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The Up in Arms

Oxford United Kingdom

I first visited this restaurant in 2020, after the end of the second lockdown.

Ambience

1.0

The atmosphere is convivial and the name reflects its community spirit origins having been stopped from being turned into flats.

The service was relatively fast in bringing the food, however we did not see anyone much during the meal

Service

0.5

Price

0.5

The prices were generally fine for Oxford, things being only a bit higher than £10.

The restaurant allowed for easy social distancing as the tables were well distanced.

Space

1.0

The food was pretty good, the burgers being a highlight rather than the pizzas, which were fine.

Taste

0.5

Range

1.0

They serve pizzas and burgers, and there is a reasonable range of both of them.

There is a vegan burger and a couple of vegan or vegetarian pizzas, but the focus is clearly on the meat options.

Vege-Friendly

0.5

Potatoes

1.0

The chips were pretty good, well seasoned, and relatively plentiful.

This restaurant receives no thumbs up.

Overall score: 6/10

The Victoria

Oxford United Kingdom

I first visited this restaurant in 2020, after the end of the second lockdown.

Ambience

1.0

The ambience was quite classy and chic, and the upper floor being able to see the floor below is very attractive.

There weren’t many servers around so it was difficult to call someone over, and because of the ordering app put in place, food and drink came at different times for everyone.

Service

0.0

Price

1.0

The prices were really good, with everything being less than £10.

It was well laid out, allowing social distancing, however the table we were sat on was round, but the bench was straight, so it was difficult to actually sit around it.

Space

0.5

The food was reasonable, not too bad for a pub, but nothing particularly exciting.

Taste

0.5

Range

0.5

They only serve pies and scampi, but there is a nice range of pies.

There was a vegan pie and a vegetarian pie, but otherwise most of the options are meat based.

Vege-Friendly

0.5

Potatoes

0.5

The chips were pretty good, however could have been better seasoned.

This restaurant receives no thumbs up.

Overall score: 4.5/10

Lounge India Braintree

Essex United Kingdom

I first visited this restaurant in 2020, after the end of the lockdown.

Ambience

1.0

The restaurant has a nice calm atmosphere, very classy. It always seems full and yet never too crowded.

The service was really good and the servers always wear their masks.

Service

1.0

Price

0.5

The prices are good, however it’s expensive for a student budget.

The restaurant is nicely laid out and makes social distancing possible, however it is difficult to park there, and the stairs made it less accessible.

Space

0.5

The food was great, some of the best Indian food I’ve had. I especially enjoyed the speciality lamb shank, where the meat was tender and full of incredible flavour.

Taste

1.0

Range

0.5

The menu was large with lots of options, however it may have been too big, making it difficult to read it all before choosing what to order.

There were not many vegetarian dishes, however some options can be done with mixed vegetables.

Vege-Friendly

0.5

Potatoes

0.5

The bombay aloo was a bit disappointing, I found they lacked a bit of flavour and were not particularly exciting to eat.

This restaurant receives 1 thumb up.

Overall score: 6.5/10

L’Essai

Sarlat France

I first visited this restaurant in 2020, after the end of the lockdown.

Ambience

1.0

The restaurant was nice and calm, away from the bustle of the market streets.

The service was relatively fast and helpful.

Service

0.5

Price

0.5

The prices were generally pretty good, between 15 and 25 Euros per dish.

The restaurant was well laid out making it easy to social distance and keeping a chilled ambience without making it feel empty, especially in its large outdoors area.

Space

1.0

The food was very good. Filled with flavour and great portion sizes. There was a lot of seafood, and the tuna was especially good I found.

Taste

1.0

Range

0.5

There was not a large range of options, however it seems as though the menu changes relatively often.

There was not much choice for vegetarians other than a salad.

Vege-Friendly

0.0

Potatoes

0.5

The chips were fine and meals were served with either fries or a baked potato.

This restaurant receives 1 thumb up.

Overall score: 6/10

La Dune aux Loups

Le-Touquet-Paris-Plage France

I first visited this restaurant in 2020, after the end of the lockdown.

Ambience

1.0

A really nice, chill, modern vibe.

The service was attentive, friendly, and fast.

Service

1.0

Price

0.5

The meal was good value, but still pricey.

The restaurant has a nice outside area which is heated and overlooks the garden area. Nice for social distancing whilst retaining the restaurant feel.

Space

1.0

The food was elegant and flavoursome. Every course was just lovely and a delight to eat.

Taste

1.0

Range

1.0

The menus have a good amount of choice and very few of the dishes are “hors menu”.

There weren’t many, if any, vegetarian options.

Vege-Friendly

0.0

Potatoes

0.5

There were no potato dishes, but where they were served with a dish, they were cooked well.

This restaurant receives 2 thumbs up.

Overall score: 8/10

Gumbo Yaya

Paris France

I first visited this restaurant in 2020, after the end of the lockdown.

Ambience

1.0

The atmosphere was very convivial. As you order, the scent you catch is incredible. A real lesson in how an outdoor restaurant can still have atmosphere.

The servers were lovely, one of the absolute highlights of visiting.

Service

1.0

Price

1.0

The prices were all pretty good, around 12€ for a meal.

The outside area was well laid out and in the little alley they had a lot of space to allow for effective social distancing.

Space

1.0

The flavour of the chicken was incredible, cooked perfectly and combined with the sweetness of the waffles and the other elements it was just lovely.

Taste

1.0

Range

0.0

As they are a fried chicken restaurant, they only really sell chicken.

There were no vegetarian options.

Vege-Friendly

0.0

Potatoes

1.0

The fries were great, especially with the sauce they came with, and perfectly seasoned.

This restaurant receives 2 thumbs up.

Overall score: 8/10

BMK

Paris France

I first visited this restaurant in 2020, after the end of the lockdown.

Ambience

1.0

The atmosphere is really funky, with good music and epicerie goods in the shelves around the eating space.

The service was friendly and fast.

Service

1.0

Price

0.5

The prices were good for Paris, around 12€, but the portions were a bit small.

The restaurant was the perfect size and the aesthetic really fit well with the vibe. It was laid out so that it was easily possible to socially distance.

Space

1.0

The food was great, with strong powerful flavours and cooked incredibly well. Not only could I have eaten it all day, but the ingredients were all traditionally African.

Taste

1.0

Range

0.5

The menu was small but crafted and there were different meat options for most of the dishes.

Every dish is done vegetarian and vegan, and they are still just as packed with flavour.

Vege-Friendly

1.0

Potatoes

0.5

There wasn’t much potato on the menu, because of the focus on African cuisine, however there were some nice sweet potato fries.

This restaurant receives 1 thumb.

Overall score: 7.5/10

Paris New York Burger

Paris France

I first visited this restaurant in 2020, after the end of the lockdown.

Ambience

1.0

The outdoor seating is out in a relatively lively street, which helped give the place a nice vibe.

The service was fine but sometimes it was difficult to get their attention.

Service

0.5

Price

0.5

The prices for the burgers are okay, however they don’t include any sides so it can quickly add up.

The outside area was nicely laid out and it was easy to social distance.

Space

1.0

The burgers weren’t bad, but I didn’t think any of it (including their “famous” BBQ sauce) was extraordinary.

Taste

0.5

Range

0.5

As a burger restaurant, they mainly sell burgers, however there are a number of options (including burgers which are specific to each restaurant).

There were only two veggie burger options. The vegan steak was significantly more expensive than any of the others, however the mushroom burger is pretty good.

Vege-Friendly

0.5

Potatoes

0.5

The fries were pretty good and had a nice flavour, but they could have done with more seasoning.

This restaurant receives 1 thumb.

Overall score: 6/10

La Chouannerie Crêperie

Loctudy France

I first visited this restaurant in 2020, after the end of the lockdown.

Ambience

0.5

The place is relatively lively but feels very much like a classic creperie.

The service was fine and relatively fast but otherwise unnoteworthy.

Service

0.5

Price

1.0

The prices were pretty good at under 5€ for most of the crepe options.

The decorations were colourful and bright, the outside area was nicely laid out, and they had a lot of space to allow social distancing.

Space

1.0

The crepes were pretty good and there were some interesting combinations, but otherwise much like every creperie.

Taste

0.5

Range

0.5

As a creperie, they only really sell crepes, but there are a large range of crepes on offer, including sweet and savoury.

Most of the crepes were vegetarian.

Vege-Friendly

1.0

Potatoes

0.0

There were no specifically potato dishes.

This restaurant receives 1 thumb.

Overall score: 6/10

Creperie de la Cale

Île-Tudy France

I first visited this restaurant in 2020, after the end of the lockdown.

Ambience

1.0

On the coast with the salty sea air and the bustle of tourists on a beautiful sunny day; it would be impossible not to enjoy it.

The service was okay, but generally a bit absent.

Service

0.5

Price

0.5

The prices were not bad for a restaurant on the coast, but they were a bit much for a student budget.

The restaurant itself was attractive, but it was long and thin, which made it feel like social distancing may not have been properly followed.

Space

0.5

The mussels were really flavoursome and incredibly well seasoned, tasting fresh too.

Taste

1.0

Range

1.0

The menu was a good size, with a good number of options to choose between. Despite the name, there were a lot of non-crêpe items.

Their focus is clearly on the meat and seafood dishes, however there are some vegetarian options that were pretty good.

Vege-Friendly

0.5

Potatoes

0.5

The fries were pretty good and well seasoned, but it was clear that they were not freshly made.

This restaurant receives 1 thumb.

Overall score: 6.5/10