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Restaurant Review: Face Chinese Restaurant, Preston

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Face – Needs A Little Lift

Following the flurry of fabulous reviews, I popped into the peculiarly named Face restaurant with high expectations. I was ardently greeted by an older Chinese gentleman, who I suspected of harbouring great esoteric wisdom, but modestly kept the exchange to a warm welcome.

I cunningly sneaked in just before the Early Bird Menu deadline, which provided excellent value for money. With such reasonable prices, Face would need to serve Sweet N’ Sour E-Coli for me not to return.

First impressions were that Face was bright and clean – a shiny face if you will. Ultimately it was all very predictable. There was nothing wrong with the decor, but Preston City Centre cried out for something less ubiquitous. Unfortunately, the atmosphere was drowned by the surrounding sea of empty tables. However, a flurry of ladies proceeded to glide around, providing the most efficient and polite service imaginable.

Like Hong Kong itself, the menu was exciting and diverse. Mercifully, unlike every other Lancashire Chinese restaurant, the menu didn’t overwhelm. It contained ingredients not found anywhere except Nigella Lawson’s pantry, so Face provided a good excuse to eat out. Lesser known Hong Kong dishes such as Frog’s Legs created a talking point if nothing else. Dishes like Lotus Seed Buns, Blackbean Chicken Feet and Beancurd Rolls gave the impression of authenticity. That said, the Deep Fried Mussels felt like a Scotsman’s idea of pescetarianism.

The piping hot food materialised quickly but consisted primarily of salt and sugar. I was giddily happy. I’m no health freak, sodium chloride and I are best buddies; however, drinking three litres of Coca-Cola to remedy it got tiresome. This kind of dining was good-time food, the MSG filled my veins and my little brain lit up. Despite my opiate like stupor, I didn’t forget other local restaurants outclass it.

Face Chinese Restaurant
Review Summary

Atmosphere 4  Cost 10  Quality 6  Service 9

Face Chinese Restaurant Preston
Deep Fried Mussel
*Since this review was first published, Face Chinese Restaurant is unfortunately no longer with us – hence the lack of link*

Restaurant Review: The Chinese Buffet, Preston

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The Chinese Buffet – You Dim Sum You Lose Sum

Despite the no-nonsense name, The Chinese Buffet in Preston suffered from an identity crisis. Set on the extremity of the charmless Fishergate Centre, with a panoramic view of nothing, in particular, it struggled to gain a sense of character. The Chinese Buffet is 9,200 square metres, spread over three stories, which didn’t help create an ambience. The music was an incredible mix of Eurovision song contest B-Sides, poorly mixed with vaguely East Asian melodies.

The Chinese Buffet staff were very pleasant and polished; with everything seemingly coordinated with precision. The choice of dishes available was certainly impressive. The Chinese Buffet offered a range of soups, rice dishes, noodle dishes, vegetarian options and a plethora of enigmatic deep-fried objects. If I tried everything I’d be dead by now; regardless I gave it a good go. The Kung Po Chicken, Vegetarian Fried Soft Noodles, Chicken Curry and Singapore Vermicelli were comforting if not a little salty. There were more flavours than I could shake a chopstick at, and certainly more than something for everyone. I guiltily pounced on the chips but had enough self-respect to decline the Cocktail Sausages. Chilled salads, fruits and cakes were a bit of an afterthought; however, I appreciated their presence.

All the plates were reassuringly hot and all surfaces pleasingly clean. This restaurant was doing plenty right, and clearly well organised. Preston’s Chinese Buffet could do without some of the Anglo-influences such as Chicken Nuggets and Pancake Pastries; however, for those with young children, there was certainly something for everyone.

The Chinese Buffet says it has the explicit aim of providing a new style of buffet restaurant (e.g. not terrible), with high-quality food at a low cost, which to be fair they do. Refined dining it isn’t, however, for tired shoppers or hung-over students, Chinese Buffet offers great value.

The Chinese Buffet Preston
Review Summary

Atmosphere 3/10    Cost 10/10    Quality 6/10    Service 7/10

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

Restaurant Review: Clog & Billycock, Blackburn

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Clog & Billycock In Picturesque Pleasington

The Clog & Billycock is a stylishly presented country gastropub, with well thought out colour patterns of the non-offensive John Lewis variety. Originally the Bay Horse, the pub’s name was changed in 1973 in honour of its former characterful Landlord, Alfred Pomfret who always wore clogs and a billycock behind the bar. I was worried a billycock was some kind of fetish item, and relieved it turned out to be a bowler hat. There were lots of interesting details, quirky touches and links to the local area and produce. I loved the focus on tasteful design, in tune with its environment and purpose. To anyone familiar with Nigel Haworth, this will come as no surprise.

The Clog & Billycock Drinks Menu was pleasingly diverse, with a range of quality gin at reasonable prices. The Botanist Gin – my personal favourite – was deceptively complex and fragrant. Similarly, wine by the glass was perfectly quaffable and not outrageously expensive. Interestingly, The Clog & Billycock was the only gastropub I know offering wine from a 70ml measure. Despite the very good wine and spirits list, judging the clientele, I suspect the real ale was more popular – fair enough.

The Rump Steak Salad starter was beautifully presented and full of colour. The meat itself was perfectly rare, although a little chewy, while the dressing was incredibly aromatic. The local Seafood Platter was scrumptious, but at £17.50 not cheap considering the lack of preparation required; although, the quality was evident to anyone with a mouth. The Lancaster Beech &  Juniper Smoked Salmon was as fresh as possible, pairing sensationally with horseradish cream. The Potted Flookborough Shrimps were buttery deliciousness, while the Smoked Mackerel Pate combined with it’s best mate beetroot was nothing short of divine. The Roast Pork was generously proportioned, arriving on a reassuringly hot plate. Not mind blowing, but comforting and meaty. The Salmon Wellington was both light and wholesome, with perfectly cooked vegetables and crispy pastry. The hearty apple sauce and silky gravy suggested proper country cooking was going on. Finally, The Clog & Billycock’s Spotted Dick (no giggling) was pacifying but far from electric.

The Clog & Billycock floor manager zipped about created a welcoming atmosphere. She turned a negative, the wrong desert arriving, into a positive by replacing it promptly in good humour. There were no less than four mistakes with the bill, impressive for only two diners, but none that were unresolvable. It was difficult at times to attract attention – servers looked in every direction but mine. That said, everything arrived perfectly promptly and in an organised fashion.

The Clog & Billycock in the appropriately named village of Pleasington provided a lower priced alternative to the luxurious local Northcote, but with the same Northern hospitality.

Clog & Billycock Restaurant
Review Summary

Atmosphere 9  Cost 6  Quality 8  Service 7

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Pleasington