The Fear
A Wise Man (once sat next to him)
Might die a death this thread, just thought worth sharing good places to go in Brum and outlying areas.
Just submitted this review for Trip Advisor re Marco Pierre Whites in Birmingham. Had to smile, they wouldn't accept due to profanities. I had to search and search, then realised they counted faggots as a swear word. FFS, it is food!
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Disappointing:
Ok, was looking forward to a trip here. Not sure I would rush back. The greeting was pleasant, the table was ready and we were swiftly shown to the table and our drinks order taken. So far, so good.
Then the menu came. We'd hoped to use the Table d'Hote Menu. A link to what I'd read on the day of coming and still does have this menu: http://www.mpwsteakhousebirmingham.co.uk/menu/table-dhote
Now I know that is a sample. But the d'Hote menu on the day was useless. Faggots? Sausage? Fish Cakes? Those were the three main meal options. Is htis not a steakhouse grill? Who wants to go to a 'top' restaurant for faggots or sausage or even fish cakes? Jeez. The starters were just as instantly forgettable.
So instead of £15 + £6 supplement (I wanted coctail of prawns and a steak) my prawn starter was £9.50 (it was very nice) and I ordered a rib eye steak at just under £24.
A bit different folks.
My starter was nice, the main meal of rib eye was the worst steak I've had in years. At least 3oz was fat. Now I know the rib eye is a fattier cut, but not that fatty. Again, is this not a steakhouse?
I didn't go for a pudding. We ordered another drink, I asked for a red bull with no ice. I was very clear no ice. But I got a glass full of ice anyway. My parents had two luke warm coffees.
We then waited a good while to get the attention for the bill.
Not a horrendous experience but first impressions of this place is it lacks the quality and finesse you would expect at a 'top' restaurant. Even the table clothes weren't matching (attention to detail you see!)
The waiter was pleasant, but had to reach over as opposed to coming to our sides etc, which is a bit annoying at a top restaurant, again, all about standards and finesse. I can have push and shove at a beefeater etc!
AND THEN.. ok, so the bill comes. My dad was paying. He didn't see that a 10% service charge was included. He put 10% extra on not knowing and wasn't told. So he basically left a tip of around £26 when you take into consideration the already included tip.
That is a rip off and should have been pointed out to him. Then again, when you hire waiters who don't speak the language particularly well, getting explanations isn't easy. ie my mom asked about the chicken dish, it was Kiev (is this the 1970's?!) so she asked if she could have a simple chicken breast (as she had had on a previous visit) and was told yes.
A chicken kiev was served.
I'd go for Villa's VMF (Villa Midlands Food) if you are looking for a top food experience. This is, from my first visit, trading on a name and reputation but not fulfilling the promise.
Just submitted this review for Trip Advisor re Marco Pierre Whites in Birmingham. Had to smile, they wouldn't accept due to profanities. I had to search and search, then realised they counted faggots as a swear word. FFS, it is food!
***********
Disappointing:
Ok, was looking forward to a trip here. Not sure I would rush back. The greeting was pleasant, the table was ready and we were swiftly shown to the table and our drinks order taken. So far, so good.
Then the menu came. We'd hoped to use the Table d'Hote Menu. A link to what I'd read on the day of coming and still does have this menu: http://www.mpwsteakhousebirmingham.co.uk/menu/table-dhote
Now I know that is a sample. But the d'Hote menu on the day was useless. Faggots? Sausage? Fish Cakes? Those were the three main meal options. Is htis not a steakhouse grill? Who wants to go to a 'top' restaurant for faggots or sausage or even fish cakes? Jeez. The starters were just as instantly forgettable.
So instead of £15 + £6 supplement (I wanted coctail of prawns and a steak) my prawn starter was £9.50 (it was very nice) and I ordered a rib eye steak at just under £24.
A bit different folks.
My starter was nice, the main meal of rib eye was the worst steak I've had in years. At least 3oz was fat. Now I know the rib eye is a fattier cut, but not that fatty. Again, is this not a steakhouse?
I didn't go for a pudding. We ordered another drink, I asked for a red bull with no ice. I was very clear no ice. But I got a glass full of ice anyway. My parents had two luke warm coffees.
We then waited a good while to get the attention for the bill.
Not a horrendous experience but first impressions of this place is it lacks the quality and finesse you would expect at a 'top' restaurant. Even the table clothes weren't matching (attention to detail you see!)
The waiter was pleasant, but had to reach over as opposed to coming to our sides etc, which is a bit annoying at a top restaurant, again, all about standards and finesse. I can have push and shove at a beefeater etc!
AND THEN.. ok, so the bill comes. My dad was paying. He didn't see that a 10% service charge was included. He put 10% extra on not knowing and wasn't told. So he basically left a tip of around £26 when you take into consideration the already included tip.
That is a rip off and should have been pointed out to him. Then again, when you hire waiters who don't speak the language particularly well, getting explanations isn't easy. ie my mom asked about the chicken dish, it was Kiev (is this the 1970's?!) so she asked if she could have a simple chicken breast (as she had had on a previous visit) and was told yes.
A chicken kiev was served.
I'd go for Villa's VMF (Villa Midlands Food) if you are looking for a top food experience. This is, from my first visit, trading on a name and reputation but not fulfilling the promise.