So, do I make my very first post on somewhere that I really like and am very clear on (Fraiche would be a fine example) or should I venture into the Church Green debate? Church Green it is. A bit of background may let readers see where I am coming from. My wife and I are relatively new to eating out in "nice" places as the family have started to fly the nest so we are finally venturing further afield fron our normal haunts. I think its fair ro say that we are getting over the uncomfortable stage but have not yet reached the over critical stage we see in many fellow diners. We just enjoy bloody good food and being looked after but not fawned over. So, my views on the Church Green. Sunday comes around in my house and I have a great desire to eat something new, my much better half fancies a nice well cooked Sunday dinner and our 14 year old doesn't care but fish and chips would be good. Living 10 minutes from the Church Green it is the one place I know which can please us all at the same time. In my opinion this is its strong point and also its flaw. We can all go, eat something we want and enjoy the day. The staff treat us all the same wether we are having Aidens latest creation or a bowl of soup. Service is on the ball, friendly and on the whole knowledgable. I have luckily avoided the lady mentioned above but I would find her funny rather than off putting. The food is good, very good. We go along, are taken care of and all have a great meal that provides what we want. The drawbacks? I think these come from the fact that they provide all of the above. I am not sure if the Church Green is a pub or a Restaurant. I don't the designers knew. The front is a pub but with no drinkers and the eating area is a Conservatory at the back of the pub. It sits somewhere between a "proper" restaurant and somewhere like The Three Fishes but falls in no mans land. So, how do I sum up? I love the food. Aidens cooking is great and the kitchen produces some superb food. The staff are great and we always feel welcome. The room is ok, just not sure what it is. Currently we visit once every 4 or 5 weeks. Why don't we go more often? A meal for 4. 2 soup and 2 Sunday dinners, 2 nice starters and 2 of Aidens Mains + 4 deserts, 4 drinks and no wine comes to £180. I think that there is much better value for money in the area. So why do I visit so often? I love Aidens cooking. My little un loves his fish and chips. The last 2 times we have been staff have been sent home due to the lack of custom. Surely the balance between food/price/value for money needs looking at. The place is so close to being great. As a newbie how often should I reread this before hitting the "Add Reply" button? Does 10 times and 2 bottles of St Emilion qualify? Oh sod it .......
