Clockwork Bistro — Restaurant in Preston

I went here with my family for my grandads 72nd birthday yesterday afternoon after my grandma finding and reading all of the good reviews about it. I wanted to have a little look before we came so i also went to have a look at the reviews only to find fantastic reviews with not so good looking pictures of food but thought that could just be me being judgemental, it was not. I work in a restaurant myself and know that the amount of reviews for this place, and to be spaced so closely together is very unusual seeing as they all are 5 stars, not one complaint because you always get those people. I hate to be one of those people right now but i believe that these reviews are either biast or written by employees or friends of the company because it was awful. The place inside had a nice look despite the table being up to our shoulders almost, but we ignored that and took a look at the menu once being told from behind the bar to sit somewhere. There was only 6 things on the menu and i am not exaggerating. As well as this there are a couple of starters and sides but this isn’t that great when you want a full sized meal. We were then to find out that 3 of the 6 choices were unavailable and when asking minute questions about what the meals came with for example, the waiter/bar staff had no idea the answers to what we were asking and had to go to ask somebody else. Anyway we ordered our food with some of us opting for things off of the kids menu ( mushroom pasta ) which we thought were some strange choices if an actual child had wanted to eat them as most children are picky. We were the only table eating in there and yet we still had to wait almost an hour for our food. About half an hour after waiting the same guy came and just put a bowl of chicken wings on the table and walked away with no explanation but turned out they were to make up for the wait which was going to be another half an hour. Not to be rude but those chicken wings smelt like a beef and tomato pot noodle a little too much, like something rustlers would sell.

ANYWAY, all of the food eventually came, the garlic bread with cheese being small pieces of bread with shop bought cheese being melted onto it, seemingly in a microwave ( it came overdone, luke warm and burnt ). The children’s pasta tasted quite literally of nothing and was to my surprise fusilli pasta which i feel they should have mentioned as again, children can be picky. Both chicken burgers that were ordered to my eye looked disgusting and raw, the sea bass was drowned in an unmentioned creamy sauce which nobody liked, and the pie ordered came black and burnt.

When we finished we had to ask to order for desert, personally i didn’t want one because of the meal i’d just had which i think said it all, but everybody else did infact want one, UNTIL we were told that only 2 options were available once again, the ‘lotus bus off cheesecake’ and plain vanilla ice cream. Our table ordered one of each for some reason and when it came there was nothing screaming biscoff at all, and the cheesecake was so hard that they had to resort to using a knife to cut it !

We never got a copy of a bill, just a price said to us and a card machine in our face. I think this is incredibly wrong as the bill came up to £95, not bad if the food was good but as it was awful, very overpriced and i must mention that when you look at the menu everything is cheap. I’m talking for £5 pasta £3 garlic bread so how this was accumulated i don’t know. I’m sure of it that a service charge was slapped on there and we weren’t allowed to see as looked like the place was struggling for customers. I’m addition there is no parking at all and had to find space for us on the main road.

Would never go here...

This spot is great if you’re looking for value for money, tasty food and a nice atmosphere!

Sunday roasts are top drawer and can honestly say within Preston, this will be your best. Sunday dinner for under £15 an absolute bargain.

Visited a couple of times now since it’s very recently opened its doors & will deffo be back most weeks. Class team, friendly and welcoming. Great to see Lane Ends have something like this place! Well needed.

3 courses £23, unbelievable value. I recommend the sharing platter for starters, get a load of great tasting starters for the price of a pint! Was also told bottomless brunch is coming soon, can’t wait to get back and try 👌🏼

See you Saturday for bottomless 😍 (Pics attached) - don’t visit without ordering the starters board! Exceptional...

Visited the Clockwork Bistro for the first time last night with the girlies and will defiantly be visiting again.

Was a fantastic night from beginning to end. The food was delicious, cocktails lovely, atmosphere great and the staff were so welcoming and helpful. We started off with the sharing platter which I must say it is perfect for groups, everything on it was sooo tasty. Then I had the lamb and couldn't fault it in the slightest. Unfortunately wasn't wearing the right pants to be able to fit dessert in as well but will defiantly be having a dessert next time.

It is decorated lovely and well laid out and just a great spot for really any occasion but me and the girls were very very impressed and will be returning. Great value for money. Fantastic addition...