Restaurant for awkward work colleagues - Nottingham Centre
Discussion
As Entertainments Manager for our department who live all over the country, I am charged with picking somewhere to eat and drink the night before our quarterly team meeting. Those that are not local will stay at the Crowne Plaza in town.
As is to be expected with a group of 12-14 people there are always some who are.....more inclined to be less delighted than others.
We have had four of these nights so far - listed below with comments from my less positive colleagues.
Iberico World Tapas, High Pavement - " We didn't know what was coming so weren't sure on how much to eat off each plate"
Piccolino - Weekday Cross - "It was all right, but I don't really eat Italian much, don't book another one"
George's British Kitchen - " You couldn't hear what people were saying and I felt rushed to leave as we were the last ones in" ( to be fair they did start putting chairs up at 10:15, we booked the table for 8:45)
Calcutta Club - Maid Marian Way - " Don't like spicy food, and there's no English alternative so I'll eat in the hotel" ( There was a non-Indian choice)
Reading back I think that it was the same person each time who's comments are above so I might just book the curry house again!
The suggestion of the main protagonist was "a pub that serves food" but I am not fighting my way through a frozen then overcooked rump steak just so he gets his harvester points if such a thing exists
So your suggestions would be gratefully received - Where to next?
Ideally a variety of good quality food that can cater for all tastes.
Budget is about £50 per head including drinks.
As is to be expected with a group of 12-14 people there are always some who are.....more inclined to be less delighted than others.
We have had four of these nights so far - listed below with comments from my less positive colleagues.
Iberico World Tapas, High Pavement - " We didn't know what was coming so weren't sure on how much to eat off each plate"
Piccolino - Weekday Cross - "It was all right, but I don't really eat Italian much, don't book another one"
George's British Kitchen - " You couldn't hear what people were saying and I felt rushed to leave as we were the last ones in" ( to be fair they did start putting chairs up at 10:15, we booked the table for 8:45)
Calcutta Club - Maid Marian Way - " Don't like spicy food, and there's no English alternative so I'll eat in the hotel" ( There was a non-Indian choice)
Reading back I think that it was the same person each time who's comments are above so I might just book the curry house again!
The suggestion of the main protagonist was "a pub that serves food" but I am not fighting my way through a frozen then overcooked rump steak just so he gets his harvester points if such a thing exists
So your suggestions would be gratefully received - Where to next?
Ideally a variety of good quality food that can cater for all tastes.
Budget is about £50 per head including drinks.
Wow, Thanks for the suggestions – That was quick. Well – Here goes:
Knowing the other guys half of us would spend the whole night cringing at and apologising for the ‘funny’ banter from the other half with the hostesses. Followed by apologising and try ing to placate the door staff.
You know that saying: “He who does nothing makes no mistakes”
I thought it was OK, but the being hurried out wasn’t the best
Please do not think this is me looking down my nose at them – I am politely declining for their benefit. We’re not food fighters, but at the same time we’re not whisperers.
Any more suggestions gladly received
stuartmmcfc said:
Hooters.
I’m not sure that would be a good idea.Knowing the other guys half of us would spend the whole night cringing at and apologising for the ‘funny’ banter from the other half with the hostesses. Followed by apologising and try ing to placate the door staff.
The Surveyor said:
My suggestion would be to pass the responsibility over to the serial complainant on this occasion, let him take the burden this time then tell him after his choice was rubbish 
Responsibility is never the destiny of the serial moaner. They would go off sick for three months to avoid doing this.You know that saying: “He who does nothing makes no mistakes”
Pickled said:
That’s the trouble with skim reading isn’t it I thought it was OK, but the being hurried out wasn’t the best
tomsugden said:
Worth a look I think ThanksPetrol Only said:
Sat Bains on the offending party's credit card?
I would not burden them with our presence.Please do not think this is me looking down my nose at them – I am politely declining for their benefit. We’re not food fighters, but at the same time we’re not whisperers.
Any more suggestions gladly received
Gareth1974 said:
How about the pie place? http://www.pieminister.co.uk/restaurants/nottingha...
Mmmm…piiiiie – this might be a good idea -enough choice and something plain for those who don’t like fuss. What’s it like inside?2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
Browns has something for everybody
This looks ok too, sort of pub chain food, just upscale a couple of notches. Is that fair to say? – I’ve never beenFunky Panda said:
Petit Paris on Kings Row - something for everyone
Menu looks great, but their website says they close at 9.30.As we have people coming from far and wide that day we usually eat at 8:45-9pm.
Would this be a problem there in your experience?
ambuletz said:
Suggest to the serial complainer that if they don't like what's on the offer that they order off the kids menu.
Surprisingly (or perhaps not) they are the one who eats the least.talksthetorque said:
Gareth1974 said:
How about the pie place? http://www.pieminister.co.uk/restaurants/nottingha...
Mmmm…piiiiie – this might be a good idea -enough choice and something plain for those who don’t like fuss. What’s it like inside?2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
Browns has something for everybody
This looks ok too, sort of pub chain food, just upscale a couple of notches. Is that fair to say? – I’ve never beenFunky Panda said:
Petit Paris on Kings Row - something for everyone
Menu looks great, but their website says they close at 9.30.As we have people coming from far and wide that day we usually eat at 8:45-9pm.
Would this be a problem there in your experience?
ambuletz said:
Suggest to the serial complainer that if they don't like what's on the offer that they order off the kids menu.
Surprisingly (or perhaps not) they are the one who eats the least.We have an annual reunion at Petit Paris. They have a separate room too for gangs. Food spot on & service great
Browns is a very reasonable place to eat with a good selection of food/drink.
I've been to Reading, Windsor, Bristol and London restaurants and they're usually reasonably busy but the dining areas aren't crammed and i'd think they are very used to dealing with large groups.
The place wont win any awards for culinary excellence, but it would be hard to be offended/find fault there. A safe choice IMO.
I've been to Reading, Windsor, Bristol and London restaurants and they're usually reasonably busy but the dining areas aren't crammed and i'd think they are very used to dealing with large groups.
The place wont win any awards for culinary excellence, but it would be hard to be offended/find fault there. A safe choice IMO.
ambuletz said:
Sounds like they have a poor relationship with food.
You may have something there.
TopGear7 said:
Tamatanga?
It is Indian Streetfood Style - definitely not spicy.
Edit: saying that, if you have a budget of up to 50 per person I'd go for someone higher end (sorry I can't think of anywhere in particular given the fussy persons criteria)
Not spicy indian – that won’t wash I’m afraid.It is Indian Streetfood Style - definitely not spicy.
Edit: saying that, if you have a budget of up to 50 per person I'd go for someone higher end (sorry I can't think of anywhere in particular given the fussy persons criteria)
Edited by TopGear7 on Monday 7th August 19:19
Vaud said:
Here is an idea... don't make it compulsory.
"we are booking at Carluccios for 7pm" - if you want to come then you are very welcome, otherwise you can expense a meal of your choice to the value of £30...
etc
It’s not compulsory, but it’s also nice to accomodate everyone in the team if possible. Also if I did the £30 thing the persons in question would be straight on to HR on why their meal allowance was being cut by over 50% "we are booking at Carluccios for 7pm" - if you want to come then you are very welcome, otherwise you can expense a meal of your choice to the value of £30...
etc
FrankAbagnale said:
Browns is a very reasonable place to eat with a good selection of food/drink.
I've been to Reading, Windsor, Bristol and London restaurants and they're usually reasonably busy but the dining areas aren't crammed and i'd think they are very used to dealing with large groups.
The place wont win any awards for culinary excellence, but it would be hard to be offended/find fault there. A safe choice IMO.
I think it’s between this and Petit Pois and Browns, unless there are any other suggestions.I've been to Reading, Windsor, Bristol and London restaurants and they're usually reasonably busy but the dining areas aren't crammed and i'd think they are very used to dealing with large groups.
The place wont win any awards for culinary excellence, but it would be hard to be offended/find fault there. A safe choice IMO.
The other thought I had was Marco PW steakhouse. Anyone been?
Gassing Station | Food, Drink & Restaurants | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff