preston

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Turtle Bay Preston, ft Bob Marley & The Waiters

Turtle Bay Restaurant and Bar, a chain so heavy on the branding I assumed Levi Roots was the MD. Regardless, Turtle Bay is rapidly sprawling across the UK, Preston being the latest venture. Initial impressions were that Turtle Bay Preston brought a much-needed splash of colour to the city centre if nothing else, and any business opening in the wake of this recession was welcome. This might be the chilli sauce talking, but Turtle Bay Preston could be that rare establishment that is family-friendly yet stylish enough to attract late night drinkers. Time will tell, but the early signs were positive.

However, I’m sceptical of themed restaurants that attempt to offer something exotic. They often descend into the painfully ordinary (I’m looking at you Wagamama). The obvious pitfall was the restaurant soundtrack; however, the music at Turtle Bay Preston was spot on. I was expecting to hear ‘Legend’ on repeat, but the mixture of ska, reggae, dancehall and dub, with commercial and lesser known tracks set an upbeat but relaxed tone. It’s a shame it took a national chain like Turtle Bay to be the first and only restaurant (or venue of any kind) in Preston to have a decent Caribbean soundtrack, despite a clear demand for it.

Turtle Bay Preston Caribbean Restaurant & Bar Review
Turtle Bay Preston’s opening night with live music

Anyway, the menu at Turtle Bay Preston offered simple food that was big on flavour. Although a faff to eat, the Babyback Ribs were ridiculously good; so good Frank Underwood might have found a new home. Diners got a whole rack of slow roast and glazed pork ribs with either a BBQ or Jerk Gravy coating. Either way you’ll need forty-five napkins to tackle the job.

Similarly, it’s impossible to eat enough of those fried sweetcorn fritters. Please don’t make the mistake of thinking they’re only suitable for vegetarians. It’s for your own good, eat them. The heavily laden sweet potato fries were as delicious as any I’ve experienced, although a bit soggy. The spices across all the dishes were big, bold and brash – just as they should be. In a moment of snobbishness I lamented every dish was strangely the same colour, but when it’s packed with punchy flavours, it’s entirely forgivable.

A minor point perhaps, but Turtle Bay Preston’s condiment game was on point. Everything got dipped into either Aunt May’s Bajan Pepper Sauce, Encona BBQ or Econa Hot Curry Sauce at some point. The only let down where the overly heavy Dumplings, which really needed the extra sauces. Fun fact, Home Bargains across the road, randomly stock a range of Encona Hot Sauces for a quid. Assuming you like spice, they have the ability to turn literally anything into an at least an average meal; anyway, I digress.

Turtle Bay Preston Restaurant Review
The jam in the background is there because I’m eating at the bar, I’ve not gone insane (don’t ask why it’s behind the bar unless you like Dad jokes).
Turtle Bay Preston Restaurant Review
Heavily loaded sweet potato fries

These ballsy flavours extended to the Turtle Bay Preston Bar, with a cocktail menu dominated by strong rum with too much puree and/or fizzy stuff. A lot of the cocktails were really naff to be fair, the Rude Boy I’d suggest being the best. This potent concoction consisted of Wray & Nephew and Woods 100 overproof rums, falernum and fresh lime. It’s a drink best paired with two grams of Blue Cheese, if you catch my drift – not really a drink, more an invitation for chaos. I just about held myself back from twerking. That said, the Espresso Martinis were surprisingly good for the price.

Turtle Bay Restaurant & Bar Preston Review Rum Cocktails
Arguably too much rum for one night

Turtle Bay Preston is one of the many themed restaurants where the drinks are either too expensive or too cheap, depending what side of Happy Hour you arrive. The Happy Hour times are generous though, and I suspect the cause of a lot of traffic. Ordering from the drinks menu provided fun rather than sophistication, with the high-energy bar staff serving customers thick and fast. Fortunately, Bar Manager Dave is on hand for those with a more discerning palette. Ask him about the spiked home-made ginger beer and you’re in for a treat.

Turtle Bay Restaurant & Bar Preston Review Rum Cocktails
Wray & Nephew….a serial offender

Turtle Bay Preston Review Score

It seemed the only thing missing from the restaurant’s relentless Caribbean branding was having anyone who looked like they’d ever seen the sun, let alone of Caribbean heritage cooking. Regardless, the bar was fun and during happy hour, very good value. Turtle Bay Preston was hot, flavourful, simple…good soul food as intended.

Atmosphere 8  Cost 8  Quality 8  Service 8

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Other Restaurant Reviews of Turtle Bay (Nationwide)

  • Christie’s Lifestyle (Norwich): “Slow Braised Beef Rib also makes a new appearance on the menu and comes served with sweet potato fries and a watermelon salad.”
  • On Magazine (Leeds): “…the duck, also served with rice and peas, has hints of cinnamon and a bit of a heat burst…”
  • La Blog Beaute (Cheltenham): “As we stepped through the door, I instantly fell in love the vibrancy of the restaurant…”

Restaurant Review: The Ivy, The West End

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The Ivy – A League Of Its Own

It’s difficult to say anything that’s not already been said about the iconic Ivy restaurant. Living in the North, I’d only visited twice; yet, The Ivy is my favourite British restaurant  – I cannot give it a greater compliment.

I loved The Ivy for being so understated: the Art Deco building oozed style without trying. More cynical types may say it’s dated, but The Ivy had a real sophistication without pretentiousness. What’s great was the mixture of people; old money types, no money types (me), minor celebrities, families, tourists, ladies who lunch and fathers and sons.

Service at The Ivy on both times was spot on: the amount of polished staff that briskly trotted past without flying arse-over-tit was amazing. The Ivy was obviously a well-run restaurant – confident in its abilities – taking a serious amount of choreography.

Regarding cost, The Ivy Set Lunch provided good value. Unless you’re looking for something offensively ostentatious, it will provide you and yours with plenty of good eats. The al la carte wasn’t cheap, but not as ridiculously expensive as other top London restaurants. The Bang Bang Chicken provided plenty of bang for your buck (or chuck). The Roast Lamb dish was the personification of a glorious spring morning. The Steak Tartar was as good anywhere – either side of the channel. Desserts weren’t a highlight; some pineapple thing was a waste of time, but the Sticky Toffee Pudding was a comfort blanket on a plate.

The food was of the highest standard: just simple flavours but with real depth. One could argue The Ivy’s menu was miss matched, but everything sounded tempting and looked equally delicious. It was proper (predominantly) British cooking at it’s best. If you’re not driving (who is in central London?), you owe it yourself to have a cocktail either before or after your meal – they really are excellent.

I’d eat here every week if I could.

The Ivy Restaurant
Review Summary

Atmosphere 10  Cost 6  Quality 9  Service 10

The Ivy London Restaurant Review
The Ivy: Simple, British, Delicious
The Ivy London Restaurant Review
The Ivy: Simple, British, Delicious

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(Original) Restaurant