Restaurant Reviews

Restaurant Reviews and Food Musings

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Fed up with celebrity chefs drizzling sauces over undercooked pieces of meat? I am!

I regularly dine out and am happy to share my restaurant experiences, and musings on food with you.

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

Shout Out and Kudos To Pinocchio Brighton

 

A special shout out and kudos to the good people of Pinocchio Brighton, who looked after us so well last night.

Despite being rammed, because of the success of the #EatOutToHelpOut scheme, the atmosphere was great, the service was efficient and friendly and the food fantastic.

Maître d' Olga even managed to dig out a splendid and robust bottle of Chianti Colli Senesi, which was not on the Covid reduced wine list, from deep storage.

Thanks to Olga and the ladies/gentlemen in red for a great evening!

Tuesday, August 18, 2020

#EatOutToHelpOut Warning

 

I understand that some restaurants who have signed up to, and advertise, the Eat Out To Help Out Scheme are not offering this to their diners during all the hours that they are open on Mondays-Wednesdays.

Restaurants who have signed up are obliged to offer this during their opening hours on those days. To time limit the offer can be construed as advertising under false pretences and, possibly, indicates fraud by the restaurant.

Monday, August 17, 2020

Hat Tip To Cote

 Hat tip to Cote, they are passing on Rishi's VAT reduction to their customers!

Friday, August 14, 2020

Customers Scam Restaurant

 

Monday, August 03, 2020

#EatOutToHelpOut Starts Today


Good luck to the good people in the hospitality industry!

Just a quick reminder of the scheme:

- 50% off food and soft drinks
- Maximum £10 per head
- Mondays - Wednesdays
- Throughout August

Friday, July 31, 2020

The VAT Reduction on Hospitality, Holiday Accommodation and Attractions - A Question


The government made an announcement on 8 July 2020 allowing VAT registered businesses to apply a temporary 5% reduced rate of VAT to certain supplies relating to:

  • hospitality
  • hotel and holiday accommodation
  • admissions to certain attractions

The temporary reduced rate will apply to supplies that are made between 15 July 2020 and 12 January 2021.

These changes are being brought in as an urgent response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic to support businesses severely affected by forced closures and social distancing measures.

Hospitality

If you supply food and non-alcoholic beverages for consumption on your premises, for example, a restaurant, café or pub, you’re currently required to charge VAT at the standard rate of 20%. However, when you make these supplies between 15 July 2020 and 12 January 2021 you will only need to charge 5%.

You will also be able to charge the reduced rate of VAT on your supplies of hot takeaway food and hot takeaway non-alcoholic drinks.

My question is this, has anyone actually seen restaurants, pubs etc reduce their bills accordingly since this reduction came into effect?

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

English's Joins #EatOutToHelpOut Scheme


Sunday, July 26, 2020

English's of Brighton



English's is back, and is every bit as good as it was before the lockdown.

Sunday, July 19, 2020

Tinto Taperia and The Colonnade


Kudos and thanks to the good people of the Colonnade bar and the neighbouring restaurant Tinto Taperia for looking after us so well last night.

The pre dinner alfresco Proseccos in the Colonnade were splendid, and the tapas in Tinto was awesome.

The post dinner Sambucas in Tinto were supplied by the Colonnade.

Both the bar and restaurant are among our favourite venues, the ambience and welcome in both are always lovely and the people working in both venues always go the extra mile to give people an enjoyable time.

Respect to both venues for meeting the covid19 challenge without fussbucketry, but still with  safety in mind.

Wednesday, July 15, 2020

Don't Be a "No Show"!



As the most excellent Fish House Fistral says, please don't be a "no show".

Restaurants are having a hard enough time as it is, please show them some respect and manners; if you can't make a booking, then call them to let them know!

Monday, July 13, 2020

Loin of Sussex Lamb

My thanks to my good friend Derek Stott of D and D Family Butchers, for this magnificent boned and rolled loin of Sussex lamb.

It was incredibly tender, and splendidly flavoursome.

Monday, July 06, 2020

Pret a Manger To Close 30 Outlets

Friday, July 03, 2020

Café Rouge and Bella Italia Go Into Administration

The owner of High Street restaurant chains Café Rouge and Bella Italia has gone into administration.

Ninety-one Casual Dining Group outlets will close immediately, and 1,900 of the firm's 6,000 staff will lose their jobs.

Administrators Alix Partners are seeking offers for all, or parts, of the remaining business.