[Closed] Over rated cuisine

I'm not particularly partial to French grub either TBH

now the Italians on the other hand ......... mmmmmm

Exactly... I was in Calabria this summer and the food was absolutely delicious! It was amazing how they could make something as simple as pasta with a tomato sauce taste so good.

I think it depends to some extent where you are in the country. My first experience in Italy was in Turin for several months with work and found it expensive and dissapointing pretty much without excoption. I have had better trips to Milan since then, but in general not great.
I lived and worked in France and have always liked the food their.
I think there is great food to be had in America if you get past the usual McDonalds sh1t and authentic mexican food is ace (not TGI Friday style fried texMex though)
Just my 2p worth

Got to agree! I live in France but am about 100m's from Spain. The food I have had in France is expensive and nothing to write home about, even the seafood. The food in Spain on the other hand is awesome, even in crappy wee huts up in the mountains you can get some fantastic simple meals for a few euros.

I suspect most "cuisine" tries too hard and possibly French more thatn most, all that history/tradition/expectation - french cooking's just fine by me though

Some of the best food I have ever had was in France, but there are a lot of places where they don't seem to give a **** and it's not cheap.

Have had more consistently nice/cheaper food in Spain and Italy.

Thinking about it it might just be a factor of the cost. I want to spend 15€ on a meal and that is middle of the road in Spain but bottom of the pile in France.
God, I'd kill a moderately sized man for a curry. Sorry, off topic but I would. They just don't have them here, even in the cities.

here you go Doug :

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[url] http://www.ashokaglasgow.co.uk/index.php/menus/2-ashoka-menus/3-alacarte [/url]

-)

Man, that would be paradise at the moment. First stop in Scotland is Mother India in Glasgow with a pint of 80% in the Islay over the road afterwards.

mmmm, I'm getting hungry thinking about it 😛

God, I'd kill a moderately sized man for a curry. Sorry, off topic but I would. They just don't have them here, even in the cities.

You're not far wrong there, although you can get some in Madrid: it's a lot better now than it was when I first got here. Nowhere near UK standards, though.

I like Med cuisine...it seems similar on all the areas that touch the med - Italy, France and Spain and it is fantastic...subtle differences are there but overall, it's a great food and I love it- I've sepnt some time on holidays in the south of France and not much elsewhere in France so not sure if the cuisine is similar...if so, I reckon they are lucky!

Hmmm, I could be in Madrid in 4.5hrs. Tempting!

French food, definately over rated. So is the wine for that matter. Give me Greek, Italian, Spanish, Indian, even English food before some of that over complicated nonsense, and give me some proper full blooded wine where the grapes have had some sun rather than that thin, watery, overly expensive French drivel.

?????????

Trolling? I have never had bad food in France and have had some fantastic meals. I have had loads of badly cooked overpriced food in spain.

Didn't say I'd had bad food in France. Just over rated over complicated stuff and that I prefer cuisine from elsewhere.

Opinions not allowed ?

Fair enough.

Most dissappointing experience in a foreign country:

When the band was touring in Scandinavia in the 1980's, we went to what promised to be an oasis in a bland gastronomic desert - an "Indian" restaurant in Gothenburg.

Naturally, we ordered curry. What we got was stew with rice...

The waitress explained that Swedish people don't like spicy food, so they made their curry with, er, no curry in it... 🙁

Might I interject with an observation of British cuisine. Vastly improved from 30 years ago, for sure, but still pitifully low in so many places.

Perhaps it's because we are so in thrall to chain restaurants that we settle for mediocrity (Pizza Express, anyone?), but the emblem oif modern British cooking seems to have become too much butter and too much cream.

I had a curry in Copenhagen last night and it was crap as usual. I also had a couple of pints before hand that cost about £6 each.

Generally best to eat the local stuff and I have been told by quite a few Indians I have worked with that the UK is the only place in Europe where you can get a decent curry.

FWIW I have had great food in the north of spain and some crap in the south in the holiday resort areas.

steak is usually very good in france, and seafood around brittany.
but why do they serve fruit of the sea cold on ice.
in barcelona in a bar on the bit between the beach and harbour they do it raw with a hot oil fondue type thing, so you can cook all the shellfish in that or over the charcoal they provide..
best meal i have ever eaten.
tapas is awesome too.

Have you try getting out of bonds?
You can't really complain if you get a cheap flight or ferry to France and get to a touristic place and get offered expensive Frozen food really can you?

For example I don't eat anywhere on the sea front. However summer time I just see every single brits queuing their to be over charged for dinner...

Talking of food - did anyone see Mastershout last night - sound turned down as I was on the phone, but, ohh boy, some of that food looked amazing. The poached egg bloke especially - I assume he won through?

steak is usually very good in france,

That's cos it's made of horses. 😉

The poached egg bloke especially - I assume he won through?

He's in the final, along with the other fella he was up against in the previous round - Daniel? - and also the woman, Marianne.

I thought as much - never heard such eulogising from the experts as he got!

Nowt wrong with horse meat...rather tasty...

I have had loads of badly cooked overpriced food in spain.

That's pretty much my experience - at least anywhere touristy. The normal restaurants are fine.

British food (at least in London) is very underrated, the opinion over here is based on 30 year old data.

I'm even going to defend Pizza Express here. I'm no fan of pizza in general but love pasta and while not up to the standard of some authentic 'yah, I holiday in Tuscany every year' family run trattorias that i have had the pleasure to eat in in rural Italy, I think you get a perfectly acceptable pasta dish in most of the chain Italian joints for reasonable money.

I'm not that old but I remember eating out as a kid and food was shocking. We've improved a hell of a lot since then.

Why the long face?

IGMC

spanish food is terrible IME
French can be OK, they sometimes do weird things to their pasta though, it can be terribly over cooked
Had plenty of fantastic meals in Scotland.

Yeah deep-fried mars bars are pretty good aren't they? 😉

Went to Rick Steins place in Padstow a few years back (I still had a large chunk of compensation money left over after a motorbike accident) - over-rated, extremely overpriced, and one of the most uncomfortable dining experiences I've ever had. There's a place in Aghios Nikolaos, Crete, called Pelagos - it's quite expensive (by Greek standards), but it's the best food, in one of the friendliest places, that I've ever eaten.

Barnsley - totally agree re. Rick Steins - and quite literally uncomfortable due to the cramped sitting conditions too.

And where in Agios is that restaurant? Went to the resort myself and enjoyed many a good meal there. I especially like gigantes beans and usually gorge myself on them every time I go to Greece 🙂

It's just up past the 'bottomless lake', kind of on the second road in from the main one, heading east but still in the town centre. Bit vague, sorry. Deep fried saganaki, mmmmm.

The only Spanish food I've eaten was in Cantabria,and it was all good,mind you I love paprika.
Ian

It's just up past the 'bottomless lake',

No, it's about a quarter of a mile past there - stand with the lake on your left, and go straight up - it's got a wrecked rowing boat out the front, and the restaurant itself is in a kind of walled garden. while were on it, Lamb Kleftiko, Spanakoptika, freshly made tzatziki - mmmmmmm.

France, Spain, and Italy are no better or worse that UK. I've had both bad and good. As ever, it depends where you go.

For me the only overrated thing is ponsy service. A million waiters doing everything apart from wiping your arse. I prefer being served by normal people and hate being called sir.

Mastershout

Did the fat one eat the Australian then?

What is going on with Michel Roux's eyeballs? Is he at a rave in the 90s? Is that why the overuse of techno music?

Although Roux does give the camera some great 'I don't think so mate' looks.

"Went to Rick Steins place in Padstow a few years back (I still had a large chunk of compensation money left over after a motorbike accident) - over-rated, extremely overpriced, and one of the most uncomfortable dining experiences I've ever had"

I went there two weeks ago. Faultless food, faultless service and a comfortable, nicely designed dining room. Expensive? Hell yes, but then the best always is.

Maybe it was just me then ransos, but I ended up spunking two hundred quid on two of us, the food was ok, but I've had better, and having to pay thirtyfive quid for a bottle of Aussie white that retails for six quid in most off licenses really boils my p**s. As for feeling uncomfortable, that's probably just me being a bit of a chippie northener - I kept expecting the waiters to realise I was an imposter and kick me out.

Eating in France is a pain in the rectum. Tried getting something to eat in Montpellier a couple of years ago at about 3 in the afternoon & everywhere was shut! Seems like that everywhere in France. Spain I like, but the curry's in Goa....hang on, I'm dribbling at the thought.

The gf and I used to go out fairly regularly for dinner (UK) but got fed up paying over the odds for distinctly average fair. There are definitely some good places out there, but trial and error (and even trusted word of mouth) can be expensive.

Best food I've had overseas must be Sardinia, where even the most simple dishes can be cheap, elegant and proper tasty. And the pizzas are on another planet.

Yeah, but dribbling from where essel?

The Brussel Sprout pizza I got in Slovakia was definitely over-rated.

If by "uncomfortable" you mean that some of the other diners were a bit "yah yah London yah" then I would take your point. I looked upon them as free entertainment...

I had an excellent bottle of champagne for about £45, which is good value by most restaurants' standards.

As for the food, it's a matter of opinion. I liked the simplicity and the absolute freshness of the fish.

Hi ransos - I just guess I felt a bit out of place. The night after we ate there, we stayed at the Rising sun in Lynmouth, and the food was far, far better. The chef was only a young guy, and I think he was Swedish or Danish - anyhow, really good food, about a fifth of the prices at the seafood restaurant, and much more relaxed.

Just to add to my last post, I lived in Cornwall for a couple of years, and the fish and seafood is pretty fresh wherever you go. I honestly believe that a lot of people go to Rick Stein's place just to say they've been - the locals in Padstow (or Steinstow as its more commonly known) dont much care for him, and see him as a bit of a cockmonkey to be honest.
The fact that he owns about seven or eight businesses in the village may have something to do with this.

never heard such eulogising from the experts as he got

Don't you have to be dead to be eulogised?

And +1 for the American food thing. Sometimes you just get a burger and chips, but my god it can be a burger of wonder... The availablility of decent fast food is tremendous also. 100x the choice that there is here. Sometimes here I'd kill for a Taco Bell when all there is is McDs 🙁

For top authentic Indian there's always Mint and Mustard in Cardiff. Certified authentic by my real authentic Indian colleages.

Plenty of terrible food everywhere. viamichelin.com will usually point you in the right direction, but had some experinces in 1 star joints France & Spain that have been plain silly.

Anyone know who the equivalent of 3663 in France?

Plenty of indian resturants in Toulouse.

or Steinstow as its more commonly known

I think you'll find that it's Padstein actually 😀

FWIW, I've travelled a fair bit around France and Spain, I'm adventurous with food and I've eaten in some pretty out of the way places but the best plate of food that I've ever had was at a small fish restaraunt on St Mary's, Isles of Scilly. The place was owned by two brothers. One ran a day boat, the other was the cook. Whatever the one brother caught during the day, was on the menu and cooked by the other brother that evening. I had a Sole toppped with the white meat of what must have been at least 2 crab, flavoured with chilli and ginger. Spring veg on the side. Washed down with a crisp Spanish white. Cheap, simple, fresh, outstanding. Anyone who thinks that you can't get good food in England really hasn't looked properly.

Hi Barnslemitch, I've eaten in a few other restaurants in that area, one of which had a Michelin star. I don't think any of them were as good as Stein's. I'm sure that as you say, plenty of people go just so say they've been (or because it's the only restaurant there they've heard of), but I honestly thought it was exceptional. I'm not a rich man, just someone who is happy to splash out on occasion for really good food.

I would also recommend "Paul Ainsworth at No6" in Padstow and Paul Ripley's new pub (he used to run Ripley's in St Merryn).

As for the locals, well, Stein's had that restaurant since 1976, so he's hardly just moved in and taken over. It sounds like a few are happy to benefit from the money he brings in, and then complain anyway. I thought it was "Padstein" not "Steinstow"!

Can't say its over rated as its not really rated but authentic Chinese food is rough, french foods okay if kept simple I like the breakfast. Equally dutch/euro breakfast is nice, italian pizza places yum. Thai street food, Mexican street food and I quite like texmex. british fish and chips, cornish pasties, bangers and mash from the cock pub in hemingford, nice homemade soup in ireland, the breakfast surf shack places in cali and last but not least big nicks dinner new york.

Don't you have to be dead to be eulogised?

I went there two weeks ago. Faultless food, faultless service and a comfortable, nicely designed dining room. Expensive? Hell yes, but then the best always is.

I can honestly say, from my experience, that these celeb restaurants trade on the reputation of the owner rather than quality of food available.

"Well if you think cramped upright seating centred around a bar area that would look more at home in a TJ Wetherspoon's bar then fair enough"

Umm, dining chairs normally are upright. And it wasn't centered around the bar area. Regardless of personal taste, it was all distinctly better quality than a chain pub.

Maybe it's been refurbished since you went?

Anyway, you didn't like and that's fair enough. But I thought it stuck to what Stein has always evangelised about - the very best and freshest fish, cooked fairly simply.

The reason I felt uncomfortable had less to do with the seats, and more to do with the fact that no matter how much I try to 'better' myself, at heart I'll always be a northern monkey who doesnt really 'belong' in places like the Seafood restaurant.

And it wasn't centered around the bar area

It still was when I ate there in May.

I liked the place and thought the food and service was excellent.
I stayed in one of the rooms above too, now THAT was expensive.

the fact that no matter how much I try to 'better' myself, at heart I'll always be a northern monkey who doesnt really 'belong' in places like the Seafood restaurant.

*hugs mitch*

About bloody time too!

"The reason I felt uncomfortable had less to do with the seats, and more to do with the fact that no matter how much I try to 'better' myself, at heart I'll always be a northern monkey who doesnt really 'belong' in places like the Seafood restaurant."

It's a shame you feel that way, but I understand where you're coming from. The way I see it is that if they're prepared to take your money, you very definitely belong there. I thought it was an interesting mix of people, myself. There were ones like us (rare treat, taking photos, distinctly uncool) through to over-priviledged London types who showed no interest in the food, but were there because they lack the imagination to do something else with their buckets of cash.

but were there because they lack the imagination to do something else with their buckets of cash.

I'm not massively excited by Italian food.

Funny you should mention the apparently disinterested customers ransos - when we went, there were four French (steady Juan) people who I presume owned the floating gin palace moored in the harbour, all smoking (despite it supposedly being a non-smoking area at the time) and pointedly ignoring the enormous fruits da mer they'd ordered. I wasnt putting myself down when I said I felt I didnt belong there, just being honest - it's obviously a life style that some people aspire to or are happy being a part of, its just not for me.

Funny you should mention the apparently disinterested customers ransos - when we went, there were four French (steady Juan)

Umm, dining chairs normally are upright.

I think it was the Tricolor on the yacht, the fact that they were speaking french, and the fact that they were dressed much better than me! You're right though Juan, a cock is still a cock wherever he or she is from.

Mastiles, maybe you should try a ye olde Roman type establishment? 😉

bugger I have been pwuned...

"You don't have to be a smart-arse - if you don't understand what I mean about upright seating I won't even bother attempting to explain it further. I was there in April BTW."

Wind your neck in. How could a dining chair be uncomfortable by virtue of being upright? That's how they're supposed to be.

Wind your neck in. How could a dining chair be uncomfortable by virtue of being upright? That's how they're supposed to be.

Well really you want a slight rake to any chair but yeah you wouldn't go to a fancy restaurant to sit in a sofa.

I grew up in Padstow and remember when Stein's restaurant was a shite nightclub for pissed fishermen.

Always found it hard to get my steak / duck rare enough in France. Perhaps it's because they don't think an English person would really like it properly blue?

We always found Greek food to be a bit bland (although almost everything else about Greece is FAB) until we went to Taverna Ela in Chania. Out of this world. Really.

I went to Stein's Seafood Restaurant in December, and know what you mean about feeling uncomfortable. Thought I noticed a few glances from the staff in my direction, possibly at my wife, 9 months pregnant at the time (and showing like buggery). I was a bit annoyed, having put my best(only) suit on, the wife was wearing a posh dress, and it was our first anniversary. Mind you, I've always felt out of place anywhere you don't stand in line for your food, so maybe not just Steiny's?

Still, when we went back to our car, and I realised I'd left my muddy trainers on, instead of changing into me posh leather shoe's might have had something to do with it!! (plus ordered steak in a fish restaurant, so they probably thought I was a c0ck)

Eddie_fb, f@ck'em your money is worth exactly the same as the next man so just enjoy it.

Most of the time it's all in the head anyway.

Yeah I'm with bling ****'m I heard recently some Michelin star chef being asked about people having steaks well done. His reply was its their money they get it how they want. I liked that reply

Yeah, I'm aware it's mostly in my head. Luckily we live near a really class pub that does fantastic food (Polgooth Inn, nr St. Austell) and I feel at home there, so I can eat bangers and mash in comfort!

mmmmm, award winning bangers and mash.......

'Yeah, but dribbling from where essel?'

Well, my gob at the time of writing, but now you come to mention it, the 2nd Thursday of the holiday was bad. Definately had Goan Guts that day!
Still can't wait to go back though!

For the man in Spain missing home

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