Help? Stoke-on-Trent places to eat?

Bennifred

Hello any people from Stoke out there! Hoping to benefit from your local knowledge........

On Sat. 4th Feb I (plus family) will be visiting student son in Stoke for his birthday (lucky,lucky him!:p ) and would like to take him for lunch somewhere - not too posh - 3 teenage lads! - was thinking along lines of a Harvester or family Italian. I have done the obvious and asked son if there's anywhere particular he wants to go but he doesn't know of anywhere other than the local bars:rolleyes:

It would be fantastic if anyone could make any suggestions about where to consider, if there's parking etc.

P.S. Have just been told by OH that Stoke are playing at home that day so I must bear that in mind - I think he means traffic. Is that likely to have any bearing on where we should go? Please do advise if you can.....

Bennifred

......is anyone in Staffordshire free/able to advise - please,pretty please?

Lorian

Well I've only been there once, but there was lots to choose to eat around festival park, but I don't remember enough to recommend somehere, but their website might help http://www.festival-park.co.uk/ then click food at the top.

I remember the swimming pool there was excellent, lots of slides etc.

dora37

My teenagers (not as old as yours!) always like going to Frankie & Benny's (Italian/American).

I have looked on their website and they do have restaurants in Staffordshire,however not sure if it is in the location you want.

http://www.frankieandbennys.com/find.asp

young_pensioner

Hello Bennifred

I live on the Stafford area, not far from Stoke. The BULLS HEAD in HANFORD has lots of parking space. They also do 2 for 1, but I'm not certain at what time. It has been quite some time since I was there but it certainly was good then. It is off the A34 / A500 near to Jcn 15 on the M6. You could get a map etc from www.yell.com . You may also find others on that same site if you search for eating places in Stoke area. The problem is that Stoke on Trent covers a large area, so it is tricky to suggest somewhere without knowing where you are likely to be!

Bon Apetit!!

Bennifred

Hello all! Thanks for the replies so far.

Son lives in halls right next to the Uni in Stoke - sorry, should have put that in the original post.

I have indeed looked online but as young pensioner says Stoke seems to cover a large area, and lots of the listed restaurants don't seem to specify the area until you look at their individual wbsites - came across some as far away as Cheadle which were listed as Stoke!! It's a bit tricky when you don't know the area at all! The different bits all seem to run into one another.......

Am off to look at those websites mentioned now - any other suggestions still welcome - I guess we'll be doing this visit a few more times in the next few years and it's always nice to have a choice!:D

Bennifred

madmoys

Found this web site for pubs in Hanley
(about 2 miles drive from Stoke Uni)

http://www.stoke.mcmail.com/hanpub.html

MORPH3US

Hi Bennifred,

I work in Stoke, (for the Uni funnily enough), don't eat out there too often though. Hanley is probably your best bet, get a bus in (5 mins) or park on the multi storey, not too expensive!

Loads of pubs, bars and restaurants in Hanley, Pastiche do 3 courses for £5, VERY tasty and nice contemporary atmosphere. Make sure you book ASAP though.

If you have any more questions then let me know.

BTW Bulls Head as mentioned above is nice, about 10 mins drive from the Uni Halls, as long as the dreaded A500 roadworks don't hold you up all day!!!

Bennifred

Thank you! I've got some options, now!

I must say, Morph3us those roadworks are something else! I have made the journey from home in about two hours, but last time it took nearly four hours and over an hour of that was being stuck on the A500 (there was an accident on the M6 too, can't blame it all on the roadworks). I kept thinking that if only I was more familiar with the area I'd be able to find a way round! I guess the football traffic won't help either - I've just looked on the map and the stadium is in the same general vicinity as The Bull's Head. Especially as we'd have to deliver son back to his hall before heading back down here. Possibly it would be more sensible to go to Hanley - :beer: Pastiche is looking good! I'm a bit concerned about the parking though - is it likely to be horrendous on a Saturday lunchtime? Obviously if we need to book a table it would be advisable to have some idea of how long it's likely to take to get parked up/walk to restaurant. Also is Pastiche easy to find once we're parked?

Can you tell I live in a small town?!:o

Thanks for the help.
Bennifred

MORPH3US

The multi-storey is usually pretty easy to get a space on, its about 7 - 10 storeys high. Failing that, you can park in the Potteries shopping centre, get the park and ride, get a taxi (£5 each way), get the bus, walk (20 minutes at a good pace).

Pastiche is right in the centre opposite (and to the right of) JJB sports (sort of, really easy when you know where it is but difficult to describe). I'm sure your son will know where JJB is, if you stand there and head up towards Subway and Webberleys book shop then you'll find it no probs. Its above a bridal shop and a bookies.

Bennifred

OK that seems fairly straight forward! Thank you!
Will get onto Pastiche now to book.

And I'll post back after the event in case you're interested in how we get on:D

Thanks again to everyone for your helpful replies.

Regards,
Bennifred