Eating Out on the Wirral
This page is a very "Unbiased" opinion / criticism of places we have eaten out. From time to time, there will be additions to the list as we continue to eat out. Though, it will not be in a consistently regular interval, we only eat out on occasions but will try other pubs / restaurants, as we visit them.
There are 2 categories"Pup Grub" and "Not Pub Grub".
I have given scores out of 10 for the 3 categories, 'Service', 'Food' and 'parking'. This should read 30 points, but as nowhere will be perfect, the maximum score can be 29.
"Pub Grub"
Friday 30th August 2002.
"The Chimneys"
"The Chimneys" This is situated at Hooton crossroads at the traffic lights on the A41.
Opinion: -
When we entered, we took a wooden spoon, adorned with a number, and placed it in the cutlery glass on the table. We then perused the menu and I chose Roasted Sea bass with new potatoes and Vine roasted Tomatoes and a pint of 'cask London Pride bitter'. My partner had 8 oz Sirloin steak with Fries, Carrots and Broccoli and a pint of Carlsberg Export lager. After ordering and paying, we sat at the table and the food was brought within 10 to 15 minutes and hot. So we immediately gave 8 out of 10 for service. When we ate our meal, we found it to be perfectly cooked and presented and tasted wonderful, so got a 8. As we had driven 6 miles, to The Chimneys, we had to park the car and found plenty of space in their car park, another 8. The pub also had 2 Cask ales to choose from, as I like my real ale. This has been our 5th visit to this hostelry.
Total : - 24.
Criticisms: -
As the portions were quite large, we could only manage the main course, however, my partner would like to have had cheese and biscuits to finish. We thoroughly recommend 'The Chimneys'
So here we ventured back to The Chimneys. The meal was presented to us in about 15 minutes from ordering which was very good. This time, my partner went for "Rare" Rump steak which she says was delicious, hardly a bit of fat, with the usual Veg : e.g. Peas, chips, onion rings and mushrooms. I had Chicken Carbonara and the only criticism was the surprise that the sauce was extremely spicy. I didn't expect pepper hot sauce and slightly too much salt to the flavour. My partner had a class of Cider and I had a pint of Cask conditioned Tetleys bitter. The other bitter was Bass red triangle.
Total points 22.
Tuesday 4th March 2003
"Greave Dunning"
The Greave Dunning is a large pub situated in Greasby close to the shopping area and with a very good car park.
Opinion : -
When we arrived, my partner and I perused the menu whilst drinking a pint of Boddingtons real ale. Also on offer was London Pride and a 3rd I have forgotten. the Boddingtons was £1.99 a pint.
I Had Chicken with a Black Forest Mushroom sauce, which was 2 small grilled butterfly chicken breasts, served on green beans and new potatoes and finished with a creamy sauce of shitake mushrooms, white wine, whole grain mustard, sliced red onions and bacon all for the price of £6.05.
My partner had an 8oz rump steak, medium rare with onion rings, mushrooms, grilled tomato, chips and peas. (frozen ones, heated).
Service was very prompt and the food piping hot with very pleasant staff.
Service 9 points. Food 9 points and parking 10 points.
Total 28,
"Hotel California" (The Royal Castle)
We decided to go out for a meal and to surprise the "Boss" I took her to this place.
Parking is not a problem as it has its own small car park and though it is situated on an island on the A41 in Birkenhead, there is a retail park across the road with ample spaces.
On entering I noticed that it was very quiet and asked if they did meals, this was at 6:00 pm. and the answer was yes. We sat down to a pint of Theakstons Best Bitter for me and Lady Boss a bottle of Strongbow Sirrus Cider. Very nice. Whilst we chose from the menu. I decided on ricotta cheese and spinach cannelloni with Garlic bread. Though it was hot it was also over baked and brown round one edge, the garlic bread was all soggy and chewy. I did not enjoy it at all. The Boss, she had fish and chips to be safe. though she said the chips were nice, the fish was overcooked and a bit chewy to. we had to ask for salt and vinegar and there was no tartare sauce, lemon or ketchup offered. The meal took half an hour to produce.
Total: - 8.
Criticisms: -
Apart from a nice pint of real ale and the staff, ignorant of us being there, the points are not great and I wouldn't recommend this pub grub to anyone.
Saint Valentine's day: - 14th February 2006.
The Acorn
After the disaster of 5 days previous, and being the day it was, I decided to take the BOSS out for another meal.
This time, I chose "The Acorn" in Higher Bebington, as the last time, (before internet days) the meal we had on an anniversary was totally rubbish so decided to see if it had become any better.
Yipee!!! we were not disappointed this time.
The Pub/Restaurant was very well lit, music was quiet and not overbearing. and tables were well organised.
The Boss and I had Seafood Mornay which was delicious, added to it was a salad of mixed leaves with rocket and a lovely dressing and Garlic bread partially toasted. The chunks of white fish, salmon and prawns, with a hint of carrots and peas in a cheese sauce was divine. Service was extremely good and quick. The meal was also very hot and staff were very pleasant. The service we received also go a gratuity. I had a pint of Boddingtons bitter, (which is my favourite beer) and the Boss had a white wine and soda, "Pinot Grigio".
Value for money was excellent, Parking Brilliant and Service outstanding.
Total: - 29
Criticisms: - I recommend this pub for its food and beer 100% and that is why I give it full marks. If and when, at a later date we go again, be sure to find the scores here.
It has been a long time since we ate here and as we were not in the mood for preparing, cooking, serving and washing-up we decided to eat out again at "The Acorn".
The first thing I noticed was that the interior had been altered and not necessarily for the best. Tthe table we chose was by a window and it was daylight, by the time our meal arrived it was dusk and 3 or 4 lights around us were not working and so we ate in the semi darkness. I ordered haddock! no haddock, so got cod, baked potato and peas {frozen type} with a wedge of lemon and tartare sauce.
Ailsa had an 8oz rump steak with onions, and chips.
The food was hot to begin with but quickly cooled down.
Though it was a very nice meal, Ailsa said the she had better Rump Steaks elsewhere. As I am not a very big fish in batter eater, mine was also nice but it filled a hole in my stomach. All in all, though the menu cards were well battered to pieces, one would assume that the Acorn was well used as an eatery, the new menu's are out on the 14th October 2008.
Score for another visit as previous but food let it down a bit.
Total: - 25
Friday 5th September 2008
As it was nearly my Birthday, we decided to eat out and save on the preparation of food, cooking and then the washing up.
Off we went to "The Mersey Clipper" as we had been there a few times before. Prior visits had been waitress service but this time we were surprised by a "Carvery". When we walked in there was a difference right away. The Carvery had a chef carving our meat and we had Roast Beef and Roast Ham, the Roast Turkey we didn't have as we thought there was enough on our plates. We then helped ourselves to the other parts of the meal. Stuffing Balls, Carrots, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Roast potatoes, New potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, Gravy and all the extra sauces, like horseradish, ketchup etc....... The whole meal was fantastic. Quality cooking at its best and value for money too. We also had drinks.. She had cider and as I was driving I had J2O fruit juice which was expensive considering other pub I have drank in.
Parking wasn't a problem as there are a lot of spaces available. They don't generally do food on the days that Tranmere Rovers play as the pup is next door to the Stadium of Prenton Park.
Service 9 points. Food 9 points and parking 10 points.
Total 28.
" Not! Pub Grub "
Friday 25th October 2002
This is at 1, Milner Road, Heswall, behind Iceland supermarket on Telegraph Road.
Opinion: -
We arrived at 6:30 PM for our meal, bearing in mind that you have to book in advance. This establishment is a very small but intimate restaurant. Our host (Derek) showed us to our table and we perused the menu. We decided on the set menu so had a beer and my partner a glass of red wine.
With courtesy of the chef (Sinead) we had a small entree of Galantine of pork. This gave us the thoughts of what was to come. Not only was the whole experience a gastronomic delight but was visually exciting. I am certain that the quality of the dishes could put most of the big media named chefs to shame.
We started with Smoked salmon and prawn timbale with a cucumber and dill dressing each.
The main course for myself was assiette of fish on crushed new potatoes and a shellfish sauce. Ailsa had roast lamb shank with a red wine jus.
Sweet for me was toffee and apple meringue roulade with caramel. Ailsa had glazed lemon tart with a vanilla sauce.
Total: - 30.
Criticisms: -
None at all. The restaurant was cosy and warm, though it was lashing with rain and very cold outside. Parking wasn't a problem either. Gem has its own web site if you would like to see it? but please remember to return.
27th March 2003
"Ming Vase Restaurant" Is on Woodchurch Road in Prenton and opposite Sainsbury's Supermarket. There is no Car Parking, except on the main road but there is a bus stop outside. We parked in Sainsbury's car park, did some shopping in the supermarket, left the shopping on the back seat and spent just over an hour for our meal.
We went for the "Teatime special" served between 6:00 and 7:30.
I had a pint of Tetleys bitter and the Boss had a pint of lager.
For the starter we had chicken and sweet corn soup. (The chef forgot to put any chicken stock in it so it was like drinking hot boiled corn starch with some niblets of corn and some very small bits of chicken and egg white. Totally flavourless! we tried some but refused it and the waitress only said sorry.
Appetizer followed with a spring roll, BBQ spare rib, fried chicken wing in batter and some fried seaweed each with a finger bowl to clean the sticky fingers.
For main course, I had fried prawns and mushrooms with onion carrot and spring onion on fried rice. Boss lady had chicken and satey sauce with onions also on a bed of fried rice.
Total cost with the drink was £21.40
Service 9 points. Food 7 points and parking 6 points.
Total: - 22
Criticisms: -
This restaurant used to be very good in the past but unfortunately tonight, we were disappointed somewhat.
5th November 2003
Sheldrakes has changed hands about six months ago and as we had eaten here before some years ago, I was pleasantly surprised at the changes that have been made.
This restaurant is somewhat difficult to find, being on the shore overlooking the Dee estuary in Lower Heswall. Parking is free and 100 yards away. The person in charge is Helen Demetrios and is very welcoming. There were 2 large fires burning wood logs and the place was very warm. Most of the lighting is made more romantic with the use of oodles of candles and kerosene lamps with background music of a Greek flavour. then Tijuana style.
I was also informed that Sheldrakes are having their web site built at the moment, so will look forward to visiting it when it is up and running.
The service was very good and staff pleasant.
For starter, I had mushrooms on garlic croutons on a salad bed covered with toasted brie.
Main course was roasted chicken breast in a creamy white wine and shrimp sauce.
My partner had a chicken starter and for main course a rib eye steak with caramelised onions.
The vegetables were new potatoes, broccoli, carrots and cabbage, all freshly cooked.
Total cost with the drinks was £24.55
Service 9 points. Food 9 points and parking 9 points.
Total 27,