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I think
this is the hardest review Ive ever had to write.
You
see, I know that a lot of you really rate Marias. Its
a treasured favourite.
Which
makes things hard for me, because when I went there I was hoping
that it was the restaurant Ive been looking for. In fact,
your recommendations led me there.
As
you said, the staff were lovely. One had a really unpleasant cough,
and in my opinion should have been sent home to bed instead of spluttering
all over the kitchen, but they were very nice to us.
But
I really didnt think the food was that great.
We
chose the marinated olives and vegetables to start, and they were
ok. But, and Ive said this before,
tinned olives with a cursory sprinkling of parsley on them DO NOT
COUNT as marinated. I might even put my recipe for olives up in
time for Christmas - its easy as pie and cheap as chips. I
know they can do better.
Then
I had the salmon with a prawn and goodness knows what else sauce.
It
was ok, but there was too much going on. It reminded me of one of
Meg Mathews outfits. A frill or two in the right place is
fine, but I prefer restraint and simplicity over ruffles and rara
skirts, so to speak. And the salmon was a little too fishy, if you
know what I mean.
The
Bull had a steak, which was overdone.
Id
heard great things about the puddings, so I hung in and went for
pancakes with ice cream and hot chocolate sauce. It wasnt
refined, but it was really, really good. You know the enormous ice
creams you dream of when youre little? This was it. I stuck
my face in and guzzled while the Bull looked on with disgust.
The
atmospheres lovely, and its great that you can bring
your own booze. But, in the words of my dear friend Mr Bono, I still
havent found what Im looking for.
Jim Bob
The cutlery was filthy, the calzone had leg meat chicken and what looked like bernard matthews slices of ham in it. How can this place be compared to Casanovas? I know casanovas do not push the boundaries when it comes to new entries on the menue, but at least what they do, they do very well.
Jim
Miserable gits! Maria's is lovely as is Casanova, we are lucky to have a choice of nice Italian restaurants in Crookes!
Anna
I had some garlic king prawns, which were lovely until I had an allergic reaction to them and my throat started swelling up! I have never had this problem before or since this meal, and can only attribute it to old prawns (the chemical histamine which causes allergic reactions builds up as the prawns get older!). I thought it was overpriced as well.
Poppet
Used to think it was OK. Last 2 experiences have been disasterous. On the first, I was told there was not shellfish in the Thai platter (I am allergic), proceeded to eat it and was then ill for three days. Second, ordered chicken and cut into it to discover it raw inside. GO to Casanova's downt he road - far far superior!
Anon
I can't believe anyone has a good word to say about this place. Me and my friends used to live above this restaurant and the staff were always rude and the food shoddy. I recommend trying some of the other, much better rated restaurants in sheffield - believe me they are out there!
Ali
Well, this used to be my favourite but sadly, things have gone downhill since it was extended and re-hashed as Marias & Jazz. Whilst the food was still of a comparable standard to before, service was not very good and the changeover of sittings at the weekends was nothing short of chaotic. I think the atmosphere of before has vanished and it no longer feels special - a real shame.
Jack Atkinson
The food on the specials here is amazing, be it Lamb in Rosemary and redcurrent jus, quail casserole or seabass. same goes for the starters, the pate, muscles, antipasto all great.
The music and decore though needs adressing, the recent refurbishment has left the place looking like an accident in a paint factory, reds, blues, greens... you name it it's on the wall. A more elegant, minimal approach wouyld more suit the standard of the excellently presented food. The music - usually simply red or ronan keeting - is dire and does nothing to promote the Jazz cafe element they're trying to push.
However, garish decor and dull music aside, the service and quality of food is second to none in the mid price range italian category
Debbie
Terrible service, small portions, dismal atmosphere and over-priced (have been there twice now, never again)
Jane
Hobson writes:
Hi Greedy Cow,
Try Maria's restaurant in Crookes. The food and service are excellent
and you can take your own wine. The menu is quite extensive and
there is a specials board too, the dessert were just delicious -
we should know because we ordered a few and shared them.
Greedy
Cow writes:
You can read my review of Maria's here!
Allie
writes:
You MUST check out Maria's at Crookes before it opens it's Jazz
bar later this year. The food is to die for, the service is relaxed
and friendly and it's BYO every day of the week - Oh happy days
!!
John
Lawton from Sheffield writes:
Hello Greedy Cow
My
partner and i took your advise and gave Maria's restaurant at Crooks
a try.
What
fantastic food and service, i had the black pudding tower for starter
and my partner had the lamb rib for main course, the chocolate junk
yard for desert was out of this world.
We
will be making Maria's a regular place to visit. Thank you Greedy
Cow !!!
David
Vernon Edwards writes:
Dear Greedy,
Sorry, don't agree with the review(s) that anyone has posted about
Maria's.
We went and had a thoroughly average time, the food was very average
- maybe we expect too much but I felt that we were both very capable
of cooking better at home (and for much less). We only had starters
and main courses as a result and felt that we could have much better
spent the £30 price tag - sorry.
Oh yes, the music was poor too - can't think of anything worse than
going out for a well earned meal and having to listen to Ronan Keating
(and similar). Never again.
Gordon
& Chris write:
The grub was very well presented and more to the point, it tasted
good too. I had a fillet steak and Chris had ravioli.
We
had a bottle of house red which cost a reasonable £8 and was
very nice.
The
atmosphere was fine - the setting is good and the music suited the
establishment - no Ronan Keating, thank goodness!
The
new large extension opened before Christmas - it incorporates an
attractive, well stocked bar and waiting area and lends itself to
an intimate atmoshere and good value for money.
I think
altogether it came to about £33 which isn't bad for 2 main
courses, puddings and the bottle of wine.
4 moos
from us!
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