cfoster

As above want to get somewhere booked for Valentines but want to try somewhere different to the usual!!! I'm sure Porkie can recommend a few as he's well travelled but can anyone suggest any nice places in the Southend/Chelmsford/Brentwood/Basildon/Romford area to eat?? Got to be a pretty wide selection of grub/good 'a la carte' as she loves fish/seafood and im not overly keen. Italians are a good thing but want to avoid Indian/Chinese!!!

Have heard the Magic Mushroom in Billericay is nice but sceptical about it for some reason!!!!!

Cheers
Chris

Ex-Finesse

Not exactly essex, but I can recommend Du Amici in Chiselhurst. Keep it in mind if you're struggling.

What type of restaurant do you want? A good restaurant with atmosphere, or a fine dining restaurant, where the atmosphere is calmed and more "perfect". The latter are the Michelin star types.

Anonymous

..why did you put Porkie?....Are you implying he eats alot

AndyP

V good choice that mate, bit far though I'd guess

Muska

i would google search gastro pubs in your area, a la carte pretty much refers to items on a menu individually priced as opposed to a set course menu.

Michellin star prices would be very dear! But if you feel she's worth it...

http://www.information-britain.co.uk....cfm?county=26

just a search thingy...

cfoster

Bosch Man - Said Porkie as he is well travelled and has recommended some top restaurants in town!!!! Does sound rude though having re-read it - sorry Porkie!!!

Ex-Finesse - Chislehurst is a bit far mate!! Not too fussed on a specific type of restaurant, so long as the food is good and there is good variety to choose from. Not bothered whether its a romantic type or not (its just not me!)

Muska - searched through but the some of the recommended ones (ie - Boathouse in Leigh, The Ivy in london, Blue Strawberry in Chelmsford) I didnt really rate to be honest. Been with her near on 8 years now mate so beng worth it dont come into it - its all about earning brownie points at this stage!!!

Chris

Porkie

iTrader: (1)

Easy, Smiths Brasserie in Ongar. She will LOVE if she likes seafood. Top place, great layout and ambience. very romantic.

The Magic Mushroom in Billericay near Barleylands serves REALLY great food and is very well thought of... but the lay out lacks character. Building is just wrong shape. Can't fault the food though. Amazing.

The Bear in Stock near Billericay is good.. ok food, great setting. Lovely place. Food not as good as the other two though.

Hope that helps.

Let me know if you can't get into any of them mate.

Muska

http://www.theaa.com/travel/basicsea...77&sortby=null

this may be a better search then as the AA produce a very comprehensive book each year reviewing restaurants and listing the grading for each.

the little rosette you can see next to some of the restaurants is explained below...

Rosette ratings for restaurants
Rosettes are awarded annually to AA inspected restaurants for the quality of their food. Most star-rated hotels have their own restaurants and we also inspect these. Not all restaurants receive an AA award, but will generally serve enjoyable food of a reasonable standard.

1 rosette
Chefs should display a mastery of basic techniques and be able to produce dishes of sound quality and clarity of flavours, using good fresh ingredients.

2 rosette
Innovation, greater technical skill and more consistency and judgement in combining and balancing ingredients are all needed at this level.

3 rosette
This award takes a restaurant into the big league. Expectations of the kitchen are high: exact technique, flair and imagination must come through in every dish, and balance and depth of flavour are all-important.

4 rosette
At this level, not only should all technical skills be exemplary, but there should also be daring ideas, and they must work. There is no room for disappointment. Flavours should be accurate and vibrant.

5 rosette
The supreme accolade awarded only when the cooking is at the pinnacle of achievement. Flavours, combinations and textures show a faultless sense of balance, giving each dish an extra dimension.


I hope one of those gets you the browny points you're after!

Cheers,
Matt.

DaveEscos

M7 COS

I like The Waterfront Place in Chelmsford.

cfoster

Porkie - Cheers mate, Smiths Brasserie was an option. I did a few Limo runs last year to there and all parties seem to rate it. Do they do other food bar seafood? (not a lover to be honest of it!).

Think ill phone about and see whats available first!!

M7 COS - Waterfront is ok but you can't book and I the a la carte upstairs aint all that!

Chris

M7 COS

I think you can book upstairs but not downstairs, it's always been good when we've been there but it's all down to personal taste I suppose. I'm quite a fussy eater so I'm not exactly a connoisseur of good food!

Fil

the manor in rainhams very good

http://www.themanoressex.co.uk/media/contact.html

was even better when it was a night club back in the 90s! But due to a fire and loss of licence its nomore

timb551

What about Lians in Witham, awesome chinese, but pretty dear.

Cabriolet Craig

If you like Chinese/Oriential try 210 BC in Chafford Hundred (near Lakeside shopping centre) it is my local and imo the best around.

For an Indian try the Vojan in Ongar.

Italian try La Grolla in Upminster.

Loads of others but the above are my favs!!

MikeR

Gotta love it , if you cant get in give me a call,

Mike

Fil

been la grolla a few times, allway been good, whats the other place a few downs down? been there too all good?




Has to be said food most places aint its best on the 14th, as places are fully booked and rushed of there feet!

dave_si

How about this place mate?

http://www.thecoastinn.co.uk/

Its in Mersea, been there a couple of times and its very nice

M7 COS

Cheers Dave, I might give this place a try!

Tony @ Greenlight

Pretty much as per Porkie,

Or.. a few more suggestions:

Rose & Crown restaraunt - Ongar Rd, Brentwood
Upmarket English & silver service, fairly pricey but is an excellent restaraunt

Nags Head - London Rd, Brentwood (not far from M25/A12)
Been re-furbished really well, good service, good food & trendy, definitely worth a try

Prezzo - Brentwood High St
Zizzi - Brentwood High St
Both Italian restaraunts, although part of larger restaraunt groups food & service is very good

Tarantino's - Crown St (just off Brentwood High St)
Italian, family run
Smaller and more intimate than Prezzo/Zizzi, service ok, food is good

Wings - Epping High St
Really good, small Chinese restaraunt. Good service, good food, good atmosphere

Vojan - Ongar
Indian restaraunt, good service, atmosphere, food ok


Hope this helps

Tony