Good Friday being a glorious day we decided to catch up with some friends and their son who is the same age as baby G. We initially thought of the trying the "Electric Brasserie" but they were extremely snooty and awkward on the phone when we tried to book so we decided to give the Diner in Kensal Rise a go. We parked up outside the restaurant and I was shocked to see that despite it being a bank holiday the local council charges for parking on bank holidays. What scrooges! Anyway we were switly indoors where our friends were waiting at a large booth table. They have these very cool baby chairs that clip onto the table so baby G and his mate were comfortably seated. We were the only customers to start with but the place started to fill up as those who don't get woken at 6AM went out for breakfast on a gloriously sunny day. The Diner is actually very well set out. It has a central bar, a kids play area, a outside seating area at the back as well as seating out the front. This gives it a nice uncrowded feel. The menu is very comprehensive with all the various American and tex mex favourites on offer.
However the big problem Friday was that that they only had on one waitress who was very good but clearly pushed. I did feel for her working by herself in a pretty busy place with patrons sat all over on a bank holiday. Anyway she did good and the food got out to us after a little wait.The emphasis is on quantity rather than the highest quality here so plates pilled high with food came out and some of it was better than others. The kids meals in particular were plentiful. I had the special breakfast which was tasty though I think the ranch potatoes could have been done with being cooked in fresher oil. The rest was very good though and set me up nicely for the day. The boys enjoyed their meal, baby G was very taken with the sausage which he wolfed down.
The meals came to £30 for each family which was very good value. OK the food wasn't the best you can get but unlike other places I have visited like "Sticky Fingers" and "Byron" it wasn't pretending to be something it wasn't. There was lots of loud 80's music blasting away which was a nice way to start the day. they needed more staff on but they managed. I'd go back it was really quite fun.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8