~*~ Ask! ~*~

Ask restaurants are 'the leading name in the UK casual dining market', according to their website. They have over 100 restaurants scattered across the UK, so there is bound to be one near you somewhere! Ask are an Italian restaurant that serve a variety of pizza and pasta dishes, amongst many other favourites!


~*~ The menu ~*~

Let's start with the most obvious shall we? On the menu you will find something to suit everyone. Starters include cod and pancetta fishcake, bruschetta, garlic breads and olives, to name a few. On the menu are a variety of salads (although why someone would go to a restaurant and order a salad is beyond me!) and then more traditional Italian meals.

Pasta dishes include spaghettis, raviolis and penne's and cater for meat eaters and vegetarians alike. The vast selection of pizza's, including a fresh egg and spinach, king prawn, tuna and anchovy and many more well known varieties. Also on the menu are burgers, chicken breast, risotto, salmon and beef dishes.


~*~ The prices ~*~

To give you an idea of the prices I've taken a few samples from the menu:

Garlic bread - £3.75
Bruschetta - £4.45
Calamari starter - £4.95
Penne del Giardino - vegetarian pasta dish - £8.25
Salmon with butter beans, new potatoes - £11.95
ASK burger with sides - £9.95
Margerita pizza - £6.25
Chocolate cake - £4.95
Selection of ice cream - £3.75

Very good prices, definitely not one that's going to break the bank!


~*~ The food quality ~*~

I have eaten in this restaurant a number of times at locations across the UK including in Manchester and London, and each time have been satisfied with the quality of food. Ok, so don't expect five star quality food, but it is satisfactory and definitely good enough quality for the price range.

I highly recommend the bruschetta starter which is marinated tomatoes, onions and basil with olive oil on toasted bread which really starts a meal off nicely. For a main, the last time I went I tried the salmon which was really fresh and natural tasting, definitely a good choice especially for those dieters out there! My other half had the burger last time and was very satisfied with it, and he can be a fussy one food wise! As for pizzas, the one I mentioned earlier with the egg and spinach is surprisingly good. I'm not usually very adventurous with food but was recommended this by a friend and have had two since!

As far as desserts go, the one and only dessert I will recommend is the chocolate nemesis - a gorgeous chocolate pudding with chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream - absolutely gorgeous, but again not for those calorie counters out there!


~*~ Offers ~*~

This restaurant always seems to have some sort of offer going on. Those on at the moment include a 3 course set weekend menu for just £12.95. This menu includes starters of a garlic bread, mushroom dish or salad, main of a variety of pizza and pasta dishes (including vegetarian options) and dessert of ice cream or apple rustica. Very good value, this deal can be found via: http://www.askweekendmenu.co.uk/

Also avaliable as an offer is the opportunity to eat for £1 (main meal only) when any other main meal is purchased. This offer can be found via: http://www.askrestaurant-offers.co.uk/


~*~ The verdict ~*~

A very nice little restaurant chain, ideal for a quick lunch or a nice dinner. Not the best restaurant you will ever visit and I doubt you'll be raving to your friends about it afterwards, but all the same a nice little place to go for an evening out. It is very similar to Italian restaurant chain Bella Italia, so if you like that then definitely worth giving this one a go!