I previously promised to write up a recent visit to Caffe Uno:

... the lunch not so. We did Caffe Uno, only because we'd like to have an informed opinion on everywhere, I really wasn't expecting much from it and it didn't disappoint.

It was Mother's Day, so everywhere was busy, including Caffe Uno, but they did manage to fit us in. Maybe this was a bad sign. Service was a bit wibbly, they were slightly unclear if we'd already had our orders taken or not, but we did order; hot bread and dips, arrabiata and courgette chips for me and a pizza for the good lady. There was no soap in the toilets, doubly essential when we're eating with our hands, the waitress said she'd inform the manager, but nothing was done by the time we had to eat, blee. "Luckily", they completely forgot to bring the bread so we didn't have to face up to our dirty dilemma, straight on to the mains. They were both a bit cold really and generally uninspiring, and the courgette chips were slimy and greasy.

It's not a big important review, but I thought I'd share. Coincidentally I heard from someone who visited Caffe Uno in Portsmouth and it was the best meal they'd had in ages. Caffe Uno is to be rebranded as a Chez Gerrard apparently, so I'm guessing this means a big change all round. I hope so.

We finally bit the bullet, and returned to the venue of our very worst Folkestone dining experience this weekend. And it was a success! I am very happy to report that Tim's Vinos and Tapas (the new (ish) name for Timothy's Wine Bar is great.

We picked about 7 tapas dishes between the two of us, including one meat, one salad, and one tomato and garlic toasted bread type thing.

One particular highlight was padron peppers, which looks like jalapeno peppers in salt, but without much heat. Interestingly the odd one here and there tasted quite hot, it made the dish quite lively. Beans in garlic and onion, and battered courgettes were also good.

It's a small but friendly restaurant, you might end up chatting with neighbouring tables, and you might also be graced with a table visit from the host. I would not always be in the mood for this, so will bear it in mind for a return visit.

With a twenty quid bottle of wine the lot came to about forty five pounds, so it does not feel the cheapest place to eat, but it was pretty tasty.

From my recent blog posting:

Friday night we had our proper birthday night out, taken out for a meal by Clare's bro and fiance to Truffles. I was a bit apprehensive, as we'd checked out the menu when it first opened (it used to be Panchos and La Bamba) and there was nothing for me, and I'm not usually the type to say "just make me something". Someone else was booking, so they did, and it was FANTASTIC. Shame to not see it busier in there, I don't understand it not being packed to the rafters, I heartily recommend it.

As I say, I wasn't sure about this place beforehand, seeing nothing on the menu at first glance I discounted it. However, the menu has changed since we first looked, and there were a few options to tempt me - throw into the mix the guarantee they'd sort something out for me and I was ready to go.

I'll run through my meal first, as this was the top priority for me, but everyone elses (non vegan) meal looked great too.

My starter was leak and potato soup, though it tasted far more exciting than that might sound. There was an exciting extra taste in the soup, something a bit lively, which gave me the fear that it might be BACON or something, but I am assured everything was good for me to eat. Presentation was excellent. Other starters included scallops in prosciutto, and pigeon breasts in something or other.

My main was butternut squash and othe vegetables in some fabulous flavourings or other - I think it was a bit curried - all wrapped in a "pancake" (more like a tortilla). Pud would have been just fruit, but I went for a glass of Sauterne instead, should have had it with something really.

Price; who knows. We had nearly a bottle of wine each and it came to about thirty-five pounds a head I think, but it was a birthday present so I didn't get too close to the bill.

Heartily recommended!

Slight repost from the weblog:

... got distracted by the thought of Thai food in Skuba. It was GREAT to sit out in their garden when we should have been at work, reading the papers while waiting for our lunch to arrive - this is the life I was thinking, I could do this every day, is there a way to make it pay?

The food itself wasn't the best, the vegetables in my red curry seemed tinned, and there wasn't any great heat to it either, bah. Nice enough though and I think if I go for a different dish next time it might be better. The location and atmosphere (helped along by what a lovely day it was) just about compensated for the lunch...

Not a review, but something I've done before... we're off to Earl Brownes in Hythe for a post wedding feast next month, and as we're such a huge crowd they've asked us to pick in advance from a set menu. So, here is that set menu, to give you an impression of the kind of food they do there... Just copy-and-pasting this has made me hungry.

Starters

King Prawn & langoustine potato Salad

Parma Ham, Fig & mozzarella salad

Chilli Tomato & Basil Filed Mushroom

Stuffed & Rolled Courgette Rolls

Stuffed Grilled pesto Sardines

Main

Creamy Parsley, Apple & Pork

Pan Roasted Rack of Lamb Filled With Parma Ham & Herbs

Parmesan & Prosciutto Stuffed Chicken

Fillet of Beef

Pan Roasted Mediterranean vegetable Pasta

Spicy Chicken Salad

Desserts

Cheese Cake

Cheese & Biscuits

Ice Cream Fruit Sundae

Coffee & Mints

Just been to The Jackdaw for lunch, and though the food was great again (one Indonesian vegetable satay, one roast beef and one roast turkey, not all me you understand) we had a hiccup with our starter. The main courses came before the starter, not ideal, and we were told "well, your main's here now, do you still want it then?", no apology or anything, like it was our fault.

Puds were good, and so was the wine, and again the bus was outside bang on time to take us back to Folkestone, all told a good meal for us. Less so for the waitress, who missed out on a tip.

We have both eaten here several times before... We both enjoyed our first course ( duck terrine etc and mussels and prawns + parmesan twist etc), However, the main courses were both disappointing... The vegetables were virtuallty raw (especially the beans and carrots) and also overcooked and greasy (the roast/sauteed potatoes).The waitress noticed my expression of disgust and immediately offered some more vegetables as replacement. Full marks as these were delivered in barely a minute.

However, accompanying my 'local teal'(Tasty and well cooked) my 'wild mushroom risotto' was almost non existent and the odd visible rice grain floated away on the vast pool of sauce i.e drowned. Worse, my partner's sirloin steak 'jus' was the most disgusting bovril flavoured gravy and completely ruined and swamped the very tender sirloin steak. This was almost inedible but it was my birthday and neither of use felt like complaining again....

I did enjoy my delicious date/ginger meringue dessert (what happened to the meringue though?) but was not so impressed with the sloppy grainy texture of the plum + port?? trifle. Penny's puds are usually the best but not 100% tonight. I noticed nobody had touched the pears - they looked rather sad and solid, surrounded by dull, fat like substance - where was the glisten?

The Vin de Pays Merlot was very drinkable, but I think you could improve your capuccino - ask an Italian, it's weak. The Irish coffee was delicious as was the nice little touch of mini Easter eggs.

I know it's Folkestone and there's a dearth of good quality eateries but please maintain and even raise your standards. The waiting staff are excellent, as is the setting - please don't rest on your laurels - or it'll be Tinto (Tapas) (Sandgate) in future!!

Best wishes

Jan Mackay (Ms)

P.S. We ate the night of April 15th 2006

A very nice review of Hotel Relish here from The Times... good they found a nice restaurant! Friends of mine stayed there too and loved it.

Went BACK to the Jackdaw this weekend, there's a bus from Folkestone goes straight there, of course, we've done the journey many a time on the way to Canterbury. Anyway, on to LUNCH!

Clare had the same meal she has every time we go, (steak and Guinness pie), it must be good. Take note though, the recipe of the pear and ginger pie has changed, it's now stuffed with cheese! Instead of a pastry based dish I went for the fruity vegetable curry, it was fruity indeed, I'd have preferred a bit more veg in there, but it was exactly as described on the menu, so no complaints really. Huge portions too, that's good. As we were bussing and not driving we could have a pint, and with one eye on the timetable we relaxed in front of the roaring fire, and stepped out the door just as our municipal chauffeur arrived to take us back to town.

Going back again for an evening meal this Saturday, and very much looking forward to it.

That's what Timothy's Wine Bar are calling themselves now. I hope it's improved since our absolutely dreadful visit, that was a Spanish themed night...

Don't know how we got the impression this place wasn't going to be good, it was very nice indeed. Escondido is a modern Mexican influence restaurant where La Bougie used to be. It's got a clean and cool look, and looks just the sort of place I'd like to see more of.

Clare had the fillet steak and I went for polenta. Mine tasted a tiny bit over fried, but it was a good sized portion with a nice fresh lime and herb dressing. The menu's not huge, this means they can concentrate on what they do well, good plan. They do have room for a few vege options, again a good thing.

With a bottle of wine our bill came to forty five pounds. Recommended, we will return.

Had lunch at Wagamama in Canterbury on Saturday, for the first time since this new branch opened. It was busy, but not as crowded as some lunching venues are, so we got seated quickly. I love Wagamama, but haven't been for a while, we usually head straight for Nando's when we're up this way. First difference from my previous "positive eating" experiences was glaring - I was driving, so NO plum wine. This perhaps coloured the rest of the meal for me. Clare went for Yaki Soba, and the chicken in it wasn't that nice - it looked a bit grey to me. My Yasai Katsu Curry was just as I remembered it it, and the Yasai Gyoza on the side were good too, if maybe a bit squidgy. With soft drinks this came to 23 quid, not outrageous, but we could have spent less elsewhere. Worst point of all was we felt a bit fat and sluggish for the rest of the day, though we both had it in our minds this would be a healthy option for lunch.

So, to sum up, it was nice, and this is not a bad review.