I had been looking forward to this trip to Gallimores for quite some time. My Mum has been here many times and enjoyed it. So it is with sadness and regret that the experience failed to deliver on many levels.
There were 7 in our group so, knowing that the restaurant is quite small and that it would be busy on Sunday, we booked our table several days before. Unfortunately, on our arrival, our table was not ready. This wasn't due to the last guests overstaying their welcome, they just weren't prepared. They seemed to be too focussed on finding tables for passing couples dropping in on the off chance. A table was hastily arranged. Tables and chairs were dragged around whilst we looked on. The table they created for us was the worst table ever, in quite a ridiculous space under the stairs, by the front door in the windowless entrance hall. Every time someone went through the front door we received an icy blast of cold air.
Our orders were soon taken. On Sunday's they have a special menu offering 2 courses for £9.95 or 3 courses for £11.95. All our party decided that dessert was important, so we would skip the starter. I ordered the Lamb Shank. It was cooked perfectly and I really enjoyed it. Had it not been for this delicious piece of lamb, this review would probably only have been one star. Two of our party ordered the brisket. One was fine, but the other had such a large amount of fat that it was almost impossible to eat. After she had finished eating, the remaining fat still covered half of the plate. When this was brought to the attention of the gentleman who I believe to be the owner he was very apologetic but no replacement or refund was offered.
Two tiny bowls of vegetables were brought for 6 people. We asked for more and one very small additional bowl was brought.
One of our party was a 4 year old boy. For both the main course and the dessert his meal came last. This is very difficult to manage. A 4 year old doesn't understand why his meal hasn't arrived and quickly becomes irritable. Simple things like this would be so easy to get right.
So next we ordered dessert from a list on a blackboard. Unfortunately 2 of the items had run out and an alternative had to be sought. I ordered the red velvet cake. It was quite good, though the little plastic thimble of cream was insufficient, leaving the cake quite dry.
The food and service were generally quite good but the overall experience was poor. I may visit again at another time, as I do think they deserve a second chance. read more