What do you think of the carbuncle(only way to describe it) under construction at the corner of Ecclesall/ Hickmott Road. I believe this was the old 543 diner! Have the planners gone mad again,allowing this discraceful structure to be built?It looks like some"Adobe Hacienda" disneyworld dream by some chav on hard drugs to us, and completely stands out like a sore thumb! Well done Sheffield planning department once again!

Tell me about it. How come they're allowed to build on the pavement?

so funny this topic is being talked about on thread named "new restaurant on ecclesall road"

It does look like some kind os Dineyland hut... you half expect mickey mouse to pop out of it. Or to be able to eat the tiles on the roof!

What do you think of the carbuncle(only way to describe it) under construction at the corner of Ecclesall/ Hickmott Road. I believe this was the old 543 diner! Have the planners gone mad again,allowing this discraceful structure to be built?It looks like some"Adobe Acienda" disneyworld dream by some chav on hard drugs to us, and completely stands out like a sore thumb! Well done Sheffield once again!

It's SO cheesy looking. We saw it for the first time Sunday night. What's it supposed to be - a greek or spanish restaurant?

It looks like some"Adobe Acienda" disneyworld dream by some chav on hard drugs?

Sounds amazing to me!

It's horrible isn't it - I'm surprised it got planning permission. Apparently it's going to be a Mexican tapas bar...

I'm surprised it was allowed so much pavement space ....

Can somebody post a photo please? :)

Shall we blame the muslims for it being out of character? Maybe the architect was from Cairo! lol

I'm surprised it was allowed so much pavement space ....

I think they've moved the front back a bit and changed what was a ramp and porch type area into the outside terrace bit, so they haven't actually built any further forward than it was before. Still looks godawful though!

Hmmmm ... I don't know Chopsie, they def. seem to have taken up more space to me.

It's actually a monument to Martin Fry out of ABC, who composed their ghit single "Poison Arrow" at that very spot having just missed a number 82 bus into town.
Hence the shape.

It's actually a monument to Martin Fry out of ABC, who composed their ghit single "Poison Arrow" at that very spot having just missed a number 82 bus into town.
Hence the shape.

Their ghit single?

I thought it was very good.

.

It's actually a monument to Martin Fry out of ABC, who composed their ghit single "Poison Arrow" at that very spot having just missed a number 82 bus into town.
Hence the shape.

Why isn't there a blue plaque there? Surely a worthy candidate for one, I'm writing to lobby my MP forthwith.

But seriously, does the outside of a restaurant have much bearing on whether you go in or not? As long as it looks clean and un-tacky, that's all I really look for. Looks like quite an expensive use of time for very little. But then there are two threads on here discussing it, so at least it's getting people's attention.

It has taken an awfully long time to refurb a posh restaurant into a tacky one. Who did they get in? Extreme Messover? 60 minutecock up?

It was pretty crap before to be honest. I preferred it as the Veggie cafe pre Graucho days.

It was pretty crap before to be honest. I preferred it as the Veggie cafe pre Graucho days.

I preferred it as the Tie dye t-shirt brothel. Now those were the days!

I've just had a walk down to have a look - it's a very challenging colour isn't it?

And it does look to be taking up rather a lot of pavement.

Picture here (http://tinyurl.com/3cawty) - please ignore the fact that I seem to have cut the roof off!

Let's face it, most of the restaurants on Eccy Rd are disappointing in one way or another, we were naive to hope for anything more.

I've just had a walk down to have a look - it's a very challenging colour isn't it?

And it does look to be taking up rather a lot of pavement.

Picture here (http://tinyurl.com/3cawty) - please ignore the fact that I seem to have cut the roof off!

Jesus H! I haven't seen it since it was painted, it's even worse than I thought! :gag:

I preferred it as the Tie dye t-shirt brothel. Now those were the days!

Heh heh, I bet you remember Slags Rags too!

Picture here (http://tinyurl.com/3cawty) - please ignore the fact that I seem to have cut the roof off!
Oh my! :o That's foul.

I've never really understood why anyone would want to sit outside a cafe or restaurant on Ecclesall Road - way too much traffic noise and fumes. :confused:

It's really nasty. If the threads get merged, I reckon this title should be kept as it sums it up perfectly.

Oh my! :o That's foul.

I've never really understood why anyone would want to sit outside a cafe or restaurant on Ecclesall Road - way too much traffic noise and fumes. :confused:

Because people going past on buses look at you and think "Ooh, he's cool, stylish and he must be loaded to eat and drink there!" and as a consequence either want to be your friend or sleep with you. It's the S11 equivalent of baboons waving their bottoms at other baboons as part of their courtship ritual.

Because people going past on buses look at you and think "Ooh, he's cool, stylish and he must be loaded to eat and drink there!" and as a consequence either want to be your friend or sleep with you. It's the S11 equivalent of baboons waving their bottoms at other baboons as part of their courtship ritual.

I don't, but then I used to live there and know it's one of the most polluted urban roads in Europe. It's disgusting in summer.

'Cafe culture' up there is just 'crappy culture'.

Picture here (http://tinyurl.com/3cawty) - please ignore the fact that I seem to have cut the roof off!

It looks like it should be called easymex. :o

Mexican...tapas?

I despair.

Mexican...tapas?

I despair.

According to one of the new owners -

"Chillies are the foundation of Mexican food so not only will we be making dishes you just won't find anywhere else, but we'll be using authentic Mexican ingredients"

Well, if it is Mexican tapas, that's certainly something you won't find anywhere else, not even Mexico!

I'm glad someones mentioned this. I think it looks ridiculous.

As far as the pavement goes it looks as though they've just built out to the edge of their land. The pavement just looks narrow because of that silly advertising board which visually impaired people hate, design wise.

As far as the pavement goes it looks as though they've just built out to the edge of their land. The pavement just looks narrow because of that silly advertising board which visually impaired people hate, design wise.There's only one thing silly on that corner sunshine!.......................surely you are not responsible?

There's only one thing silly on that corner sunshine!

I could point out a large number of silly things in the immediate vicinity of the building in question, starting with obstructve street furniture, missing dropped Kerbs, poorly maintained pavements... scaffolding installed in a cretinous, thoughtless and obstructive manner. Do I need to continue?

*quoted before mossdog edited his post*

Did anyone ever go to Butlins in the 70's? You remember, where they built little lookie-likey Amazon jungles, Italian piazzas and Mexican haciendas inside those horrible concrete halls?

We spend a lot of time (and money) on Ecclesall Road, including their other establishments of Menzels and Ashoka. We won't be going to this new one.

I have no desire to be seen in a low-rent cartoon bar that belongs in the Pleasure Beach.

It's horrible isn't it - I'm surprised it got planning permission. Apparently it's going to be a Mexican tapas bar...

Do they have tapas in Mexico?

They should have called it "Fistfull of Hendersons"

or "The Good, The Bad and The Hendersons"

Do they have tapas in Mexico?

They should have called it "Fistfull of Hendersons"

or "The Good, The Bad and The Hendersons"Don't relish the thought of Mexican Tapas

Well atleast it is not going to be another bloody cafe!

Although it does look truly awful and thankfully I do not care much for Mexican food. So I certainly wont be going in there.

but... but... it's not taking up any pavement space is it? The bit at the front is part of its land.

It's horrible isn't it - I'm surprised it got planning permission. Apparently it's going to be a Mexican tapas bar...
tapas..........mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
come on, you all moan about the lack of choice etc, bring it on i say. will it do tex-mex also?
yum, yum.

tapas..........mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
come on, you all moan about the lack of choice etc, bring it on i say. will it do tex-mex also?
yum, yum.

I'm pretty certain I can guarantee it won't do anything even remotely like tex-mex. Or mexican. Just pretend and get it woefully wrong. :roll: *sigh*

I'm pretty certain I can guarantee it won't do anything even remotely like tex-mex. Or mexican. Just pretend and get it woefully wrong. :roll: *sigh*

glad to see your giving it a chance then. :roll:

Well, first of all there's the Mexican Tapas label...hmmm. That's not so different to the special Italian and Mexican combos that exist out there and get it wrong.

Then there's the fact that I have never, ever eaten real Mexican or Tex-mex food anywhere in this country. Ever. And I've given up hope.

Now to be fair, what they sell as Tex-mex or Mexican can be quite tasty in it's own right, which is nice...but if what you're looking for is real Tex-mex or Mexican (which is what I want) you will be disappointed.
My husband has enjoyed our rare trips to Mexican restaurants in Britain, and hates me criticising the fact that the food isn't right - but hey, they're advertising Mexican, i want Mexican. Not pseudo Italian/Mexican, not pseudo Spanish/Mexican, not something cooked up by an adventurous Aussie. Just yummy, much-missed Mexican.

LOL - rant over...

It's not like Ecklesall Road is an area of outstanding architecture or anything, most of the shops/restaurants are pretty ordinary.

I agree with Cozywolf though, it won't be very authentic, most English people wouldn't like real Mexican food.

I want to know where I can get a bowl of cock soup.

Has anyone been to this new place or know anything about it? I drove past today but didn't catch the name if anyone knows it, it would be useful. Thanks

Has anyone been to this new place or know anything about it? I drove past today but didn't catch the name if anyone knows it, it would be useful. Thanks

I don't think it's opened yet, think it's soon though. Not sure of it's name but I think it's having a Mexican/Spanish twist to the food. It's a partnership between the guy from Ashoka and Menzels.

Hope it's good, I love tapas.

do you mean abuelo? drove past recently, and i love mexican so quite pleased to see it. am going to go soon.

I want to know where I can get a bowl of cock soup.

Probably down one of the gay bars on Attercliffe. :hihi:

It was 345!

It opens soon hopefully. It looks very nice. Apparently it's quite an informal sort of set-up; drop in and have a couple of beers and some little tapas type places.

I still miss Grouchos on that site - that was spot on!

Sorry to be pedantic...'543' was the previous incarnation...

It is supposed to be opening on Thursday and they are working like mad at the moment to finish it. The seating that was in when I looked a couple of days ago appeared to be bar stools around high tables leading me to thinkn that the owners see it more as a bar/snack type place rather than a proper restaurant. It will be interesting to see. The 'finish' is certainly rustic and looks like something thrown together out of old pallets and a load of a artex.

Saw a few people in there so think it was open on Sunday, as I went past oon way for brunch on Ecc Rd.

It was 345!

543 actually :P
That's its property number on Eccy Rd.

I miss it - it had fab mini desserts that you could have 3 of at a time - yum!

This is going to be a great little venue, nice to have more variety on ecclesall road!

Just one problem, they don't have tapas in Mexico.

Went in there to check how many high chairs they had for me and my friends with toddlers. They were really friendly and very receptive to my suggestion they needed more. It's encouraging to have a restaurant on Ecclesall Road that believes in customer service.

I don't think it's opened yet, think it's soon though. Not sure of it's name but I think it's having a Mexican/Spanish twist to the food. It's a partnership between the guy from Ashoka and Menzels.

Hope it's good, I love tapas.Called in the other day! left with the impression from one of the owners that it is not really a restaurant but a boozer/cocktail bar ! I ordered a small bottle of Mexican beer(£2.90) and left..................should do well,especially if they can force longer opening hours,which they obviously hope they can do along with Nonnas selling inflated price booze till the early hours!

Yeah it seems more of a bar than a restaurant no bad thing just not quite what I was looking for this weekend.

We popped in today for tacos & beer.. what with it being a Mexican & that...

While we were being lectured by the barman about how to order and what kind of food they serve and how fresh everything is (Except the ice cream which is frozen.. sorry, I just spoiled his joke) another couple came in and stole the last remaining decent table.. never mind.. we'll sit at one of the painfully thin benches around the edge..

So, after reading the "menu" (Somewhat like the instructions for building a benny bookcase from Ikea) we eventually settled on tacos with 4 different fillings.. I marched up to the ordering spot and waited.. and waited.. whilst the "chef" slowly made other peoples food..

I got to the front and placed my order: "Sorry, we've run out of Tacos.. " Whoa!!! No Tacos in a Mexican eatery? Granted it was 2pm on a Tuesday and they could have had a VERY busy breakfast sitting.. but after a small chat we regrouped and decided to have Nachos with our beer.. "Sorry, we've run out of Nachos" .. now call me picky, but isn't the crispy corn tortilla a mainstay of Mexican food? and wouldn't a Mexican restaurant running out of Tortilla based products be similar to finding an Italian with no pasta?

A this point we abandoned ship, went to Somerfields bought Tacos and are about to have Mexican food , which going by the tubs of ingredients I spotted earlier, will probably be just as authentic.

Ho Hum.. "F-" Must try harder, because at this rate they'll have run out of customers by 6pm.

-Pondy.

We popped in today for tacos & beer.. what with it being a Mexican & that...

While we were being lectured by the barman about how to order and what kind of food they serve and how fresh everything is (Except the ice cream which is frozen.. sorry, I just spoiled his joke) another couple came in and stole the last remaining decent table.. never mind.. we'll sit at one of the painfully thin benches around the edge..

So, after reading the "menu" (Somewhat like the instructions for building a benny bookcase from Ikea) we eventually settled on tacos with 4 different fillings.. I marched up to the ordering spot and waited.. and waited.. whilst the "chef" slowly made other peoples food..

I got to the front and placed my order: "Sorry, we've run out of Tacos.. " Whoa!!! No Tacos in a Mexican eatery? Granted it was 2pm on a Tuesday and they could have had a VERY busy breakfast sitting.. but after a small chat we regrouped and decided to have Nachos with our beer.. "Sorry, we've run out of Nachos" .. now call me picky, but isn't the crispy corn tortilla a mainstay of Mexican food? and wouldn't a Mexican restaurant running out of Tortilla based products be similar to finding an Italian with no pasta?

A this point we abandoned ship, went to Somerfields bought Tacos and are about to have Mexican food , which going by the tubs of ingredients I spotted earlier, will probably be just as authentic.

Ho Hum.. "F-" Must try harder, because at this rate they'll have run out of customers by 6pm.

-Pondy.

Oh dear, sounds like it's been run in a very British manner, shame.

Very British, very Sheffield and very, very Ecclesall Road - 'style' over substance every time!

the place looks awful as well. it reminds me of those mock themes you would see in vegas/disney.

Wait until you see the "Comedy" notices hung around the place designed to make them seem wacky and cool..

Somerfield tacos were nice :o)

I'll dig out my sombrero and go take a look. I'm surprised they got planning permission for their exterior!

What's the point of posting when moderators either edit what you've typed, change your thread titles or just delete your posts?

the place looks awful as well. it reminds me of those mock themes you would see in vegas/disney.

if it were in Vegas they wouldn't run out of food though, and the service would be better.

Seeing as most posters on this thread seem to have a problem with Ecclesall Rd full stop, why not just stay on Hillsborough Corner / West St or wherever it is you go to mix with real people and stop knocking a place when all you've done is read about it or drive past at the very most!!

Why would people not want to sit outside on a sunny day. This happens at busy road sides all over Europe / the world. Oooh its soo pretentious!! Get a life

Very British, very Sheffield and very, very Ecclesall Road - 'style' over substance every time!


Yeah cause Sheffield is always so very stylish!

I'm going to deliberately drive the long way round when I'm down there this lunchtime just to see how awful it looks - aesthetic self-flagellation.

Surely someone with some taste was there when they designed it. If that's you why didn't you say something? Maybe they don't even have planning consent? Hmm...

Yeah cause Sheffield is always so very stylish!

That's kind of my point, hence the inverted commas!

On the plus side, it's nextdoor to my tattooist, so I could go for a drink there afterwards, assuming you can just have a drink, and they have draught beer/lager ?

Surely someone with some taste was there when they designed it. If that's you why didn't you say something? Maybe they don't even have planning consent? Hmm...

Taste is a personal thing. You live in Crookes- i'd hate to.

I doubt they would invest a lot of money without having planning consent, and if they rent the building they cant make changes without the landlords consent which wouldnt be forthcoming without any necessary planning consents- that is what solicitors / surveyors advise on.

If you are so disturbed by the buildings appearance then run along to the planning office and make your checks and take your action, otherwise- get over it!

Taste is a personal thing. You live in Crookes- i'd hate to.

I doubt they would invest a lot of money without having planning consent, and if they rent the building they cant make changes without the landlords consent which wouldnt be forthcoming without any necessary planning consents- that is what solicitors / surveyors advise on.

If you are so disturbed by the buildings appearance then run along to the planning office and make your checks and take your action, otherwise- get over it!

Don't worry, I'm not, I'm really not.

Don't worry, I'm not, I'm really not.

Good girl x

I walked past yesterday and there were some nice smells wafting out of the front door.

Someone clear up the thread title confusion pleas, it's the Post Office that's at 365 Ecclesall Road.

365 Ecclesall Rd is actually a bridal shop. The restaurant in question used to be '543' and is supposed to be Mexican, not Tapas. Looks a bit like a branch of Chiquito from the outside, but the menu looks nice enough.

Has anybody been in yet?

Yes, see my review above.. they'd run out of Tacos and Nachos.. so go prepared for a Burrito.

Thanks Pondy.

Went in yesterday. It's a kind of Tex-Mex sandwich bar; £4-£5 gets you a burrito or 2 tacos or a something else filled with the usual stuff and either braised or fried steak, pulled pork or chicken. You get a free coke with your meal and the food tastes very good indeed.

As somewhere to go and grab a quick bite, I'd recommend it.

I drove past Saturday afternoon and there looked to be only a couple of people in. I don't like the look of the outside but I might pop in for a couple of beers and a bite to eat.

I thought it was good but it is a bar not a restaurant.

Yeah, it's a bar.. that gives free soft drinks when you buy food.. bit of a problem with the business model there methinks..

I realise I'm coming off a bit negative towards this place, but I think it's just disappointment at seeing someone get a mexican sooo very wrong, I've been to the real thing in in Mexico, and the relaxed westernised version on the west coast of the US, and they've got this place all wrong, this is not a relaxing place for a beer & some nachos (When they have some).

The bar takes up too much space in the main area, there are too many staff wandering about but none of them serving, it's such a simple concept to get right! a plate of cheesy nachos & a bottle of beer should not be hard work.

Maybe when they've settled down and found a groove it'll be ok.

It's yummy!! They have delicious cocktails made with fresh fruit (my favourite) and Mexican food (not tapas). Its quick tasty healthy food and I've already been twice since it opened 2 weeks ago (it was busy both times)! Bite the bullet and give it a try! x

Its excellent fast food. Good value. Tasty.

Much tastier and healthier than the stuff that the mexican chains in town serve.

The owner introduced himself to me last night and asked if I had any ideas to improve the food or menu. They're a new place and working hard to get even better.

Don't listen to the naysayers. If you like Mexican food, give Abuelo a try.

I want to try it. Heard great stuff from colleagues so keep meaning to go. I like the concept and think it should fit in nicely around there.

Much tastier and healthier than the stuff that the mexican chains in town serve.

Which Mexican chains would they be ?

nick2 - Las Iguanas I had in mind, but also the one at Valley Centertainment is poor.

What do you think of the carbuncle(only way to describe it) under construction at the corner of Ecclesall/ Hickmott Road. I believe this was the old 543 diner! Have the planners gone mad again,allowing this discraceful structure to be built?It looks like some"Adobe Hacienda" disneyworld dream by some chav on hard drugs to us, and completely stands out like a sore thumb! Well done Sheffield planning department once again!

It's a Licensed Burrito Bar Not a Tapas Place LOL! Try it you might like it the nachos with melted cheese are Sublime!

Tell me about it. How come they're allowed to build on the pavement?

Isn't that for disabled access?

I've been in there a few times, as a bar. i really like the atmosphere in there, it's quite dark and open late and you can hear!

Now that it's open has anyone tried it? What do people think?
I've not been yet myself but a foodie friend of mine has as she said that if you take it for what it is abuelo is a great bar.

Here's her full review: Abuelo review (http://www.discoverecclesall.co.uk/plot_reviews.php?id=113)