All reader reviews by HC

Barrafina

I went here last summer and enjoyed every minute. It is expensive and it does get busy but it is lovely food. I would recommend to ONLY get the daily specials. We were there early for lunch and within half an hour of being there, the place was full. So get there early! Or queue and don't whine!

We had some lovely Spanish white wine and ate bread with oil whilst we waited for our tomato salad, stuffed courgette flowers and red mullet with nuts. They were all lovely. Especially the red mullet. It all came to about £50 for 2.

Service was friendly and efficient.

We did enjoy looking at the chefs until they pulled a lobster apart whilst still alive...

Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8

Chimes

My boyfriend and I went to Chimes this afternoon in need for pie and to explore the cider.

We were greeted with a friendly welcome. The service was polite and quick- there was only one other couple in the dining area until a group of 12 came in and livened up the rather quiet area. The area itself is pleasant- wooden tables and odd chairs, fresh flowers, plants and cider paraphernalia around you.

I had the fidget pie with vegetables and the 'Old Rosie' half pint of cider. The bf had steak and mushroom pie with Chimes trad. cider. Each pie was delicious. Lovely flaky pastry topping, huge chunks of tender meat and full-flavoured. The vegetables, however, were served on a small side plate and were rather measly portions. The potatoes were very tasty, though.

The cider was also extremely nice- exactly what you'd want with rich food on a snowy day. You'd only want the half pints as they are strong.

To soak up the alcohol we also had pudding- I had the bread and butter pudding with cream and he had the apple and blackberry crumble with custard. The b'n'b pudding was nicely spiced but the cream came whipped on top of it, which ruined its potential crispiness. His crumble was also good- big chunks of apple and custard in a serving jug, which I wished my cream was in too. The custard wasn't home-made which was disappointing.

It all came to just under £40. I will definitely go back, but mostly to try more cider.

Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7