Reader's THUMBS UP! Recommendations and emails, November - December 1999

Dear Dine Online
I was surprised that you did not include wok wok, the great, casual-dining, South East Asian restaurants. There are approx 8 wok woks now - 5 in London as well as restaurants in Nottingham, Marlow and Manchester.

Give one a go - you might be pleasantly surprised

Yours sincerely,
Susan James

Hi
We had a fantastic staff meal at Tuttons in Covent Garden on Friday 26th November 1999 (allegedly in aid of Christmas!). Our meal was very good, flavours worked well, presentation fine and the selection of wines was more than adequate for our needs.

Our only complaint? Why did our pre-booked, 3-course meal for 13 people cost £35.00 per head when a meal of equivalent size and value from either the main menu or the specials blackboard cost around £25.00. I believe that's commonly known as a con.

From Sarah Todd TODDSARA@SE-Essex-College.ac.uk

Dear Editor

Your guide doesn't have any restaurants listed 'out ere in Suffolk', so you might like to try the Marlbourgh Hotel in Ipswich. The hotel looks pretty 2 star from the outside but the food is truly excellent value (the best for miles) and they service is very friendly.

There are other nice places in the area, but I think the fact that all of the BT Directors from Martlesham Heath go there is a pretty good recommendation.

My next plan is to try the Pink Geranium, which I have heard is fantastic.

We have reviewed that! -Editor Pink Geranium

Hope this is of help. I have tried pretty much all of the restaurants out here in the past 2 years so if you want more input just ask.

Yours - Liam Palmer - Dec 1999

Dear Sir

I am extremely pleased at finding such an excellent and informative web site. Whilst perusing through your pages I was inclined to drop an e-mail about an excellent restaurant that my partner & myself visited last night.

Julian's, located on the High Street in the quaint village of Eccleshall in Staffordshire was booked due to numerous recommendations from our colleagues.

The menu was extremely varied as opposed to the norm offered by a majority of established restaurants. Fresh, home cooked dishes which were well presented and tasted fantastic.

We had an extremely pleasant evening and were not surprised when we saw Julian's AA Rosette Award proudly on display in the entrance area. Great food, great prices with excellent service. 10/10 - Dec 1999

Paul O'Reilly, Berry Barn, email: berrybarn@euphony.net

Dear Sir,

Fairyhill Hotel and Restaurant, Reynoldstone, Gower, Swansea, Wales

I'd read about the above in a restaurant review in the Evening Standard. A truly beautiful country house, nestled away in 26 acres of woodland on the Gower - the first area in the UK to be designated an area of outstanding natural beauty. It reminded me of a mini Stapleford Park in Leicestershire. The rooms were sumptuous and the service discreet, friendly and efficient.

The dining was an experience [good we hope!? -Ed.] and the wine list was magnificent. It went on for pages and pages and there were some fine wines at excellent prices.

The food was also excellent with fresh local produce - Lamb, cockles, Lavabread. All delicately put together and served. One dessert - appla and tarragon cake didn't sound as if the flavours would gel but it was one of the best I've ever had.

This level of service, comfort and dining comes at a price. Our bill for two for a night stay with breakfast came to over £300. You'd get away with £250 for two if you cut out the drinks. [But who'd want to do that, eh?]

Elliot Pill

The Glasshouse restaurant, Worcester
>    Having viewed your web site which I must say is an excellent source 
>    of information, I feel I must make you aware of the above 
>    restaurant. I often eat out in London in some superb restaurants 
>    but I can honestly say this place takes some beating. The food is 
>    excellent, they have a well thought out wine list and really look 
>    after their customers. It deserves praise and acknowledgement.
>     
>    Brandon Weston
                                            

 If you would like more information, you can visit the web site at Harry's Bar

 Many thanks and kind regards
JANE NEAD
E-mail: jane@jmnead.freeserve.co.uk - Dec 1999

The Blue Strawberry in Hatfield Peveral

Veronica Perry Veronica.Perry@ashurst.com 19th Nov 1999

Dear Dine Online,

It was from your web pages that I was able to have a fantastic lunch at Ashdown Park Hotel, E/Sussex. Whilst we were recently in Britain my wife and I took our friends (locals) to Ashdown Park. All persons were delighted with what I had discovered. And the Australian wine selection is first class.

We also had the good luck to be able to dine at Petrus, SW1. This was also a night to remember, the food was very well presented and did not disappoint any of my guests.

Finally, a plug for a local restaurant. Jacksons Restraurant @ Mount Lawley, 6050, Perth, Western Australia. If any of your readers are planning a visit to Australia and are looking for fine dining please feel free to contact me, as I have tried many and am able to offer some suggestions.

Best regards, Peter Weadley peter@armstrong-electrical.com.au

Dear Dine Online,

 I have stumbled across your site and very nice it is too. I live in North Oxfordshire which is sadly 50 or so miles from Newbury Berkshire, which has a great new(ish) restaurant [it opened in July 1999] called Sharlands.  

David Sharland is the former Head Chef of the Savoy and The Vineyard at Stockcross (of Sir Peter Michael fame). David has now opened his own restaurant. It is stunning. See for yourself at his website: www.sharlands.co.uk 

It is definitely worth a look. Superb grounds and  exquisite food. David recently received a rave review in the Daily Express comparing David Sharland's cooking with that of Marco at a fraction of the price!  

Just please do not tell Michael Winner!!

Sharlands Restaurant
Newbury Manor Hotel
London Road, Newbury
Berkshire, RG14 2BY
 
Tel 01635 528838

From: Brian Auld 

I'd like to recommend Hucky's restaurant,  
89 York Street   Heywood    Lancs

Telephone  01706 360108
Great food, great service, proprietor will sing and play guitar for you.
Cosy, intimate atmosphere. You must try it.
Cost of an average meal for two including drinks is about £45
Christmas menu is £20 for four courses

David Morecroft

From: Helen Jeffryes helenjeffryes@boltburdon.co.uk
La Fenice is a lovely little Italian restaurant in Stoke Newington, London.

It is owned by Mario who is absolutely charming and the food is an Italian
delight! My husband and I have slowly worked our way through the menu - the
beautiful chicken stuffed with shrimps in brandy sauce is just
mouthwatering, our only complaint is that we are always too full for the
desserts and the tiramasu is to die for - we would recommend La Fenice to
anyone.
Maxines at the New Grange Hotel, Darlington, Co. Durham
Rob@westthorp.fsnet.co.uk writes:
>    Dear Sirs,
>    We would like to recommend this restuarant as it serves excellent 
>    food and is perhaps only known to discerning diners in 
>    Darlington.Please come and see, you will not be disappointed.
>    Rob Westthorp


Readers' comments, Autumn 1999

Earlier readers' comments