I’ve been to Pizza Express on Verulam Road many times in the last few years. It seemed the right thing to do. I put up with that nagging feeling that the pizzas get smaller and the prices just get bigger. They do, or did, a really good pizza, in a reasonable atmosphere.
But they’ve really gone down hill. The most notable thing, as anyone who goes there will tell you, is the deterioration in the service. Often grumpy, and always very slow.
Tonight was the last straw. It took an hour from our arrival (we had booked) to getting our pizzas. A whole hour. We were informed that they were so busy that “my manager is the chef tonight”. What does THAT mean? The chef was organising the tables? The manager was having a go at cooking?
Judging from my soggy, ill-formed meal, I would guess the latter. I don’t usually have any trouble polishing off a pizza. But this one defeated me after just a couple of mouthfuls. It just had nothing going for it. I continued to about a third of the way through, just for show, then gave up.
Time’s up, PE. You’ve lost my business I’m afraid.
www.greenstalbans.blogspot.com
I had passed this recently renovated restaurant several times before I experienced it. To be honest, it looked a bit sterile outside and I assumed it would feel a bit like a class room inside!
However, two weeks ago, some parents of boys in my son’s football team booked this venue for an end-of-season celebration so I found out exactly what it was like. It was not as I imagined and I liked the pleasing, modern décor with an ambience to match. We were warmly greeted by the head waiter and merry Mr curly-headed chef himself!
The name ‘Kashu’ is somewhat misleading and I had imagined Asian cuisine. However, our £20 set menu offered a reasonable choice of European/Italian dishes. I chose the Salmon meal and would rate it 7/10. Perhaps it needed a little longer under the grill! But the vegetables were nice. The roast potatoes were superb and everyone agreed! The parents beside me seemed satisfied with their meals and the deserts looked divine although I went for liquor instead (hard choice!).
We were well looked after by the staff, despite restaurant being rather busy. The live band beside us created a personal touch as did the presence of the head chef around the restaurant. It wasn’t too loud either, thank goodness.
One word of warning; be careful coming out of the toilets as it intersects with the pathway of the waiters carrying their trays of food to and from the kitchen! I nearly sent a waiter flying when I re-entered the restaurant.
We did have a great night out and I would return here again. I hear that they are offering a free bottle of wine during the St Albans Food and Wine Festival so that might fit the bill – literally!
Holywell Hill has a good variety of restaurants and bars. One of these is Claude’s Creperie. It offers French cuisine and true to it’s name, crepes.
I had heard some negative reviews about this place, but as it was under new management, I went along with an open mind. My children and I were greeted by a friendly waitress who quickly arranged a table for us. She was helpful and patient while the children decided on their crepes!
We marveled at the surrounds, while we waited for the food. Fifteen minutes later, we were still awaiting the food but felt it must be worth the wait.
Sadly, the friendliness and care of the waitress didn’t compensate for the standard of this food when it eventually arrived. The crepes were dry and hard. The sauces lacked flavour. Even with an open mind, I was disappointed. I had tasted crepes many times in France but these simply didn’t match up to them. Thursday evening is not generally busy so I had hoped for better.
However, on a positive note, they have a little kids play area and the toilet was clean. The ambience is quaint, the menu varied and interesting and it is situated in the heart of the city.
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