finlo Posted October 25, 2021 Share Posted October 25, 2021 11 minutes ago, Roxanne said: I had the pleasure of going out to lunch with a chef from one of the H&B pubs today and can confirm that safe, mediocre (and often bland) seemed to be the requirements of his position. A chef or a microwave operative? 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramseyboi Posted October 25, 2021 Share Posted October 25, 2021 4 minutes ago, Roxanne said: I had the pleasure of going out to lunch with a chef from one of the H&B pubs today and can confirm that safe, mediocre (and often bland) seemed to be the requirements of his position. Which is fine at the price point they are at. A lot of people like to know what they are getting and so for the price the model is good. We have a family member who eats gluten free. She knows exactly what she gets in any H and B pub. I am not saying they can’t improve the food, but I don’t see an issue with the price and the model Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finlo Posted October 25, 2021 Share Posted October 25, 2021 3 minutes ago, Ramseyboi said: Which is fine at the price point they are at. A lot of people like to know what they are getting and so for the price the model is good. We have a family member who eats gluten free. She knows exactly what she gets in any H and B pub. I am not saying they can’t improve the food, but I don’t see an issue with the price and the model Exactly the same menu in every outlet is also very off-putting. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevster Posted October 25, 2021 Share Posted October 25, 2021 2 hours ago, Peter Layman said: The food at the Cat is mediocre at best. I had a few meals there recently when family were visiting and found it very good 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramseyboi Posted October 25, 2021 Share Posted October 25, 2021 (edited) 9 minutes ago, finlo said: Exactly the same menu in every outlet is also very off-putting. For some. It is a positive for others who like to know what they are getting and they nearly all have different specials boards which are pretty good on top of the standard menu. I nearly always eat off the specials. The kids have a trackside burger and the pasta wherever we we are. The Mrs has 9 pints of Guinness and four pints of Okells, with sticky toffee pudding. Edited October 25, 2021 by Ramseyboi 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramseyboi Posted October 25, 2021 Share Posted October 25, 2021 1 minute ago, Roxanne said: Well yes, quite. He did, however, report that all their chips are made from Manx spuds and not frozen. That was quite refreshing to hear. Unless you are a Manx Spud, in which case it is the worst news imaginable 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpha-acid Posted October 25, 2021 Share Posted October 25, 2021 (edited) 40 minutes ago, Ramseyboi said: For some. It is a positive for others who like to know what they are getting and they nearly all have different specials boards which are pretty good on top of the standard menu. I nearly always eat off the specials. The kids have a trackside burger and the pasta wherever we we are. The Mrs has 9 pints of Guinness and four pints of Okells, with sticky toffee pudding. Which first the Guinness or the Okells (not that is Okells really anymore ) Edited October 25, 2021 by alpha-acid 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Layman Posted October 25, 2021 Share Posted October 25, 2021 2 hours ago, Ramseyboi said: When were you last in? I specifically said “recently” and I have found it to be good lately Is Saturday recently enough for you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramseyboi Posted October 25, 2021 Share Posted October 25, 2021 7 minutes ago, Peter Layman said: Is Saturday recently enough for you? Yes. You and I obviously have different expectations. I have eaten in amazing restaurants worldwide but fully understand that those levels of food and service won’t be achieved on a late 20th century housing estate in Onchan for less than £15. I don’t see an issue with the food for what you pay but you obviously do so that is fair enough. Where on island offers better value out of interest? Not better food, but better value when you take into account the overall experience, environment etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omobono Posted October 25, 2021 Share Posted October 25, 2021 22 minutes ago, Ramseyboi said: Yes. You and I obviously have different expectations. I have eaten in amazing restaurants worldwide but fully understand that those levels of food and service won’t be achieved on a late 20th century housing estate in Onchan for less than £15. I don’t see an issue with the food for what you pay but you obviously do so that is fair enough. Where on island offers better value out of interest? Not better food, but better value when you take into account the overall experience, environment etc. I took a friend to eat in the Creek in Peel last week not only was the food fantastic ,and really good value for money ,he couldn't get over the choice on the menu , we had to go early ,for even in October it gets quite full , you cant have a better recommendation than that , I have also eaten in the Marine in Peel recently also excellent value for money , 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omobono Posted October 25, 2021 Share Posted October 25, 2021 1 hour ago, alpha-acid said: Which first the Guinness or the Okells (not that is Okells really anymore ) You are lucky then , the last time I was in a H and B pub thad did meals they had run out of Draught beer , now thats a sackable offence anywhere ,in Ireland you would be shot ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beelzebub3 Posted October 26, 2021 Share Posted October 26, 2021 6 hours ago, Ramseyboi said: Yes. You and I obviously have different expectations. I have eaten in amazing restaurants worldwide but fully understand that those levels of food and service won’t be achieved on a late 20th century housing estate in Onchan for less than £15. I don’t see an issue with the food for what you pay but you obviously do so that is fair enough. Where on island offers better value out of interest? Not better food, but better value when you take into account the overall experience, environment etc. The Marine in Peel, far superior to any H&B offerings and at a fair price. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramseyboi Posted October 26, 2021 Share Posted October 26, 2021 58 minutes ago, Beelzebub3 said: The Marine in Peel, far superior to any H&B offerings and at a fair price. Depends on what you want from a trip out. The food in the Marine is good value but if compared to the Cat, Horse and Plough or Highwayman it is scruffy, cramped, has no parking, no kids play area and no outdoor space (well it does have a particularly scruffy roof terrace but you hardly ever see anyone use it). There are definitely people who wouldn’t set foot in the place because in reality it needs a damn good clean and a refurb. Nearly everything is frozen, you can’t possibly have a menu (laminated, and about twenty years old and tatty) that size and not freeze stuff, especially the Zebra steaks. H and B by contrast are spacious, well maintained and clean. I really don’t think they are bad value when you factor everything in. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt_Mainwaring Posted October 26, 2021 Share Posted October 26, 2021 Couldn't agree more Ramseyboi. The Marine is pile the plate full to satisfy the pie and chips brigade. Totally overfacing and as you say a lot of it frozen. Granted not all H&B outlets are the best, and that's down to the chef and/or management, but the one's I've eaten in recently have provided good food at a very reasonable price. Don't forget they are one of the places over here that did cut prices to pass on the VAT reduction too, so not necessarily the money grabbers that people make out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happier diner Posted October 26, 2021 Share Posted October 26, 2021 11 hours ago, finlo said: Exactly the same menu in every outlet is also very off-putting. No they are not exactly the same at all. You are incorrect. They look the same but they are not the same Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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