Food

The Almanack Restaurant, Coventry Review

AlmanackThe Almanack
Kenilworth, Coventry

www.thealmanack-kenilworth.co.uk

Reviewed by Debbie Tasker

The Almanack Pub/Restaurant is situated in Kenilworth, Coventry and serves British cuisine. Myself and a friend visited Friday Night (11th July) and enjoyed a very pleasant evening here. There is an outside seating area and as it was a beautiful evening we decided to have a drink here before moving inside for our meal. Unfortunately we didn’t sit here long – there were a few dogs on leads with owners enjoying a drink but they all kept barking at each other! Also there was a pile of children’s bikes in the doorway that you had to step over to get to the bar perhaps it is something management could look at. Please note I like dogs and children but it didn’t make for a relaxing pre-meal evening drink.

The dining area is at the rear of the establishment. Well lit, spacious and the tables are set out so as you are not sat on top of each other. We were greeted by a very friendly member of staff Anthony who showed us to a table and asked was it ok, it was so we settled down as our waitress for the evening Rachel brought a rather large specials board over and placed it on a chair for us to see if there was anything we fancied. Anthony offered us drinks and told us about the cocktails they have on offer including one he had invented himself the English Garden. Well we had to sample it didn’t we it would be rude not to! It was lovely and refreshing it contains the unusual ingredient of cucumber but it really does work.

I opted for the Salt and Pepper Cornish Squid with Lemon Mayonnaise and my guest had the small Beef Salad for starters. Both came quickly and were well presented. I can honestly say that it was the best squid I have ever had (and I have had plenty), the baby squids were coated in a light batter and were not chewy at all. The beef salad came with the meat red, it was mentioned beforehand and Kelly my friend said it would be fine. I am not a lover of beef served like this but Kelly said it was delicious. We also ordered some onion rings and they again were perfect. Hot, crispy full of big slices of ‘proper’ onion and not greasy at all.

For our mains we went for the 10oz Sirloins off the specials board served with garlic mushroom sauce and Dauphinoise potatoes. I mentioned to my friend that I didn’t fancy the creamy potatoes with the mushroom sauce and she agreed it might be a bit rich so I asked Rachel would it be possible to have chips with mine please and Kelly new potatoes? she said no problem at all asked how we liked our steak and took our order. She also asked were we ready for another drink, this time we had a Cosmopolitan nothing to complain about here another tasty drink. The mains came in a reasonable time. I felt the plate was a little small for such a large piece of meat and the portion of chips was a little on the small side but it all tasted divine. We both agreed the sauce was to die for and the steak was cooked to perfection and succulent. The 28 day matured steaks are supplied by award winning butcher Aubrey’s. We cleared our plates it was so moreish and thoroughly enjoyed every morsel.

Rachel cleared away quickly and efficiently and brought the dessert menu over and told us about the nights specials. At this point we were too stuffed to eat so we asked could we leave it for ten minutes or so, she said of course and could she get us another drink. Throughout the night both Rachel and Anthony, who I learned was manager that night, were attentive but not intrusive.

I had decided as soon as Rachel mentioned Strawberry Eton Mess that was going to be my dessert but I looked through the menu even so. There are some fantastic sounding sweets, Kelly went for Cherry Pie with clotted cream. Both were yummy. Mine was served in a glass and was just the right amount of strawberries meringue and cream. The cherry pie was hot with a crisp pastry and a good dollop of cream at the side. We enjoyed them both immensely.

We finished off with a Tia Espresso Martini, this wasn’t really mine nor Kelly’s cup of tea, it tasted like a very strong shot of coffee and the coffee overpowered anything else that was in there. We asked for a glass of coke to add to it and Rachel was more than happy to oblige even bobbing back to see if it was any better with it added.

Almanack1

The Almanack is clean and well kept. Toilets were acceptable as was the dining area and bar. There is background music playing a nice touch and plenty of sofas to chill out on. While we were there a rather noisy group of clientele had spilled out into the eating area and to say they were a bit off putting is an understatement. Surely it would be best to keep the restaurant area for just that – eating! I could see other customers were getting irritated by them also. Don’t get me wrong I am all for a boozy night out but there is a time and a place and if I was Anthony I would of politely asked them to move to the bar area.

We had a fantastic night with excellent food and delicious cocktails. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable and nothing was too much trouble. My only negative is the outside area could do with a re think and personally I would like to see pub customers use the other side of the establishment.

Rating: 4.5/5

For more information, to view menus or to book a table visit www.thealmanack-kenilworth.co.uk or call 01926 353637.

Almanack. Abbey End North, Kenilworth, CV8 1QJ | 01926 353637

4 half Star

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