Smokey Tails

Reviews

• Chris G.

  star star star star star_border 13 June 2026

  Having previously eaten here a number of years ago in the evening after playing a show at the Bar & Grill, I was eager to try Smoky Tails' new breakfast menu - especially with the opportunity to sample some of the dishes for free this morning!
  
  Now, to be clear, I am reviewing the standard of food while heavily bearing in mind what it would actually cost rather than what I paid (nothing) on my visit. I'm also heavily bearing in mind that although the staff were excellent, I know that they would be so much more wonderful without a queue of 20 people outside and a rammed restaurant on the inside. So then, let's go!
  
  Straight down to business, I ordered the beef brisket hash with my fellow diners ordering the Eggs forestiere and the fritters. I also ordered a side of chicken.
  
  With my beef brisket hash, I thought that it was very tasty and the beef was cooked very well. As the most expensive thing on the breakfast menu, at £9, I felt that it was a very small portion. Therefore, I was very glad to I ordered side of chicken, otherwise I would have left hungry. In contrast to the beef, the chicken portion was plentiful at three small pieces and I thought that it was relatively good value for money too. One of my fellow diners ordered a side of avocado, which I thought was pretty decent too. The fritters were tasty yet, as with the beef, a fairly small portion for their £7.50 pricetag. I felt that the pièce de résistance on the menu was the Eggs Forestiere! A base of split muffin, with by far the tastiest mushroom that I have ever had, two perfectly poached eggs and topped with hollandaise (or in this case on the side!). This would be the dish that I would have when I return - I felt that it was a fair portion of food for the pricetag.
  
  In terms of the drinks, the freshly squeezed orange juice was super fresh and very tasty. Very good! Although my fellow diners who ordered coffee were nonplussed when it arrived in a glass as opposed to a cup or a mug!
  
  In terms of service. The waitresses that tended to us were very attentive and made us feel most definitely welcome. Even the manager/owner stopped by to have a chat and make sure that we were completely content with everything there.
  
  Either inside the main dining area or outside on the terrace. I felt like it was well decorated and with a great ambience to have a meal.
  
  The biggest letdown from my point of view was having to use the same toilets that belong to the gig venue and the Bar & Kitchen - they are very run down, smelly and not befitting of the pricetag and the classy aspirations of the Smoky Tails dining experience.
  
  I would very much like to go back again and would gladly pay full price. I just wouldn't order the dishes that have the very small portions and maybe I will hold my pee and stay away from the restrooms next time!