All reader reviews by Deany70

Albannach

4 of us went to Albannach to use some vouchers for Oysters and Proscecco.

The night we went was really wet and the entrance to the restaurant is tiny so everyone trying to get out of the rain was at a disadvantage.

We were sat immediately and the waitress was very good. We had 2 vouchers so had 24 oysters and 2 bottles of wine. The oysters were lovely with a gorgeous shallot/vinegar dressing or lemon.

We then ordered starters and chips, I had a really tasty prawn dish with lovely chips. My guests had smoked salmon and chips, Beef Carpaccio and chips and a huge burger and chips.

The food is lovely, the service for us was pretty good. The place is decorated in a very lovely way but the downside it is not good for noise.

I do want to go again and take my Boss who is Scottish as I hope he will enjoy the menu.

Sunday, November 14, 2010
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 6

Launceston Place

My husband and I went to Launceston Place last night for our wedding anniversary. We had been looking forward to giving the restaurant a go since seeing Tristan on the Great British Menu and has such high hopes. Sadly, they were not met.

We were greeted at the door fairly warmly. The table we had was in a lovely position and the restaurant is set out to feel quite cosy with candle light everywhere and lots of walls to separate out areas.

We were presented with the wine list before we had seen the menu, but the Sommelier was very charming so really we didnt mind too much. We were hoping for a Raspberry Bellini but they couldnt provide that, however, he recommended a Rose Champagne that had notes of fruit so we had a glass of that to start which was very tasty.

We were given 'Devilled Crisps as an appetiser - they were well presented with a ribbon through each portion, but they were soooo devilled that they killed our taste buds!

Bread arrived with pickled herrings. The bread was lovely and hot and crunchy and the herrings were a lovely addition. We made lots of crumbs on the table when tearing off the pieces!

The menu was too limited. A choice of 3 starters, 3 mains or the 6 course taster menu. We plumbed for the 3 course main menu and both of us had the Lobster to start - it was lovely, but we were surprised at the size of the portion - we were worried we were on the tasting menu afterall!

The waiting staff were very attentive filling our water and wine glasses, almost too attentive though and we started to feel rushed.

The mains arrived almost too quickly. I had the suckling pig which was very nice, my husband had the lamb which he liked, but felt it lacked a vegetable or two. The waitress cleared the table ready for desert, but left most of the crumbs from the bread.

We were given a bonus course of a pear sorbet, but it wasnt overly spectacular and the deserts arrived before we had even finished it!

Dessert was Deconstructed Pumpkin Cheesecake for my husband and I had the smoked dark chocolate with whisky icecream. The Cheesecake was ok. The chocolate was brilliant with smoked chips that added a lovely flavour to the cake, but the whisky icecream was vanilla with no hint of alcohol. It was also served on a wooden platter with grooves in it which the icecream melted into so not overly practical.

Coffee came with petit fours which were lemon cakeythings with a vanilla cream. Nice.

We agreed that the meal was ok, but with the speed of service, the lack of variety of menu and the limitations of what was provided, for the amount we paid we wouldnt rush to return. Shame.

Sunday, November 14, 2010
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 4