Eileen’s by Steve Barringer — Restaurant in England

Subtlety with enthusiasm Great experience. Firstly finding the way in, fortunately we met someone else visiting who showed us the path. Met as we walked in by young staff very keen to assist. We were seated down the stairs in the lower area. Some reviewers have nit picked about the decor, personally, like many other aspects of the venue, it simply is part of what this place is. Staff, including chef are all young and very enthusiastic. The experience is a selection of fascinating dishes with mostly subtle but fascinating flavours. Personal preference was the bread roll was slightly too salty for my taste and the beef cheek another really strong flavour but that's my view. The fish dishes were both superb, the desserts were both amazing. I was really looking forward to the rhubarb course slightly concerned that is would be challenged by the strength of the rhubarb, but it was pitched perfectly. Lovely experience, a venue with interested friendly staff who clearly cate. Chef was lovely to chat to, obviously very passionate about his craft. One minor observation, we travelled a round trip of maybe 180 miles both needing to drive as part of the journey, so a small selection of cocktails might have been a good option to offer too. Toilet (mixed bathing) clean and functional. Great experience, has potential for future...

Had the full 7 course tasting menu and the food was fantastic, really great. But I am quite disappointed. We spent nearly £300 in food and drink, I would massively expect more from the service and ambience and unfortunately this is significant lacking. It feels like the emphasis has been placed on the food and over looking many critical things. Menus should not be in laminate, the walk to entrance is intimidating and full of rubbish, the atmosphere is not cosy and intimate but quite bright where we were right next to the bar which made our experience feel interrupted. The music was pop music and the place is painted dark blue on concrete walls which looked and sounded like a nightclub or converted garage. It's not nice to be looking at dirty radiators and watching the washing up going on and the mop and bucket rather than seeing the food kitchen end. The staff aren't aware of the menu well enough because they haven't even been able to try it, we had to drink water for ages on arrival as no one took a drinks order and they seemed to be new and young and unsure of what to do. Sorry Andrew, your food is great but the front house and diners experience and ambience needs much...

Really disappointed, was made to go round the back of the building, there was no lights & all the surrounding buildings were shuttered up, I was on my own & felt unsafe. When I arrived I was meet with “ have you got a reservation …. No welcome, we were sat in what looked like a converted garage, poor lighting & very basic decor. The food was average at best and one course arrived cold on a cold plate, after my husband had finished his food the waiter took mine away & came back 10 minutes later offering to hear it up… We had the wine paring which was so mean each glass about half an inch of wine & the sommelier spoke so quietly, we never heard a word of the description. Maybe if we were in the main restaurant , where there was music & a better atmosphere it would have been a nicer experience.There is only one toilet & people were queuing to use it. Finally when we came to pay they had no change in the till 😵‍💫 & again we were made to leave by the back entrance & walk in an area with no lighting and through a derelict...