Was here in August 2011 and had such a horrible experience (both food and service) that I swore I'd never go back. Cut to this week, when I'm home from Chicago visiting my family. My aunt decides she's taking us out to dinner. Guess where we pull up outside of?
It was quiet when we walked in and we were seated right away. Server brought out bread & butter for us as we perused the menu. I wound up ordering the salmon with champ (mashed potatoes with scallions/green onions). I asked that the prawn sauce be substituted for white sauce, which was no problem. Our meals arrived and they were massive. There was probably enough on each person's plate for 2 regular sized meals. The salmon was amazing. Pan seared with a little crunch on the outside and beautifully pink on the inside. The potatoes were solid and the white sauce was the perfect accompaniment. I was shocked, impressed and relieved. My meal on its own plus a cup of tea (what else?) came to around £12. Very reasonable for the quantity and quality of the meal. At the end of our meal, the server came over with a plate of complimentary desserts - little sponge cakes with cream and passionfruit sauce, and some shortbread cookies.
While it was quiet when we came in, we got there right before the dinner rush. Halfway through our meal, the restaurant was nearly full and there were a lot of families with small, noisy children there. So keep this in mind if you're allergic to other people's screaming offspring, and plan your visit accordingly.
While The Diamond isn't the first place I'd think to go for a meal when I'm in this neck of the woods, it certainly won't be on my "do not go there" list anymore. Pleasantly surprised. read more