Dissapointing restaurants

Have you ever planned to go out to eat somewhere with expectations of a great meal only to be dissapointed?

I went to Frankie and Benny's last night, for a good friend's birthday. I was really looking forward to some American-Italian grub. We looked at the menu the night before to see what they have. We shared some "breaded mozzarella", I had Caesar salad (haven't had it since back home) and Jamie had the calzone. What a let down! £4 for 7 tiny little balls, it was like they got one mozzarella stick and cut it up... There was barely any caesar dressing (I asked for some more, so not a big deal), no cheese, I could count how many croutons were on it, 4 and 3 or 4 slices of tomato. Jamie's calzone was soggy and had pretty much no filling. The only thing they did right were the fries. I thought it would be like at home, where you got generous helpings....

The UKY dinner has been at Cafe Pacifico twice now...I really find it not that great!  I was all excited the first time because it was Mexican food but after I ate there I was like   .  Maybe it's better for meat eaters...

The UKY dinner has been at Cafe Pacifico twice now...I really find it not that great! I was all excited the first time because it was Mexican food but after I ate there I was like . Maybe it's better for meat eaters...

Ditto on Cafe Pacifico. Maybe my standards for Mexican food are too high, but I just didn't think it was very good and the prices were quite high.

I don't think Frankie and Benny's is too horrible but I think it is just one of those places that some things are really good and some just suck. Hamburgers and chicken sandwiches are good...salads, not so good.

I get disappointed by a lot of these gastro-pub places. They think it is fancy cuisine if they plop a pile of rocket on a wrap and mix some pesto in with the mayo.

hate to say it but the uk is not exactly known for its good food;)

my experience with restaurants, at least in london, is that there are a few gems but most are totally average and always overpriced.

I'm a vegetarian and living in the country where it's all meat!  So, my options at resaturants are usually limited to pasta or salad.  The other day I was somewhere and they had a Ceasar salad on the menu.  It said it came with mayonaise (sp?), so I asked about that.  He said oh no, it's just the dressing.  So, I decided to give it a whirl.  Nope!  The dressing WAS just plain, old mayo!!!!  I was SO grossed out....   Needless to say, I didn't eat it....

3 or 4 slices of tomato.

A 'true' Caesar salad doesnt have any tomato at all! 

I agree that Frankie & Benny's is a disappointment... i've been there twice, and both times regretted it because the food was just plain average, it was over-priced, and there were always kids screaming in the restaurant.

A 'true' Caesar salad doesnt have any tomato at all! 

Yeah for sure- never even heard of a Caesar salad having tomato! 

I am on a mission to find a good Mexican restaurant in London.  I will also try in Edinburgh when I'm there in June!

Totally agree on Frankie & Benny's - not at all impressed. In fact dh and I thought it was downright gross and horridly overpriced for what it is.... I hate Harvesters too. Oh, and I actually hate TGI Fridays too. I see a theme emerging here - if it's not cuisine specific (Thai, Chinese, etc.) I tend not to like it. Though I do like pub food for the most part....

I think Pacifico is OK but I've given up on finding anything more than adequate Mexican food here - I just don't think it's something that exists.

But I disagree that English food is all only average. I've had loads of fab meals here....

I think Pacifico is OK but I've given up on finding anything more than adequate Mexican food here - I just don't think it's something that exists.

But I disagree that English food is all only average. I've had loads of fab meals here....

You and I dream of burritos in the Mission dont we?!?!?!

You and I dream of burritos in the Mission dont we?!?!?!

God yes!!!

Anne have you been to Taqueria in Westbourne Grove yet? It's meant to be good, it's owned by the Cool Chile Co people.

Oh and if anyone wants bad restaurants come to Canterbury, loads of 'em here.

Oh, and I actually hate TGI Fridays too. I see a theme emerging here - if it's not cuisine specific (Thai, Chinese, etc.) I tend not to like it. Though I do like pub food for the most part....

Me too!!

But I disagree that English food is all only average. I've had loads of fab meals here....

Me too!!

I'm a quasi-vegetarian and I never have any problem finding good things to eat when I'm out. Even the most backwoods pub has at least a couple of veggie options -- and I'm really out in the sticks. I find the UK way more veggie-friendly than the US ever was.

I have had some disappointing meals, but not anywhere anyone would have heard of. Just picking the wrong pub -- that sort of thing.

Oh, and ditto on the Caesar. No tomato!!! 

Anne have you been to Taqueria in Westbourne Grove yet? It's meant to be good, it's owned by the Cool Chile Co people.

Oooh, no I haven't! Is Westbourne Grove the same as Westbourne Park? If so that's even pretty close to my office!

Yes, that is probably the nearest tube.  This is the place: http://www.mynottinghill.co.uk/nottinghilltv/restaurants-review-taqueria.htm

Though most of the restaraunts you all mentioned don 't compare to how they are in the states, nonetheless I have decided they are better than nothing at all.    I am with you on the Mexican thing but I have come to realize that whatever country you are in they will try to cater more towards that culture.  I used to think Chinese was going to be the same everywhere and it certainly is not!  You can start with your basic McDonalds - in each and every country they serve something different.  The one that caught me off guard was KFC. I was so disappointed I don't even bother anymore. When I first got here I was so craving some mashed potatoes and gravy with the biscut. Do you think they serve them? Nope!  It's chips with everything!  I can understand the biscut thing because here the term biscut is used differently.  But instead, we like to take the opportunity as a learning experience and try out different restaraunts. Now, Benihana's....oooo, that's our favourite!!  But because it's so expensive we only do it for special occasions.