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/