Xmas deserts, what say you ?

[Nordboy]

I'm not a huge dessert lover so normally go for something lighter after the mega crimbo dinner, like a Pavlova and cream?

[gremlin]

Seen loads of M&Cs (there's one here), never been to one. Are they actually any good?

No.

They market themselves above Harvester/Beefeater and below Gaucho, yet are just as bad as both of them.

[Mr. Dazzle]

Well they are located in what used to be a Harvester here.. Reading that Taipan's local one used to be a Harvester too makes me wonder if they're the same group, marketing to a slightly toightier level?

TBF I never thought they were a 'proper' restaurant, but I've also never heard of them giving 500 people the raving shits or that they host a paedophile ring in their basement, so, you know, live and let live.

Edit: Googled it...as suspected, M&C and Harvester are part of the same overall restaurant group. Along with Brown's, All Bar One, Toby Carvery and a bunch of pubs.

[weeksy]

Seen loads of M&Cs (there's one here), never been to one. Are they actually any good?

No.

They market themselves above Harvester/Beefeater and below Gaucho, yet are just as bad as both of them.

Couldn't disagree more. Never had anything other than an excellent meal in there.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

This could be bollocks, but a colleague said his son worked at M&C and the steaks came frozen and they basically warmed them up.

[Mr. Dazzle]

I mean.

Most steak houses basically warm up the steaks.

[mangocrazy]

This could be bollocks, but a colleague said his son worked at M&C and the steaks came frozen and they basically warmed them up.

I'm interested to know how you think they should arrive - still attached to the cow?

[MrLongbeard]

This could be bollocks, but a colleague said his son worked at M&C and the steaks came frozen and they basically warmed them up.

I'm interested to know how you think they should arrive - still attached to the cow?

Chilled, but not frozen.

[Taipan]

Seen loads of M&Cs (there's one here), never been to one. Are they actually any good?

No.

They market themselves above Harvester/Beefeater and below Gaucho, yet are just as bad as both of them.

Couldn't disagree more. Never had anything other than an excellent meal in there.

+1 on that. It's one of the few places we've been to and everyone has been happy with what they've had!

[gremlin]

Seen loads of M&Cs (there's one here), never been to one. Are they actually any good?

No.

They market themselves above Harvester/Beefeater and below Gaucho, yet are just as bad as both of them.

Couldn't disagree more. Never had anything other than an excellent meal in there.

I went once, it was God-awful. Plates going back in to the kitchen left, right and centre. Makes sense that it's a rebranded Harvester, as I suspect that brand was deemed a bit tired. Case of 'same restaurant, new fabrics'. My nephew used to insist on going there for his birthday. That salad cart abomination..WTF fuck was that? It was a health hazard!

Mind you, I've eaten in a couple of Gaucho Grills, supposedly top-end steak houses, and they really are 'all fur coat and no knickers' as my mum would say. Average steaks, chips you have to pay extra for, and a huge bill at the end of it.

I don't get going out for steak when they are one of the easiest things to cook well at home. If I go out, I want to eat something a bit special. Mind you, I'm a fussy bugger, me.

[Mr. Dazzle]

I don't really get steak full stop.

Or at least, I don't get the notion that it's the most expensive thing on the menu when it's the easiest thing to make Paying shit loads for one is just daft. Pretty much just conspicuous consumption.

[gremlin]

I don't really get steak full stop.

Or at least, I don't get the notion that it's the most expensive thing on the menu when it's the easiest thing to make Paying shit loads for one is just daft. Pretty much just conspicuous consumption.

Going slightly off-topic, we took Ol' Ma Gremlin out for her 82nd birthday the other week. Took the step-dad along as well. Being an unadventurous eater, and by this I mean anything that isn't a slab of overcooked meat with boiled, bland veg next to it, he wanted to opt for the steak*, but made noises that it was expensive at £35, notwithstanding that he wasn't paying anyway.

I've tried comparing this to M&C but they don't list the prices on the online menu. I wouldn't have said that £35 was expensive for a steak, with nice sides. Is it?

* I did have a slight chuckle when the steak come out, glazed with the black garlic sauce, spiced chunky fries and a mixed salad with dressing. Mind, he wolfed it down, so maybe his sense of gastronomic adventure has been awakened.

[Count Steer]

I don't get going out for steak when they are one of the easiest things to cook well at home. If I go out, I want to eat something a bit special. Mind you, I'm a fussy bugger, me.

I usually go for something I wouldn't cook at home when eating out. (That can be something as simple as ham, egg and chips if it's that sort of place* ), but yeah, I'd rather buy a chunk of decent steak, without the mark-up, and cook it myself rather than choose it on a restaurant menu. (Kind of drifted away from red meat anyway in the last 10 years, not out of any ethical considerations although they apply post hoc now ).

* or even a nice pie, provided it's not just 'stew in a hat'.

[weeksy]

I wouldn't have said that £35 was expensive for a steak, with nice sides. Is it?

Yes, that's expensive in most places. It's not insane.

[gremlin]

I wouldn't have said that £35 was expensive for a steak, with nice sides. Is it?

Yes, that's expensive in most places. It's not insane.

Bollocks.

Harvester for the old duffers next year.

[KungFooBob]

Apptastic.

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Screenshot_20241211-140716.png (703.96 KiB) Viewed 624 times

[gremlin]

Anyhow....

Am I weird for having a mince pie with my Christmas pud? Mrs. G thinks so.

[weeksy]

Anyhow....

Am I weird for having a mince pie with my Christmas pud? Mrs. G thinks so.

Depends.... ice-cream or custard ?

[KungFooBob]

Brandy sauce.

[Taipan]

I wouldn't have said that £35 was expensive for a steak, with nice sides. Is it?

Yes, that's expensive in most places. It's not insane.

Bollocks.

Harvester for the old duffers next year.

Free salad bar and red devil sauce. Full of win is The Harvester!