Riverbank Restaurant - Stafford College

flossietoo

Well-Known Forumite
gk141054 said:
Every time I call I get "the person at extension 31XX is currently unavailable"

Do you have to call on a certain day / at a certain time?
Try emailing: trainingrestaurants@staffordcoll.ac.uk copy to a.lunn@staffordcoll.ac.uk They get back promptly though probably not at weekend. We have a table for 4 one Wed in April and one in May, when my husband now can't make it because of work. It is possible that we might cancel or reduce it to two - should get ourselves organised over the weekend. If they haven't already got waiting-lists for those dates they might have some spaces.
 

My Name is URL

Well-Known Forumite
Hi folks, I e-mailed them in the end (thanks for the advice flossietoo :) ) and they replied back with some availability as follows:

Dinner in earls:
Wednesday 9th May (This is when I have booked for :) )
Tuesday/Wednesday 15th/16th May
Wednesday 30th May
Wednesday 13th June

Just to confirm our telephone numbers
Jane 01785 275481 Ann 01785 275463

Jane's number is the one I was trying above but kept getting an answerphone / unavailable message. I was ringing late afternoon though, just called now and she answered straight away and very fast and efficient too. Looking forward to this.
 

tek-monkey

wanna see my snake?
Just booked in for the 9th myself :D

Was after the Tuesday but they only had a table for 2, I wanted one for 4. The menus aren't out yet but as soon as they are I will post them here.
 

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
tek-monkey said:
We should get name badges :D
These clear badge plates are available in Rymans for you to insert a print of your avatar.

0765155022.jpg
 

My Name is URL

Well-Known Forumite
Thanks Tek, just had a look and it looks nice for the 9th.

The menu for the 1st looks great too but the vege wife won't like it even if I could get a table.

Are you going both weeks then? :pie:
 

tek-monkey

wanna see my snake?
I am indeed, taking my parents one week and the GFs the following. Gonna be a right porker!

Just realised this means I'll miss a week of my Indian cookery class though, bah!
 

tek-monkey

wanna see my snake?
The college run evening classes, never done one before but next week I start an Indian cookery class. Its Tuesday nights for 7 weeks, and costs £52. I believe that covers all ingredients apart from meat should you want it, but may be wrong! Not that much info online, but it can be found here if you search for indian: http://www.staffordcoll.ac.uk/leisure-New2.asp
 

flossietoo

Well-Known Forumite
Tek, you will LOVE the Indian Cookery class. I did it for two years. You cook loads of stuff and eat it at the end of the evening. As well as curries, we made our own samosas and naan breads etc. Great fun, really interesting and a very friendly crowd. Some of them have been going for years and people usually went straight from the class to the pub. You need to take your own knife with you and an apron. And if you like really structured things, you might not enjoy it.
 

tek-monkey

wanna see my snake?
Just back from an excellent meal, really couldn't fault a thing. Even the goats cheese course was good, and I hate the stuff! Parents were very impressed too :)

6 course meal for 4, a bottle of wine, 2 beers and a coke and the total was under £80 somehow!

EDIT: Just to add tonight was overseen by Matt Davis, from the Moat House.

Leek Veloute, Chive Foam
* * *
Ragstone Goat Cheese three ways, Panna Cotta, Bon-Bon
fondant, Beetroot Carpaccio, candied Walnut
* * *
Sorbet
* * *
Fillet of Staffordshire Beef, Haggis, Cabbage confit, slow cooked blade, Caramelised Shallot Puree, Woodland Mushrooms, St Emillion Jus
* * *
Raspberry Espuma,
Almond Biscuit
* * *
Iced Mango Parfait, Pineapple poached in Star Anise, Passion Fruit Sorbet, Coconut Rice, Mango Puree
* * *
Coffee & Chocolates
 

flossietoo

Well-Known Forumite
Thanks Tek, just had a look and it looks nice for the 9th.

The menu for the 1st looks great too but the vege wife won't like it even if I could get a table.

Are you going both weeks then? :pie:
Just noticed this and you don't need to worry about the veggie issue. They usually have a set menu for each sitting but if you clearly state that someone is veggie at the time of booking, they will do an alternative. They used to ask each time what I ate but now they know when they see the name. Even better, the nice man in charge comes over and discreetly warns me which puddings contain gelatine. Puddings are usually a problem for me in restaurants because they will happily put 'v' signs by starters and main courses, only to abandon you to guesswork at the end. The only thing I've ever had to leave at Earls was a parmesan crisp-thing because I've never found a veggie parmesan. They might have done but I was doubtful, so I left it rather than hurt their feelings when they try so hard.
 

Lunar Scorpion

Anarchy in the UK
Sorbet is usually vegan (and therefore vegetarian). I'm tempted to book a table one day just to really mess things up for them!
 

flossietoo

Well-Known Forumite
Panna cotta would normally be out. I've never encountered a savoury one but they are generally set with gelatine. That said, because everything is actually made there, rather than being bought in, it is always possible to ask about ingredients and they do know to watch for gelatine for vegetarians. Last year Paul Gilmore did some guest chef evenings, like Matt Davis last night. He would always ring vegetarians himself, beforehand, to discuss the menu - which is what he does at his restaurant. I can't remember what he was suggesting but I asked if it included gelatine. You'd have thought I'd asked if it contained turkey twizzlers by the horrified response: "Good God, no - I can't stand the stuff!"
 

flossietoo

Well-Known Forumite
Hi, we had a table for four booked tonight. Unfortunately my husband and I can't make it. I have changed the reservation to a table for two, which means that another table for two might be available. I know that they often have waiting-lists for particular evenings but I thought I'd let you know as there is a possibility that you might be able to get a table for two for tonight.
 
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