G's Bistro in Clarence Marine

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isandell

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Is there any update on G's Wine Bar/Bistro in the old Bakery in Royal Clarence Marina?

The only comprehensive review that I have seen was in a local rag, I think, a few months ago. That was too complimentary but things might have settled down since.

Thanks

Ian
 
We ate there last night having seen them advertised in the local council news letter.

We were the first guests of the evening. Friendly welcome. Ordered drinks. Asked to pay for them there and then. I suggested they might be added to the final bill for the evening. Took a seat on their lovely sofas and took a menu. Eventually someone came over to ask if we'd like to go to our table to order. I suggested we order from the sofas and go to our table when food arrived.

I had a lovely mushroom starter on bruschetta, sadly the bruschetta turned into a rather heavy panini bread but it was tasty. Goats cheese starter also very tasty.

Main course was G's “legendary” chicken in a tarragon sauce on pasta. Chicken a tiny bit dry but once again tasted lovely. Liver a little tough with lots of gristle. Ordered double cooked chips which arrived late and were disappointing. You would have hoped that one of the cookings would have managed to actually cook them!! Greasy and under cooked.

Of more concern for us was that not once after the initial drinks were we offered anything to drink. Yep, despite wine pairing recommendations on the menu no one offers the chance to order any!! We ate our meal with empty glasses on the table the whole time.

It wasn't busy, 11 diners in total. One of the waitresses seemed more intent at chatting to a friend at the bar all evening than helping the younger less experienced girl out. The door chimes that let staff know the kitchen orders were ready were having to be pushed twice for each order. I almost got up myself to help out at one stage!! The bar (where the staff wait) is at one end, the kitchens the other.

After the main course I paid our bill and left. I did mention the front of house problems and they apologised promising it wouldn't happen again. As we left the more senior waitress got back to chatting to her friend as he enjoyed his glass of wine (so they do have some !!) at the bar. No "good bye hope to see you again soon". We had to skulk out into the cold winter's evening.

I really wanted to feel the love for this place. We have a flat which overlooks Royal Clarence and very nearly bought the flat directly above the restaurant so have been waiting for the first green shoots. Sadly they missed the mark for me. It wouldn't take the world to sort things out but to be honest if it isn't working after 6 months I'm not sure it ever will.
 
G'S Bistro

Just to make things clear G'S is not actually in Royal Clarence Marina but is in the Granary and Bakery buildings shore side of the marina.
Berkley Homes have caused great problems with deliveries/post by calling part of their new development Royal Clarence Marina.
Anyway we went to G's for Christmas lunch and could not fault the meal, G himself was there and was also very pleasant and asked if our meal was satisfactory. The bulding was warm which is something to be said for such a large open space.
Granted I think the interior lacks something to break up those huge bare walls, perhaps enlarged photo's of what the building used to be like ? granary and bakery relics or somethig nautical?
I also believe that he has had a unfortunate high turnover of staff, but hopefully that will settle down.
We wish G's all the best for 2011
 
Bav34 said:
Just out of interest ... did you leave a tip?
Click to expand...

No I don't believe I did. A tip suggests service which at least meets if not exceeds expectations. It was a few weeks ago now (we've just come back from a cruise). Would you have left one ?

As for the restaurant not being part of the Marina I don't think the Marina has anything other than moorings and an office in the car park close by does it? Certainly the restaurant is located immediately next to the boats so I think you can see it as part of the overall Marina area.

Anyway, hopefully things improve for the future. As I said in my initial post I didn't feel the place was beyond hope. They just need to sharpen up their front of house.

Henry :)
 
G's Wine bar & resturant

I just wanted to let people know that G's is not actually in the marina like the Light Ship in Haslar which is how I believe your decription came over.
As anyone who uses Royal Clarence Marina will know the office is actually on the bridgehead
and has very friendly and helpful staff.
They also recommend, Indian resturant The New Bengal, Chinese resturant The Great Wall, Pubs The Castle Tavern, The Jolly Roger and for home made cakes The Pump House, all within walking distance.
 
Apart from the Pump House, I would not rate any of the establishments mentioned as worth a visit. The Castle is downright terrible; the toilets tell me that hygiene is a low priority. Last year we gave up on Gosport for eating out and now get the ferry to Gunwarf where several restaurants like Strada, Cafe Rouge and Lough Fyne are doing 2 for 1 offers. Better by far than anything on the Gosport side.
 
nightjar said:
Apart from the Pump House, I would not rate any of the establishments mentioned as worth a visit. The Castle is downright terrible; the toilets tell me that hygiene is a low priority. Last year we gave up on Gosport for eating out and now get the ferry to Gunwarf where several restaurants like Strada, Cafe Rouge and Lough Fyne are doing 2 for 1 offers. Better by far than anything on the Gosport side.
Click to expand...

You can also take your boat over to Gunwharf Quays and avoid the ferry.
Be warned there isn't much space there.
The marina office closes at 5.30pm so if you only stay a few hours you won't find anyone willing to accept payment for your berth.
 
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