Cinnamon Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 Just seen the follow up to the series that was on earlier this year,when Heston, who I think is a genius,made a wonderful Little Chef menu for the Popham branch. Goodness,the LC chief is a twerp! Anyhow,has anyone been to it? Would love to know what you thought...................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 Goodness,the LC chief is a twerp! I haven't been but watched the original series & update last night. I'm in complete agreement about the LC chief... think he has more than a touch of the David Brents about him... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spratly0 Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 My mum had been there twice and thought it was great so we went for a late lunch after my daughters graduation ceremony in July and we felt let down by the food. Two of our party had the fish and chips and both were overcooked.and the Puddings were not great either. The staff were not very friendly but my mum said that they had not had any of these problems before - she would go again, not so sure i would we spent over £150 and i felt overcharged for the food and service. It may just have been an off day though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 My mum had been there twice and thought it was great so we went for a late lunch after my daughters graduation ceremony in July and we felt let down by the food. Two of our party had the fish and chips and both were overcooked.and the Puddings were not great either. The staff were not very friendly but my mum said that they had not had any of these problems before - she would go again, not so sure i would we spent over £150 and i felt overcharged for the food and service.It may just have been an off day though. over £150! At a Little Chef? I didn't realise they were charging Fat Duck prices. I've driven past it a few times and pointed it out to the kids "looks kids! That's the one Heston tried to change!" The LC manager was a complete, erm, idiot. He didn't know what he wanted, but he didn't want anything Heston suggested. I would love to eat something Heston cooked, or even devised as I think it would be amazing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A chickychickychick-ENN!! Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 I so want to go. I might try Kettering as it's nearer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 I loved the series and agree the LC Chief IS an absolute baffoon! Was really looking forward to trying the York one but £150 well, may have to think twice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 We went a couple of months ago. Can't say I was impressed and I don't feel the urge to go back either. I had lamb which was beautifully tender but flavourless. OH was happy with his, can't remember what mum and DD thought. I think the veggie options were sadly lacking from what I remember. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spratly0 Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 The £150 was for 7 of us with puds I had the belly pork which was very tasty but not much of it! Everyone thought the taste of the main courses were good (except those who had fish), but that the portions were small - ok if you are having 3 courses but a bit small if you have just a main or a main with pud - (which as i said before were very average) 2 of our party left feeling slightly hungry. Maybe we are all just greedy On a plus the loos were quirky and clean too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 Yes, one lamb shank and microscope for veg. I usually like veg with my dinner. I think ours came to about £80 ish (mum doesn't eat much). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 The LC featured is 30 minutes from me and every time I pass it on my way to work it is packed. Haven't been in yet, but plan to one day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 I wondered if you had, Christian - you are nearest I think! OH was so embarrassed that we were relatively local that when the chatty waitress (nice girl - actually all the staff seemed nice) asked where we were off to he told her we were stopping in on our way to see some rellies in Warminster. Well we have rellies there, but goodness me what a twit. Of course that gave us plenty of ammo to torment him after that. My nice quiet mum - well saw a new evil side that night I can tell you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puddleduck Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 I live close to the kettering one, also loved watching the programme & update. I am tempted to visit not been to a LC for years! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadietoo Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 If Nigel Slater was revamping Little Chef, or even the lovely Raymond I might be interested... I prefer food to chemistry so Heston's stuff really doesn't appeal to me much. I'm sorry but I really don't think you should be spending £20 a head for Little Chef...no matter who has been involved in revamping it!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 Funny you should say that - DD asked me if I would go to some chef or other's restaurant if she paid. I said no because I couldn't justify an exhorbitant cost of a meal that has been slightly touched up. Yes it may taste nice, but you are paying over the odds for a name and not the food. Especially when we can go to her college and get the same quality. Then you start thinking of how he has to fund his staff because the youngsters training are working without pay, the college is non-profit making and any tips go towards funding their trips. So comparing the upmarket chef - no wonder the costs soar, and then he has to cover the cost of his rent, finally the addition of his name. So in one paragraph I have contradicted myself - or have a better understanding of why things are so expensive - then worry about why things are cheap - yuk not going there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 I would go if I were nearer, just out of interest really! But I think once the novelty wears off they might struggle: I'm not sure that people who want to break up a journey probably won't want to spend £20+ per head, and people who want to go for a nice meal won't go to a service-station. I felt a bit sorry for the LC chief exec fella- in the first programe he was made to look a fool for it - some of what was "frowned upon" for seemed fairly reasonable /normal business practice to me (eg. not rolling it out immediately before finding out if succesful, not wanting to be filmed speaking to a very grumpy Heston without advance notice, not prepared to drop everything the second Heston wanted to speak to him...etc). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dippy bird Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 £150??? How many lovely chickens could you get for that?? I have to say, myself and my hubby went to Simon Rimmers place in Hale called Earles,and we loved the food! It was reasonably priced as well, plus, we went on the night that Simon was working! It was fantastic.He was lovely and came over and we had a great natter with him (we are both foodies),plus I got a kiss as well (swoon) . I would defo recommend his restaurant ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 I like Simon Rimmer too, and I think Heston is a chemistry obsessive compulsive oddity. We stopped at services with a little chef today, we didn't eat there but getting someone to serve us coffee was a nightmare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spratly0 Posted October 31, 2009 Share Posted October 31, 2009 I know £150 is a lot of money but my daughter had just graduated and on my mothers recommendation wanted to go (mainly for the fondue ice cream pud!) It was her day and her choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted November 1, 2009 Share Posted November 1, 2009 We usually go to Kettering LC for an Olympic breakfast on our way to Wales/Merrydale Poultry/Kill it, pluck it courses etc. but Heston has ruined our dearly beloved Olympic breakfast. No potatoes and only a choice of beans or tomatoes. The black pudding is a bonus though. I agree that the rest of the menu was pretty but he shouldn't have messed with the brekkie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 I know £150 is a lot of money but my daughter had just graduated and on my mothers recommendation wanted to go (mainly for the fondue ice cream pud!) It was her day and her choice. I too would go if there was one near, out of interest! Not sure if I'd go more than once. I don't think £150 between 7 of you is that expensive for a celebration meal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 I know £150 is a lot of money but my daughter had just graduated and on my mothers recommendation wanted to go (mainly for the fondue ice cream pud!) It was her day and her choice. I too would go if there was one near, out of interest! Not sure if I'd go more than once. I don't think £150 between 7 of you is that expensive for a celebration meal. I didn't realise it was between 7. If that's the case, then no, its not a lot. I thought it was between 4 people which is why I thought it was a lot of money. I saw a bit of the programme last night. The chief still annoyed me. Blue sky thinking grrrr He had no idea what he was talking about. The food at the beginning of last nights programme which Heston was trying still didn't look very good. But I haven't every eaten at a LC so I'm not too sure what it originally looked like, apart from what was shown in the original programme. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
