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
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