Thursday 9 March 2017

You Decide 2017


Well, here we are again. You'll know the score by now - once a year I open my next restaurant review to public vote. What began as a naive experiment to engage my readership in the blog decision-making process soon descended into what internet discussions always descend into - trolling, sadism, and trips to Croydon. So I won't pretend I'm expecting anything less than the dregs of the country's eating establishments to be offered up as personalised torture instruments this year - do your bloody worst. I can take it. I think.

I've got you started by entering a few places I'd actually like to eat at, for you to completely ignore.

The rules again:

1. I can't have been to the restaurant before (have a quick Google if you're unsure)

2. It has to be either in London or easily accessible from London (I'll get on a train but I'm not flying to Athens)

3. Please check the restaurant you want to vote for hasn't already been added before you add it yourself.

EDIT: Despite Dans le Noir giving it a run for its money, seems the winner is Toby Carvery, South Croydon. Why is it always Croydon? Watch this space for a review, coming soon.



10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Surely this is the year of the Toby Carvery?

Lee said...

Regardless of how this works out, you really should visit the Rant Hunt, it's crazy good.

Gavin said...

Still feeling guilty for suggesting last year's Croydon trip so think I'll do the decent thing and abstain from the vote this year.

Unknown said...

Bunyadi, the NAKED restaurant, surely?

Chris Pople said...

Neil: Closed, fortunately...

Chz said...

I do still feel bad about last year. At least the first time I'd suggested it, they were trying to be a bit more upmarket. Even if they weren't entirely successful. But once they changed the name, they completely gave up.

I went for JDW, simply because it won't be a foregone conclusion. I have, in fact, had decent meals at some locations. But it's extremely variable. It shouldn't be, since everything arrives pre-packed and the kitchen is basically a grill, deep fat fryer and a sous vide machine of some sort. I was shocked to the core a few weeks ago when friends - against my advice that it's nearly impossible to get good wings in London and it sure as hell wasn't going to come from a JDW kitchen - ordered some wings *and they were decent*! Not great, of course. But pretty decent. Spicy, moist, flavourful. No tips. And cheap. (as wings should be)

So yeah. JDW, because it's possible that it won't be awful for poor Chris but it still offers the possibility of an atrocious time and an amusing review.

Unknown said...

for the JDW fans...

https://munchies.vice.com/en_uk/article/reviewing-the-new-wetherspoons-menu-with-the-guy-who-writes-the-wetherspoons-magazine?utm_source=vicefbuk

Gavin said...

Seems a bit mean (yes, I know that's the point) having to travel to South Croydon just to enjoy the delights of a Toby Carvery. Won't a branch closer to civilisation be as, er, consistent as any other?

Alex C said...

You lot should be ashamed of yourselves.
You nearly poisoned him last time.
One day you'll see the light and send him to the Gav - whereupon he can get a righteous hump on about Michelin stars and 'sleb chefs, and still come out of it having had a very nice lunch and half a bottle of decent wine for about £50. (After which you emerge from the fug of excellent service and should head straight to that lovely art deco bar in Claridges for cocktails lest the spell break).

Or he can go in the evening and get really cross about the prices, but I gather the cheese soufflé is quite astonishing.

Alex C said...

I'm out of date - it's £66 (inc service) nowadays. Last time I went it was £50ish. Haven't been in too long...