Phone: +441255221223
Address: The Pavilion Food Court, Marine Parade East, CO15 1PS, Tendring, United Kingdom
City: Tendring
Menu Dishes: 6
Reviews: 55
"Alfresco’s Restaurant, Marine Parade E, Clacton on Sea, CO15 IPU, Essex Staying in Walton on Naze for a week in September was a revelation – there was the iconic Naze to the north of town to explore and those spectacular beaches both sides of the pier to enjoy. The pier itself, by contrast, was rundown and in need of some real TLC then there was the state of the town centre. There may be a couple of new mid size supermarkets (looking fresh, familiar and full of life), but the high street that once was and the line of commercial shops have … faded. Why? The place seemed stuck in the 1950s. Hadn’t anyone invested in the place since then (well, apart from Messrs. Aldi M S). And what has all this to do with Alfresco’s place? Well … in a roundabout way it does for Clacton when we drove over there for lunch one day was bursting with confidence, bright lights, buoyant commercial centre, pristine pier and lots of people bustling around the centre. The two towns are 13 km apart. It was this thing about contrast that came across. Sure, it’s been many (many … many) years since we were last in both places – growing up in central Essex, the coast was always within easy reach, first for those seaside holidays in the holiday camps that once were then, subsequently (amazingly), personal transport became affordable. First the motorbike/scooter then the car (and the girlfriend). What’s not to love about the NE Essex coast of those days. After parking the car in Agate Street just off Marine Parade we headed for the pier looking for a place for lunch. There was Alfesco’s place a little further down Marine Parade East and overlooking Clacton Pier; to one side of Pier Gap where the road slopes down to the pier. This is where the road train starts/finishes its tours around the town. The restaurant was one half of a building with a ‘Food Court’ sign across the roof line; the other half was a fish chips place. We subsequently found out that they were both owned by the same people neatly providing for both traditional seaside foods and for those who prefer the foods that have invaded from North America and/or southern Europe in recent years. We headed into Alfresco’s Restaurant – through the outside courtyard into the snazzy looking glass structure that enclosed the inside dining area with the counter at the far end. Seating for around 50 inside and outside at four seat/tables and benches. We were the only people in the place and, it seemed, lunch was finished for the day and the place was about to close up. Glance at the clock it was just after 14.30 – and mine host was amenable to a couple of jacket potatoes with side salads; ‘Easy’, he said, ‘everything is set up’. Friendly … we liked that. We were seated with our drinks and food within 10 minutes. It was, as he said: Easy. The meal was delicious too – large hot potato, cheese on the side and sufficient greens to supplement those carbohydrates. The wall above and to one side of the counter was awash with food options of all kinds – sandwiches, grills, burgers, lasagne, fish, jacket potatoes, sides, etc. – jacket potatoes were an easy (and tasty) choice for us – the second time that week. We hadn’t thought about convenience to the restaurant – it just worked out that way. Service, approach, comfortable table, good value and delicious light meal – complimenti. We paid GB£15.45 for the meal: GB£5.50 each for our meals and finishing with a pot of tea and a cappuccino. It had been a pleasant 40 minutes looking out over the surrounding courtyard and pier below – where we headed after leaving Alfresco’s for a quick tour around. The place was alive with people; the fairground activities buzzing with the vitality that only electricity can provide – light, sound, movement. Peter Steele Maldon Essex 21 October 2019"
Full menu - 6 options
All prices are estimates on menu.
Fish Dishes
Fish Chips
Crispy golden fried fish fillet served with classic French fries, a side of tangy tartar sauce, and a lemon wedge.
Fish And Chips
Crispy battered fish served with golden fries and tartar sauce.
Seafood
Prawn
Juicy prawns grilled to perfection, seasoned with garlic and herbs, served with a tangy lemon butter sauce.
Entrées
Nuggets
Crispy, golden-brown chicken nuggets, perfect for dipping and sharing, served with your choice of tangy sauces.
Main Courses
Chicken
Chicken Nuggets
Crispy, golden-brown chicken nuggets perfect for dipping, made with tender, juicy chicken.
jeremyspenser
Good size portions freshly cooked no issues just what you’d expect from a great British sea side resort. Tables could have been a little cleaner.
Address
Reviews
Ifachef
Called for breakfast Saturday morning. Not overly busy but then neither was clacton. Very prompt friendly service, great prices and value for money. Excellent food.
sue
Visited today. Good portion and very well presented. The fish and chips were fantastic. Light crispy batter lovely chips, fresh salad and bread and butter. The kitchen was spotlessly clean. Very friendly owners. Great coffee. Thoroughly enjoyed meal. Highly recommended. Good value for money.
BigRon99
Grabbed a quick lunch here whilst in Clacton. Nice and clean, gave a good initial impression backed up by very pleasant and helpful manager and his staff. Food came quickly, freshly made, simple and good at reasonable cost. Not fancy dining but then you wouldn't go here expecting that. Good at what it does View menu
S2323FFpaulm
I went to this restaurant over the May bank holiday weekend and ordered the scampi and chips for two. The service was polite and quick, and the food was excellent, priced at only £6.95 each. The portion size was decent with plenty of scampi. It came with chips, peas, and salad. I couldn't find any fault with it.
stevejen2016
I had a light lunch at this restaurant and was very impressed with the service and food. We sat outside with a glass barrier, but there are also tables inside. My wife ordered a prawn sandwich that was generously filled with prawns. I chose a bacon sandwich which was also delicious. This was not our first time eating here in Clacton, and once again we were satisfied with the food and service.
dee
Popped I whilst passing for a drink. Asked if they did Cappuccino, was rudely told we do what is on the board! I looked up, saw Cappuccino. Why he could t have just said yes we do, beats me... My Husband went to sit down, we were then told we couldn 't sit there as it was a table for 4 and they were primarily a restaurant. The place was virtually empty, so we had to sit by a drafty window. Really poor customer service, we will not return! View menu
MichaelJohnMichael
We ordered two large cods and waited for our food at an outside table. Five minutes later some young employees wanted us to get up so they could put the tables away. Fortunately the manager intervened and we remained seated. When the food appeared despite ordering large portions they were really small and thin (no white flakey fish here). The fish seemed more like something out of Iceland! The price was as much as I pay locally for a genuinely large piece of fish! Not recommended!
GrantRivers
When my mother returned them and explained our dissatisfaction, the girl took them away without offering a new batch or refund, all the while cleaning with no sense of apology. I inquired about a solution and she just shrugged her shoulders. When I requested a refund to take my business elsewhere, she begrudgingly handed me the money with no apology. It was clear that she lacked customer service skills and support from her colleagues. Disappointed, I decided to purchase doughnuts from another establishment at the end of the pier, which turned out to be of much better quality.
Peter
Alfresco’s Restaurant, Marine Parade E, Clacton on Sea, CO15 IPU, Essex Staying in Walton on Naze for a week in September was a revelation – there was the iconic Naze to the north of town to explore and those spectacular beaches both sides of the pier to enjoy. The pier itself, by contrast, was rundown and in need of some real TLC then there was the state of the town centre. There may be a couple of new mid size supermarkets (looking fresh, familiar and full of life), but the high street that once was and the line of commercial shops have … faded. Why? The place seemed stuck in the 1950s. Hadn’t anyone invested in the place since then (well, apart from Messrs. Aldi M S). And what has all thi... View menu
Categories
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Lunch Delight in our lunch offerings, where fresh ingredients and global flavors come together to create satisfying meals. Choose from an array of salads, sandwiches, and hearty entrees for a midday culinary escape.
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Coffee Indulge in our rich and aromatic coffee selection, expertly brewed to awaken your senses. From classic espresso to creamy lattes, discover the perfect blend to start your day on a flavorful note. View menu
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Italian Savor the rich and diverse flavors of Italy with our menu, offering classic pasta, savory risottos, and traditional meat and seafood dishes, all crafted with authentic ingredients and passion. Buon appetito!
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European
Amenities
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Seating
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Wheelchair Accessible
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