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“Deason's Restaurant is located in Whiteladies Road,...”

written by paradise on 19/04/2006

Good Points
Nice location, plenty of nearby off road parking.

Bad Points
Very rushed service, food not up to expectations considering how expensive it was.

General Comments
Deason's Restaurant is located in Whiteladies Road, Bristol. Opening hours are: Lunch 12.30 - 2 pm Mon - Fri, Sunday 12.00 - 3 pm (closed Sat lunchtime). Dinner Mon - Thurs 6.30 - 10 pm (last orders), Fri & Sat 6.30 - 10.30 pm (last orders). Located via the internet and with good reviews, my husband and I decided on trying Deason's and dine out on Good Friday evening. The chef apparently was previous a chef on the Glass Boat. Reviewed as one of the best places to dine out in Bristol, we decided to try somewhere new. Upon arrival we found a very nice entrance with terrace seating (good for the hot summer months). A bright, contemporary restaurant, decorated in light wood, beige/white colours with red tablecloths. Staff were very attentive, if not too attentive and extremely polite. A very small seating area was set aside from the main restaurant for pre-dinner drinks -not a good location as it was adjacent to the front door and cloakroom area. The kitchen opening was not blocked off by a door but a rather dirty looking red curtain was strung back. We were shown into the main restaurant, which was very small to what I'd imagined. First impressions was that no way were we going to have a quite romantic meal as it was very bright and tables too close together that you could easily hear the other couples conversation even in a whisper. The starter menu choice was good, but poor choices for the main courses. My husband opted for the Pan seared scallops on Orange polenta cake with crispy Serrano ham as starter (£6.50). I opted for the seafood starter (£6.50). Presentation of both starters were 'ok'. My starter consisted of one grilled prawn, a piece of salmon fillet, trout and I think the other fish was monk fish. My starter was full of flavour and very tasty - (7/10). When my husband's scallops arrived we couldn't help but laugh. On a small round plate was the smallest scallops we had ever seen - ONLY 3 of them! I can honestly say they were probably the size of a one pence piece each. In the centre was a small portion of tasteless polenta cake and some strands of Serrano ham. Presentation was poor, and it was tasteless. As my husband put it, probably the worst scallops he'd had in his life (0/10). I think it took him less than 30 secs to eat everything - very disappointing. My starter was very good, but I would have liked a 'breather' between courses. As soon as we finished eating the plates were whipped away and main courses came straight out. Husband opted for the fillet of beef (£18.50) and I, for the slow roasted pork (£15.50). The pork was nicely presented and laid out with a very small amount of vegetables and potatoes. The fillet of beef was very small, hardly enough to feed a child, let alone an adult - very poor presentation and very poor selection of vegetables (what there were). He was very disappointed given the price (1/10). I sample his beef and agreed that it was very poor in taste, but cooked as requested, rare. My pork was full of flavour with what looked like a pate, very tasty. A good portion of vegetables with the pork dish, I'd give my main course 8/10. Desserts however were a success. My husband had a trio of chocolate desserts, (mousse, sorbet & Souffl ) - very good and full of flavour and nicely presented (£6.00) - 8/10. I had a mango scented white chocolate cake with a raspberry coulis and thin wafer biscuit - 6/10, nice but not much flavour, (couldn't taste any signs of mango), but a good light dessert to finish with. A bottle of Chateau Neuf Du Pape was ok but not the right temperature, bottle was cold, pricey at £30. Most of the wines we thought were pricey. The overall experience especially on my husband's part was not good. We felt very rushed, as soon as we finished one dish the other was brought out. My husband hadn't yet finished his main course when they took away my main course dish. It was as though they wanted to finish early. For £120 which included 10% service charge for 3 courses, a gin & tonic, diet coke and small bottle of water it was very expensive for what we thought was nothing out of this world. My poor husband was still hungry when we left and he is very slim. We had to stop and get a take-away on the way home! The three courses were all served within 1 hour. What should have been a nice evening out having a romantic leisurely meal, felt like a day at the races! Unfortunately, personally I would not eat there again. I am sure others have had better meals given the statements in the book as you entered. Personally, I cannot recommend Deason's and would not eat there again.