jamescleave's Qype profile

Ooh - new outdoor area. V nice.

Italian gelato in Chiswick.
Win.

Loved it.

Ask the bar staff anything, they'll get it sorted for you.

Very cool venue, very e-burgh. Supremely good music coming through the sound system.

All the cocktails we tried were excellent. Splash out, try a few and enjoy.

Solid hotel, good service, good bed, clean room. Expect just that, and you'll be happy.

And nice, traditional breakfast.

If you're ever in Broadford, Isle of Skye, Scotland - go here. Even if you're close, go here.

Food was good, service was good - down to earth kind of good, not silver service good. Got a friendly wave from the chef as we left.

Pricey.

There's not a lot to say really, other than the best place to stay in Scotland.

Oh,

also,

the best place to eat in Scotland.

Stayed in the ocean view rooms - wonderful.

Don't just stay here, stay here for a while.

Iona itself is magic, in case you were wondering.

Avoid.

Avoid.

Avoid.

And ignore anything that they advertise, it's all lies.

I haven't had a meal as bad as this in a very long while, which is inexcusable in itself, but at the prices they charge is extortionate. We'd been on the road all day, so were famished, and I'd have been happy with anything done to an average standard. What was served up fell well short of my very low hopes, and to top it off, for a similar price in London, I'd expect a very good meal, not the poor excuse for food set in front of me.

Take a look at the website Crerar (the corporate owners) has put together for this place. You'd expect a palace, fit for a princess, suitable for a wedding and the perfect place for a romantic getaway. No No No NO NO.

For example:
What Crerar claim: "It’s a matter of local pride that our chef hand-picks high quality ingredients sourced close-by whenever possible
(transforming them into mouth-watering menus), "....
What turned out to be the truth:
What was a tomato had been sucked of all it's moisture and left to wither before arriving on my plate. The sausage may not have legally been allowed to be called one, and I would be shocked if it contained above 10% meat, had the taste and consistency of wet sawdust. Nothing on either of my plates could be called a quality ingredient.

Another example:
Their 'extensive a la carte menu' consisted solely of three options of steak

Also:
What Crerar claim: 'intimacy defines your dining experience'
The truth: A meal in a cavernous room decorated with all the charm of a 1930's school hall.

You have been warned.

Sign outside says best real ale selection in Chiswick, I would say one of the best in London. Great outdoor area.