I visited The Grill with my young family on Saturday lunch time and was greeted promptly and seated straight away. The staff were really friendly and our food was an exceptional standard, steak meal fish and chips and two children's meals of chicken goujons. the children were extremely imprssed by The Grill saying it was the smartest restaurant they had ever visited.
Prior to our lunch the day before we visited The Grill jusy for hot drinks and found the staff extremely welcoming. It was this friendly service that prompted us to visit the next day for the family special offer of £29.95.
Cannot recommend highly enough.
Leisure Daily
So we decided to eat here because I have always wanted to try it since it opened in 2009 and my expectations were high, why wouldn't they be? It has been refurbished, upgraded from it’s previous restaurant ‘The Fish Inn’ and had a rather upmarket menu.
The location is perfect, right next to Pleasure Beach, lot’s of hotels nearby, opposite adventure golf and on the promenade. In fact millions of people walk past it every year and actually as I arrived, I’m starting to wonder if many people are deliberately walking past it. A roughly 10 minute wait for a table wasn't really a good start. Did I mention it wasn't full or really that busy? We were patient and optimistic still, though.
One couple stood behind us waiting, they left. Another couple asked to squeeze past us, then to realise they were actually in a queue. Then they left. To our surprise, it happened again. 6 people, roughly 10 minutes. That’s a considerable amount of revenue lost in a very short amount of time. The problem was, they weren't busy, so why was anyone waiting? I wouldn't of waited behind anyone, because I would have assumed there was no free tables. All 6 people that left were dressed up for an evening meal, they intended to go to The Grill. This leaves such a bad impression.
My friend is a little honest about things and as we are being seating, she kindly said, you have just lost 6 customers, she lovely waitress simply honestly replied that she had been left on her own. She really was doing her best and the whole time we were waiting to be seated, she was helping a family with their seats and making sure they were comfortable and happy, they had kids too and she was giving them their full attention.
After we had ordered, the most amazing thing happened. Our food came before our drinks. I’m not complaining, it’s just rather unusual. I ate the chicken liver Pate, with toasted granary bread, which was simply lovely, I really enjoyed this, it’s been years since I had good pate. My friend ate a huge (she was very happy with the size) starter of chicken Caesar salad.
The plates went and the waitress asked is we wanted our mains, we should have waited a while because the mains were put down within minutes. We both ordered gammon (again, it was huge), with an egg and chips. The gammon and egg was lovely, a nice runny egg. The chips, we both felt let the meal down, but we feel that way about most restaurants. I struggled to finish my meal, it was huge and well worth the money. No room for dessert and we had chosen the constant offer they have of 2 dine for £19.95, which I think is simply great.
I tried to order another drink when finishing my meal, but it took a while to get the other waiters attention. This man was simply walking around, ignoring customers and looking egotistic. Is he management? If I was management at Pleasure Beach Resort I would have walked in and sacked him on the spot, but I’m not, which is good for him.
The decor was absolutely gorgeous, I believe the restaurant was designed by Amanda Thompson, the managing director of Pleasure beach and she has done a wonderful job. I think the poor service let’s the restaurant down and i’m sure that if it’s something she knew about, she would deal with it, appropriately.
I also like how at the bar, they prepare your drinks (you can see them being prepared) and then they come around and then serve them to you. There is also window seats and you can go up a spiral stair case and have seats with a view. I’m very impressed and actually enjoying myself, even if the waiter is being very ignorant while his colleague is running around.
Just a quick word of warning, there are steps down to the toilets, which are shared with amusement park guests and the Horror Bar, downstairs. I’m unsure if there are disabled toilets. I understand that adding toilets would be difficult, especially as this is an art deco and very old building.
Overall, it was lovely and I would be back. It was an interesting experience, there just needs to be some tweaking and this could be the best restaurant in Blackpool.
2 dine for £19.95, reservations can be made. Full A La Carte menu available.
Amanda S Walker
I was in Blackpool for the day on Wednesday on a coach trip and wanted somewhere to sit down and eat in comfort, even though i was on my own. I was treated well and nothing was too much for your waitress. The fish and chips were well worth it and the ice cream. I will definitely come again and will be recommending you to my friends.
Steve Jenkinson
I visited in October half term and the service and meals were atrocious, we complained at the time but they didn't even seem bothered. A very rude man called Kenny just walked away when we asked to see a manager, we wont be going back.
Sue
Party of 8 adults and 1 child where each and everyone of us enjoyed the menu. Starters were great, Steak and Guinness pie was excellent as was the steak, gammon etc. I had expected that portions may have been sized down as we opted for the 2 dine for 1 @ £19.95 and children ate for £5 but they were not, most of us could not finish!! Would definitely re-visit and recommend. Thank you Sugarvine for listing this venue as places like this are hard to find in Blackpool!
Mrs Newton
Excellent meal for 4. The kids menu had a reasonable choice and it was no trouble to swap chips for rice for my little girl. My husband and I chose off the set menu for £19.95 for 2!! We didn't expect much for that price but were surprised at the quantity and quality of the food. I would recommend the chicken Caesar salad and we would both recommend the Sirloin steak. Waiting staff very attentive without being too intrusive. Good value wines too.
Thoroughly enjoyable and would recommend to anyone.
Dave
i dined in the grill with some friends,the evening menu was great,but too much for the size of the kitchen in my opinion.the design of the grill is ok needs to have better chairs very uncomfortable.atmosphere is ok,great staff very helpful.
Jdg85
food was OK after waiting half an hour........ and that was just to remind the waiter you have seated us here remember. suppose they were kinda busy, 5 tables is alot to cook for isn't it?
Wayne
This restaurant im sorry to say spoilt what had been a wonderful day out with my family. Firstly the incompetent waitress had to keep returning to the kitchen when asked a question about the food on the menu and when one of my family was brought the wrong chips the right ones were brought but were underdone when these were sent back we were just left leaving the diner with just a gammon steak.We were not offered any desserts or asked if we required any more drinks.When i approached the manager about this he was ignorant to the fact that this was not a acceptable way to treat customers.Overall the Grill is just a cafe with tablecloths