Oyster and Otter - Feniscowles

OYSTER AND OTTER - FENISCOWLES

We saw this place advertised in Lancashire Life so we decided to try it.

The Ribble Valley and surrounding area has so many wonderful places to go and eat so we thought to try another, newly opened place.

I have split the review into categories which I, as a diner, would have found useful before visiting.

Website:

http://www.oysterandotter.co.uk/

A classy website that shows of the stylish nature of the restaurant with enticing photographs of food.

The Menu is available online.

(5 out of 5)

Booking:

I called to book which was no problem to do but when we arrived it wasn't busy so we had a choice of table.

(5 out of 5)

Parking:

The car park at the restaurant is adequate and there were plenty of spaces available very close to the door.

(5 out of 5)

Building:

the restaurant used to be a pub and we saw photographs of how it looked before. The new owners spent about £500k to do the place up and you can tell as everything is quality and very fashionable.

I really like the decor and feel of the place.

(5 out of 5)

Staff:

We were served by Andrew, who coincidentally my Mother in Law knew and he was a fantastic waiter for us. He made menu suggestions, told us all the specials, got us a jug of water and even talked us through the history of the building and owners. He really made us feel welcome.

(9 out of 10)

Food:

The restaurant is actually a fish restaurant and the owners have a long history with fishing and the sea. The specials board changes constantly with fresh catch including Lobster and Seabass etc and the menu itself has a wide range of tasty things.

We decided to have starters:

I had Pork Crackling with Apple Sauce which was really good but no where near as good as the Squid my other half and her father had! It was fantastic! Her mother had a twice baked cheese soufflé which she says was fabulous too.

For mains I had 'The Pie' with slow cooked beef and Lancaster Bomber Ale which was great but I wish I had been brave and gone with the lobster. My other half and her mother had the slow cooked lamb which was amazing and her Dad had a HUGE chicken and chips which he couldn't finish!

We then decided to have pudding and the chocolate pot was incredible too!

Absolutely gorgeous but I will definitely have fish next time!

(9 out of 10)

Atmosphere:

Relaxed but modern atmosphere with friendly staff and good chatter.

(4.5 out of 5)

Price: £25 per person

Prices in line with those at the restaurants in the area which are reasonable, especially for the excellence in cooking and generous portions!

(4 out of 5)

Summary:

We have found a new favourite in the Oyster & Otter, the food, service and experience are all well worth another visit - and we will be there once again on Bank Holiday Monday!

Total Score: 46.5 out of 50

YU AND YOU - RIBBLE VALLEY

For New Years Eve we went up to Yu and You Chinese Restaurant in the Ribble Valley.

The restaurant was Gordon Ramsay's best Chinese 2010 and featured on his TV show.

I have split the review into categories which I, as a diner, would have found useful before visiting.

Website:
http://www.yuandyou.com/
A stylish and upmarket website that provided the user with the relevant information.
The Menu is available online.
(4 out of 5)

Booking:
We booked a long time ago and were required to pay in advance by cheque through the post.  Our cheque was lost however but later turned up after much confusion.  When you ring the restaurant during service it is too loud to talk so booking is a problem.  Our table was for 7.30pm which we assumed was the only time available, but later times were possible which would have been nice to know.
(2.5 out of 5)
Parking:
The car park at Yu and You is very large and there were plenty of spaces available very close to the door.
(5 out of 5)

Building:
Both outside and in, the restaurant looks smart and up market.  The modern decor, DJ's booth and bar welcome you followed by comfortable chairs and mood lighting.
(4 out of 5)

Staff:
Upon entering the restaurant we proceed to the bar and are offered drinks.  They do not take our coats straight away but it is not long until they do so.  The banter with the barman is witty and the restaurant are accomodating in allowing us to bring our own non-alcoholic beer which they kindly chill for us. 
We are shown to our table and service is prompt with the waiters friendly and helpful.We had asked them to stock non-alcoholic Cobra but they had not.
One of the owners, Vinnie, is a delight and the evening passes very pleasantly with sharp and attentive service.  There are more than enough staff members to look after you.
(8 out of 10)
Food:
Because of New Years Eve, there is a set-menu. 
http://www.yuandyou.com/YY_XMASNYE2010.pdf
We start with Prawn Crackers and Dim Sum which includes:
- Prawn Toast, Chinese Ribs, Salt & Pepper Chicken, Crispy Seaweed and Vegetable Samosas with a Sweet Chili Dip).
The Prawn Toast and Seaweed are my favourites but the entire started is hot and tasty.
The Duck course arrives next and a waitress shreds it on our table.  The duck is served with wraps, Hoi Sin sauce with spring onion and cucumber.  There is more than enough and the taste was wonderful.
For main we are served Fillet Steak with sweet soy, lime and ginger, Stir Fried Chicken with sweet peppers, baby corn and spring onion in a spicy pad thai sauce and Salt & Pepper King Prawns and Scallops with asparagus.  The dishes are exquisite and we devour them in no time.
For pudding I had Strawberry Somosas - a pudding that received high praise on Gordon Ramsay's show and gets no less from me.  If you go, try them as they are very good!
I must also mention the drinks which are very special.  We had Berry Fizz Champagne Cocktails which are amazing!  They have crushed berries and champagne in!
(9 out of 10)

Atmosphere:
The background music provides a good ambience and the Resident DJ lifts things up a notch later on.  The place is classy but you still feel relaxed.  More points would have been given if we had stayed for the fireworks but we had eaten too early to stay and we were all very full!
(3.5 out of 5)
Price: £90 per person
Not bad considering it was New Year's Eve.  Not cheap but very much worth the money spent and the fact is was a special occassion and we had so many course and a bottle of Champagne!
(3 out of 5)



Summary:
Yu & You is a special place to go and have Chinese, which is one of my favourite meals.  I would go again but save it for another special occassion as it is very memorable.

Total Score: 39 out of 50

IL TORO - HORWICH

Tonight, Hannah and I decided to try out the Italian in Horwich known as Il Toro as we had heard good things about it from others.

As this is my first review of many I hope you find it interesting and useful.

I have split the review into categories which I, as a diner, would have found useful before visiting.

Website:
http://www.bar-restaurants.co.uk/iltoro/
A good website where the menu is available (a good thing to have imho).
Easy to use and looks professional.
(4 out of 5)

Booking:
I called the number on the website at about 2pm when the restaurant was closed and got through to a man with an Italian accent who took my booking for 2 people @ 7.30pm with no fuss.
(4 out of 5)

Parking:
We arrived at Il Toro a little early but found the parking to be adequate.  They have their own spaces behind and to the side of the restaurant so it was easy enough.
Free and easy parking is essential when I visit a restaurant.
(4 out of 5)

Building:
The outside and inside look great and the decor is modern, autumnal and appealing.  The place looks trendy and somewhere you would want to eat.  Pleasant bathrooms and comfortable chairs too.
(4 out of 5)

Staff:
As we enter we are greeted by the same Italian man who took my telephone booking earlier and he is more than happy that we are 20 minutes early.  We are seated and given menus before our waitress (dark haired Boltonian girl) asks for our drink order in a most unpleasant manner.  I order Magners but she says they do not sell it (Despite it being on the menu) but after asking her boss she says they do Bulmers instead.
I ask 2 waitresses if the Bistecca Volcano Etna is very spicy but neither know and they disappear claiming to be finding out.  10 minutes later the Italian man returns to take our order and is happy to provide a milder Volcano Etna as required.
Later, an Italian waitress tries to take my plate before I have finished and then drops salsa on the table.
Overall, the Italian owner was lovely and a delight but his female waitresses were unhelpful and rude.
(2.5 out of 10)

Food:
To start I have the Goats Cheese with chutney which is fantastic, whilst Hannah has Scallops to die for.  The 2 starters are well above expectations.
For main, Hannah has Sirloin Steak in mild tomato salsa and I have the same but in a Diane sauce (both cooked to Medium).  These are accompanied by fresh vegetables and potatoes and are cooked very well.
The taste is great and we are both very surprised.
To finish Hannah had a Hot Chocolate but the 2 puddings we want are not available so we skip dessert.
Overall the food was great, fresh and tasty.
(8.5 out of 10 - but a 'Special Commendation' for the starters)

Atmosphere:
There are a decent number of people for a Wednesday evening and the gentle hum of conversation mixed with music is a nice setting.
(3 out of 5)

Price: £63
Not bad considering what we had.  Not cheap but worth the money spent and the portions are very big too.
(3 out of 5)



Summary:
I would go back to Il Toro again as the food was great but the service from the waitresses needs to be much improved.

Total Score: 33 out of 50