ESCAPE LONDON – PorterHouse Shrewsbury, not your first point of call

Posted by Editor on November 25, 2014 in Drink, Escape London, Food, Heart London Magazine, Reviews | 3 Comments

PorterHouse Shrewsbury is set in a stunning little town and just steps away from the breathtaking Drapers Hotel where we were staying. The pretty building looks like it used to house a carriage way for horses. The venue inside splits into three, a stunning bar buzzing with trendy clientele and beautiful decor one side, a lovely library looking restaurant in the back and a glass annex that houses the third part of Porter House restaurant.

The venue inside splits into three, a stunning bar buzzing with trendy clientele and beautiful decor one side, a lovely library looking restaurant in the back and a glass annex that houses the third part of Porter House restaurant.

We were seated in the annex which was a bit of a shame, while the rest of Porter House suited the stunning exterior, the annex felt like we were stuck in a greenhouse extension. The ceiling was decorated with pretty lanterns, but the walls looked as if they were covered in children’s orange paintings and the floor was adorned with old rugs. They squeezed in as many tables as they could in the space and we were stuck in the middle, this resulted in our table continuously being knocked as people walked past us.

They squeezed in as many tables as they could in the space and we were stuck in the middle, this resulted in our table continuously being knocked as people walked past us.

80’s music played in the background, but it was a touch too loud for the ambience.  The bar area is funky, classy and cool but sharing the same music meant you had to raise your voice to be heard across the table.

Prosecco was our choice drink for the evening and it arrived with a beautiful touch of a raspberry set in the glass. However, it arrived the drink was lukewarm, when we asked the waitress nicely to cool it, she reluctantly took it back. Sadly when it was brought back to us, it was still lukewarm and we asked again sweetly if it could be changed. Having bar tended in my I only complain if necessary, no one likes a lukewarm drink, so having to send it back three times was getting a little frustrating.

No one likes a lukewarm drink, so having to send it back three times was getting a little frustrating

The menu provids an Interesting mix of Mexican, American and English. To tease our appetites we ordered the Shrimp and langostinos cocktail salad and sticky BBQ ribs with a side of slaw. The fish cocktails arrived with guacamole, the tangy taste provided an interesting contrast to the fish and the portion size was generous. The meat on the ribs were tasty, tender and the coleslaw a perfect side.

After the third prosecco arrived, it was a little cooler and the manager took over which improved the service, as he was friendly and courteous. For the main course I ordered the Crab cakes cajun style, with crab and salmon and poached egg. While it could not be said the food was bad, it was certainly average and a little bland.  Having said that I heard PorterHouse serves the best burgers in town, so perhaps it is just not the best place to go if you are not a meat lover.

While it could not said food was bad, it was certainly average and a little bland.

The bar side of PorterHouse is amazing, classy and buzzing. However, it feels like the rest is completely different place, it feels as if you are stuck in a cheap garden extension.  The manager Nick did try to make amends by bringing us a complementary cocktail, however, by then to be honest we could not wait to  get out of there.

If you would like a mid range meal and you are fond of steaks and a burger house, then perhaps PorterHouse could be for you. However, if you do not eat meat, dislike decidedly average food, poor service and warm prosecco avoid the PorterHouse restaurant in Shrewsbury like the plague!

http://www.porterhousesy1.co.uk/

PorterHouse, 15 St Mary’s St, Shrewsbury SY1 1EQ, 01743 358870

Heart London 5 Star Rating

Decor 2

Atmosphere 3

Food 3

Service 2

Drink 2

Cat, Heart London Magazine