Breakfast = Pub.......surely not! (Wetherspoons (Piccadilly, Manchester))

Member Name: suehome

Product:	Wetherspoons (Piccadilly, Manchester)
Date:	19/02/09 (252 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheap and cheerful, tasty treat

Disadvantages: Could be rowdy later, no free car park

We decided to try a slightly different idea for a half term treat, opting to try out the newest Wetherspoon's in Southampton for breakfast. Yes, I do mean breakfast and since this review has this specific focus I have left other more tantalising possibilities for you to explore should you so wish......

*** Location ***

The latest addition to the Wetherspoon's chain in Southampton is the aptly named Admiral Sir Lucius Curtis, Canute Road, Ocean Village, Southampton. I say it is aptly named since Sir Lucius bless him laid the foundation stone for Southampton Docks, and the pub is now situated in the old Dock House offices where affairs and labour was originally managed. My dad when he was alive was an ex-stevedore and would never set foot in the place when it was first sold off during an earlier property boom. Formerly called Ferry House, this is a grade II listed building, with a poignant memorial remembering World War I dead built into an external wall. Happily this means that alterations to this high ceiling-ed and oak panelled building are carefully controlled. For the history buffs this building is alongside the offices of the White Star Line, usually associated with those sad pictures of clamouring faces anxiously awaiting news of the ill fated Titanic disaster. As it is on the edge of the marina complex, which has a cinema, Tesco Express, restaurants and some high profile business buildings the mix of people in the pub was eclectic to say the least. A nearby student village no doubt adds further to the richness of clientele later in the day.

*** First Impressions ***

Weatherspoon's have done a tasteful update and refurbishment for this location. The dark oak panelling and dark furniture blend well together, and the inevitable TV screens are not too overt. We chose a table near a window overlooking the street. Unfortunately none of the windows look out onto anything interesting, and the view from the window was traffic and more jaded but nevertheless listed buildings. The carpeting was a lush rich looking Axminster type pattern more reminiscent of a stately home than a pub and this added to the character as did some occasional leather sofas and a couple of interesting artifacts on the walls. We entered just after 10 o'clock and I would guess that there were perhaps only 10 to 12 other people already present. Interestingly, only two had pints of beer the rest were eating, drinking tea or coffee or making use of the free wi-fi connections. Customers ranged from well suited business types to site workers grabbing a bite or just taking a break. I must admit the idea of using my laptop to access the net and keep in touch, whilst enjoying a leisurely morning immediately appealed to me. I am sure this free wi-fi will attract many users during the course of a normal day, and clearly complements the Weatherspoon approach to good value for it's customers. I suspect it would be too rowdy and busy to even contemplate later in the evenings!!

A purpose built disabled toilet has been added near the rear entrance, and this was pristine. The other facilities are probably not quite as good as you might expect from a Weatherspoon's, the Ladies whilst clean was a little cramped and the seats did not fit properly. There may of course be some building restrictions which have a bearing here. However everything did work and my visit was not unpleasant. Meantime to the all important offerings and our experience.

== The Breakfast Menu ==

This menu is available only until 1200 noon. Before you get the impression that a cooked breakfast is the norm in our household, please let me disabuse you. This was a treat and not one I would repeat too often, not for the food quality or the value, but more for the 'well stuffed' feeling and incentive to idle the day away. A separate menu card is provided for the breakfast menu, and we both opted for the standard fare. This traditional breakfast consisted of bacon, sausage, grilled tomato, fried egg, hash browns, mushrooms and baked beans all for £2.69. For larger appetites you could double up on everything plus have toast and butter for an extra £1.20. You could also add extra individual items should you wish at nominal cost. Personally, I could not even contemplate such a feast so early in the day, but some of the customers appeared to manage quite easily. The food was piping hot when it was brought to the table and to my mind perfectly cooked. The grilled bacon and sausage had the stripes from the grill and that glorious char-grilled flavour, which makes my mouth water even to think about it. The egg yolk was just soft and not at all swimming in oil, and even the baked beans were clearly quality Heinz beans.

When we ordered or breakfast we ordered the drinks too, him ordering hot chocolate and me a standard large white coffee. I have to say that whilst the drinks came fresh from an impressive looking machine they were both quite weak and uninspiring. This was probably the most disappointing part of the whole experience. The whole meal came to just £ 7.64 for the pair of us, and honestly we did not want anything further to eat until later the same evening. The staff were attentive and considerate, and the place felt clean and inviting for a start to a leisurely day.

For other tastes, you could have a morning roll with egg, bacon, sausage or vegetarian sausage, or a breakfast bloomer sandwich containing sausage, bacon and fried egg, a muffin or just toast and preserves. From memory these dishes ranged fro 80p for the toast to approx £1.99 for the sandwiches. A child size platter is also available at proportional cost. Unfortunately no fresh fruit, cereal or fruit juice is on offer so this is definitely not going to suit all tastes, but as an occasional teat I can highly recommend it.


But just before you go......

Finally, I should just comment on car parking. Unlike most pubs this does not have a free car park, and street parking or within the complex will actually cost you if it's before 6pm.

Thanks for reading

Posted on Dooyoo and Ciao under the same author

Summary: A very welcome addition to Ocean Village in Southampton