Review: Pier Restaurant, St Ives Hotel, St Annes
12:28pm Thursday 8th May 2008
It was a glorious, sunny late afternoon as I drove down the Prom into St Annes to meet my brother and his family for a meal at the Pier Restaurant at the St Ives Hotel.
After an al fresco drink in the sun on the Ballroom Terrace overlooking the sea, we headed off to the front for a walk before dinner and it is true.....the sea air really does work up an appetite! I was famished as we took our seats at our window table.
The Pier Restaurant is roomy and air conditioned. The hotel and food deserves a much higher rating than its current two stars.. You can eat as much and whatever you want, all beautifully served and presented in a buffet-style setting but with very helpful and friendly staff on hand to help.
Me and my brother both chose a very tasty smoked mackerel salad along and my sister-in-law had the home-made soup. My little niece however decided to eat in reverse order.....starting her evening meal with an ice cream! Oh well she was on holiday! There were lots of starters to choose from and there is nothing to stop you having a taste of everything.
The Pier's main courses range from traditional roast dinners, fish, vegetarian dishes, pasta and a wide range of children's options. We all opted for the roast..I had the chicken dinner and my family tucked into beef. It was all beautifully cooked, hot and very tasty and you could keep going back for more if you so wished.
I had spotted the desserts as we walked into the restaurant. They were so tempting with everything from fruit pies to lemon meringue and pavlovas.
As my niece shot off to the ice cream machine yet again, I tucked into a bowl of fresh fruit whilst my brother and sister-in-law had hot apple pie and custard.
- How did it fare? (out of six stars): Food ***** Drink **** Service ***** Atmosphere *** Value ****