Wednesday 7th October, 2009
55 Shirland Road,
W9 2JD
Actual price per head: £30
Nearest tube: Warwick Avenue (Bakerloo Line).
Remarks
The meal itself, set in the former Truscott Arms pub – which at one time was featured in Camra Real Ale guides, was of good food quality and presentation. A fair choice on the menu to suit palates and that should be a recipe for success. Less enamoured with the in pub setting, it did not feel like a formal dining room, but more a trestle table out of place. The biggest let down which mars so many places was that there was no one obviously in charge and there were only food servers and not waiting staff.
There were some misunderstandings in food service but swiftly rectified but a sense of disappointment with the sauces to accompany steaks which were a popular choice. The chef knows the ingredients and that was obvious but there are slovenly touches such as finding that the boards that steaks were served on left a liquid residue on the table underneath that could easily have led to stained clothing. The lack of efficiency meant that there was no inclination to linger for coffee as enough time had passed and many travel long distances to make these evenings and did not want to have poor journeys home. Final verdict – Acceptable but not one to rave about.
Attendees
Ali H., Anthony B., Bill R., Colin I., John H., Mark J., Mark W., Peter J., Paul R., Phil W., Richard U., Rob W., Steven V., Stuart W.