REVIEW: The Daily Star’s Neil Docking took his family to try TGI Friday’s new Christmas menu complete with festive cocktails. His daughter’s verdict said it all…
“This is my new favourite restaurant, Daddy.”
As far as reviews go, it surely doesn’t get much better than that. In fact, I could probably stop there, although my editor wouldn’t be very impressed. But don’t just take my daughter’s word for it, because TGI Friday’s Christmas menu is a festive treat you should try for yourself.
Now we’re a family-of-four who don’t need much of an excuse to go out for a slap-up meal. So we headed to the Trafford Centre in Greater Manchester on a Wednesday evening to celebrate my son’s critically acclaimed performance in a school Christingle concert. O Come All Ye Faithful!
The American restaurant chain is offering two courses and a cocktail for £24.95 as part of its December offering. I opted for a starter of pigs in blankets served with parsnip crisps and tossed in ‘Ho-Ho-Hot’ honey mustard sauce, before I was cajoled into ordering another portion, minus the sauce, for the kids, at £6.99.
Of course, all this meant was that my son ate most of mine, as well as theirs. I couldn’t blame him – the kick of the hot sauce made the honey ones the clear winner. At least I got to polish off all the crunchy crisps.
My wife also had to surrender a fair amount of her pick the ‘Cheese Fest’ – a triple threat for cheese lovers of Mozzarella planks, fried Camembert and cheese donuts served with tangy cranberry-chilli salsa. It was delicious.
Tempted as I was by the Yuletide Roast Chicken, for my main I had a Triple Stacked Jingle Bell Burger with fries (at a £5 supplement). And no one was getting their hands on it but me!
It was a beauty – two 3oz smashed beef patties, buttermilk chicken fillet, melted Camembert, more of the cranberry-chilli salsa and parsnip crisps, with a sage and onion stuffing ball perched on top of the bun and a whiskey glaze sauce. It was very messy and very good.
My wife meanwhile had a job on her hands to finish a generous portion of slow-cooked Southern-style pork ribs, with slaw, maple corn ribs, Cajun onion rings and fries. Fortunately she again had two little helpers desperate to try everything on the table.
Just for the record, the children did have their own food, namely crispy chicken tenders (£7.80) and a chicken burger (£7.50), which came with two sides each, including baked beans, fries, peas and corn wheels. They were wolfed down in delight.
TGI Friday’s is just as well known for its cocktails as its food – it’s staff even trained Tom Cruise to play a bartender in the movie Cocktail. So we had high expectations for our festive ones, which were part drink, part dessert.
I went for a Syrup Slay, with Baileys, spiced rum and maple syrup, plus whipped cream. Those without a sweet tooth need not apply!
My wife’s choice, Merry Trifle, was even better and took me back to Boxing Days at my auntie’s house. Admittedly the trifle she used to serve didn’t have quite so much Amaretto… along with orange juice, passion fruit and grenadine.
Of course, this wasn’t going to stop me ordering an actual pudding, and the Merry Berry Mud Pie at £7.99 was a great pick. Chocolate cheesecake, with fudge and a cascade of winter berries, was a cracker to end the meal with.
My wife raved about her fruit and orange sorbet sundae (£8.49). And not to be outdone, my daughter loved creating her own sundae, with vanilla ice cream, brownie pieces and Haribo (£3.25), while my son had an Oreo milkshake (£2.75).
All around us were smiling families celebrating occasions and being made a fuss of by the staff. The waitress serving us couldn’t have been more attentive or lovely with our children.
Meanwhile, her colleague came over and made them a balloon dog and flower. The latter is now adorning our Christmas tree!
With the quality of the food and the excellent service we enjoyed, plus the fact that for every Christmas set menu sold, £1 will be donated to the NSPCC, TGI Friday’s is well worth a visit this December.
You can book a table now at www.tgifridays.co.uk.