Page 183 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - England's South Coast

WHERE T O EA T AND DRINK  181

Alcohol day and early evening. Formal The picturesque landscape
Since 2003, England’s licensing restaurants tend to have a more of southern England features
laws concerning the sale of adult ambience at dinnertime, plenty of stunning picnic spots.
alcohol have been relaxed, and some impose age limits. Most towns have good
with some establishments If you want to take young delicatessens and bakeries
extending their opening hours, children to a restaurant, it’s where you can collect provisions.
especially on Friday and Saturday advisable to check ahead. Look out for street or farmers’
nights. Some restaurants only Italian, Spanish, Indian and markets, or rural farm shops,
serve alcohol with food, and fast-food restaurants nearly to pick up fresh fruit and
some unlicensed restaurants always welcome children and local cheeses. Pret A Manger,
operate a “Bring Your Own” sometimes provide special Marks & Spencer and most
policy, when a corkage fee menus or high chairs for them. supermarkets sell excellent pre-
may be charged. It is illegal Even traditional English pubs packed sandwiches and snacks,
to sell alcohol to under-18s. generally accommodate or your hotel may be able to
families and may provide provide a packed lunch; ask
special rooms or play areas. at reception the night before.
Fast-Food and Chain
Restaurants
Disabled Access Recommended
Fast food usually costs under £10.
In addition to the ubiquitous fish Restaurant facilities Restaurants
and chip shops, there are many for disabled visitors are The restaurants on the following
fast-food chains, including the slowly improving. pages have been chosen
more upmarket Pizza Express Modern premises across a wide price
and Zizzi, the family-friendly usually cater range for their
ASK, Giraffe and Byron, as well for mobility atmosphere,
as quick stops such as Pret A problems, but location and
Manger, YO! Sushi and West it is always good food.
Cornwall Pasty Co. Budget cafés, best to check They include
nicknamed “greasy spoons”, serve in advance if no-frills seafood
inexpensive food – often endless you have special shacks, Japanese
variations of the classic English needs. The Open A plate of fresh Whitstable sushi places, Indian
breakfast fry-up (see p182). Britain website oysters with lemon curry houses, cafés,
(see p202) provides Michelin-starred
detailed information on restaurants in beautiful country-
Prices and Service accessible cafés and restaurants. house hotels and gastro-pubs.
All restaurants are required by The very best places have been
law to display their prices clearly. highlighted as a DK Choice.
These include Value Added Tax Picnics and Eating Each of these has one or more
Outside
(VAT), currently at 20 per cent. exceptional features, such
Service and cover charges (if Eating outside is quite popular, as a celebrity chef, sensational
any) should be specified. especially during summer. Most food, good-value menus,
Set menus are often offered at pubs have beer gardens, and family-friendly facilities, a
lunchtime or in the early evening, many restaurants and cafés remarkable or unusual location,
and where available they offer offer alfresco dining. or a distinctive atmosphere.
better value than à la carte dishes.
Wine and extras, such as
coffee or bottled water, can
be expensive. A service charge
(usually 10–15 per cent) is often
added to the bill. You are entitled
to subtract it if you feel that the
service has been poor. If no
service charge has been added
and the service has been good,
you are expected to add a 10–
12 per cent tip to the bill. Most
restaurants accept credit cards.

Children
English restaurants are generally
welcoming to children. Some
places actively encourage
families, at least during the A branch of the popular sandwich chain Pret A Manger in London

180-181_EW_ESC.indd 181 10/03/17 6:55 pm