All Bar One Norwich Review

All Bar One, Tombland, Norwich

Cuisine - Gastro Pub 

Price Range - Low/Medium - Upon the food menu for the restaurant, nothing stands out as being extortionatly price or unaffordable. Meals vary from a small wallet tickling of £7 to the most expensive meal being a ribeye steak which sets the diner back £14.50. Drinks obviously depend on the choice and this bar prides itself on it's massive wine selection; you can buy by the bottle or the glass. They also offer great cocktails and beers and soft drinks are around £2.70 a piece. 

Service - 7/10 - After entering the bar we were quickly appointed to a table by our smiley hostess. It took a small amount of time to recieve our menus but when we did we were given a fair amount of time to decide our meals; the waitress was brilliantly attentative and cheerful throughout the visit but unfortunately we didn't recieve requested condiments and the tables didn't have their own salt and pepper mills. However this being said our food was delivered quickly and to a piping hot temperature. My dining partner was asked how he would like his steak cooked which shows great customer consideration and care. 

Atmosphere - 8/10 - Being a bar in the city, on a Thursday night, you expect nothing less than a busy, booming environment and that is exactly what we got. The place was dotted full of diners and drinkers all chirping away, relaxing on a night as the weekend draws close, this giving off an atmospherically positive vibe. In the background we had a selection of loud music playing which sometimes came across as too loud but I think this depends on where you are situated in the restaurant. Generally everyone was in high spirit but the only problem was that occasionally the noise did pose a bit too loud. 

Decor/Theme - 8/10 - Within the whole build an on going theme seemed to reoccur, one of which I am a huge fan of. A description I would go for is a prestine, upmarket, modern bar with the right amount of rusticness to balance it out. My favourite feature was the mass selection of wine bottles propped up in a glass frame near the door along with the stylish leather high tables for two. The style has been clearly set and nailed suiting the target market down to a T. Our high table was slightly wobbly but it was nothing too drastic. The open plan kitchen stated confidence from the cooking department and gave off subtle fragrances to hungry restauranteurs. My final point is about the long, clear bar which is easy to access if you were just joining as a drinker. 

Food Presentation - 8.5/10 - Refering back to my point of modern and classy, the food presentation again shows this. Effort has clearly been made to make the food look fanciful as multiple techniques have been put into play, firstly the whole meal was cutely served on a thin, tile slate, the fries were in the trending metal bucket and my dips in tiny pots beside those. They have understood the new wave of food service and appeal to the modernist market, making it a decent dining specimen for the current century. Upon the slate was a piece of paper which proved annoying when trying to pick up excess sauce and slaw but saved on mess at the end of the meal, also the burger was held up tall with a giant skewer, keeping it together well. Although a lot of aspects are taken into consideration, the food still came across as neat, appealing to the eye and yet still remained classy. Simple but affective. 

Food/Value for Money - 7.5/10 - The meal I opted for after a brief look over the menu was the crab and lobster burger. My plate came with a large sesame bun with, what resembled a fish cake inside it sided with a pot of skin on fries, a pot of sweet chilli dip and finally a mango slaw; all of which cost £10.50. First of all their were pleanty of fries, these provided the average flavour you'd expect, except they were brilliantly seasoned, had a fairly crisp skin and tasted authentic with the slight skin on. When it came down to the mango flavoured coleslaw I didn't really feel there was enough to comment on the flavour as the portion was poor and minimal, however this can't be said for the sweet chilli dip. Looking back at the chilli condiment the main highlights were the tantalising tang you immediately get from sweetness then a small rush came through to kick in the zing of the chillies; this was up their with some of the best dips I've had and gave life to the burger and the fries also. Finally my "burger"; I was really looking forward to this as not often do you get the chance to chow down on lobster and crab at such a cheap price but overall I was disappointed. The texture was completely off and after every bite it resolved to mush in my mouth, the bun was tasty and slightly sweet but it was overkill with the pulp in the middle. My patty in the bun would have been better off served alone as a fish cake because with the bun and various toppings it really failed me. There was a portion of crab and lobster I could taste but nothing to get any eater excited. Overall I don't think you can complain about the price for the meal quality as the affordable price gives you a just above average meal that leaves you satisfied to part with your pennies.

Overall - 8/10 - An interiorally beautiful establishment, posing as an upmarket wine bar which serves up a variety of dishes, All Bar One is the ideal place munch out if you fancy a long chilled evening on with a few bottles of wine and some nice food. With a bit of something for everyone's taste, both food and drink wise, I'd say this place would be ideal to take a partner on a date, as there seemed to be many couples dining out; not to mention if you fancy a relaxing gathering, the bar is for you. Nothing is too out of price, the staff and atmosphere are merry and finally the pro-modern style makes for a great experience. The food may not be the best but it certainly doesn't lack flavour and for the price you can't grumble; alongside the presentation  I'd say that the whole meal makes it justifiable and fair. Finally next time you dine out in the city or tombland for that fact, don't tick All Bar One off as it's an stylish gem that shouldn't be overlooked as "just another chain". 

http://www.allbarone.co.uk/all-bar-one-norwich/

TGI Friday's Norwich Review

TGI Friday's, Riverside, Norwich

Cuisine - American Bar & Restaurant

Price Range - Medium/High - On the menu the price ranges from the lowest being a £8.99 which is a spicy pasta dish and a Caesar salad, a few other items pose around the £10 mark which are burgers. An average for a meal will set you back about £14 like the chicken and faijitas but the high end of the plates are peaking at £21.49 being a sixteen ounce steak. Drinks in TGI's can be expensive if you opt for the alcoholic side with 330ml bottles of beer emptying your pocket at £3.99 a punt and pint sized ciders being £4.39; cocktails are obviously costly depending on your choice. Finally the soft drinks settle at £2.69 and are of unlimited refills, proving a real bargain if you're a thirsty person. 

Service - 8/10 - The service within TGI's was overall, pretty much faultless. From the moment me and my party stepped in the moment we left, we were looked after brilliantly by the waitress who chased down all our needs; throughout the meal the young lady was chirpy, smiling and enthusiastic about her job, leaving us as comfortable customers. When it came down to the delivery speed of food and drink, again faultless as it was all out and ready for chowing on in unassailable time. The staff do make you feel extremely welcome and the fact that one waitress looks after one table makes it that extra bit more personal. An element I did notice was that ninety percent of the waitress were female. My final point is how I noticed a few ladies were walking round making balloons for people, upon which they then got to keep. A negative I did find, also reflecting on the food quality, was how they didn't ask one of our party how he wanted his burger cooked, this showing not the best attention to deal or food quality. 

Atmosphere - 9/10 - Being a massive worldwide brand, TGI's has a high end reputation to live up to, so I didn't expect no cuts in the atmosphere department. The place seemed alive at all times as the murmur of customers buzzed, the background music played out and the multiple flat screen tv's ran out clips of a variety of videos which also links with it's US diner theme. Within my hour and a bit visit the staff must have had a birthday celebration boom as they had to deliver, what sounded like a ritual chant. Each customer who had a birthday had their table approached by multiple members with a dessert, then proceeding to sing a birthday celebration song/chant which can be heard throughout the diner; this is quite an awesome touch which adds to the overall experience. 

Decor/Theme - 8.5/10 - In a few words I'd describe this eatery as glittery, glamourous and in your face American. Most of the things you associate with the modern Hollywood lifestyle you can find here alongside the charm of the world famous New York diners. It's as though the creators of TGI Fridays took the best of the west coast and mixed it with the east to create a restaurant shaped love child. The bijou booths scattered around the building settle nicely alongside the bolstering bright lights that replicate those you see round dressing room mirrors, also the open kitchen and rounded middle bar are real positive USP's. Customers can even sit around the bar on cute stools to share cocktails if you didn't fancy sampling some of the food on offer. My two favourite things in the restaurant were firstly the TGI/Jack Daniels Harley that's in the window and secondly the fact that nearly every spirit you can think of is placed above the bar on show, leaving me admiring the huge selection of liquor.

Food Presentation - 7.5/10 - Upon reflection of the look of my plate, presentation wise it's neat. The meal had been delicately sectioned in a trio, dividing the protein, carb and veg into seperate areas with the sauce placed in its own little pot. An aspect that could be improved is if the sauce pot was much bigger as I would argue that it was far too little for the amount of grub I had to dip into it. As for the prawns, the fact that the fantail was left on marries well with the attraction element and often makes the fish look more genuine. The dish served it's purpose properly being the perfect size for the meal, my chips looked rustic with the slight skin on which I enjoyed but the veg was thrown together on a side of the plate, not giving off any fanciful feeling at all. 

Food/Value for Money - 6.5/10 - Disappointing overall, my meal walloped the wallet at a £14.99 price tag and consisted of mainly frozen produce. I opted for the jack Daniels cajun battered shrimp from the menu which, when it arrived, had a total of eleven battered fantail prawns, a jack Daniels bbq dip, skin on fries and a small portion of vegetables. First of all the veg was cooked nicely as they still had a bite to them, however it was few and far between as I had minimal greenery on the plate. The fries were flavoursome with a potatoey, crisp, rustic skin on them, not to mention the seasoning was decent and their was a pleantiful amount to get through; my main concern here though was that the chips did tend to get cold quick. Moving into the prawns and they were about average to sum them up; the batter was bubbly and crisp with an acute spicy flavour but the actually fish itself was lacking somewhat. The prawns flesh was plump and tart but it just didn't pack the cajun punch I craved from the menu, also the fish flavour really wasn't their, however you cannot argue with the quantity as eleven prawns tops up the tummy tightly. Finally onto the sauce which was one of my favourite items from my meal, it was delicious. With a hint of smokey bbq flavour concocting beside the sweet JD taste, this sauce just works perfectly when anything is dunked into it; the whiskey flavour was subtle yet noticed and also it contained small pieces providing texture, overall giving off a sweet, tangy taste that tantalised the taste buds. Everything but the sauce could be bought elsewhere cheaper in my opinion but the portion size was filling. 

Overall - 7.5/10 - As far as restaurants go, this place is more of a tourist attraction than a exclusive eatery as TGI's itself holds a big brand reputation worldwide. Many people will know that the franchise only normally establishes restaurants in larger cities, as it grew out of New York City, so it's a unique experience to Norwich to get such a place. If I ever recommended anybody to go to TGI Friday's it would be for the atmosphere and service as after my visit these were the things that made me want to go back. With friendly staff that make each customer feel special and a shibaz, showbiz American theme, the place has a shining persona, attracting people who pass by. Sadly the food and value really let the hype down because not only can you find the meals at any other "American" restaurant, you can also find them a lot cheaper also; more than anything here you are paying for the brand as the food doesn't take incredible skill to cook and replicates any high street diner out there. I'd like to mention that they do offer a wide range of decadent cocktails here and the variety in drinks is second to none, these are something I certainly come back to shuffle through. TGI's is one of those places you visit to say you've been, just don't expect nothing out of the average food wise, not to mention the prices are too high for the quality; portion wise, you'll leave full. 

https://m.tgifridays.co.uk

Takeaway Time - Flaming Galah Review

Flaming Galah, Ber Street, Norwich

Cuisine - Pie & Mash

Options - Takeaway or Order for Collection via Social Network or Telephone

Speed - 10/10 - Absolutely nailed all the aspects people look for when going to a takeaway joint, fast food, in your hands within the time it takes to exchange your English pounds with the cashier. My meal was ready within an instant, serving as a real treat for my rumbling stomach. It possibly took me longer to read the menu than it did for the gentleman to take my order and whip up my meal, the cue was non exsistent also. Be warned that not all pies are available upon entry, so to curb that ring in advance and pre-order your pie craving; I was advised that any pie on the menu can be made to order and takes roughly twenty minutes. 

Taste - 9/10 - With my classic pie taste buds tingling all week, I opted for the traditional mince beef and onion pie bonza deal which tops the pastry off with a dollop of mash, scoop of mushy peas and a slosh of gravy. No words can describe how my hunger was suppressed from the first bite with a beautiful fork full of flavour. First of all you get the peas which were flavoursome and didn't come across earthy as sometimes peas can do; the gravy was at a perfect consistency and possesed an ideal temperature that didn't burn the pallet; my mash was some of the best I've tasted with it's beautiful, smooth creaminess and subtle seasoning. One thing I would say is that the whole dish would benefit from a touch more gravy and peas as they were so morish, leaving me scraping for seconds. Moving onto the main event, the pie; the lid was deliciously crisp and made a good crunch when I pierced my fork through it, the taste was buttery, crisp and had the flaky texture a pastry should have. The whole pastry casing was cooked to precision as all of the crust packed full flavour, wasn't soggy and for filled the true heartiness of the dish. Overall the casing was rather deep with the filling bursting through the brim after breaking through; my mince beef and onion filling kept a piping hot heat, warming my stomach and the flavour was meaty, rich and moist to the bite. Overall the meal filled my empty stomach to the brim but left me craving more scrumptious pie.

Price - 9/10 - The menu within Flaming Galah posts up three main options depending on how hungry you are. First up you can opt for any pie on its own which sets the wallet back £3.95; this price is totally fair because the pies are large and the variety of fillings would cost tons more elsewhere, for example, some of the exotic meats. The second choice is for what they call a bonza deal, being any pie, a large ice cream sized scoop of mash, a slathering of peas and finally a ladle of gravy, this setting back the consumer only £4.95; for an extra pound this seems like an ultimate steal and the flavour is certainly worth the upgrade. The final meal option is as above but with a choice of hot or cold drink, only being another pound on top at £5.95. 

Overall - 9/10 - For a long time I've really been looking forward to reviewing Flaming Galah because of it's fame on trip advisor and ever growing custom, and I think it's fair to say I definitely wasn't disappointed. As far as I know this is the only pie and mash outlet within Norwich and I can guarantee it's the only Australian pie and mash shop within east anglia, so straight away it has a great glowing unique persona within the city. Not only this but the establishment often boasts exotic specials on a weekly basis, giving foodies from all round the chance to tease their taste buds with something new, as they have offered up boar, kangaroo and various other combinations all in a pastry pie. With restaurant standard flavours at street food prices, Flaming Galah is an unsung hero for food in Norfolk and it's unlikely they will fail to satisfy customers as it's a cheap, hearty meal. The speed is instant, the price is fair and the taste is divine so make no excuse for not visiting this place, they offer pleanty of variety, from meat lovers to veggies pies and are happy to take pre-orders over social network and telephone. My final point would be to say if you want something other than the classic pies, then you be best to order in advance as they seem to fly off the shelf, don't hesitate to call or contact as the customer service is second to none. Flaming Galah is worthy of its great reputation and trip advisor rank; make no question about it; if you love pie go there, if you don't, this place will turn you into a true pie boy/girl.

Tel: 07837915375