I'll start with one of the frequently visited places:
The JINNAH, Malton Road at Flaxton.
To say we have visited this restaurant (and some others in the Jinnah chain) frequently would be something of an understatement. So, clearly we like this one - why
- Food of course has to be top of the list. Quality meat, freshly cooked without lots of colourings which are seen in so many Indian restaurants (we've had many a very red curry). We've taken many friends to the Jinnah and we believe most have become fairly regular vistiors themselves. The Naan breads are soft and fluffy - not the flat, dry things often served.
- Service and customer relations: we've not yet been to any restaurant that meets the standards of the Jinnah. From our first visit we were made to feel extremely welcome and by the second visit were treated almost as friends. Very quickly, they picked up our birthdays and we all get cards every year. We also receive, in the post, notifications of special events - Xmas, New Year, 5th November celebrations etc. Good marketing on their part.
- Putting it right - on the rare occasions there has been something wrong, it's put right quickly with an apology. Examples of this - wrong main course brought to Mike on one occasion. The owner took over, went into the kitchen, cooked the correct one, and delivered it to the table; a take away which had an item missing - next visit, not only did we get a free take away but a bottle of wine was added.
- Attention to detail - this applies to the food and the service
- Space, comfort and ambience: we never feel cramped or that other diners are on top of us. There are two separate lounges, one mainly used as the pre meal drinks area and the other as the post meal coffee lounge. The latter is too comfortable so we've often stayed longer than intended!
Recommended dishes - it's obviously a very personal choice but I would advise speaking to the waiter who takes the order, giving them a clue of your general tastes for Indian food and they will guide you. Or, simply choose from the menu - each dish has plenty of explanation.
The Spice Mill, Riccall
You may gather we like Indian food. The Spice Mill opened a few years ago in an old mill in Riccall and the setting is very pleasant. Inside the style is contemporary but space is limited and it can feel a little cramped when busy.
We feel the food there is excellent but sometimes the service is lacking. We've often had quite long waits either to order, between courses or, most often, for coffee after the meal. Our main grouse with them has been with take aways - I don't think they've ever got all the items ordered correct - sometimes things actually just missing. As a result, although it is the nearest good one to us, we haven't used it for a while.
Caesars at Sylvanos, York
An excellent Italian restaurant. Typical Italian ambience - quite noisy. We love the food there - again, very typical of most Italian restaurants in the area. Value is ok too, not as overpriced as some. The restaurant, since being managed by Ruby who used to work at the Jinnah, has certainly improved its service. I won't go on about specific dishes. Just - we like it.
Maxis - Nether Poppleton, York
Another restaurant we've been to quite a bit over the last 10 years or more. Good quality Chinese food and usually very good service. A fairly standard menu which we used to find more expensive than many others in the past. Over the last year or so they've had some good set menu deals which vary in price depending on the day of the week - Thursday is good value.
However, last Sat (Oct 2010) we rang to book a table for 4 - wanting 7.30 but were told it would have to be 7 or 9pm (no problem, Saturday night, places get booked up) and that if we chose 7pm we'd have to be out by 9pm. We didn't go. If I'm paying for a good meal I do NOT want to be rushed. I'M the customer. I appreciate that they have to do as many meals as possible, they're in business to make a profit but don't they realise that putting the customer first, thinking about what the customer really wants, will help them succeed. Although we like the food there, we won't be rushing to go again now. So how many 'meals' have they now lost?
Thida Thai, Rougier Street, York
So, on Saturday night, we wanted somewhere else to go and by this time, had got the taste for a Chinese but we've not been too impressed with others in the area. So we decided to try the Thida Thai.
On arrival we were seated at a table near the front of the restaurant and within minutes realised that every time the door opened we'd be blasted with cold air (we weren't that near the door) so we asked to move - no problem. The restaurant generally wasn't over warm but it's pleasant despite the tables perhaps being a little close together. There's also no real space to wait if you arrive and your table isn't ready.
Excellent food - the four of us had the Thailand set menu which was £18.50 each. The starters included chicken satay, veg spring rolls, prawn and chicken toast, chicken balls (2 large pieces of chicken on a stick) and pork won tons (tasty pork in filo pastry parcels). These were all set on a large dish on a bed of raw veg and some sweet chilli sauce and decorated with flowers and leaves made from carrot and swede. There were separate dishes of various sauces and dips.
The main courses on this menu were a sweet and sour pork - very tender pork, a Thai red curry (I'm often vary of these as I'm not a great coconut lover but this was delicious), a beef dish (I've forgotten what it was called ) using pieces of very tender tasty beef, a mixed veg dish and egg fried rice. Mick and I felt it was the best Thai meal we'd had and will certainly go back.
The service was, as usual in Thai restaurants, very attentive. The only minor disappointment was that they came with a large bowl of rice which the waitress served onto our plates and then took away. By the time they came to ask if we wanted more, we'd almost finished the meal. We'd have been happier for them either to leave the rice with us or at least to ask again sooner. The tables aren't enormous so if you go with 4 people and all have different dishes there could be a space issue (not unusual).
We were pleased to have time between the courses and didn't feel at all rushed but I'm sure things could have been served quicker if we'd asked. We couldn't resist the banana fritters at the end and they were happy to provide mine without the coconut pieces.
Overall, quite reasonable value and a definite thumbs up for the food.
Sangthai, Escrick, York
Yes, another Thai restaurant - this one we have visited quite a few times, probably over the last 5 years or so. We've always been satisfied with the food and the service is ok. Personally, I think it's really lacking in ambience but maybe if you're there with a larger group, it's quite different. We were there on one occasion with 2 friends and asked if we could have separate bills - not possible!
It's good quality Thai food and the portions are more than adequate.
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