Almost Famous Liverpool — Restaurant in Liverpool

The reason for reviews is for places like this. For us to provide constructive criticism whilst also providing everyone our experience.

So we decided to visit Liverpool, 3.5hrs later and 20k steps round the city, we were tired, hungry and thirsty. No worries though, as we booked Almost Famous 2months in advance.

We were greeted at the door by a Steve McManaman lookalike with a mask. He asks us to wait while he checks our table. 15minutes later he comes back. We are excited!!! He walks us to a single table next to the toilets 👀 Annoying when there are other tables available and especially when we booked so early. But hey...let it slide. He then walks off! No taking order, no menu! 🤦🏻‍♂️

After half hour I ask a waitress to make an order, she responds, we don't take orders, you need to order on the app on the table. We both look down and realise the toilet table doesn't have an app sticker. I'll get someone she says.

No one comes.

I now get the attention of the guy that sat us down, he says he will take the order directly including drinks. 30mins later still no food, still no drink. 👍

I then grab the waitress again and say any news on the drinks, she says don't know but I'll check. Flings her head to the sky's and walks off 👍 I must apologize next time I see her for spending money in her establishment 👍

No one comes back, so I end up drinking my own drink...the whole can btw. Eventually the food comes, however, no cutlery, no sauce. Asked for it, but you may as well ask for a ticket to see a marshmallow textured flying carpet...it probably would arrive quicker! In the end i actually walked behind the bar upstairs and got it myself before my food went cold.

Food - was actually very good, but saying that maybe I was starving and anything would be good. But I actually believe it was at least a 4 out of 5.

So why the 1? Well we went to a Chinese the next day; Mr Chilli Chinese Restaurant. Food was average at best, but because the service was so good we enjoyed ourselves and the experience was ultimately a better one. We would have gave that a 3.5 so never famous needs to be lower than that.

So we gave it a 2* initially, but as we left, we walk past Macca, he meets eye contact then looks down and reads his phone. No thanks for coming, no come again...

Great food but customer service is not ever 1*. Like talking to brain dead curly headed rat that sniffs around a bit to see what's going on then runs off into the darkness never to be seen again.

Understandably called...

I’ve been a frequent customer of Almost Famous for years at this point (it’s my go-to birthday spot!). I love the food there, so when they started Bottomless Brunch I was there for one of the first weekends it was offered. I’ve attended for 3 bottomless brunches since the offer was introduced. Previously, it was great value for money, you would receive Mac and cheese balls & chicken wings (to share), one burger and one fries per person, as well as unlimited alcoholic/soft drinks in a 90 minute period.

It seems that AF have made some changes since the inception of the offer, since during this visit I noticed that they’ve actually removed the Mac and cheese balls and the number of wings you receive has been reduced significantly. To top this off, the cocktails on offer are no longer garnished, and compared to my previous visits they seem considerably weaker alcohol-wise (I drank more of these cocktails today than I ever have in the previous two visits and barely feel tipsy). Granted, the staff are on the ball with getting you additional rounds of drinks, but honestly it doesn’t really matter if the drinks on offer are using smaller measures. Overall the quality has diminished and the offering value has been reduced, but the price they charge has remained the same - this is the main issue.

All in all it was a let down of a visit this time. It seems that AF realised their BB offer was a bit too lucrative and have silently made some changes to cut costs. For this reason, I can’t really recommend paying £40 for a bottomless brunch at AF. I’d recommend going elsewhere. The only saving grace is that their food is great - but my birthday experience was soured by their ‘tightening of the purse strings’.

A final note: AF have seemingly started automatically adding a service charge to bills. The wait staff pointed it out on the bill, but in my opinion it's a predatory tactic which puts those who may suffer from a bit of social anxiety in an awkward position. Service charges/tips should be voluntarily offered by the customer for good service rather than automatically added, forcing the customer to ask for it to be removed. I don't recall this being a thing when I last visited, but I could be...

What did you all think of the food?

Chelsea Buns - I was grateful for the GF menu, my chicken burger was tasty, juicy and the bap was soft like normal bread. But the chips were tasteless and dry, they probably needed salt and mayo moisture.

Cole S. Law - The DTF burger was great, but the amount of sauce means you need napkins or some form of industrial absorbent to clean up your hands. I love the sauce of the bacon bacon fries, however the chips were cold. The food isn't cheap, but it is filling.

MnM - My eyes were bigger than my stomach and I went for the chicken n' coke burger. Upon arrival, the burger looked nice and meaty, however after a few bites it looked like a dropped lasagne. My fries were so cold I had to send them back to be reheated and even then, the sauce was so rich I couldn't finish them.

Cliff White - The DTF burger which was fairly tasty and very saucy. Unfortunately, it was cold and the sauce did begin to overpower the burger to a point where it became very sickly and difficult to eat (thank goodness the kitchen roll was within reach). The bacon bacon fries were incredible, would definitely order them again! But only to share or as a main.

What did you think of the drinks?

Chelsea Buns - Did I order a gin and tonic or just a tonic? I honestly couldn't taste any alcohol.

Cole S. Law - They have a decent selection of craft beers, for around £5 a pint.

MnM - Bevvy is decent.

Cliff White - the house lager was watery and at a London price of £4.50, it was a disappointing waste of money. Friends enjoyed a lovely IPA though.

What did you think of the venue/service?

Chelsea Buns - The service was quick and friendly, but the ambience was hostile and grungy.

Cole S. Law - The service was attentive, the decorations look like your typical hipster burger place.

MnM - N/A

Cliff White - The staff were polite, friendly and attentive (attractive). The restaurant was like a night club, quite clinical and cold. The high stools filled me with trepidation!

Anything else?

Chelsea Buns - Loved the photo booth!

Scores?

Chelsea Buns - 3/5

Cole S. Law - 16/4

MnM -...