Review by Will on 21st June, 2006

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Porters, from the outside appears to be a well-run and 'well worth the visit' establishment for any enthusiastic gastronome. With fine decoration and a querky 'war-time' british menu that boasts such delights as 'Faggots in gravy' and 'Venison pie' not to mention the 'Beer Battered Fish & Chips' as part of it's repertoire. How could one see the food in this place as anything but classy and delicious seeing as a mere fish & chips costs over £12? All is not as it seems. On entering the restaurant on a quiet Sunday afternoon, I was impressed by the welcoming and attentive nature of the hostess & waiter leading us to the table and straight away began to feel at ease with the place. The drinks and food orders were taken quickly and all arrived quickly and without problems, that is until we tasted the food! One of the people in my party had ordered their 'world famous' fish & chips only to find that the fish (although looked impressive) was barely cooked in the centre! This was immediately sent back via our apologetic waiter- 'Bad tidings' I thought as I tucked into my 'Faggots and Gravy'. Oh how right was I! I don't think the chef at this restaurant EVER tastes his own food as there was so much salt in my dish that I am sure I will be well-preserved when I shuffle off this mortal coil! Then there was my side order of "Fresh" vegetables...and I'm sure they WERE fresh once - on the day they were frozen 10 years ago. I'm not going to even mention the potatoe mash. Towards the end of this repast, my friends fish & chips arrived. Great. If a chef can't get the cooking time right on the most quotdian of dishes in an English restaurant and obviously doesn't taste his food ONTOP of relying on a micro-wave to cook his veg then what CAN he get right?! 'Famous Fish&Chips - you're absolutely right! But for ALL the wrong reasons! If you like good food then don't be taken in by the genuine looking appearance of this restaurant - it's a total facade! Capsule review: The food - Bad The decor - Passable The staff - Foreign

Date visited: 18/6/06