Category Archives: Kilmarnock

Longhouse Restaurant 130 Titchfield St Kilmarnock KA1 1PH 01563 535130


Titchfield St Post Office?

Not the most salubrious of areas in Kilmarnock to site a restaurant, half a mile out of the town centre, in a sea of double yellow lines that will make parking an issue at most times of the day, however, inside and out the former pub and more recently One Thirty Restaurant has had the magic paint brush liberally applied although the layout is virtually unchanged.

The interior is a mish mash of styles with a monster triple mirror ball dominating the restaurant area that would have Louie Spence searching for his dancing pumps. All in all inside and out I wasn’t keen on the design…..it certainly isn’t Buzzworks standard.

Ate there last Thursday night for the second time and what struck me instantly on arrival was just how many women you can fit into a restaurant on a Thursday night? ……………how can I describe it?………. a plethora of hen nights or is it a gaggle, no doubt someone will mark my card.

The food is well above average by Kilmarnock standards and everything we had and anyone seated close to us had wide approval.

The service was excellent, not a word I get to use very often when describing service in Kilmarnock so hats off to the Buzzywuzzies for getting it right again.

I’m not sure that twelve quid for a lasagne or a fish supper on the A La Carte menu will wow all and sundry but £9.99 for two courses in the early bird menu is proving very popular albeit the choice I find rather limiting.

Longhouse scores a 7
The Longhouse on Urbanspoon

 


The Blair, Lochlibo Rd Ayrshire A736 KA13 7RR.


I’ve returned to the Blair twice since my initial post last June and it was so refreshing to find that they have maintained the exceptionally high level of service and quality in all aspects of their operation, in fact if anything they have improved if that was possible.

For anyone that intends to try the Blair I could thoroughly recommend the Lamb Tagine especially if your really hungry!

Well done to all the team there you deserve your status as number one in my top five scoring a maximum of 10!

www.theblair.co.uk

The Blair on Urbanspoon


Frankie and Benny’s Queens Drive Kilmarnock


Having tried Frankie and Benny’s about 15 years ago in one of the very first F&B franchises in the UK it is interesting to see how the operation has developed or not as the case may be.

The décor which, even for a franchise I still admire the original attention to detail is impressive especially if you haven’t been before. (learn to speak Italian in the lavvy?)

The fayre is decidedly “Noo Joisey” That’s New Jersey to non Mafia types and it means that most things come covered in some kind of sauce although thankfully no blood and guts from machine gun fire. The menu is extensively Yankee Diner with ribs pizza pasta and steak featuring heavily.

Definitely a place for the younger set or groups with something to celebrate (and queue Cliff Richard.if you don’t get the joke just go and try it)

I cant say I love the food all be it its much better than Pizza Hut and a lot more fun. On refection it seems to make places like McDonalds seem like yesterdays place.

Rating on this occasion a 6.5 if you take all the elements including a very enthusiastic wee waitress into consideration!


Shimla Palace Titchfield 43 Street Kilmarnock KA1 1QS (opposite the old cinema)


Converted to an Indian restaurant about 3 years ago and until now has had a chequered history however it now seems to be getting established and overall the standard by Kilmarnock expectations is easily met.

They specialise in a large buffet which having tried 3 times now is far better and more varied than the boring Jewel in the Crown.
They do a 3 course business lunch for £3.95 plus a 5 courser buffet from 12 noon til 3 for £5.95!

The staff can’t do enough to help and nothing is too much bother. Not a showstopper but looking at a six with further progress on the horizon…….way to go Shimla!

http://shimlapalacekillie.co.uk/


Cochrane Inn, Gatehead by Kilmarnock KA2 0AP


One of the many Costley and Costley establishments throughout Ayrshire that time and time again provide a quality dining experience.

Converted from a village pub a number of years ago the Cochrane is a must book any day of the week however portion size can be a bit stingy, they cram the tables in and it takes the edge off things for me. Haven’t been for ages but scores a 7.

http://www.cochraneinn.com/

Cochrane Inn on Urbanspoon


Jefferson – Kilmarnock KA1 2DD


Eaten here on quite a number of occasions but I’m afraid the last twice the food didn’t cut it for me or the others in my party. The music being played was entirely unsuitable for the clientele that night and when I asked if they could change it the young waiter said he would ask then re-appeared and asked if it was just that track or didn’t I like all of it. Seemed to me like the music had been chosen to suit the staff and I wont be back. Scores a 3.5.


One Thirty Bar and Restaurant Kilmarnock KA1 1PH


NOW CLOSED

Slightly out of the town centre and fairly recently was converted from a pub. The décor is what you would expect complete with the large patterned wallpaper and standard lamp shades used on pendants in abundance. The food and service were fine but something is missing and I’m not sure what. Note don’t sit near the fire exit in poor weather as you will have Hurricane Annie blowing up your right trouser leg. Scores a 6.0 but could do better.

Word on the street is………….operators have thrown the towel in and it’s reverted back to owners Buzzworks, interesting if its true…….stop press……..the workmen have moved in and it looks like game on for something a bit different from the previous operation

One Thirty on Urbanspoon


Furama Gardens – Kilmarnock KA1 1JN


Cold lime green decor and the fluorescent lighting is so harsh and a bit 70′s NHS and I just couldn’t feel comfortable. The standard of the food is reasonable however the dishes I was interested in were either empty or dregs left and when they did arrive there was a frenzy to get to them. Hate the over attentive service constantly trying to take your plate away. The staff with very few exceptions seem to have been thoroughly programmed with warm and friendly deleted from the operating system. 4 Scored.

Furama Gardens on Urbanspoon


Café Da Vinci – KA1 1SU


Kilmarnock’s one and only Italian and well worth a visit however the pishy smelling gents toilet is badly in need of a major refurbishment and lets it down badly. Scores a 6.5

http://www.cafedavinci.co.uk/

Cafe Da Vinci on Urbanspoon


Dragon Royale – Kilmarnock KA1 1PH


Kilmarnock’s newest Chinese restaurant sports a modern stylish interior finished to a very high standard. The food is an adventurous fusion of Chinese and European food, cooked and presented as well as you would find in any top London restaurant however all said and done I’ll let the food do the talking.

This is well worth travelling to and I score it a worthy 9!!……which has since been uprated to 9.5…… watch out Blair Tavern!

Dragon Royale on Urbanspoon

http://www.dragonroyale.co.uk/


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