Riverbank Norwich Review

Riverbank Chinese Buffet, Riverside, Norwich

Cuisine - Chinese

Price Range - Medium - The buffet has two set prices depending on what time of the day you eat. Evening buffet starts at 17:00 every night and is £13.99 for Adults and rightly priced lower at £6.99 for under 10's. Lunch time is slightly lower for both at £6.50 for Adults and only £3.99 for under 10's. Drinks are reasonably cheap for a restaurant at £3.60 for a pint of beer and £2.50 for a pint of soft drink. 

Service - 5/10 - As it was an all you can eat buffet, the service was almost non exsistent however when they did actually use customer service skills it wasn't ideal. For example on entrance you had to wait in a takeaway like cue to go up and pay for your buffet, then move to the next counter to pay for drinks, then you could go to your table and take a seat. Also staff seemed to lurk around tables, hovering, as though they were watching you eat; which was sometimes off putting if you caught a glimpse of them. Not only that but as soon as you put your fork down to show you were finished with you're plate they would whisk it off the table before you could bat an eyelid. One thing I would say was happy with was the fact they made one of our party a vegetarian omelette, however she couldn't choose what she wanted in it which was again disappointing. 

Atmosphere - 6.5/10 - Within the Riverbank there was a slight excitable vibe about the place; perhaps it was people pondering the thought of all you can eat in their heads or just the business of the establishment. However but like I said in service, I felt watched and also rushed. As they were taking the plates away so fast and looming around the tables it made me feel rather unwelcome, as though they didn't want us there, so they could get another group on our table. The place seems very money orientated and customers come second to cash it would seem. 

Decor/Theme - 7/10 - One of the better points about Riverbank, the theme and decor had a great pattern and sustained authenticity, remaining uncluttered. The tables were set out neatly around the restaurant with easy access to the buffet stations which were nicely situated in the middle, not only that but chairs and tables matched which is a basic yet important point. Use of authentic Chinese lanterns and beautiful photography of oriental flowers were a nice touch along with the traditional teppanyaki kitchen. The buffet section was big and easy to move around as the stations were clearly marked with 'starter', 'main', 'desert' and 'teppanyaki', however sometimes you would bump into other people as there was no clear way to go round it i.e. Clock wise or counter clockwise. Finally a low point was the fact they used pop music as a background sound, to gain more of a Chinese feel I thought this should be exchanged for some relaxing Asian instrumentals as pop music doesn't fit the atmosphere at all. 

Presentation - 6/10 - With the restaurant being a buffet the presentation is kind of what you make it, so either pile it up making it messy or be neat, nicely placing it. All the food you can either put in small bowls or on large plates as these are the options you are given, after selecting one you then collect whatever you like from the buffet area. Food in the buffet stations isn't presented greatly as each station has large rectangle gastronomes which contain different types of Chinese dishes, some of which looked extremely appetising like the lemon chicken and noodles but some of which looked very off putting and unappetising like the squid and also the beef curry. The desert station seemed to draw the eye of most of our party as donuts, cake and fruit was pilled up in mountain like structures. 

Food/Value For Money - 7/10 - With such a variety at hand this is a foodies dream as you get the opportunity to pick and try at various types of Chinese dishes. The variety ranged from deep fried claw, sweet and sour king prawns, lemon chicken, crispy duck and many, many more. Anybody who visits I recommend trying a small piece of everything and being open minded as it's a great oppurtunity to be brave with what you're eating. The flavours of some of the food was slightly off though as it had a dry taste and texture, I felt this was due to the fact that it had sat under heaters to keep it warm, for example the duck was dry and almost flavourless. Also another big factor I was dubious about was when I cut a piece of fried chicken as the centre possesed a slightly pink colour, this somewhat scared me, making me leave the rest of the chicken. Food I would recommend you try when going here would definitely be the sweet and sour prawns, deep fried claw and of course my favourite the noodles. If you want to get your money's worth here and make the food worth it's value I'd say go hungry as you can then have a great fill up on three courses, getting your £13.99's worth. 

Overall - 6/10 - A very disappointing visit overall, this restaurant needs much improvement in my eyes to become a decent, recommended eatery. The staff, atmosphere and the quality of food cooking are the areas that are essential and really need to be improved as you get the feeling they are just trying to pump customers in and out as fast as possible to get money. Customer service should be improved greatly however it's not the worst I've ever seen, along with checking meat to see if it's cooked as it's so important to get this right. The establishment has so much potential to be something great as they offer unique Chinese dishes and traditional cooking styles that aren't used anywhere else and not only that but it's at an all you can eat offer. If you were to go to the riverbank I'd say go at a lunch time when the price is much cheaper and the restaurant is less busy, this giving you the oppurtunity to chill out and try everything at your own pace. Finally I'd like to leave you with piece of advice if you were to eat here... go hungry.

P.S. No picture this time due to my phone running out of battery. 

http://riverbanknorwich.co.uk

Dray Yard Norwich Review

Dray Yard, Exchange Street, Norwich

Cuisine - American Smokehouse/BBQ 

Price Range - Low/Medium - Prices for food vary on the menu, depending on if you just fancy a snack like sandwich or a combo plate with a mixture of flavours. The cheaper side is at a low of £6 for a pulled pork sandwich without a side, where as the more expensive meals hit £21.50 for a full rack of ribs with fries and an additional side of your choice. Soft drinks are average at £2.10 for a coke where as beer is a bit more pricey with Brooklyn Larger on tap for £4.50 a pint. Others beers and specialist ales are available at a slightly cheaper price tag.

Service - 9/10 - Fantastic service, the waiter and waitress that looked after our table were excellent. They were cheerful, attentive and made sure we enjoyed our visit. One of the main things that I liked is the fact that they let one of our party try some of the Brooklyn Larger before he bought some as he was unsure whether he'd like it, this shows great consideration for the customer. All our food was out in good time and it wasn't no trouble when we asked for extra condiments. Overall you couldn't fault the service and I thought they done a superb job.

Atmosphere - 8.5/10 - If you want a relaxed, chilled out meal, without being in an overcrowded environment then Dray Yard is your place. At no point in my meal did I feel uneasy or unwelcomed and I could just sit back and enjoy the chilled out atmosphere. The background music was perfect, it didn't interfere with conversation and set a nice mood around the place adding more to the natural noise of the surroundings. You could tell by looking at other diners and even the staff that the relaxed atmosphere was a mutual feeling amongst everyone which I appreciated highly. Finally I would just like to mention how the slight whiffs of the smoker working and subtle hints of the BBQ sauce add to the excitement of waiting for your meal, this was a real pleasant suprise for me and made me a lot hungrier. 

Decor/Theme - 7/10 - The whole theme and decor wasn't something that was overwhelming as it was plain, neat yet had a sharp finish. Within the establishment it possessed some on going patterns with the rustic metal oil industry sign and the metal pig that sits in  the restaurant window sill; but it seems as though they are still adding and building towards a final decor. I like how all the chairs and tables matched, the kitchen was open and also the daily specials board, which was easily visible to every diner. Finally the bar was somewhat small but done it's job perfectly and also the menus were nice with a rustic feel which had an American feel to them as well. 

Presentation - 7/10 - This is the only area that I feel has much room for improvement as I feel it doesn't do the meal much justice overall. I felt my plate was too large for the amount of food which was on it and also it was all so central, leaving a large rim of empty plate, much like a bowl. To many people my plate wouldn't look as though their was much food but it was extremely filling, it's just the plate was too big. Perhaps if they cut the plate size down or resorted to a themed presentation then the meal would look more fanciful but bare in mind that there are only so many ways you could present pulled pork, sausage, corn bread and fries without it looking like a hot mess so they done well in that aspect.

Food/Value For Money - 9/10 - My meal I decided on after a long decision was a combo plate of pulled pork, Texas hot links (smoked sausage), corn bread and sweet potato fries priced at a £16.50. At this price tag you'd expect a decent quality meal, full of flavour and I can certainly say this didn't disappoint. The Texas hot links had a crisp outer skin, yet maintained a beautifully brittle inner maintaining great smokey flavour, it's easy to say it's one of the most flavoursome sausages I've tasted to date. My pulled pork melted in my mouth, was extremely moist and so tender; very delicious, anyone could make more room for it no matter how full you are. It's easily noticeable that great time and care has been put into making this unique pieces of meat. The sweet potato fries were chunky, cooked well and had a fluffy, feather like inner, they really complimented the savoury taste of the corn bread. With homemade condiments on the table the restaurant really excelled themselves with great quality of homemade food, justifying each price tag, creating unique flavours that you won't find anywhere else in Norwich. 

Overall - 8.5/10 - Reasoning behind this is because I absolutely love the authenticity of Dray Yard overall, offering Norwich a unique American smokehouse experience that is rare to a city like ours. A key factor they use above many imitators of American BBQ is the fact that they actually smoke all the meat they have for many hours in an imported smoker. It's not often you get to see one of these in action or taste food from it as it's an unpopular cooking method in the UK. Not only that but Dray Yard offers great customer service, fantastic atmosphere and sources it's goods from local butchers and dairies which supports county business'. The only ways this place could get better is if they added more items to the menu such as vegetables like collard greens, pickles and fried tomato, also I'd like to see more of a theme as it has great potential to be a real success. However saying this the food contains really good flavour and is something I would assure you to try. I would highly recommend this place to anyone I know and I'd say get in whilst you still can as I see it's popularity growing in the coming months. A fantastic meal, I shall definitely be returning in the near future.

http://www.drayyardsmokehouse.co.uk

Waffle House Norwich Review

Waffle House, St.Giles Street, Norwich

Cuisine - A variety of sweet & savoury topped Waffles (salad options also)

Price Range - Low - Depending on the size of your waffle; for example large or small and the type of topping you fancy will affect the price. Large savoury waffles peak at £10.05 where as large sweet waffles hit £5.65. The small options come in obviously cheaper most expensive items are £9.00 for savoury and £4.50 for sweet, everyday the restaurant posters up specials which may add a few quid extra onto the normal menu prices. Soft drinks are also of an average price with a 330ml coke pricing at £1.85.

Service - 8/10 - Spot on service as we were appointed a table as soon as we entered the restaurant and was offered the choice between which table we preferred to sit at. The waiter remained extremely well mannered and well spoken through out the course of our meal and delivered our menu, drinks and food speedily. I felt comfortable throughout my visit and didn't feel rushed once even though we were in and out within all of fourty minutes. One thing I would have liked is to have been made aware of the daily specials as I was unable to see the board from my seat. Also the bill had to be taken to the bar to pay and for ideal marks I would have liked the staff to take it from me.

Atmosphere - 9/10 - Everything about the atmosphere in the Waffle House was cool, calm and collected. I felt relaxed through out my visit and felt as though I was welcome within the establishment. The atmosphere possessed a really natural feel, as though you were at home dining at the table with a friend with great food being served at your table. You could easily make conversation with your fellow diners without having to raise your voice as the noise levels were minimal. A key aspect I really liked is that they chose not to use background music and relied on natural atmosphere. 

Decor/Theme - 6/10 - The decor and theme within the Waffle House could really use a revamp and a touch of modernization as the wallpaper and pictures on the wall seem quite outdated; not to mention the tables and chairs also had an old feel. Also I feel that diners are far too compact as it's as though they have tried to cram too many tables into a small area. Some of the tables are awkwardly place in corners like the one we sat at; leading to sometimes banging knees with your fellow diner. Finally I feel that they should have more specials boards placed around the area as I couldn't see one from where I was sitting, meaning I had to peer my head round a corner to see one making other customers feel awkward. The only thing I did like was that from some areas you could see the open kitchen where cooks were working hard to press fresh waffles.

Food Presentation - 8/10 - You would have thought with the food on the menu only mainly being waffles that you could only present them in one way struggling to make them look good... However the Waffle House somehow manages to make them look fanciful and delicious. Laid out neatly on a solid black plate, the waffle was half covered with a beautiful scoop of bolognese topped with a healthy serving of shredded parmesan which was very pleasing to the eye. I loved the large black plate for some reason as it had a solid, sturdy feel to it and contrasted to make the waffle pop to your eye. Also how they filled the plate with the waffle and topping rather than leaving a gaping gap round it. The matching salt, sugar and syrup pot also added a nice touch. 

Food/Value For Money - 8.5/10 - A somewhat cheaply priced meal to what I've had elsewhere yet maintained great flavours and a good satisfaction as it filled me up. My meal was a large wholemeal bolognese waffle which was packed with delicious ingredients and was full of the traditional beef bolognese flavours that you recognise, just that it was served upon a waffle rather than spaghetti pasta. You can tell from the first bite that all the food is freshly cooked and also all waffles are cooked to order as you see cooks working hard over traditional waffle irons, not only that I love how they use local produce, farmed in Norfolk as it's states on the menus. The bolognese sauce wasn't too sloppy yet it wasn't too dry and the plump tomatoes in it gave off a nice texture, the waffle was also crisp on the edges but maintained its soft dough being perfectly cooked. For value for money and the flavour you get you can't argue and won't find much better else where. A negative I will state is that my drink was very flat and tasted like it was from a bottle as it had no fizz and was slightly warm.

Overall - 8/10 - The Waffle House is one of Norwich's hidden little gems, suitable for every and any occasion whether it being a celebration or just to pop in for a quiet coffee and waffle. The quality of the food and the cheaply priced menu is hard to come by and not forgetting the welcoming atmosphere. With locally produced, fresh food being served on a daily basis this is somewhere you need to visit. One thing I will say is don't be put off by the fact it's just waffles on the menu as I once before said I wouldn't go there because I didn't really like waffles. The basis of the meal is a waffle yes, but the toppings vary from hot Dutch apple to ham, cheese and mushroom giving a flavour for everyone's taste buds. They offer a wholemeal option or a plain one also. My advice would be don't knock it until you've tried it, you won't be disappointed. 

http://www.wafflehousenorwich.co.uk

Middletons Steakhouse & Grill Norwich Review

Middletons Steakhouse & Grill, Timberhill, Norwich

Cuisine - Steakhouse & Grill

Price Range - Low/Very High - Within the menu the price ranges from a small £7.75 for a 6oz burger and side to a larger sum of £45 for either a 36oz Ribeye Steak or an 18oz Chateaubriand, bare in mind the two steaks mentioned serve 2 people and are of a premium cut. The most expensive items for one on the menu are the 22oz Porterhouse and the Lobster which both sit at a £29.95 figure. However that's the more expensive part of the menu and the average price sits around the £13/£14 mark for your grills, ribs, pork chops, fishes and various other meals. Steaks all depend on size and cut. Drinks were rather pricey though as the average 330ml soft drink cost £2.20 and a bottle of 500ml Aspall cider cost £4.80.

Service - 9/10 - Upon entering the door we were greeted by a friendly gentlemen who guided us to our table, then handing over to the waitress who would be taking our order. Daily specials were explained and she was more than happy to deal with any queries. After ordering drinks they arrived promptly with no issues and a complimentary bottle of water was also deposited at the table if you wanted it. Starters were out in a quick time then followed by the main, this was perfectly timed as my meal had a specific cooking time due to the cut of meat, in many ways this could have went wrong but they nailed it. Finally we were in and out within an hour and a half which was fast as my steak took thirty minutes to cook.

Atmosphere - 7/10 - One of the only things I didn't really enjoy about my visit. The whole establishment seemed rushed, busy and very noisy. In fairness it was a Saturday night and for business it would be fantastic but it felt like a constant drone of hustle and bustle. The atmospheric music didn't really fit the theme either and was quite unnecessary as you couldn't always hear it due to the natural atmosphere. However everyone seemed to be smiling and enjoying themselves which is always a positive for a customer.

Decor/Theme - 8/10 - Middletons claims a real modern feel with a clean finish. The aspects that give it this is the beautiful hanging lights, the luxurious booths which are positioned nicely, the numerous bottles of wine placed in the cabinets and finally the neatly finished wooden decor. Not only this but everything compliments each other and most importantly matches, my favourite part is the open window kitchen where you can see the chefs working hard, placing finished meals to the pass. The whole establishment possess a somewhat luxurious feel with affordable food.

Food Presentation - 8/10 - The food was presented beautifully on a wooden board with the wedges in a little silver bucket. This gave off a real rustic effect which I quite liked. I found it a bit of a struggle to eat the wedges out of the pot and also wasn't ideal for when I wanted to season them a bit more, this meaning I had to pile down the mushroom and tomato on my board so I could pour the wedges out. Sometimes the boards aren't spacious enough and can feel as if everything has been piled up, however if you aren't a fan of the wooden board it states on the menu that you can change it for a plate whilst ordering. 

Food/Value For Money - 9/10 - Firstly I'd like to state how my steak was one of the best cuts I've ever eaten. A beautiful premium cut of 22oz Porterhouse cooked to a medium rare perfection, definitely worth the £29.95 price tag. My wedges were also delicious as they were well seasoned, piping hot, had a crisp outer skin but yet remained fluffy on the inside. One point I'd like to make is that all meals lack salad as they only have a garnish. You get the choice of a side but if you choose salad that is all you get and it's the same if you choose a potato option. I feel that if salad was served along with a choice of side then the meal would score a perfect 10 as you don't get that food quality anywhere. My meal had an extra of salad which cost another £2, but I felt it was essential to break the meal down and add another key element. 

Overall - 9/10 - The reasoning behind my score is because of the unique dining experience that has been brought to Norwich by Middletons. With premium cuts of steak such the Porterhouse and Ribeye on the bone along side the luxurious lobster Thermidor, Middletons offer something that not many other local places do. Not only that but they share affordable priced meals such as burgers, grills, pastas and fresh fish, giving the consumer options depending on how luxurious you're feeling or the type of occasion you are visiting the restaurant for. Also the establishment has a crisp, clean feel which is clearly successful due to the constant flow of custom. A couple of things I will mention is that if you are looking to visit Middletons you would benefit from booking in advance and also the vegetarian option on the menu isn't great with only four main meal options, however I feel that they would alter some of the meals to suit the custom, for example removing meats from salads etc. This place is a must try in Norwich and I would highly recommend it to anyone. A real foodies paradise.

http://www.middletons-shg.co.uk/index.php/norwich

Giraffe Norwich Review

Giraffe, Norwich, Chapelfield

Cuisine - Varied - The menu possessed a vast amount of different food from different cultures for example Jamaican Jerk Chicken, Burgers, Duck noodles.

Price Range -Low/Medium - Ninety percent of the menu was at a low price with the cheapest being at £6.95 due to daily deals e.g. Burger Tuesdays. Many other items valued around the £10/£11 mark with highest price peaking at £15.99 which was for grill items. Drinks were extortionate at £4.30 for a pint of beer and £2.45 for a small sized soft drink. 

Service - 8/10 - Upon enterance we were greeted by a relaxed yet friendly woman, letting us choose whatever table we wanted. She gave us time to order and was patient yet remained cheerful throughout, making us feel comfortable at all times. After taking our order the food arrived in good time and was piping hot. Quick to recognise we were students the waitress asked us first then offered us the student discount upon paying the bill which was very helpful as many people wouldn't have said anything in that situation. 

Atmosphere - 6/10 - The place really lacked in the atmosphere department, there was a slight background music but nothing overwhelming. It was a Tuesday night however and I feel that to get the best out of this place you would have to visit in the afternoon as I've walked past many of times at lunch time and it's been packed.

Decor/Theme - 6/10 - Like the cuisine there was no real set pattern to the decor or theme and everything just seemed somewhat jumbled. Tables and chairs didn't really match as some were colourful and plastic and some were wooden. Two things I did like were the use of colour as they were bright and also that it had a bit of a quirky personality. 

Food Presentation - 8.5/10 - Food was neatly presented and look very attractive to the eye. Enchiladas presented in a lasagne style dish on top of a rustic wooden plank and made for a nicely presented meal. Overall was a somewhat neat way to eat what can be a messy mexican dish. Topping off the enchiladas were a sprinkling of toasted seeds with salsa which were different but added a rustic yet organic feel. 

Food/Value For Money - 7/10 - Food portion size was small for £10.95 however tasted nice with a flavoursome rice under a hot, indulgent beef enchilada which had good flavour. I enjoyed the toasted nut salsa to top off the main as they added a great texture. Probably the right price for my meal overall but I've had larger portions with more flavour else where. My friends meal were similarly small however the burger looked about the biggest out of the three. 

Overall - 7/10 - I wouldn't go out of my way to return to Giraffe, however it's well worth a visit if you fancy a quick pit stop at lunch time while shopping in the city. Reasoning behind this is because I've had larger meals for the same price elsewhere in Norwich. My final point is that we had a service charge for 10% at the bottom of the bill which isn't clearly stated anywhere, I felt it was 

unnecessary and should be left to the diner to decide whether to pay it or not.

http://m.giraffe.net/#home

Ed's Easy Diner Norwich Review

Ed's Easy Diner, Norwich, Chapelfield

Cuisine - American Diner

Price Range - Low/Medium - The food at Ed's varied all being at a low price range, going from around £5-£7 for a burger or hotdog. However the catch is if you want fries or a side they are an optional extra by which you have to purchase by themselves. They do offer a combo where you get fries, onion rings and coleslaw with your main piece for around £10. Soft Drinks were £2.50 for unlimited refills. Nothing here was overly expensive in all though.

Service - 8/10 - Extremely fast service of the food, quickly appointed a table and the waiters/waitress couldn't do no more than they had done. Overall second to none service however the only negative I could pick out was when we were wavered a sign up card during our wait, this was for a free shake but still unnecessary. Perhaps leave it for when we had the bill. 

Atmosphere - 9/10 - An amazing atmosphere about the place, it really put me in a good mood due to the certain buzz about the place. The music just topped it all off with the 60's era flying from wall to wall. No matter what age or where you are from Ed's makes you feel like a 1960's American.

Decor/Theme - 10/10 - This is a little American dining escape to the 60's in the middle of Norwich. A real throwback feel with all the authentic decor and feel of a true American diner. Probably the best decor I've seen in a while and everything just compliments each other, fantastic. A couple of things I feel in love with was the neon lights, the dining booths and also the personal juke boxes on each table that actually worked for a 20p charity donation. 

Food Presentation - 6/10 - I was somewhat disappointed when I saw my food arrive on a large white plate, for some reason to add to the authenticity of the place I thought they would serve food up in baskets. Also the large white plate just felt slightly empty and useless, serving the fries up on the plate would have been better and could have saved unnecessary clutter on the table.

Food/Value For Money - 7.5/10 - Reasoning behind this is due to the fact that the food was at a decent quality but yet again had a cheap feel to it. Overall I know it's a diner so you can't expect the best quality food so it is what you pay for and expect. None the less I still really enjoyed my meal and thought that the unlimited refill drinks were a bargain if you're thirsty. I did really like the numerous different takes on fries and also glad they have the modern favourite in sweet potato fries.

Overall Score - 8/10 - Absolutely brilliant, unique atmosphere, there's no other American diner experience close to this one around Norwich. Good music, great service, fantastic decor, the only thing lacking was food quality and a larger variety on the menu as it was mainly a choice between five different burgers or hotdogs. If you want a blast from the past or just fancy a quick, fun, dining experience whilst out shopping, drop in as you won't be disappointed. It's a sure bet that I'll be returning in the near future for a bite of that 60's American dining experience. 

http://www.edseasydiner.com/location/norwich.php

Coast To Coast Norwich Review

Coast To Coast, Norwich, Riverside

Cuisine - American Bar & Restaurant

Price Range - Medium - Food varied from medium to a high price range depending on what you had. Burgers etc. were around the £10 where as steaks and ribs were more pricey hitting £20 and over. However I did find drinks extremely expensive with pints being £4+. A bottle of Jeremiah weed cost £6.25 where as you could pick one up in Tesco for £2... Unjustifiable.

Service - 7/10 - Great Service from the waiter, however we had to wait a while for a seat which was a negative. This was a new restaurant so I've let them off a bit.

Atmosphere - 8/10 - The place had a real great vibe and buzz about it which I really enjoy, this added a massive positive for me, some people may not enjoy the noise though. 

Decor/Theme - 8/10 - I thought the decor was fabulous, giving it an authentic American feel, you can see a lot of time and effort has been taken to give it that feel.

Food Presentation - 9/10 - Beautifully presented food with a neat spread across the serving board. The plate wasn't overflowing with activity giving room for condiments and being able to easily eat without disturbing flavours. I really liked the modern feel with the chips in the bucket and the serving board.

Food/Value for Money - 6/10 - Food wasn't that great a quality and tasted slightly commercial. I did enjoy my meal but couldn't see how it was worth the £12 price tag. My meal was the stateside sliders with sweet potato chips as pictured. The chips were delicious and a breath of fresh air from the normal fries but unfortunately the sliders were average and didn't have a wow factor about them.

Overall Score - 7/10 - Worth a visit but don't expect nothing too special, the food is really lacking something and just doesn't really have much difference from other American restaurants like Frankie and Benny's or Zak's.

http://www.c2crestaurants.com/restaurant/norwich