On the run up to Christmas the family got the chance to visit TGI Fridays for a pre-Christmas meal.
We first made the obligatory seasonal trek around Ikea to work up an appetite before heading over to the rather festive looking TGI Fridays. Whilst i had visited the restaurant before in Leeds and York, i had not ever visited the one in Birstall and i had definitely not had the pleasure of visiting around Christmas time.
The four of us were greeted by a lovely member of staff, who like every-other employee was dressed-up in festive attire. As you can imagine Ted (My 2yo) was rather pleased and amused by all the elves, princesses and Santa's scuttling around the place.
The kind lady sat us down at a rather stunning table, we had other families around us so we quickly settled down to order our food and drinks. Over the holiday season TGI Fridays run a rather different menu, a menu that offers a festive twist on some of TGI's best loved classic meals.
The menu had two superb offers: The Jingle Bells Rocks, a two course meal and a cocktail for £19.99 and the Jingle All The Way. a three course meal and a cocktail for £24.99.
As you can see from the menu below they really did have something for everyone.
Even the little ones had their own menus: the Fridays Little League and Major League menus have received a festive makeover, and the new Rudolf Milkshake will help put a smile on any child’s face – the chocolate ice cream milkshake is topped with chocolate drop eyes and a red cherry nose. The Little League menu offers mains from £4.49, and kids can select a tasty main from the Major League menu for only £5.99.
Each child that visits will receive a Christmas-themed Fridays fun pack, containing the TGI Fridays Christmas magazine, colouring pencils, a make-their-own #JingleEffect bell to hang on their tree, a task that Ted dived right into as you can see...
I opted for the Mozzarella Parcels: Golden crispy bread Mozzeralla, served with cranberry sauce for dipping. At first i really wasn't sure that the dip would fit well with the mozzarella but it really did. Light, moist and moreish i could have eaten more than just five!
The other-half went the more traditional starter; crispy bacon potato skins.
The other-half went the more traditional starter; crispy bacon potato skins.
For my main course i had the brilliantly names 'Stuck in the Chimney Stack Burger.' Devised by award-winning head chef Terry McDowell, The 7oz beef burger is partnered with a chargrilled chicken brast glazed with Jack Daniel's glazed, topped with a caramelised onion. Jak Daniels's sage and onion stuffing, Swiss-cheese, served with crispy fries and some rather rich and smooth Jack Daniel's gravy for dipping!
It did get rather messy and i was impressed that the burger was not overdone or greasy.
My other half (Who is rather fussy) tackled a healthy portion of chicken strips and we got an extra side of fries to satisfy our hunger, Ted also had the same, besides he had a healthy portion of veg and beans to tuck into.
Honestly.... the burger blew my mind, it was taste sensation and with the mammoth portion i hardly had any room left for dessert. Whilst we waited for our desserts it was time for Charlie to have his midday feed. The kind and cheerful lady, who was more than happy to chat and laugh along with Ted, fetched us a tub of hot water for the bottle.
It so happened that the table next to us were also here for a festive treat and they also happened to have a six month old baby who also needed feeding, So we offered to warm their bottle up at the same time as ours and enjoyed a nice chat until our desserts arrived.
I have to admit that i couldn't manage a dessert but both my OH and Ted decided to tuck into one. I was wise enough to order the Chocolate Orange Brownie.. think terry's chocolate orange with ice cream, to take home.
The little one ordered ice-cream and the OH ordered the Brownie Obsession: a rich, moist brownies with a hot fudge topping. Served with real dairy ice cream and caramel & chocolate flavor drizzle. I had a taste and it tastes as amazing as it looks.
The little one ordered ice-cream and the OH ordered the Brownie Obsession: a rich, moist brownies with a hot fudge topping. Served with real dairy ice cream and caramel & chocolate flavor drizzle. I had a taste and it tastes as amazing as it looks.
Before we paid the bill the waitress came over with a balloon for the Ted. Which was a really nice touch, he was of course over the moon and instantly began causing chaos.
All-in-all the food was inventive, mouth watering and well-made. The restaurant was clean, festive, warm and friendly. The staff were happy, helpful and chatty. I would recommend both the restaurant and the Christmas menu to anyone, especially young family's. It is not often you go into a restaurant and instantly feel at ease with a young family, TGI Friday's know how to look after a young family and i commend them highly on this!
All-in-all the food was inventive, mouth watering and well-made. The restaurant was clean, festive, warm and friendly. The staff were happy, helpful and chatty. I would recommend both the restaurant and the Christmas menu to anyone, especially young family's. It is not often you go into a restaurant and instantly feel at ease with a young family, TGI Friday's know how to look after a young family and i commend them highly on this!
Disclaimer - I was asked to review the Christmas Menu, however the views and opinions expressed in this post are my own and have in no way been influenced by any third party.
