Comfort Food (Tootsies Restaurants in general)

Member Name: deb10

Product:	Tootsies Restaurants in general
Date:	21/11/06 (1109 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Children are welcome , good cuts of meat, organic choice for little ones

Disadvantages: Expensive and crowded

Location reviewed - Tootsies – Gun Wharf Quays, Portsmouth, Hampshire.
Branch Manager – Gareth Blake
Telephone: 02392 833787

If you are looking for an enjoyable and healthy meal out with the family, then I would like to bring “Tootsies” restaurant to your attention. With it’s young and lively style and eclectic individuality, there is something for everyone, with the emphasis on children are welcome.

After a stressful shop at Gunwharf Quays, the doors of Tootsies were like a magnet, they drew us inside. I have never been to one of these eateries before so wasn’t sure what to expect. However, though the place was absolutely heaving, they still found a table for us within 10 minutes and we were a party of 12, which was quite impressive.

We had four small round wooden tables placed in a line and admittly it was quite cramped. However our waitress was extremely polite, laid back and quick, which compensated for the lack of space. Within minutes she had returned with our drinks order and was ready to take our food order. The children were more than happy when she produced a large pile of colouring sheets and pots of crayons. It was instant silence as they set to work on their pieces of art.

*** FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD ******

The A5 laminated menu with its large font size, is extremely easy to read. Most of the food here is chargrilled, with the emphasis being on burgers and chicken. However the quality of the meat is second to none and is not comparable to a Big Mac or BK Flamer.

There are various Vegetarian options and these are located with a small “V” alongside the description. There are dishes with nuts in, so just take care if you have intolerance.

They claim the beef is from prime cuts only and the chicken is not loaded with water or chemicals to swell the meat. The chicken is brought from Europe and not purchased from Asia which offers poor quality meat, quite often tampered with. Even the eggs are free range, GM free and originate from the Welsh hills. Basically what you see on the menu is what you get, healthy tampered free food with delicious sauces.

The items available are in two columns. To begin with you have the starters section, followed by sandwiches, then salads, side dishes, burgers, speciality burgers and grills. On the rear of the menu wines, soft drinks and the all-important desserts are listed.

No one on our table ordered a sandwich, but after seeing one served to the table opposite, we started to wish we had. The sandwich is nothing like two slices of bread, cut down the middle. The bread appeared to be wholegrain, packed full of filling and held together with a large wooden skewer. Served with extra salad and French fries, priced at just over £6, this really is a tasty lunch. There were five options given here ranging from the BLT to Prawn and Avocado.

However, apart from the children, out table ordered from the burger section. Four adults ordered the “Chicken, Swiss Cheese and Mushroom” with tarragon mayonnaise. Served with crispy lettuce and a good portion of delicious lightly fried chips, not too greasy and an acceptable length with a large char grilled tomato on the side. I have a phobia against tomatoes and ketchup, so if like me you can’t abide these things near you, and then just say. The staff are more than accommodating and nothing is too much trouble.

Inside the sour dough and seeded bun, was a piece of pure succulent chargrilled chicken breast, cooked to perfection with a large juicy mushroom oozing in Swiss cheese. Word of warning though - it’s impossible to eat a Tootsies burger sedately, as soon as you bite into the sour dough bun; the contents have a tendency to launch themselves out the other end. A knife and fork is required otherwise you will be wearing your lunch. We all agreed after devouring every mouthful that this burger was extremely delicious and worth every penny of its £8.95 price tag.

Other items ordered for the adults were the Thai Chilli Burger. Most items on the menu are under £10, but the portions are large and worth paying for the quality of the ingredients.

The Thai Burger was presented inside the same sour dough bun as my dish. I did not wish to appear rude and ask my friends if I could try some but I was assured that the burger was succulent and extremely tasty, not too spicy, sweet but with a bit of a kick to it. Served with salad, fries and jalapeno peppers, all plates were cleared.

The speciality burgers are the Jalapeno, served with jalapenos, avocado, Monterey jack, red onion, sauce, sour cream and coriander. The Thai Chilli Burger with Thai mayo, red onion and coriander. Chorizo & Red Pepper with black olives and garlic mayonnaise
Burger with the Works, includes crispy bacon, Monterey jack, grilled pineapple, fried egg, caramelized onion, beetroot, a huge plate load and meant for those with an appetite.
Chicken & Avocado with crispy bacon and crème fraiche. Chicken & Goats Cheese with grilled peppers and basil pesto. My personal choice of Chicken, Swiss Cheese & Mushroom, extremely tasty and filling. Lastly the Thai Chicken, chargrilled marinated chicken breast with spicy peanut sauce.

Unlike the adults, the children ordered different meals from each other. Children’s meals are £4.95 with a drink and ice cream or milkshake, or £6 for the organic option.
We had hot dog and fries, baked beans or peas were an extra 80 pence, meatballs with spaghetti, fish and chips, ham and cheese penne pasta (organic range) and finally bolognaise with pasta swirls. Served on an adult sized plate, the children all ate with gusto and the majority of the plates were almost licked clean.

The fish was cod and inside I could the flakes were pure white, no grey bits to be seen which children hate. The meatballs were plentiful with ample sauce to dribble down their chins. The penne pasta was almost white in appearance with no hint of additives or colourings. Finally the hot dogs. Looked and tasted as if the sausage was grilled, not steamed, presented inside a submarine roll with fries.

A side order of garlic foccacio bread on each table accompanied our meals. Four slices of bread, lightly toasted and oozing in butter with a subtle hint of garlic. A real must have on your table for £2.25 each portion.

A carousel of sauces are brought to your table as well as a pot of mayonnaise. The sauces are sweet corn relish, barbecue, ketchup and onion relish. There is no rush to scoop it all on your plate; the sauces stay with you through out your main meal.

Of course there are more items on the menu you can choose from. Rather than type each individual dish, if you go to the Tootsie website, which is www.tootsiesrestaurants.co.uk, you can download a copy using the Adobe link and see for yourself. It is presented online exactly the same as the menu in the restaurant, complete with prices.

***** DESSERTS******

The children are offered a variety of flavours of ice cream ranging from chocolate to mint. These are included in the children’s meal price. The ice cream for the younger ones consist of two to three scoops in a glass sundae dish, with a cherry and chocolate wafer/straw on top. They can have one flavour or mix and match. Sauces and sprinkles are provided in a rotating carousel, similar to the meal sauces previously. The sprinkles were difficult for the children to shake out, as they all seemed to be glued together, but the sauces were easy to pour from the small jugs. As an alternative, little ones can also order a milkshake, but all of ours wanted the stronger stuff and opted for milkshake.

For the adults, we can choose from Chocolate Brownie, Cheesecake, Waffles with Syrup, Fruit Fondue, Sticky Toffee Pudding or Jersey Ice cream. All priced just under £5.

I had the brownie and found it quite sickly, which was probably not down to the dish itself but with me being an absolute hog and ordering a desert in the first place. The brownie was warm and served with one scoop of vanilla ice cream and sauce on top. It was heavy going but I still ate the lot.

The cheesecake changes daily so ask your waitress which is the flavour of the day. Yesterday it was chocolate hazelnut and was served with a drizzle of single cream. My friend ordered this and found it utterly delicious, stating she would order this again.

Also on our table were the waffles, strawberries, ice cream and syrup. Quite a few adults opted for this and every crumb and every lick of sauce was devoured. Two good-sized waffles, with quarters of strawberries around the edge of the plate, on a bed of maple syrup. It looked as good as it must have tasted. It received a full marks response from our party who chose this pudding.


***** DRINKS****

There is a bar serving most alcoholic beverages. Sprits are served as doubles and at £5 per glass, come with a mixer. Beer which includes Stella and San Miguel are priced at around £3 for a bottle. A good selection of wine but somewhat expensive. Various prices depending on what you have, expect to pay at least £4 for a glass and close to £20 for a bottle.

Soft drinks are the usual diet coke, lemonade, tea, cappuccino, milkshakes etc. Expect to pay around £2 or £2.95 for a milkshake. One to recommend is the butterscotch, I have never tasted anything so delicious. Worth every penny and even the calories, which thankfully are not on the menu.

*** THE ATMOSPHERE*****

Tootsies in Gun Wharf overlooks the Solent and is adjacent to the Spinnaker Tower. The view itself adds to the relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. Though the restaurant was cramped and packed to heaving, the staff were not fussed or stressed.

The décor inside is all made from wood, from the flooring to the picture frames, not a hint of plastic in sight. Film memorabilia adorn the walls as the music plays quietly in the background. With its many cosy corners to relax in, this restaurant is clean, tidy and extremely unhurried.

All the staff are wearing the same style of t-shirt with various phrases across their backs such as “ Eat Healthy” or “Fresh is Best”. A great promotion for Tootsies healthy eating menu.

In the summer months you can eat al fresco on the decking and watch the world go by. However in the middle of November, we were not prepared to sit outside and just wanted some heat and a large plate of comfort food.

**** THE TOILETS*****

There are separate cubicles for men and women with individual toilets and own washbasin inside. The baby-changing unit (box standard drop drown from the wall kind) is combined with the disabled toilet. All loos’ are spot less and checked regularly and even include an automatic air freshener. Beware of the tiled floors inside, they can be slippery if wet.


*** HOW TO PAY *****

They accept credit, debit cards, cash and cheques. The pin and chip machine is brought to your table for convenience. A tip is not included on your bill and is down to your discretion. If like us, we had to divide our bill, this is not a problem either and your waitress will work out your total divided by how many adults are contributing. At the end of paying, your children are given a balloon to go home with and can present their artwork on the huge memo board inside the restaurant.

**** TO CONCLUDE ******

The website is loaded with information, ranging from locations to job vacancies and is well worth a look. The link is www.tootsiesrestaurants.co.uk as I stated previously. You will also get an idea of what the interior is like prior to a visit.

I must admit we all enjoyed our food and the service was great, very fast and efficient. This is one of the best chain restaurants I have been to.

No need to order from the bar, the whole lot is brought to you from start to finish. The children were welcomed unlike some eateries that I have had the misfortune of using. I like the fact they were given drawings to do until dinner arrived. Napkins are provided in piles and not per person, they must know just how messy little ones can be. Also straws are given with the little one’s drinks to avoid nasty spills.

However, it is quite expensive, though the quality is good, so realistically you pay for what you get.

Once inside, there is no room for buggies or prams, which is very frustrating. Luckily my buggy could fold up and was placed in a corner away from the customers. If you are laden with carrier bags or have a newborn in a pram, then you could have some difficulties.

Disabled customers would find it hard to manoeuvre a wheelchair inside but I am sure the staff would be more than willing to help.

If you want to save money, then opt for a fast food diner, if you want great tasting and wholesome food, then choose Tootsies.

Thanks for reading.

Summary: A very tasty family restaurant