Redhook

I went to Redhook on Friday evening with my partner and my parents. My first impressions were positive as the decor was superb and there was nice, lively atmosphere; without it being too loud. My first impressions were going to be challenged througout the course of the evening.

We had two waiters on the evening, I can't recall their names so will refer to them as Chalk and Cheese for the duration of this review. Chalk was a most friendly, helpful chap from Leeds, Cheese was an aloof, bordering on arrogant, unhelpful chap with a questionable goatee. From where Cheese hails I have no idea, as any attempt at small talk during ordering and later complaining was met with short shrift.

The food was a mixed bag, for starters I had the Soft Shell Crab Tempura, the Tempura was thicker than I have come to expect. The Crab once I got to it was fresh with the right texture, but lacked seasoning. My partner went for the Crab Linguine, it was superb, rich, garlicky with a nice amount of crab, parsley and chill. Both my parents went for the Oysters, Dad, raw with a Red Wine Vinegar and Shallot dressing and Mum, grilled with Parmesan and black pepper. Dads Oysters had that milky look and were as big as Clams (some of the smallest I have ever seen), my Dad, not one to mince words stated they were the first Oysters he had ever tasted that didn't taste of the sea. The grilled Oysters were said to be' pretty uninspiring'. When the waiter (Cheese) asked how the starters were I mentioned the above, he stated he was sorry and then just carried on being aloof. Being a typically English complainer (rubbish) I left it at that.

The mains were on the whole a triumph. my partner went for the Scallops with Chorizo, My Mum the Sea Bass, both were cooked to perfection and both of them waxed lyrical about their choices. Dad and I ordered the British Surf & Turf, which consisted of Sirloin Steak and two Langoustines. The steak was superb, seasoned to perfection with a wonderful texture. The Langoustines were overcooked, although strangely enough to varying degress, my first one was just overcooked the second one was like floury mush. My Dad's were by all acounts the same. For sides we had Goose fat Chips and the Spring greens, both were very well cooked and a joy to eat. We also ordered the Lentils & Pancetta, which they forgot to bring.

When the bill arrived (£310 for four, with two bottles of the cheaper wine), the waiter asked how we enjoyed it, when I started to try and explain that on the whole the mains were great, BUT the Langoustines were like mush and he forgot to bring the Lentils, he again apologised quite tersly and proceeded to carry on along his way. Like I said earlier I'm crap at complaining, but when paying these relatively high prices I tend hope I don't have a need to.

What they do well, they do very well, but there are a few things they need to work on which will stop me becoming a regular visitor here.