Frankie & Benny’s Christmas Menu Didsbury Review
Reviewed by Stacey McCall
We were invited along to Frankie & Benny’s in Parrs Wood, Didsbury to try out the Christmas menu. Having just had leg surgery just 24 hours previously I was a little concerned however I needn’t have worried. Mentioning that I needed to keep my leg straight we were sat away from a group of small children just in case I was accidentally knocked on a comfy open each end bench style booth.
The girls (6 & 3) were given a Christmas themed activity pack to keep them occupied whilst hubby and I browsed the festive menu with Christmas music playing in the background. Hubby decided on the buttermilk chicken tenders which came with a pesto dip on a bed of rocket, whilst I chose cheese and bacon skins for starters.
The potato skins weren’t as hot as I would have liked but the serving size was good for a starter. The chicken tenders were oily but the pesto sauce complimented the chicken very well.
For our main meals the girls chose from the junior menu rather than the kids menu, mainly because S wanted garlic bread with her spaghetti bolognaise platter, and J wanted a BIG pizza. The platter should come with a side of vegetables, baked beans or salad but didn’t come with any, nor did we get a choice. I decided to keep with the festive menu and order the Frankie’s Festive Dinner which consisted of half a chicken, rosemary roasted potatoes, pigs in blankets, stuffing balls, mixed vegetables and a red wine gravy. Hubby decided to go for the bacon cheese burger with coleslaw and chips.
The junior portions were large and are well suited for the older child, or those with bigger appetites. The festive roast dinner was ok, the chicken was succulent and full of flavour and the potatoes were divine. I have never tasted roast potatoes that nice before, however I felt the red wine gravy let it down. There were no flavours that represented red wine, it tasted more like very watery Bisto. I was able to get more gravy though, just to moisten up the vegetables. The burger was enjoyed but didn’t have a festive feel to it, even though it was on the festive menu.
We decided to skip the puddings on this occasion as the girls were tired and the restaurant was very warm although the puddings did look inviting.
Overall I would give this restaurant 3/5 stars. The festive menu was limited and not very festive and the food wasn’t amazing (apart from those roast potatoes!) and felt it was overpriced for what you received and a side of choice was left of a junior’s plate. The staff were friendly and accommodating and the lighting was good but the restaurant was very warm which is why we left before dessert.
Rating: 3/5
For more information or to make a booking visit:
www.frankieandbennys.com/restaurant/frankie-bennys-didsbury
Frankie & Benny’s, Unit 5a, Parrs Wood Entertainment Centre, Wilmslow Road, East Didsbury, Manchester, M20 5PG | 0161 4464140
