Frankie & Benny’s, Telford : Shropshire Star:

Star rating: **** Taking time to chill out after work over a meal and a drink is a must but unfortunately is a rarity for my colleagues and I who all live in different towns.

So we set the night and decided we would enjoy a meal together after work but finding somewhere to cater for all tastes which serves food all day is not usually easy.

But with one Frankie & Benny’s fan on the desk - it became an easy choice.

I’d already eyed up the new cosmopolitan style gazebos and outside dining area one sunny afternoon when unfortunately I had too much retail therapy to do to stop and eat.

But sadly the evening we dined at Frankie & Benny’s at Telford Forge Retail Park, the rain started to fall - so inside it was.

But it would have been a shame to miss out on the wonderful atmosphere inside, with dimmed lights, party music and always guaranteed - a birthday celebration.

We were greeted at the door and shown to our table which was one of the great American style booths.

Our food and drinks order was taken at the same time which was ideal on my part - anything to save time so we could indulge ourselves after we had been day dreaming about it all day.

Unfortunately, somebody else was clearly in a rush too - the waitress with a short and sharp attitude who took our order. In fact it was bordering on rude.

And she did not get any better - when I reminded her that we had ordered two bowls of chips she told me we hadn’t but after checking the order she brought over another - but without the apology. So much for the customer is always right.

But luckily for us as customers and her colleagues too I should imagine, she disappeared half way through our meal - she had obviously had a hard day.

But her attitude failed to spoil our meals - my mushroom alfredo starter - garlic mushrooms and cheese - was piping hot and served with a generous portion of crusty ciabatta.

My colleagues both went for the breaded mozerella starter which they both gave the thumbs up and the comment that it was a shame there “wasn’t more than three pieces” proved it.

The plates were cleared by a different waitress who was an improvement on the last and within minutes our main courses arrived.

After thinking about one of the speciality pizzas all day, I changed my mind last minute and ordered the Lasagne Al Forno. It was once again piping hot without losing the traditional flavours. And the side order of fries finished it off perfectly.

For Lisa - a vegetarian who doesn’t like all vegetables - the risotto was out as it included spinach. Instead it was chosen by Debs - although the last time we dined together she tucked into a beef burger so obviously not a vegetarian.

Lisa instead went for the mushroom calzone and when it arrived falling off each side of the plate I wondered if I had I made the wrong choice. All three main courses with side orders of chips and onion rings were fantastic and along with a glass of wine - even more fantastic.

None of us needed our arm twisting to look at the dessert menu. My eyes were certainly bigger than my appetite when I ordered the East coast sundae, while Debs and Lisa indulged in a Benny’s vanilla cheesecake.

There aren’t many places where I am spoilt for choice but at Frankie & Benny’s my options on what to order are unlimited - any excuse to go back.

The menu boasts obviously American dishes and the traditional Italian meals but also a host of dishes including steaks, chicken dishes, burgers and salads.

Although we went for the full three course meal there are many options for light snacks and a set menu offer for early birds dining before 5pm. There is even a breakfast menu and I’m sure I’ll have to try a full English breakfast very soon.

It’s a great place for any type of celebration which can turn into a great party when the lights go down and the music turned up.

It’s an ideal place for diners with children but also a chance to bring the childish side and party animal out of any adult!

I’m not usually keen on restaurants which belong to a chain as it’s usually the same food but in a different place with the loss of any speciality cooking.

But at Frankie & Benny’s the meals are obviously prepared individually and the chefs are proud of their cuisine. The only change I would make is to train all the staff to smile.

MENU SAMPLE

Starters

Classic potato skins (£4.25)

Crispy coated chicken strips (£4.25)

Main courses

New York deli pizza (10″ £7.75)

(15″ £10.95)

Oven baked chicken parmigiana (£9.95)

Desserts

Cinnamon waffle crunch (£3.55)

Frankie’s citrus explosion (£3.75)

SERVICE