rory's blog

Last Friday we went to Ocean Beach for a romantic meal, the views and sunset were fantastic - in the height of summer when it is possible to sit on the terrace it will be even better (although the menu on the terrace is more limited).

I have just about got over my downer on the restaurant due to the issue of toilet signage or lack of it. You see it is a converted tram shelter (from the days when there were trams running along the seafront) and when it became a restaurant the council made it a condition that they took over the running and upkeep of the public toilets. However it wasn't signed as such. Now it says toilets facility rules apply and the door is left open most of the time - what it should say is "Public" Toilets - anyway enough of my rant.

It was full of Southend's attempt at WAGs, however the food was really good and this made up for some of the noise. I had moules to start off with and there were plenty of them too. There wasn't any swordfish for my main (even though it was a special) and so I had the lamb which was extremely succulent. Mandy had the smoked cod and we shared (which Mandy ate!) a dessert of meringues. We ordered some side dishes, but I think the quantities were so large that we didn't really need any.

I think that the waiting staff were a bit inexperieced, for example I questionned the moules and asked if they were New Zealand green lipped and she had to go and check, luckily they were native rope-grown - and were very good with plenty of them.

I think that for convenience to our house and not having to drive it is the second best restaurant in Southend - the best restaurant is still the Pipe of Port in my opinion, although it is probably more suited to the winter, because it is in the basement with no outside light. We are going to try the Roslin "Beach" Hotel next - I'll review once we have tried it.

If any of my more mature relatives go to Ocean Beach they should go fairly early because there is background music which they probably wouldn't like - I reckon about 6pm for them.