I've said I will do some reviews for a while, whether restaurants, cafes or takeaways I want to give people an idea of what to expect when they eat out. There's nothing I like more than fine dining, although the satisfaction I get from eating something well cooked, priced, served and generally thought about is enormous.
So I decided to start my reviews with Kens Diner.
Now, Finedon in Northants is not somewhere you would expect to find an American style diner (or any style for that matter) so when I read about this place I was intrigued. From reading about them on their website (www.kensdiner.co.uk) it seems they took Fish and Chips to America, and now they are bringing Burgers to England.
To be honest the more I read about this place the more I liked the concept and the ideas that are behind it, a simple family diner with menu items I have never seen in the local area. They host numerous events, mostly car meetups. They also offer children's birthday parties which I can imagine would be a hit in the Limo they have in the restaurant. This limo is kitted out with a table and diners can sit in it and eat, a great idea (and I did get it right, it's IN the restaurant!). Have a look on their website for pictures.
Their website claims "Old Fashioned Diner with a genuine American atmosphere. Fantastic, good quality food at very reasonable prices served with a smile as the American radio station plays in the background.". Well, I couldn't agree more.
As soon as I entered I got a warm greeting, given menus and offered to sit down. The place is charming, littered with american signs and lights and even a couple of old fashioned jukeboxes at the counter. I sat down and someone came over soon after for my order, I ordered a Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich and Chilli Fries.
The diner has a good atmosphere, it is bright and clean with stools to sit at the counter and plenty of seating around (not to mention the Limo). If anything it was a little cold, but it was snowing outside.
After about 10 minutes my food arrived, It was everything I wanted. A generous amount of Steak fried with onions and Peppers and finished in a rich cheese sauce all piled into a soft roll. The chips were topped with a Chilli that had a kick, but not too much. If I had to criticise I would say with the exception of the cheese sauce everything was under seasoned, I think this is the way it is intended and condiments are on the table but I always prefer for food to reach me already seasoned.
It seemed a fairly quiet lunch time for them and the service was quick and thorough. People were popping in and out frequently. They obviously have a lot of regular customers, and I can see why.
I looked on Trip Advisor and I feel some of the comments on there are unfair. I do not deny people have bad experiences and it's not everyones cup of tea but I feel the place is a good concept, and well executed. It is not gastronomic or fine dining but that is the idea. If you want guide book food, or even to eat off of plates then this place is not for you. Here is somewhere you can go and have a bit of fun, eat generous, hot, tasty food and be well looked after. A great place to take the family.
For my Philly Cheese Steak, Chilli Fries and a Pepsi my bill was £10.50. A bargain I think considering it would probably feed at least 2.
If I had to rate my experience out of 10, it would be a good 7. This is because of the warm welcome, quick service and the general feel of the place, I have never been anywhere like it before.
To rate the food out of 10 I would give it a 6. This is no hard score and as my first review there are no benchmarks, I can tell you there will be very few 10s! The food is good, honest food. The food gained marks for the originality (within the local area) and lost some on the seasoning (again, my view may not be shared and you may like to season your own food).
I went to Kens Diner with the anticipation of eating good, wholesome food out of a basket. I was not disappointed and I will be working my way through the menu over the coming months. At the weekend they do a Pulled Pork which I can not wait to try.
Overall it is well worth a visit. Family friendly and well priced. For more information on the diner you can see their website, www.kensdiner.co.uk. They are also on Facebook and Twitter.
So I decided to start my reviews with Kens Diner.
Now, Finedon in Northants is not somewhere you would expect to find an American style diner (or any style for that matter) so when I read about this place I was intrigued. From reading about them on their website (www.kensdiner.co.uk) it seems they took Fish and Chips to America, and now they are bringing Burgers to England.
To be honest the more I read about this place the more I liked the concept and the ideas that are behind it, a simple family diner with menu items I have never seen in the local area. They host numerous events, mostly car meetups. They also offer children's birthday parties which I can imagine would be a hit in the Limo they have in the restaurant. This limo is kitted out with a table and diners can sit in it and eat, a great idea (and I did get it right, it's IN the restaurant!). Have a look on their website for pictures.
Their website claims "Old Fashioned Diner with a genuine American atmosphere. Fantastic, good quality food at very reasonable prices served with a smile as the American radio station plays in the background.". Well, I couldn't agree more.
As soon as I entered I got a warm greeting, given menus and offered to sit down. The place is charming, littered with american signs and lights and even a couple of old fashioned jukeboxes at the counter. I sat down and someone came over soon after for my order, I ordered a Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich and Chilli Fries.
The diner has a good atmosphere, it is bright and clean with stools to sit at the counter and plenty of seating around (not to mention the Limo). If anything it was a little cold, but it was snowing outside.
After about 10 minutes my food arrived, It was everything I wanted. A generous amount of Steak fried with onions and Peppers and finished in a rich cheese sauce all piled into a soft roll. The chips were topped with a Chilli that had a kick, but not too much. If I had to criticise I would say with the exception of the cheese sauce everything was under seasoned, I think this is the way it is intended and condiments are on the table but I always prefer for food to reach me already seasoned.
It seemed a fairly quiet lunch time for them and the service was quick and thorough. People were popping in and out frequently. They obviously have a lot of regular customers, and I can see why.
I looked on Trip Advisor and I feel some of the comments on there are unfair. I do not deny people have bad experiences and it's not everyones cup of tea but I feel the place is a good concept, and well executed. It is not gastronomic or fine dining but that is the idea. If you want guide book food, or even to eat off of plates then this place is not for you. Here is somewhere you can go and have a bit of fun, eat generous, hot, tasty food and be well looked after. A great place to take the family.
For my Philly Cheese Steak, Chilli Fries and a Pepsi my bill was £10.50. A bargain I think considering it would probably feed at least 2.
If I had to rate my experience out of 10, it would be a good 7. This is because of the warm welcome, quick service and the general feel of the place, I have never been anywhere like it before.
To rate the food out of 10 I would give it a 6. This is no hard score and as my first review there are no benchmarks, I can tell you there will be very few 10s! The food is good, honest food. The food gained marks for the originality (within the local area) and lost some on the seasoning (again, my view may not be shared and you may like to season your own food).
I went to Kens Diner with the anticipation of eating good, wholesome food out of a basket. I was not disappointed and I will be working my way through the menu over the coming months. At the weekend they do a Pulled Pork which I can not wait to try.
Overall it is well worth a visit. Family friendly and well priced. For more information on the diner you can see their website, www.kensdiner.co.uk. They are also on Facebook and Twitter.
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