I've tried & tried, but I still can't like it

“I've tried and tried, but I still can't like it”

Written on: 12/02/2012

Oh Martinis! I have known this place for 14 years. I have agonised over it time and time again. I can think of two occasions when I've had a nice time there; one was with my Dad when he started singing opera and everyone took it in good spirits, and another where I was with my Mother whose fiancée decided he and I should have two main courses! That was fun!

I have been on maybe 10 occasions - I think that's fair.

I know the prices are up there - not too high but not a cheap night out. That's fine. I'm completely happy with that. However that does mean you have a certain expectation.

I'll focus on two things - the steak and the seafood:

I reckon if you have pasta it's probably fine. I think on some nights if you have the special fish it's probably also fine. But in general their steak is absolutely cr@p. They don't know what a fillet is. The sirloin is just rubbish.

The seafood, the seafood. Deary me. The last time I was there I had mixed fried seafood. It was soggy and some of it I swear was off. I love whitebait. I know how to cook it myself. It's almost impossible to get it wrong with a good deep fat frier, but Jeez, this was bad. I would have been seriously embarrassed as chef to put this out. Soggy. I had to leave the prawns as I swear they were off as well. Verified by my wife.

For me in summary, this is the nicest intimate restaurant with lovely staff, a nice ambience and always good service. The food on the other hand is average at best and a massive rip-off at worst.

I think it's time they either made an effort or just gave up.

I know you will find plenty of people who don't agree with me but honestly I've tried and tried to like it and I come away every time massively disappointed.

I've been there for the last time now. I won't go again.