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Rating: (Not rated - review added before star ratings introduced.)
Went for a pub lunch at the Wortley Arms recently and two of the things we wanted weren't available that day. We finished up having less than average gammon steaks, which were very overpriced, especially as we were in the pub and not the restaurant.
The waitress was very pleasant and that was the only thing about the experience that was. Definitely won't be eating there again.
Rating: (Not rated - review added before star ratings introduced.)
Once more we stepped in to the welcoming surroundings of Vito's to be greeted by Alfredo, the head waiter, who offered us a seat in the foyer while he took our drinks order at the bar and we sat relaxing while we considered our options for food.
As vegetarians we had a great selection to choose from. There is, as always, an exceptional variety of truly traditional vegetarian food, as well as a great variety of meat dishes for you carnivores out there.
For those of you who pay any attention, you may have noticed that my wife and I have reviewed several Italian restaurants, including La Scala in Millhouses, and Nonna's, both good, but simply don't match up to the brilliance of Vito's and his wine collection.
What does it for me is a combination of things. The food is always exceptional; the service from Alfredo et al is by far and away the best in Sheffield, not pushy, but attentive, and knowledgeable - so few places have staff that know about their food and wine!
But let me tell you about the wine - which rivals the Old Vicarage for quality, and betters it in Italian style by a long way! I get wine from a wine broker - I collect and taste vintage wines, and let me tell you, I don't know where he is getting his selections from, but his fine wine list is without compare in Sheffield, and quite possibly in the north of England. To add to this, Vito has assured me he is expanding his selection soon to include some truly glorious northern Italian dessert wines, which are hard to find and really worth seeking out to taste (try them with the home made tiramisu or zabaglione (zabaione), you'll know exactly what I mean!).
If you do nothing else this year, make time to go to Vito's, one of the last truly Italian restaurants in Sheffield.
Rating: (Not rated - review added before star ratings introduced.)
The restaurant is set in lovely, well-maintained grounds and the building has a pleasant character. But that's about the best of it. Hardly a relaxing enjoyable experience...we felt rushed by the arrogant manager who took our order. Service was sadly lacking on all fronts.
Food arrived sporadically. My son's spare ribs were like balls of rubber. They replaced them with slightly better bones. The main courses were very good. But again, a couple of dishes were late to the table.
The draught beer isn't kept well so we had draught lager and then resorted to bottled Tiger. The wine was quite good.
We couldn't decipher the bill, £104, so the manager brought us a pen, paper and calculator but the point is we couldn't read it... but hardly value for money.
We mentioned our dissatisfaction about the service/starter to the manager who went back to the kitchen to chastise the staff, and later returned with a bottle of wine and apologies and thanks for our observations... but we won't be going back.
Rating: (Not rated - review added before star ratings introduced.)
Having recently eaten here for the first time in a few years I feel compelled to write and urge anyone who considers this the premier fish restaurant in Sheffield to try the Blue Fin on Hunters Bar roundabout.
I suppose the styles are different and the Med is probably true to its name in terms of the rustic food whereas Blue Fin is much more modern and the cooking more precise but in my opinion rustic food and Michelin star prices do not mix and that, for sure, is what is on offer at the Mediterranean.
I was quite surprised by how busy it was midweek, so busy that by 8:30PM almost half of the impressive list of available fish had been rubbed off the board (or not - we were told when we tried to order Turbot that that too was no longer available but that they hadn't had time to rub it off the board. Lucky them!)
Maybe herein lies the problem - there were too many examples of carelessness and/or cynicism for these prices in my opinion (tired and not very fresh vegetables accompanying the mains being the most noticeable though the tatty plastic wrap-around so-called wine cooler ran it a close second) and we were left with the distinct impression of a place coasting and trading on reputation which, on this evidence, it no longer merits.
Starters and mains for 2 with a couple of drinks from the bar each and one bottle of wine came in at a cool hundred quid including tip. I'm afraid that it didn't represent value for money for me and next time I'm in the mood for seafood, I'll be going back to the Blue Fin.
Rating: (Not rated - review added before star ratings introduced.)
We visited Rossi's on a Sunday evening, and possibly because of this we had no problem booking a table. The food was excellent and well presented. The choice of wine was reasonable although the wine menu tended more to the dry than the sweet by way of white wines. For the quality of the wine, the wine menu was reasonably priced.
The staff were polite and attentive yet unobtrusive, just the way it should be in a quality restaurant. The food menu was extensive with a wide variety of choice for all courses.
Service was prompt, yet you did not feel as if you were being watched in order to finish you meal so plates could be cleared.
At the time we visited this restaurant, some of the dessert menu was not available, yet staff informed us of this prior to ordering so we were aware and able to choose accordingly.
The atmosphere in the restaurant was excellent, soft background music and lighting so you could still hear your conversation and see clearly whilst still allowing an intimate setting.
As a table of two, we were charged £71.65 for a starter drink, starters, main meal, bottle of wine from the wine menu, dessert and liqueurs. Based on the quality of service and food, we feel that this was an excellent price and had no hesitation at tipping more than 10% of the original bill.
We would recommend this restaurant to anyone who appreciates good Italian food that is well presented. We also feel that the service was one on one. Even though there several tables being served, we felt that the service was 'just for us'.
An outstanding restaurant where we plan to eat at many more times.
Rating: (Not rated - review added before star ratings introduced.)
After reading the note from Ruth Bowyer about the Wortley Arms I feel I should respond on behalf of the average punter.
This has been my regular pub/restaurant for over a year, since renovation, on almost a fortnightly visit. Service is always excellent. Quality of food is great. I have never, not even once, had to return or complain about my food. The portions are big enough for me.
In all there are not many better places for a meal in South Yorkshire. The shoulder of lamb and the chicken, on Saturday (01/03/2008) night was to die for. Well done the Wortley Arms.
Do yourself a favour go see be your own judge, on my experience it will not disappoint.
Rating: (Not rated - review added before star ratings introduced.)
My wife and I visited Piccolino whilst staying at the nearby Mercure Hotel.
We hadn't booked but were told if we didn't mind having a drink at the bar, a table would become available in approx 45 minutes.
Once seated we ordered our food and some water for the meal, which took 15 minutes to arrive.
We added some bread to our order, however eventually after about a half hour's wait the starter for two arrived which was cold and duly returned.
After apologies from the waiter the second attempt at the starter arrived after a further 10 minutes with the bread arriving about half way through the starter (the excuse was that the bread was heated to order!).
When the main meals arrived, my wife's tuna was stone cold and inedible, which left us with no option but request to leave, it was pointless me eating separately to my wife.
Amazingly they still insisted we pay for our drinks and my food!
Although the head waiter apologised, saying it hadn't happened before (which I find hard to believe) there was no apology forthcoming from the manager.
Please don't visit here if you like warm food.
We visited Nonna's on Ecclesall Road on the Saturday evening, which was everything that Piccolino wasn't
Yet another restaurant I had walked past several times and not spotted it, which considering its location is a bit surprising.
However, having found it I will definitely be going back.
The restaurant looks like it was an old bank, spacious, but not too big. A few Thai things around made a good presentation.
The food - well - as with a lot of Thai, it was beautifully presented and served. I had crispy fish in their own sweet and sour sauce with rice (100 on the menu). The fish came with a good amount of vegetables, beautifully cooked. The fish was crisp, lightly battered, and tasty. As the quantities were reasonable I tried a sweet as well, warmed bananas in coconut milk, very nice, but a little too much for me.
The service was attentive, but not overbearing - superb.
Rating: (Not rated - review added before star ratings introduced.)
I'm just recovering from a spectacularly bad experience at this place which, prior to its refurbishment in November was a convenient, good value occasional Sunday evening venue for me. Never again, and others who are yet to return since it changed management should beware.
Alarm bells started ringing immediately during my 5-minute wait to be served a drink at the bar (despite the fact that there was only one person in front of me). I was deciding which of the two guest beers to try, both of which were advertised on several blackboards and had their insignia facing out into the bar. I needn't have bothered, when my turn finally came I was told that neither were available. (Erm, well rub them off the blackboard then and turn the logos round - too difficult?).
I was told that food was only being served until 8PM, despite 9:30PM being advertised in the menus. I mention this only to indicate that the incompetent person behind the bar who imparted this information clearly knew we were intending to order food. I was slightly annoyed then to return to place our order 5 minutes later to be told immediately (i.e. no checking with the kitchen was necessary) that neither of our chosen starters were available - (why not tell me what's not available before I look at the menu?).
We gave up on starters and just ordered mains along with 2 glasses of white wine, from 2 different bottles both of which were standing in a container which presumably had once contained ice but judging by the temperature of the wine, probably a lot earlier in the day.
As I returned to the table with ice cubes clinking against the glasses I thought about giving it up as a bad job there and then. I wish I had.
The mains were dreadful and my portion wouldn't have satisfied a 5 year old - we overheard a waitress tell other diners that the reason they were closing early was that they'd run out of food! Yes, it looked like it.
The chips that accompanied the meal would have made McDonalds blush - luke warm oven chips despite appearing on the menu as "seasoned" chips - they were seasoned alright but only in terms of having been around for a long time.
The peas were worse, clearly having been cooked ages ago and similarly, they were luke warm.
Whilst we were wrestling with the dreadful mains some people on a nearby table tried to order desserts from the blackboard that had been left with them 5 minutes earlier, only to be told at that stage, i.e. after they'd chosen, that three of those advertised were unavailable.
We felt for the poor waitress who came round halfway through this disaster and asked whether we were enjoying our meals. She was most apologetic and said that they'd had a lot of complaints that day! No wonder!
On last night's evidence, there is no manager and no chef at this place and I will never go back. Be warned everyone!
Rating: (Not rated - review added before star ratings introduced.)
After booking in on Friday (15/02/2008) I can really say nothing except "don't go!"
The food is very over-priced at £15 for a meat/fish main and £10 for a veggie option, especially when you consider this is the pub side and not the restaurant (Montagu's).
I ordered seabass on a fennel confit with tomatoes. I did enquire about the tomatoes, as I do not like cooked cherry tomatoes. All credit to the waitress, who went and checked with the chef, "Oh no" she said on return "they're plum, is that ok?" "Great" I replied, no problem at all! The portion was tiny, the fish was barely 2 inches by 6 or 5cm x 15cm and the fennel 'confit' was very tough, old fennel strips that I wouldn't serve to a rabbit! Oh, and my 'plum' tomatoes were escapees from breakfast, half grilled halves of regular, salad type tomatoes.
All in all not worth the money, or the time and effort to get to what was once a really good foody pub, a real pity.
Rating: (Not rated - review added before star ratings introduced.)
My husband and I booked a table at the Mediterranean for Saturday lunch. When we arrived we received a warm welcome. There were several other diners present already and rather than being shown to a particular table, we were invited to choose where we would like to sit.
We ordered a bottle of house wine, a deliciously zingy, perfectly chilled white. We were then presented with the tapas menu. It took us quite a lot of deliberation before we could decide what to order from the array of mouthwatering options. We opted for monkfish skewers, pan-fried sardines, whitebait, Spanish fish stew and Spanish tomato bread. The portions were generous for tapas and we could not agree on which dish was the best, as they were all delicious.
Rating: (Not rated - review added before star ratings introduced.)
My boyfriend and I ate at Vito's on our anniversary recently, and both really enjoyed it. A booking mix up (it had been recorded in the wrong day) was quickly and discreetly sorted out, with us receiving free drinks as recompense: despite being able to take our seats only a minute or so later once a table had been set!
The service was friendly and polite, and the restaurant had a nice, relaxed atmosphere. Our food was delicious, however I regretted having fondue for a starter then the gnocchi as I couldn't manage the entire meal!
The choice of specials and dishes on the regular menu was wide-ranging, even for a veggie like me. Very nice not to be limited to a veggie pizza/overly cheesy pasta dish.
The only downside was a lack of pubs nearby for us to have a post-meal drink!
It was our first visit to El Paso, and we were very impressed.
When we visit restaurants we play a game where we rate out of ten several parts of the "experience".
A. Service:- this has to be 10 out of 10 the staff were very helpful and attentive without being overpowering. We were even offered a free tequila at the end of the meal.
B. Quality:- this has to be 9.5 out of ten. Lisa had the cheesy garlic bread starter and I the hotshots, both were excellent and very generous portions.
The mains were sirlion naturale for the wife and beef burritos for me. These were both superb and cannot be faulted in any way. The portion size is unbelievable and left us both completely stuffed with no room for even a sniff of a dessert.
C. Value:- again 10 out of 10 with a total bill of £35 including drinks, this left us both gob smacked.
We left the restaurant discussing when to return and that is always a good sign.
We can honestly say we have only one criticism, the cutlery could be of a better shape! They kept spinning around in our hands while using them. We will definitely be returning and recommending El Paso to our friends. A fantastic dining experience not to be missed!
Rating: (Not rated - review added before star ratings introduced.)
We booked our Christmas party at El Paso. The place was full. We were sat upstairs in the function room, which turned into the disco after we finished our meal.
Other parties joined us in the disco and we had a great night. The music was a mix of Spanish and English, which suited us all. The food was beautiful and everyone said it was one of the best meals that they had eaten. We will definitely be back there.
Rating: (Not rated - review added before star ratings introduced.)
This is a wonderful place to enjoy Chinese food. The roast duck is to die for, as are the prawns, chicken etc...
The staff are so friendly and make you very welcome. The restaurant is very busy but well worth the wait. We eat out regularly and feel that this is now the best Chinese food in Sheffield.
You can also take your own wine and ice cream desert is free. To be honest we would go whatever the price for the fabulous food and wonderful staff make a great night out. But sometimes we cannot believe how little the bill is.
I visit this restaurant regularly and it never fails to impress. The service and setting is excellent, the menu choice is massive with lots of vegetarian options and it is reasonably priced.
It is advisable to book at weekends though as its popularity seems to have caught on!
Rating: (Not rated - review added before star ratings introduced.)
I have been to Everest recently to celebrate my friend's birthday. We had called the management and booked a table for 10 people and requested them to make a special arrangement like decorating with balloons, ribbons etc... I was not sure that they will do all these, but when we entered into the restaurant it was really amazing, and we felt really happy with their service it was completely decorated, even more than what we have asked them.
And well coming to food it was really very delicious food and the service by the staff was really impressed.
Finally we had a great time in Everest Restaurant.