At this point I popped to the toilet, where the theming continued, which is a nice touch. However after I washed my hands I noticed that although it was 6pm on a thursday, the cleaning rota said it hadn't been checked since 10am the day before! Not really what you want to see of the levels of cleanliness, especially when you know your customers will see this rota!

When I returned, my partner said that the waiter had asked if we were finished, and cleared our plates, but he didn't ask if everything had been ok (he also didn't ask this during the meal) or if we wanted the bill or desserts, so we were left sat at the table wondering what we were meant to do. The waiter was just stood at the bar chatting with another member of staff. Did he want us to get his attention or go over to him to progress the meal? 

Eventually he came over and picked up our glasses, "shall I get you your bill?" he asked, but I interjected, "uh... do you do desserts?", he genuinely looked surprised, "we do... Did you want something?", "well is there a menu or anything?", "yeah I'll get it", he then went to get the menu (not taking the glasses with him, oddly), so we had a quick look. The desserts didn't really look that interesting, they didn't even have a description, they were just a footnote in a small box at the bottom of the back of the menu. 

So we didn't bother. We got the bill paid and left. The waiter didn't smile once.

It's a real shame, because visually the place looked great, it's had money spent on it, from the antler chandeliers down to the brushed leather booths, but as was displayed on this visit, it seems to be all show and no substance, with the food being mediocre and the customer service being abysmal. 

Wanted to like it, but we won't be going back here again. Poor show.

Wild West Diner

The Sands Venue

Promenade

Blackpool

The feel of the place in terms of operation seems very similar to Manchester too, a host greets you and takes you to your table, asking if you've visited before, and mentioning the specials, before leaving you to the service team. Another thing that made me think that the daytime trade is yet to establish is that whilst we were there, there were only around 3 tables in use, but no less than 4 servers, the host at the door, a barman, and a couple of managers. Although this is good, meaning you get good and attentive service, it did also mean that they were often stood at the side of the bar, looking at the dining room and waiting for something they could do. This resulted in us being asked if we wanted any more drinks by several different servers one after the other. All very well meant, but a little disorganised.

The menu comes in a wooden clad casing, very stylish, and another menu explains the origins of the meat they use, and their cooking methods. I like this, this is the sort of thing people like to read about whilst waiting for their food. 

We decided to try one of the specials, the "Texas Toast" and an "Onion Bomb", which I've only ever really seen in the States, but usually known as a blooming onion or onion blossom. 

The starters took a little while to arrive, but there was good music, and one of the servers updated us to let us know that the starters wouldn't be too long. I really don't mind this, I'd rather wait a little longer knowing the food is being prepared fresh than coming out of a microwave or from under a waiting heatlamp. We also ordered some soft drinks. It was nice to see that root beer was available. A true American staple!

Both starters were excellent. The onion bomb was perfectly crisp and tender, and came with a delicious ranch dressing. The Texas toast was wonderfully thick and crunchy, with several types of melted cheese and garlic. Really morish!

For our main, although we were considering one of the tasty sounding burgers, or taking advantage of it being "rib thursday", we looked at each other with a grin, and ordered the adventurous sounding "Pit Master Platter", designed for two to share. Everything about it sounded great.

What turned up was a table-full of wooden boards, some with little iron pots containing sides, some as plates (I prefer real plates as a side plate to be honest, but hey it's a wooden theme, lets go with it), and one containing the main meaty stars, which was very cleverly placed on a stand, raising it above the sides, and allowing more space on the table. Very clever!

Filthy Cow is the new baby on the block when it comes to the  big filthy burgers that Manchester City Centre has taken to their hearts, as it's only been open for three months, but in that time it is becoming extremely popular, and the owner is seeing the success and popularity rate continuing to soar!

Why, you ask? Because the food is $#!@ing amazing, and for Manchester City Centre it's very reasonably prices considering the quality of food you get!

Filthy Cow sits down one of the side-streets near the town hall, and as you step inside, you see the décor is the popular industrial and brutalist style that is popular with the hipster crowd in modern city restaurants lately, but the brick walls and raw plaster walls, graffiti, chains and metalwork really seems to work for Filthy Cow because it goes with the filthy raw naughty feel of the place, which takes its fabulously pervy meaty double-entendres as far as possible. I like it.

The staff are friendly and professional, and I was greeted by who I believe was the owner as I walked in, who welcomed me and asked if I'd been before. It's always nice to be acknowledged when you enter a restaurant.

The menu is refreshingly simple, with half a dozen burgers, a few sides, drinks, and some ice creams and shakes provided by the fabulous Ginger's Comfort Emporium over in Affleck's. There's something nice about a simpler menu like this, as you know that they are focussing on their core dishes being as good as possible, and easy to take in.