Otello

Fairly large Italian, one of three in a very close vicinity. Clearly a proper authentic Italian place run by Italians, which is great; service however wasn’t great, things being forgotten and apologies not forthcoming. However, outweighed by exceptional food – amazing meatballs, gnocchi and one of the best chocolate mousses I’ve ever had. Just don’t be in a hurry – will be interesting to see the other Italians in the area.

Pizza 500

Maybe a bad experience but the pizza we ordered was 15 minutes late on pickup with no apology, they refused to add a meat to a pizza as it would “ruin it”, and while one pizza was delicious, the other’s meat was full of fatty bits.

Verdict: Ok

Location: 83 Preston Road

https://pizza500.co.uk

The Ginger Dog

Our final stop through the Gingerman Group was sadly disappointing. Pros are a very nice setting, and some excellent main courses – steak especially good. Let down by £8.50 desserts which were deeply average (would have been fine for £5.95 but at that price you expect more) and a £7 petit fours that looked like five things out of a box. Most of all, deeply uninterested service; there weren’t many diners to staff but they were hard to get and food all took ages. Hilariously, three normal desserts came and had to wait for petit fours, which, as noted, clearly came out of a container somewhere.

Verdict: Don’t go

Location: 12 College Place

http://thegingerdog.com

Egg and Spoon

Friendly, actually quite spacious cafe with quite honestly incredible food at very reasonable prices. Went twice in one day for breakfast and lunch; scrambled eggs delicious, waffles with bacon and maple syrup hands down the best ever. I keep thinking about them!

Verdict: Awesome

Location: 107-108 St George’s Road

http://eggandspoon.net

Cosy Cottage

Classic “caff” with loads of sandwiches, omelettes, breakfasts etc etc. Nice interior and a busy place, but I think really just average all round – ok food, not expensive but not cheap, that sort of thing.

Verdict: Ok

Location: 35 London Road

http://cosycottagecafe.co.uk

Rojo’s

Sandwich bar type place with a big menu to choose from which they make on the bread of your choice. Really nice people in there though and really excellent food – I had a chicken, bacon and avocado on “tiger” baguette type thing and they grilled up the bacon then and there. Delicious and a lot of value for £3.50. Also do breakfast rolls!

Verdict: Awesome

Location: 1B Montefiore Road

Can’t find a website

The Shakespeare’s Head

Brilliant little pub with lots of outside seating on two sides, cosy feeling furnishings and pints for well under £4. Didn’t try the sausage and mash but you choose a sausage type, a mash and a gravy and it looks amazing.

Verdict: Awesome

Location: 1 Chatham Place

http://shakespeareshead.pub