Brownie Brownie
Loft

Loft

23B George Street, St Albans, United Kingdom

Steak • British • European • Contemporary


"Well at least we can laugh about it now…not the special night we were expecting for our daughters 18th. The warning signs were there with the non-matching cutlery and the spelling mistakes on the menu, Halloumi fires, ****** merry or peppercom sauce anyone? The waiter took my beer order and disappeared leaving the rest of my family staring aghast and thirsty as he walked off. My daughter was looking forward to her first legal drink, a cocktail, unfortunately when it came there were a few ants in the drink, maybe off the mint leaves. Obviously we asked then to make a new cocktail. Things went from bad to worse….the replacement cocktail again had a few ants crawling in it, back it went, after ordering Pork Belly Bites starters, the waiter returned 5 minutes later to say unfortunately there were none left, and the two steaks we ordered medium rare tried to crawl off the plates as soon as they arrived, not sure they even said hello to the grill. The steaks were taken off to be cooked properly whilst the others ate their duck, which was fine. The steaks came back fine, albeit three of us had finished. At least the waiter gave the kids a laugh hitting his head on the low wooden beam, not once but three times, perhaps the best value for money of the night. Things sometimes don’t go well, I offered 50% which was accepted with apology and no argument, fair enough, 3 stars for effort!"

Sabai Sabai

Sabai Sabai

268 High Street, Birmingham, B179PT, B17 9PT, United Kingdom

Thai • Curries • Starters • Meal Deals


"The slim dining room is dimly lit, mostly by candles that adorn the ornate tables dressed with thick black and gold decorative cloth. The heavy wooden chairs have a regal feel that serves to heighten the notion of tranquillity just yards from the main row of shops that are central to Moseley Village. We start with chicken satay, a dish too often relegated to the Just Eat default starter. Thick chunks of thigh meat, marinated and impaled on three skewers, full of flavour and gentle aromatics that seamlessly blend with a satay sauce, rich with peanut and coconut milk. By comparison it made the duck roll seem average, which it wasn't. The roll, deep fried to a crisp, holding tender pieces of meat and the occasional shard of crispy skin. It needed the sharp side salad to offset the deep funk of the bbq sauce which was to be a close relation to hoisin. We chose the same birds for main course, because we are ill prepared and hungry. A red curry is a joyous thing full that successfully balances out the sweet and the sour, the heat and the salty. There is the background of kaffir lime and pungent notes of fish sauce. It speaks of the work of an experienced hand in the kitchen. The duck inside is well cooked, though it plays second fiddle to the sauce which dances around it. Pad Pik Khing has more of the chicken thigh meat with krachai and green beans. Its sauce is all acidity and unadulterated heat a good thing; no, a great thing which has little care for the western taste buds. We both mop up the last of the sauces with sticky rice that is the right side of claggy. We opt to take liquid desserts in the pub around the corner, pay the bill and leave for the last of the evenings sun. Whilst putting the world to rights over a pint or three, we agree that Sabai Sabai exceeded expectations for the both of us. Its bold and authentic Thai food has been refined just enough to justify a price which sits just above similar restaurants. Regardless of whether or not you are familiar with the cuisine, I urge you to give it a go. Just do it sober. Food this good needs to be remembered"

Omnino Steak House

Omnino Steak House

78-79 Leadenhall Street, City of London,Westminster, United Kingdom

Meat • Steak • American • Barbecue


"Christmas deserves a cracking night out, great company, scummy food, luscious drinks and laughs. This night started at the nearby Enigma Quests Escape room followed up by this Argentinean steakhouse. Initially we were surprised by the intimacy of the restaurant, but this made it more personal so not a problem. Starters of Empanadas (best starter) and also Grilled Octopus, which was unfortunately more chewy than I prefer, so maybe slightly over cooked, still great flavour though. Main courses of 350g Rump. 250g fillet and 400g churrasco Marinated fillet which were all cooked to perfection and amazingly delicious, yum!! Sauces of Red chimichurri, green chimichurri and peppercorn, great again. Sides of sauteed mushrooms (lovely), creamed spinach (oh yes, yummy). cowboy beans and 'hand cut ' chips, it is these chips that the 4 of us took note of. For hand cut chips, they looked too thin, more akin to fries and when served, contained small pieces of chips, very similar to when you empty a bought, bag of ready made chips. They were most certainly not thick cut, triple cooked chips you get in other up market steak houses. Puddings of Affogato very nice, Doulce de leche cheesecake unfortunately this wasn 't liked, it seemed bland, sticky toffee with vanilla ice cream had no flavour, not enough sauce, and chocolate brownie with vanilla ice cream great texture very nice. The meal was accompanied by 2 bottles water, Gin lemonade and 2 bottles Recoleta Malbec. Total of £469 A point of note, is that this being a Saturday night within the 'City ' this restaurant was very quiet and so lacking some atmosphere, I 'm sure that this must be a saturday thing and during the week its probably buzzing."