Restaurant?

[food?]

What is a really nice restaurant in town to take the parents to? Any help would be greatly appreciated

[David Bean]

It depends what kind of food you're after, but in general you can't beat the Vine Leaf for this kind of thing.

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Psalm 91:7

[Jason Dunn]

Nothing rounds off a good meal quite so well as a port pipe.

[box_of_delights]

The restaurant at the Russell Hotel on the Scores is very nice. Restrained but attentive service and very good food.

It's no secret that I'm not a massive fan of the Vine Leaf, purely because the atmosphere and location are a little dingy. However, service is very pleasant even if the food I've had there has been distinctly average.

I'm also very fond of the Doll's House, but that's a fairly obvious venue for parents.

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[Mohawk]

i've always found Ziggy's to be an excellent choice. They have a well appointed menu, and excellent atmosphere and service.

might be worth phoning in advance to book a table though

[Tweedle-Dum]

Vine Leaf and Seafood went down well with my parents. Doll's house went alright, but the service isn't great, and the Balaka went down pretty badly due to its fittings, and the fact that the kitchen is the same as the day it opened.

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Tetragrammaton is a four letter word.

[Freaker]

I've found Nahm-Jim to provide excellent food and a nice atmosphere. The Glass House was also quite nice the last time I was there, although the food isn't that "exotic" or "special" (although still very good).

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I try to take one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me at once.

[Big X]

with regard to the vine leaf, and all restaurants actually, NEVER TRUST ANYWHERE WITH A MASSIVE MENU. more than about 9/10 mains means there is loads of stuff prepared in advance/reheated. if you want some good food in st andrews then i think the dolls house is pretty much up there, although the food i've experienced at Dunes (above ma bells in the golf hotel) has also been excellent (they also have an excellent wine list)

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"Never apologise for showing feeling, in doing so you apologise for truth" Disraeli

[exnihilo]

I've never understood this received wisdom that the Vine Leaf is good. I eat out a lot, and in a lot of different cities, and the Vine Leaf is an abomination, the atmosphere is oppressive, the service shoddy, the food mediocre and the menu, as Big X says, is just ludicrous. It's a horrible little place.

[MacMan]

I always find Bella Italia or Pizza Express to be favourites, as they are chains so are quite reliable and not too over-priced. Or for a more relaxed atmosphere the Central Bar is a winner. The Central has recently (unfortunately) simplified its menu, doing away with heart-attack inducing meals like the Ben Nevis Burger. However it is still good and you can always get a decent pint or two of real ale there.

[Big X]

Quoting MacMan from 15:35, 31st Mar 2007
I always find Bella Italia or Pizza Express to be favourites, as they are chains so are quite reliable and not too over-priced. Or for a more relaxed atmosphere the Central Bar is a winner. The Central has recently (unfortunately) simplified its menu, doing away with heart-attack inducing meals like the Ben Nevis Burger. However it is still good and you can always get a decent pint or two of real ale there.

Big Mac Man, your gastronomic experience clearly starts and finished with mc donalds. if u think bella italia is ok to eat in then why not just cut out the middle man and get a tesco microwave lasagne or a dr oetka pizza? pizza express if ok if u just want something quick to eat before the cinema or something, but hardly something u can only do in st andrews!! and as for suggesting that the central would be an ok location, have u ever seen their 'chefs' having a fag outside? they look like they either have TB or are extras from The Hills Have Eyes. also, 'simplifying' the menu? from what? 2 michelin star french cuisine to 1 star gastropub? or just reducing the number of dishes on the menu from "burger with cheese and bacon" to "cheese burger". i imagine the second

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"Never apologise for showing feeling, in doing so you apologise for truth" Disraeli

[McK]

I think Nahm-Jim is good, and I rate the service fairly highly.

Other than that, I'd avoid the Doll's House and The Vine Leaf unless you are into blandness served poorly.

[Fionnlagh]

I went to the Vine Leaf a few times when I was in St Andrews. The first time, what I had was exceptional, the other times I went it was very mediocre. I don't know if there was a marked change that causes the very strongly polar opinions about it or what.

There was a restaurant that I used to like a lot, it was on Murray place I think, had a lot of memorabilia on the walls. It wasn't exactly Cordon Bleu, but it was nice food in a very pleasant atmosphere. Can anyone remind me what it was called?

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[Griggsy]

I'm glad to see that there are actually people who also find the Vine Leaf a hole. The menu is waaaaayyyy too long, as mentioned above, the service is a fucking disgrace, and they seem to think that fish isn't cooked until you need a chisel to eat it. Seafood is expensive but you won't beat the location, what's the opinion on the Tapas place people?

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'I run wild in the shadowy jungle of erotic adventures.'

[Dirac]

Quoting Griggsy from 19:33, 31st Mar 2007
I'm glad to see that there are actually people who also find the Vine Leaf a hole. The menu is waaaaayyyy too long, as mentioned above, the service is a fucking disgrace, and they seem to think that fish isn't cooked until you need a chisel to eat it. Seafood is expensive but you won't beat the location, what's the opinion on the Tapas place people?

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'I run wild in the shadowy jungle of erotic adventures.'

Been to Tapas 5 or 6 times now. Faultless really. Quite cramped surroundings though.

[MacMan]

Big X, it is true that I'm a greedy bastard but I'm thin as a rake and loving it! When it comes to food I tend to put priority towards quantity rather than quality. I can't be bothered with expensive, fancy meals that come on a plate with a 12" radius and the portion is scaled for a chiwawa. Feeling beached like a whale is far better!

[Big X]

Quoting MacMan from 19:53, 31st Mar 2007
Big X, it is true that I'm a greedy bastard but I'm thin as a rake and loving it! When it comes to food I tend to put priority towards quantity rather than quality. I can't be bothered with expensive, fancy meals that come on a plate with a 12" radius and the portion is scaled for a chiwawa. Feeling beached like a whale is far better!

couldnt agree more big mac, i hate nouvelle cuisine as well, so 1980's. dont get me wrong, i eat lots as well and am currently on somewhat of a bulking regime, so i've really been filling my boots on the food front recently.

to everyone else,

http://www.thekitchin.com/

this place is pretty good if u fancy going a bit out of the bubble.

mac man, u would hate this place

http://www.manoir.com/web/olem/olem_a2a_home.jsp

as do i. drastically overrated

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"Never apologise for showing feeling, in doing so you apologise for truth" Disraeli

[Duffman]

Quoting Fionnlagh from 16:58, 31st Mar 2007

There was a restaurant that I used to like a lot, it was on Murray place I think, had a lot of memorabilia on the walls. It wasn't exactly Cordon Bleu, but it was nice food in a very pleasant atmosphere. Can anyone remind me what it was called?

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http://facebook.com/p.php?id=37102526&l=9f7bca06b0

I think you're talking about Ziggys, love that place!

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Don't dream too far,
Don't lose sight of who you are.

[Fionnlagh]

Quoting Duffman from 20:28, 31st Mar 2007

Quoting Fionnlagh from 16:58, 31st Mar 2007

There was a restaurant that I used to like a lot, it was on Murray place I think, had a lot of memorabilia on the walls. It wasn't exactly Cordon Bleu, but it was nice food in a very pleasant atmosphere. Can anyone remind me what it was called?

[hr]

http://facebook.com/p.php?id=37102526&l=9f7bca06b0

I think you're talking about Ziggys, love that place!

[hr]

Don't dream too far,
Don't lose sight of who you are.

Sounds about right, thanks! I really liked it too, though as much for the memories as anything else

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http://facebook.com/p.php?id=37102526&l=9f7bca06b0

[WashingtonIrving]

Quoting Big X from 16:20, 31st Mar 2007
Big Mac Man, your gastronomic experience clearly starts and finished with mc donalds. if u think bella italia is ok to eat in then why not just cut out the middle man and get a tesco microwave lasagne or a dr oetka pizza? pizza express if ok if u just want something quick to eat before the cinema or something, but hardly something u can only do in st andrews!! and as for suggesting that the central would be an ok location, have u ever seen their 'chefs' having a fag outside? they look like they either have TB or are extras from The Hills Have Eyes. also, 'simplifying' the menu? from what? 2 michelin star french cuisine to 1 star gastropub? or just reducing the number of dishes on the menu from "burger with cheese and bacon" to "cheese burger". i imagine the second

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"Never apologise for showing feeling, in doing so you apologise for truth" Disraeli

Thats interesting, because having worked in Bella Italia I can tell you they really do serve microwaved lasagne! Seriously, it all comes in pre-packaged and they just throw it in.

Having said that I do rate the pizzas.

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"I said farewell honey, I'll see you Judgment Day"