Going out for a meal as a family can sometimes be a bit daunting! Fussy eaters, troublesome toddlers and diverse tastes can create worries even before you've left home. Deliberating over menu choices, waiting to be served and then waiting for the meal itself can make the children get a bit fed up. I have to be honest, going to traditional restaurants with my brood often ends in someone throwing a tantrum!
However I was delighted to be invited along with the family to try out Taybarns "The Ultimate Eatery" offering an all-you-can-eat experience, giving amazing value, choice and convenience. It sounded just perfect for us! A relaxed restaurant geared up for family dining.
Taybarns philosophy is fresh, fun and different, providing good food at an all in one price, all under one roof.
We arrived to be warmly greeted and shown to our table in the spacious dining area. The decor and furnishings were bright, funky and modern. Everything was clean and tidy. We had a great view of the impressive 34 metre food line.
The food line is divided into counters : Soups, Salads, Chip Shop, Grill, Kitchen Italia, Carvery and Desserts.
There was an area for collecting plates, bowls and cutlery, which was kept well stocked. You could then help yourself to as much or as little as you liked from the range of over 100 freshly prepared dishes.
Everyone was able to tuck in at their own speed, enjoying what they liked, when they wanted.
Everything was well labelled so you could see exactly what was what. The food was well attended to and the areas were kept clean and tidy. We are vegetarian so we were looking closely at the suitability of the choices for us. We were also looking to see if there was cross contamination of meat into the veggie options, and also the provision of separate serving utensils. I have to say I was impressed with both of these issues. I had no worries eating at Taybarns as a vegetarian family.
As you can go up as often as you liked, the used plates and bowls on tables could easily mount up. However, a team of friendly staff stay on top of it. They were polite, unobtrusive and always asked whether you had finished with your crockery before taking it away. (I once had a bowl of soup whisked away from me in a restaurant when I put my spoon down for a second...so I was very pleased that Taybarns adopted a much more considerate approach!)
As for the food itself, it was good. Between us we sampled Spicy Mediterranean Bake, Cheesey Pasta Bake, Doughballs, Garlic Bread, Potato Wedges, Mushroom and Thyme Pizza, Mediterranean Pizza, Grilled Corn, Tomato Soup, Roasted Vegetables, Chips, lots of different vegetables and salads. It was all well cooked and hot. The Handmade Pizzas were actually fantastic...on a par with a Pizzeria and with a range of different toppings. The Kitchen Italia counter boasted a big selection of pasta dishes and accompaniments...the veggie options were very well received by my children.
The Desserts were wonderful! I am a sucker for a cake and I was spoilt for choice with Chocolate Fudge Cake, Carrot Cake, Bakewell Tart, Victoria Sponge and Cheesecake. There was also Profiteroles, Hot Lemon Sponge, Apple Crumble, An Ice Cream Machine and for the healthier diners, a Fruit Salad!
The place is so family friendly supplying high chairs and booster seats as well as colouring sheets and crayons for the little ones. There is baby changing facilities in both the Gents' and Ladies' toilets. While we were there a Chef Character came round to meet and greet the children. The relaxed nature of the restaurant kept children happy and the atmosphere was perfect for family dining.
Prices for weekdays are £6.20 between 11.30pm and 5pm and £8.25 from 5pm to late. At weekends it costs £8.75 per head. Children under 10 are charged £4.15. A bottomless soda costs £2.30 and can be refilled at the Drinks Station. OAP's and Students can get special deals. This represents such good value for money.
Taybarns caters for the whole family, providing a diverse range of good quality food at one all inclusive price. It is friendly, fun and relaxed. It is definitely a great venue for a family meal out. As vegetarians we were well catered for with plenty of good choices for even the fussiest eaters! It's a "Cheap and cheerful" family restaurant where we felt completely at ease and unhurried.
It does get incredibly busy at peak times. Some diners had to wait up to 45 minutes for a table, but there is a bar area with TV to accommodate them. People can't get enough of the Taybarns' Experience!!
For more information and to find a Taybarns near you check out their website. Sign up to their newsletter for exclusive news and offers.
*Our meal was complimentary but the opinions expressed are my own.*