As my fellow diner 6 has already said the return visit to the Loch Fyne was 100 times better than the first visit, although it really wouldn't have been that hard to improve on what was truly a terrible experience the first time round. The staff and manager were extremely attentive and we were very much aware that we were being given the VIP treatment which leaves me still wondering what you get when your just a 'normal' customer. What was pleasing to see is that changes had clearly been made, especially to the menu, which now offers a greater selection for non-fish lovers, but unfortunately disappointed our fish cake loving diner.
The hot and cold lobster platter was, as expected, extremely delicious and gives the diner the opportunity to sample a wide variety of shell fish all in one dish. There is however, something not quite right about eating such delicious shell fish in a restaurant in Didsbury on a wet Wednesday evening; food like this can only really be appreciated when sat in warm sunshine preferably with the smell of sea in the air or sat by the Loch itself.
As for our quest to eat our way down the Wilmslow road, I feel that going backwards has frustrated our efforts and now I'm pleased that we will be going forwards again so that we can start to feel that we're making a 'dent' in the long list of restaurants. There will be a slight hiatus in our quest whilst one of our diners treks to Everest Base camp but then come December we'll hopefully be back on track.
Saturday, 18 October 2008
Thursday, 16 October 2008
Loch Fyne
Well the second visit was much better than our first (see other diners comments). To be honest I really wasn't that keen to return after our first disaster and added to that were tales from other friends of poor experiences there.
This time the staff were extremely attentive and (although we did have to ask for extra butter twice!). I liked the position of our table ....I was warm by the window radiator-much better than last time when I was freezing by the cold fish prep area.
I was interested to watch as 4 of our fellow diners dismembered, crunched, slurped and devoured their way through two enormous shell fish platters. I went for a safer option of fish pie with a side order of vegetables and it was really tasty. I was bitterly disappointed that the salmon fish cakes had been taken off the menu since our initial visit but I did enjoy my alternative choice. The rhubarb crumble was delicious too!
It was a good thing that we had £20 per head off the bill as it would have cost over £200 for our meal and drinks-I think this is expensive considering only 4 of the party were drinking, although the fish platters were impressive.
Roll on the next WREC meet.
This time the staff were extremely attentive and (although we did have to ask for extra butter twice!). I liked the position of our table ....I was warm by the window radiator-much better than last time when I was freezing by the cold fish prep area.
I was interested to watch as 4 of our fellow diners dismembered, crunched, slurped and devoured their way through two enormous shell fish platters. I went for a safer option of fish pie with a side order of vegetables and it was really tasty. I was bitterly disappointed that the salmon fish cakes had been taken off the menu since our initial visit but I did enjoy my alternative choice. The rhubarb crumble was delicious too!
It was a good thing that we had £20 per head off the bill as it would have cost over £200 for our meal and drinks-I think this is expensive considering only 4 of the party were drinking, although the fish platters were impressive.
Roll on the next WREC meet.
Monday, 6 October 2008
Loch Fyne - Part 1
Well, I don't want to be one of those annoying people who say 'I told you so' but....(and yes, I am the one not keen on fish and my visit to the Loch Fyne did not pursuade me to think otherwise).
The evening started off quite well with our waiter joining in with some good early banter although he did struggle with remembering the butter for the bread on the table...by the time he finally remembered to deliver said butter 'the starving six' had already polished off the dry bread on offer.
About an hour or so later we had finally been provided with our starters (the only non-fish option on the menu had run out so I was left with the pate or yet more dry bread)...no mussels as well which did not bother me personally but my fellow guests were more disappointed.
To cut a long story short, and despite ordering our main course by around 9.30ish, the non-arrival by 10.40 or so meant we decided enough was enough and the Battered Cod beckoned! Unfortunately our waiter trying to suggest our wait wasn't that 'unusual' and other guests that evening had had to wait over 1 1/2 hours for their main course was a little irritating to say the least...a somewhat strange strategy to appease his disgruntled customers and wishing they may some day wish to return!!!?
To be fair to LF, after one of the diners personally complained the next day, we received a good apology email and an offer of a £20 per person discount next time (which will at least cover my £17 medium rare sirloin steak I had ordered)...I am sure things will be better next time although hearing this weekend from one of our friends that our evening was not too dissimilar to their own experience was a little worying (and even a second free visit for them apologising for their first disastrous evening was not much better either..."service is slow" appears to be a motto based on the personal experiences I have heard so far)...but let's see what Part 2 has to offer -coming to a Blog near you soon!
The evening started off quite well with our waiter joining in with some good early banter although he did struggle with remembering the butter for the bread on the table...by the time he finally remembered to deliver said butter 'the starving six' had already polished off the dry bread on offer.
About an hour or so later we had finally been provided with our starters (the only non-fish option on the menu had run out so I was left with the pate or yet more dry bread)...no mussels as well which did not bother me personally but my fellow guests were more disappointed.
To cut a long story short, and despite ordering our main course by around 9.30ish, the non-arrival by 10.40 or so meant we decided enough was enough and the Battered Cod beckoned! Unfortunately our waiter trying to suggest our wait wasn't that 'unusual' and other guests that evening had had to wait over 1 1/2 hours for their main course was a little irritating to say the least...a somewhat strange strategy to appease his disgruntled customers and wishing they may some day wish to return!!!?
To be fair to LF, after one of the diners personally complained the next day, we received a good apology email and an offer of a £20 per person discount next time (which will at least cover my £17 medium rare sirloin steak I had ordered)...I am sure things will be better next time although hearing this weekend from one of our friends that our evening was not too dissimilar to their own experience was a little worying (and even a second free visit for them apologising for their first disastrous evening was not much better either..."service is slow" appears to be a motto based on the personal experiences I have heard so far)...but let's see what Part 2 has to offer -coming to a Blog near you soon!
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