simonpmarley's Qype profile

Fairly decent, large'ish Wetherspoons on Oxford Street just down from St Peter's Square, on 2 levels, with plenty of reasonably priced ales and food on offer. The place was busy as you would expect on an early Saturday evening, so the service delays were to be expected, but the main gripe was no access upstairs for my two wheelchair-bound friends (we struggled to find a table on ground floor).

Very impressed by this cafe, art deco interior, great band on during our Sunday lunch visit, and a decent menu too. Licenced bar as well. My only complaint – the baked potatoes that we ordered weren’t very hot (we decided not to complain). Worth a visit if you are taking a stroll through Stanley Park one day.

Why didn’t I try this pub before!? What a revelation, I was very impressed and really enjoyed their selection of real ales. Habit had always taken me to the local Wetherspoons (Trawlboat Inn) on Wood Street, but for a change of scenery the Number Fifteen is fantastic.

As a former bank, it has interesting decor, but it still retains a cosy and comfortable air (good seats and cushions), and the service is fine.

Will definitely be going back!

One of the better Indian Restaurants in St Annes, with friendly service and an extensive menu. The food is always reliable and tasty, and you are not hurried when you eat. I can recommend the wine list too, if you are celebrating something special and don’t mind paying a bit more.

My sister-in-law recommended this bistro for my birthday yesterday, as it had won some awards and came highly praised. We were not disappointed either. The website (do google walled garden bistro) gives a good flavour of what’s in store for you (plenty of pictures to peruse).

The welcome and service is professional and friendly, the waiting area comfy (nice settees and chairs) and the food? Oh the food! One word. Superb. Served perfectly, and tasty without being overfacing. I can recommend the pigeon breast, lamb shoulder, and crumble, washed down with a chilled Rioja Rose. Marvellous.

Of course, with quality comes a price to match, but you get what you pay for (as with anything). One small gripe. The one real ale beer on offer (I was pleasantly surprised to see the handpull amongst the nitrokeg funny-foam taps) – Hobgoblin – was a little sharp on the taste buds. For you real-ale afficianados, this is not Cask Marque territory. Instead it is a damn fine restaurant, ideal for special occasions and haute cuisine.

Do try it. Found next door to the Barton Grange Hotel directly off the main A6 road.

Pricey and unwelcoming boozer on Wigmore Street that has a decent array of real ale beers on offer (I was happy to sample a pint of the Rudgate Ruby Mild) but won’t win any prizes for friendliness or value for money.

Easily accessed from Marble Arch tube station, this is a spacy and decent Wetherspoons that had the usual array of real ales on offer when I visited on 19 July 2011.

CAMRA vouchers were accepted, but some beers were misleadingly pump-clipped yet not on offer (unclearly labelled as ‘available soon’).

Marvellous South Indian restaurant, I visited here whilst on business and was very glad that I popped in. I tried an excellent mix of starters and a tasty lamb main dish, all served by polite and friendly staff.

Well worth the effort to visit, easily reached from Bond Street tube.

Visited here on a quiet Sunday evening for a cosy chat with family. The atmosphere was very relaxed and welcoming, and the real ales most acceptable (I tried the Bank Top and Deuchars, they have Theakstons amongst others too).

We did not try any food, but they were good enough to make tea for us upon request, which was nicely served. The pub has ample parking as you will likely need to drive to get here.

Also visited here on Thursday 28 July 2011 to take advantage of the ‘buy one meal get another cheaper one free’ offer. Beer was still good (I tried the Caledonian Flying Scotsman, and Young’s Gold – Deuchars IPA and Thwaites Wainwright were also on offer) and the food was excellent.

Without the offer the prices can seem a little steep, but the place was packed (we had to wait for a table, but were happy to sit outside with our drinks while we waited) which is always a good sign that the place is popular and liked.

One small point – the place could do with a bit of a carpet upgrade – some patches were worn and sticky (yuk).

Popular (and therefore busy) Indian restaurant in the centre of Poulton, just up from the train station, I tried this place once (for a work's meal) and can safely say that I won't be going back.

The food itself was perfectly acceptable, it was the rushed service and the cramped tables that put me off. We all felt that we were just being force-fed as quickly as possible so that the next lot could be brought in. A bit like the owners trying to maximize their income without any thought for the punter.

If you want a more relaxed Indian meal with a bit more quality, and less of a rush, try Saffron a few doors along on the same street.