Phil Long's blog – Teletranone

This is a bit of a mini-review after I went with friends to the Waterside Bar and Restaurant in Littleborough on Friday night, as well as my latest 365 picture. I’ve been to the Waterside some time ago for drinks and – first off – I don’t recall it costing £3.60 for a pint when I was there last. Anyhow, that visit was very pleasant and I had resolved to eat there at some point – though I already knew it was quite pricey.

On Friday I went along with Varls, Mr Sweet, “Old Man” Paul, Gary and Tufts. On arrival I ordered a pint of beer at the bad, paid and they said they’d bring it over. After 10 minutes the beer materialised, so it would be with all future drinks orders, despite there always being somebody stood behind the bar – seemingly doing absolutely nothing. After about 30 minutes we were told they’d be ready to take our food orders in five minutes. 15 minutes later they returned and finally took our order – I ordered a steak fillet at £21 and in a fortuitous moment of foresight, a side-order of chips. We were seated and then waited for the food. This itself didn’t take too long, but the slowness in returning with drinks was incredibly frustrating. The portions were also pitifully small. They delivered a bowl of veg to go between the five of us that were eating – and it was barely enough for two. We asked for more, which they said they’d bring. This never materialised. The food itself was good, but for the price and simplicity (we’re talking steak fillet, chicken, etc – not gourmet designer food – just basic grub) I would have expected healthier portions that could actually satisfy the appetite of a nat, let alone a full-grown human. When I compare it to spending around the same at ‘Black and Blue’ in London it baffles me that the Waterside is charging what it is for something much inferior – in both quality and portion side. I get the feeling they have no idea where they are.

We finished our meals and I asked for the bill. About 20 minutes later we asked a second time. During that 20 minutes they just seemed to be cleaning empty tables and taking plates from the other tables around us. It was nearly 11pm by this time and they finished taking food orders at 9.30pm; my basic point being that they were cleaning the tables for tomorrow and ignoring the customers they had in today. Having got the money together it was another 15 minutes until we gave up waiting and went to the bar to pay, being extremely pedantic to ensure there was nothing that could accidentally be mistaken for a tip. Needless to say, I won’t be going back there. I do need to try out the Winepress next though, as I’ve head good things about it.

Saturday I did very little, apart from watching Monty Python on DVD, I changed my Euros back to Sterling and tagged faces in iPhoto 09 (I may post a review o that at some point). Today I’ve been over to my mum and dad’s for a family meal for my dad’s birthday. Then it was back home to watch Liverpool beat Chelsea (go Torres! ). I’ve also done today’s 365 day picture (I’ve missed some days this week though). I’m on to day 104, and today’s Flickr Group Roulette theme was ‘Lowbrow’. Therefore, I have submitted the below: