I want to recommend Chez La Lou which is a french restaurant opposite the Spring vale pub think its classed as walkley.

I cant put into words how nice it is and the portions are massive, a doggie bag will feed you for a week.

Nice cosy little place perfect for a couple wanting somewhere special to go and its not expensive its quite cheap.

Get yersen down there, im deffo gonna go again

:hihi:

I want to recommend Chez La Lou which is a french restaurant opposite the Spring vale pub think its classed as walkley.

I cant put into words how nice it is and the portions are massive, a doggie bag will feed you for a week.

Nice cosy little place perfect for a couple wanting somewhere special to go and its not expensive its quite cheap.

Get yersen down there, im deffo gonna go again

:hihi:

Last time we went we reported them to envorinmental health for the filthy state of the toilets and (it turned out) kitchens. They were given an order to put things right or face shut down.

That was about 18 months ago mind, so it seems they've improved.

Has anyone been here recently? If so whats it like? I went ages ago & loved it. We have booked a table for the weekend but it has probably changed hands since I last went.

Went there once and the portions are ridiculous, no chance of eating it all, total waste! What's more, between courses they fetched us a platter of wings (I think it was) that wouldn't've looked out of place on a wedding buffet table, totally intimidating amounts of food that we couldn't even fit on the table. Made it all rather a pain in the backside! Stuff was piled all over the place, you had to move something every time you wanted to put something else down! :loopy:

Last time we went we reported them to envorinmental health for the filthy state of the toilets and (it turned out) kitchens. They were given an order to put things right or face shut down.

That was about 18 months ago mind, so it seems they've improved.

Your a bit brave to admit that on here!

http://www.scoresonthedoors.org.uk/business-detail.php?business_id=57933&inspection_type=FH

I went there a couple of weeks ago and had a fabulous meal. Yes the portions are big but once you realise this you can 'prepare yourself' and go very hungry.

I've been there about 5 times now and have never been disappointed with the meals. It's always been full though so you need to book to save being disappointed.

My only complaint is that the tables are very close together. Other than that though it's great.

This place was good many many years ago, last time i went was 3 years ago, still massive portions but the place was filthy and falling to bits, my date wasn't very impressed as it was her first time and my 4th, I had told her it was very good and she'd enjoy it, I was embarrassed.

Went there just before Christmas. The place was freezing cold as the heating was broken but came on later on. The portions were massive, ridicuously so. Offered doggy bags but to be honest would have rather had smaller portions. The food itself though was cooked well and tasty and the service very good and friendly. However i must agree on the state of the toilets. Not very clean and paint peeling off everywhere and freezing cold. Needs a face lift i think.

I went there years ago, and it was good. Will not go again if its been reported to The Enviromental Health Dept.

I am surprised at the poor reviews here, I found Chez Lahlous to be a wonderful restaurant!
The toilets were fine last time I went, although I obviously can't comment on behalf of others. The steak was wonderful, and the knife went through it like butter, and the portions were enormous. I am a big eater, and as such I don't really understand the not wanting the doggy bag, or wanting smaller portions.
the service was friendly and the value was excellent.
The only criticisms I have are the size (it is very cosy, cramped even), and the decor, which is odd, but still atmospheric.

We've just come back from Chez Lahlou and it was amazing. The best food that we've had in.....well almost ever. None of us could finish the food and ended up bringing a couple of doggy bags home. The chicken wings were also to die for. Anyway i would give Chez Lahlou 10/10 and can't wait to go back.

Just been to this place tonight for my mum's birthday after hearing fantastic reports. What can I say? Best meal we've ever had out, fantastic. Hardly touched the veg there was so much!

Just been to this place tonight for my mum's birthday after hearing fantastic reports. What can I say? Best meal we've ever had out, fantastic. Hardly touched the veg there was so much!

Were the toilets clean ?:suspect:

I went in April for the third time and it was ace. I dont see how people can complain about the food portion sizes, yes you get a large basket of bread and a large portion of chicken wings and crudites before starters but i think its ace and service is really good.

Were the toilets clean ?:suspect:

They were clean, but they were old and do need replacing.

I've heard lots of good things about Chez Lahlou from work colleagues, and I'm in fact going there on Tuesday night for a meal with them. I am looking forward to being able to form my own opinion as the views are very mixed in this topic!

the toilets arent the best and i know thats something thats important to us ladies but to be fair you dont go to a restaurant because they have nice toilets, you go because the food, service and atmosphere is good, which they all are here.

the toilets arent the best and i know thats something thats important to us ladies but to be fair you dont go to a restaurant because they have nice toilets, you go because the food, service and atmosphere is good, which they all are here.

You can tell a restaurant by its toilets. If they are clean, the kitchen will be clean.:)

they are quite clean they are just old

I have been to Chez Lahlou 3 times and I think it is great. It is reasonably priced as well, for five of us it cost £92 and that included 3 bottles of wine. The swordfish is delicous. Be prepared to wait up to an hour for your meal because it cooked from scratch, but they bring you complimentry chicken wings and bread while you wait. We were in there 3 hours, it is a really good night out. It has been refurbished as well. Easily the best restaurant I have been to.

We went to Chez Lahlou on friday night, there was 8 of us from work. Firstly, yes the portion sizes are stupidly massive, too much food if you ask me. You receive platters of chicken wings and cheesey garlic bread as a complimentary starter, but I think this is too disguise the fact that it takes them too long to cook your main meal.

The place is very dated, and the decor slightly odd. It isn't very big and we felt rather crammed in, so not a good place to go if there are a few of you.

Although you receive ALOT of food for your money, I would say the food wasn't very tasty, I has a chicken dish which consisted of a creamy white wine sauce - but it was very bland!

The ladies toilets were horrendous! I don't think I will be going back to this restaurant.

The last time we visited the place it was cold and you wiped your feet on the way out, the place was scruffy.

it was nice few yr ago got rubbish now though

i would agree its gone down hill alot over recent years5

I liked it when it first opened but now it's dirty and I won't go again - friend was ill!

Went 18 months ago, waited 2 hours for main, won't be going again, ok food but too cramped and nothing special at all.

Nice food. Ridiculous portions. Too much to eat

Was a regular up until around five years ago. Had a dreadful experience all round which has ended in us not eating there since. The lady owner was pregnant at the time and we thought the emphasis had moved away from the food to other priorities which was a shame. Seems like they've not turned things round since?

We took another couple. Our table wasn't ready so we were advised to go across the road to the pub to wait..... an hour later our table still wasn't ready.

When we were eventually seated I had frogs legs for starters which hadn't been fully defrosted , Yuk!!

Things deteriorated from then onwards ..... the food was frankly appalling which didn't use to be the case.

I was taken to this restaurant last night for my birthday, wonderful night. Great food, It was my first visit and I was shocked at the size of the portions but the food was delicious, your right about waiting for the mains, we waited an hour but wel worth it, relaxed atmosphere and they looked after us. In an age of fast food it was nice to kick back and know that your not going to get a microwaved meal in 10 minutes and that your not being rushed about.
I will be going back !

After hearing about this place finally gave it a go last night,place ok,not a 5 star restaraunt,food was ok but thought the presentation was poor,likes been said the portions were way too much,service ok but 1st 2 things we ordered were out of season, price ok and wouldn't rush back.

I pass every morning on the way to work but there is no menu in the window. Why would I go to a restaurant without knowing what they serve?

Been a couple of times and was brilliant everytime!!!

We went a few weeks ago - it was ok though the portions are way too big!! We did take a doggy bag home which has never happened before and felt a bit weird though seemed such a shame to waste so much food!!
Service ok, decor poor, felt cramped in but food nice and prices reasonable.
Just make sure you dont eat all day before you go!!

I've just got back from Chez Lahlou. Well, firstly, I'm STUFFED. Really, really nice food though. Both my girlfriend and I would thoroughly recommend it. I had the lamb shin which was amazingly tender. You really do need to go there knowing that you won't be in and out within the space of an hour though. Total bill came to £44, that was 4 drinks and 2 mains. Very reasonable for the quality and quantity of food.

I will be going again when my stomach has recovered :)

I've just got back from Chez Lahlou. Well, firstly, I'm STUFFED. Really, really nice food though. Both my girlfriend and I would thoroughly recommend it. I had the lamb shin which was amazingly tender. You really do need to go there knowing that you won't be in and out within the space of an hour though. Total bill came to £44, that was 4 drinks and 2 mains. Very reasonable for the quality and quantity of food.

I will be going again when my stomach has recovered :)

Have they had a refurb recently? Whenever I've passed it always looked terribly cramped inside and I've never seen a menu in the window.

Have they had a refurb recently? Whenever I've passed it always looked terribly cramped inside and I've never seen a menu in the window.

I'm not sure to be honest, last night was my first time. I tried it off the back of a recommendation from a client. I'm really glad I went! Yeah it's a little cramped, but it's a small family run restaurant, and it didn't detract from the meal at all. I'd recommend it to anyone to give it a go. You'll have to book though I'd have thought, it was very busy last night!

I'm not sure to be honest, last night was my first time. I tried it off the back of a recommendation from a client. I'm really glad I went! Yeah it's a little cramped, but it's a small family run restaurant, and it didn't detract from the meal at all. I'd recommend it to anyone to give it a go. You'll have to book though I'd have thought, it was very busy last night!

Thanks.

Is there much veggie stuff or fish on the menu?

Thanks.

Is there much veggie stuff or fish on the menu?

Plenty of fish, not sure about veggie options to be honest... my eyes were too busy looking at what everyone else had ordered on the table next to us! If you ring them, they'll email you a menu. The lady is called Janine, she's the owners wife, and there were a few people popped in asking about parties and such like, she said she'd email them the menu.

Plenty of fish, not sure about veggie options to be honest... my eyes were too busy looking at what everyone else had ordered on the table next to us! If you ring them, they'll email you a menu. The lady is called Janine, she's the owners wife, and there were a few people popped in asking about parties and such like, she said she'd email them the menu.

That sounds great....I may be persuaded to treat the other half sometime :)

That sounds great....I may be persuaded to treat the other half sometime :)

I read on Trip Advisor that they have numerous vegetarian options. :)

depends what you call good food doesn't it?

I've been. I wasn't expecting haute cuisine but the food wasn't very good I'm afraid. If you want to get really stuffed with average fare then it will please you no end. I'd be careful about assuming it will be "a treat". And be prepared to wait hours for your meal.

On the plus side, you'll leave feeling absolutely stuffed and won't have spent much money.

That should please a lot of people no doubt.

depends what you call good food doesn't it?

I've been. I wasn't expecting haute cuisine but the food wasn't very good I'm afraid. If you want to get really stuffed with average fare then it will please you no end. I'd be careful about assuming it will be "a treat". And be prepared to wait hours for your meal.

On the plus side, you'll leave feeling absolutely stuffed and won't have spent much money.

That should please a lot of people no doubt.

I don't think anyone expects Michelin standard. It's good honest food. I've eaten at Michelin star before, and yeah this wasn't that. But it was good grub. 'Good food' has to be taken in context.

agree will, totally.

You have to judge a place against the standard of the class which it falls within. It would be ridiculous, for example, to compare the food at Chez Lalou with Marco @ Milano's for example.

I'd put Chez Lalou in the same category as many of those cheap eateries that are on London Road. And within that class I'd say it's average - no better or no worse than most of the others in that bracket.

We've booked to go next week so I'll report back.

Some of the reviews I've seen are mixed and I'm not particularly enamored by the idea of chicken wings as an appetizer, free or not. A lot of the reviews are quite old though so I'm happy to take a chance.

Plus I feel guilty for having lived within spitting distance for years but never going in.

I always like to support local businesses too rather than the big chains.

I read the reviews before I went too, some of the reviews I found quite odd, but you can make your own mind up. I'd highly recommend the shin of lamb. Extremely tender, melt in the mouth meat! And the chicken wings were yum!

Good grief. And Jesus Christ.

I've just got back from there and feel like I've eaten a house. And we brought some pack up back.

I'll do a considered review in the morning, if I've not done a Mr Creosote. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXH_12QWWg8&feature=related)

Good grief. And Jesus Christ.

I've just got back from there and feel like I've eaten a house. And we brought some pack up back.

I'll do a considered review in the morning, if I've not done a Mr Creosote. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXH_12QWWg8&feature=related)

:hihi: Please tell me you didn't order a starter?! :D

:hihi: Please tell me you didn't order a starter?! :D

Yes I did, a whole trout plus loads of veg.

Usually "Trout" as a starter denotes a fillet, not an entire fish, nose to tail!

Yes I did, a whole trout plus loads of veg.

Usually "Trout" as a starter denotes a fillet, not an entire fish, nose to tail!

Well don't say you weren't warned :hihi: At least no one can moan that they've not had enough food! :D

It was quite bizarre, a real throwback.

At 6.30 we were the only people in there and chose a spot next to the radiator because it was so cold. My other half also said she thought the place smelled a bit damp.

The menus came and while we were choosing we also got complimentary crudites and dip which was very nice. The menu is quite extensive, with lots of tempting fish dishes for those who aren't big on slabs of meat. The wine menu is also very good with nothing over £20.

I was tempted by the snails but decided instead to go for something light(:suspect:) so chose the trout with almonds and Rivelin6 chose prawns and avocado.

The owner came back to say that they didn't have any almonds but the chef could do me a sauce of mushrooms, prawns and peppers instead which I said was fine.

While we waited for the starters the famous hot wings and garlic bread turned up. There were about 12 wings, I managed 4 and she packed up the rest for me (lunch today).

The starters arrived and were huge. I wonder what (if any) markup they had. £5 for a whole trout with sauce and veggies could hardly turn in a profit and it was big enough for a main course, easily.

By then another group had arrived, I think they skipped the starters after I showed them the size of mine (fnuh)

My main course was haunch of lamb and could have fed two people easily. Rivelin6 had a vast piece of salmon with sauce. A mountain of veggies also appeared.

We both gave a good account of ourselves but we were nowhere near finishing everything.

The cooking wasn't perfect. The prawns that came with the trout were the tiny cheap ones and the huge nest of deep fried potato nests with the lamb were superfluous but all in all a great night.

£55 for two starters, two mains and a bottle of wine.

Only 6 people in there including us which is a bit of a shame but I can imagine it being very cramped and very slow on a busy night.

If I were them I'd slash the portion sizes. More is not always better. If they still want to serve chicken wings serve a lot less. A trout starter should be a fillet, not a whole trout and could put people off ordering two courses on future visits. They've been around for ages and hopefully still will be for years to come but given the current economic climate they should reduce portion size, put the menu in the window and maybe spruce up the appearance for passers-by.

Definitely recommended.

I think that's a very good and fair report taxman. It is a long time since I went in but it reflects my experiences as well.

I found it CRUDE. I'm sorry but I did. I can't think of a better way to describe it.

The place isn't nice inside particularly, you reminded me it was cold and fusty when we went in as well, about this time of year. I remember ordering some kind of empanada - which is like an Argentinian cornish pastie. Normally these are little things about 2 inches long - in this case it was as big as the biggest cornish pastie you've ever seen. And that was just the starter. Then came the chicken wings - which were good actually - but too many of them and caught us by surprise as not ordered.

As you described it - "the cooking isn't perfect" - I think you are being kind. The cooking isn't good would be more accurate. And the clue is in the ingredients - you draw attention to the cheap (frozen) prawns for example.

For many Sheffielder's this is going to be delightful I'm sure. As I said in my earlier, if your main motive is to stuff your face and not spend a lot of money then you'll absolutely love it.

That's not what I go out for a meal for.