The Post House in Stafford

[Wormella]

We went for dinner last night, using the Living Social Voucher - and it was really, really good. Food was amazing, the new combined menu makes much more sense and the staff were attentive - which wasn't hard because there was a lot of them around for 6 tables dining.

I had scallops for starters and lamb rump for main, both perfectly cooked - faultless food and presentation.

We got there at 8 and we were dissapointed they dimmed the lights and cranked the music up at 9:25pm on the dot, which is when we made an exit, but we would certainly return.

 

[tek-monkey]

Thanks for reporting back, wish I'd got a voucher now!

 

[Wormella]

You can always use your trusty Stafford card for 25% off Monday to Friday...

 

[John Marwood]

Hint

Buy some Greek farmed 'sea' bass, add some brocholli, steam, serve on a freaky tray

weep and wail at the amazing food delights ( mention a few dodgy telly chefs )

Bob, as they say

is ya Auntie

Long Island Iced Teas all round!!

 

[Hothouse Flower]

We also went for dinner last night using our living social voucher and we had a lovely time.

The decor was wonderful, the staff were very attentive and the food was beautifully cooked.

Mr hothouse flower eats out at top restaurants on a regular basis as he entertains on a corporate hospitality basis in Birmingham. He had no idea that there was this quality in Stafford.

I had scallops to start followed by the sea bass. All fantastically gorgeous.

We paid extra for a bottle of wine, pudding, cheese and coffee so ended up paying more than the voucher cost but we still thought it wonderful value for money.

However, the restaurant was practically empty on a Friday night and I don't think that they are getting the clientele that they're looking for.

Considering that this is a wonderful dining experience, it amazed me that some people were in jeans and pumps. I know that I will get told off for being snobby but if you can't look smart when going out for dinner then when can you?

Anyway, all told it was great but if they don't get the people in then I can't see them there in 12 months time which is a shame as stafford is really lacking in a place of this calibre.

However, when we got downstairs we felt out of place with all the hen party young crowd. Decor lovely and upmarket but the people coming in were downmarket.

I am not sure the post house really knows its customers or who it is aiming at.

 

[Gareth]

I had my second visit to to the Pillar resturant on th Saturday before last. Place was packed, even one of the rooms for hire was full. Food and service top notch again, from the monkfish starter, to the halibut main, and the inbetween compliments of the chef were stunning.
Different staff than before, older staff at that with a french chap almost as some sort of maitre d in the main retuarant. Splendid all around and the food only worked out to £40 a piece for top service and great food and I came from the Moorlands for a visit

 

[John Marwood]

Pub chat..

" they gotta take six graaaand a week just to tickover"

I like pub chat

facts dunna matta

 

[tek-monkey]

£6k aint much, its open at least 12 hours a day and they must have at least a dozen staff in there? Even on NMW for all thats the whole 6k gone, not including costs of stock or heating/lighting etc.

I'd imagine even a small pub needs to take a few grand a week to survive, profit on wet sales aint that great really.

 

[John Marwood]

Well it was pub talk..

Maybe I overheard it wrong - maybe it was a day

Men

They do like to gossip

 

[Hothouse Flower]

I really hope it works for them. It's only been open for 6 months and it takes time to establish a new business.
Stafford really needed something like this in the town.

 

[ChrisLewis]

Too many rumours in Stafford apparently The Swan is "FOR SALE" - not true, possibly the same chap doing the pub talk!

Remember ideal talk costs Jobs!

 

[Hothouse Flower]

Chris,
Rumours always do the rounds and ooh....what's that saying?... It's better to be talked about than not being talked about.

I love anything Lewis partnership and I don't want you to think I am being unfaithful to you because I enjoyed my post house experience.

I do feel that if there were more places like the moat house and the post house in the centre of town then the area would become more upmarket.....perhaps I am of a minority? It seems most staffordians would rather have a burger king.

Shame on them.

Just keep expanding chris and doing what you do best.

 

[Gramaisc]

Just keep expanding chris

No need to get personal...

 

[Hothouse Flower]

Not getting jealous are you G?

 

[Gadget]

Chris,
Rumours always do the rounds and ooh....what's that saying?... It's better to be talked about than not being talked about.

I love anything Lewis partnership and I don't want you to think I am being unfaithful to you because I enjoyed my post house experience.

I do feel that if there were more places like the moat house and the post house in the centre of town then the area would become more upmarket.....perhaps I am of a minority? It seems most staffordians would rather have a burger king.

Shame on them.

Just keep expanding chris and doing what you do best.

That's because most folk would rather be happy in a place than be frowned upon for being too downmarket to be in there. You can't have it all ways. Either you don't want the downmarket folk in there (the majority of Staffordians) or you want enough customers to get by, thus allowing them in. i'm fairly adaptable but won't eat some where who looks down it's nose at me, because my clothes aren't right, my hair is the wrong colour or i'm not, pretty, slim, short enough and don't talk with the right accent. You have to decide whether to accept most or hang a sign on the door reading, 'Most Locals Not Welcome'

Chris Lewis seems to have the right balance, cater for most and most will come.
G

 

[Wolfenrook]

Hothouse Flower, if somewhere isn't upmarket enough for you, move to somewhere that is rather than looking down on those you live with.

Shame on you for been such a superior snob.

Ade

PS. £40 per person for a meal is just shameful! Charging that kind of money just for a meal in the current climate is shameful, they deserve to fail! That's just greedy.

 

[Hothouse Flower]

Hothouse Flower, if somewhere isn't upmarket enough for you, move to somewhere that is rather than looking down on those you live with.

Shame on you for been such a superior snob.

Ade

PS. £40 per person for a meal is just shameful! Charging that kind of money just for a meal in the current climate is shameful, they deserve to fail! That's just greedy.

I don't look down my nose at people.
I am born working class but with standards of decency.

I do think that if you go to a good class restaurant then it's insulting to the restaurant not to make an effort after all if they go to the trouble to make the decor lovely and employ a top chef etc then why would you turn up scruffy?

I love the moat house and most people there dress up..

 

[Gadget]

An effort should be made to the best of your ability but i don't feel they would be insulted if you didn't. As a chef i don't give a hoot what the customers wear lol.
G

 

[Gramaisc]

Not getting jealous are you G?

Not at all - I merely wonder if Mr Lewis might be a little touchy about his waistline...

 

[stormtrooperchef]

Hothouse Flower, if somewhere isn't upmarket enough for you, move to somewhere that is rather than looking down on those you live with.

Shame on you for been such a superior snob.

Ade

PS. £40 per person for a meal is just shameful! Charging that kind of money just for a meal in the current climate is shameful, they deserve to fail! That's just greedy.

I'm sorry but why is £40 shameful for a meal? If the food is top notch (which I believe it is becoming) and the service is good (again its getting there) then £40 is about right.

Places like the Post house and the Moat house are indeed expensive and will probably only be used for special occasions by the majority of people including me but what they offer costs money. Neither places' menu will make more than a 65 or 67% G.P and the cost of keeping these places running is HUGE. VAT, National insurance contributions, staff wages, rental and the constant price increases of food.

The idle chat in pubs that it costs 6K, 8K a week to run is completely inaccurate. I know the Post House have restructured lately and I have no idea of the correct amounts but It would be nearer 60K a week. I assure you neither the Post House nor the Moat House will make more money a week than KFC or McDonalds.

Places like The Post House and The Moat house should be supported and commended.