Following stories in the local press about the Runaway Girl and a certain celebrity chef myself and my wife thought we should revisit the Runaway Girl. Previously we have experienced the tapas offered there and always found the food extremely well prepared and enjoyable.

Now relaunched as Silversmiths and only a week since the changes we booked ourselves in for an evening meal. The menu has changed beyond recognition, gone are my much loved tapas replaced by starters, mains and desserts. The restaurant has undergone a total transformation, much brighter and with a modern twist. The staff are friendly and well informed about both the food and drinks now served. The menu offered a nice selection of local products from much talked about venison sausages to Yorkshire blue tart.

I hate being gushy, just doesn’t suit me at all, but the food was excellent, well presented, extremely well prepared and a delight to eat. There was no rush, waiting staff allowed us the time to enjoy our food and left enough time between courses to allow us time to enjoy the food we received. To go with the food there is a good selection of wines and some wonderfully prepared cocktails.

After so many bad experiences with restaurants in and around Sheffield it was refreshing to find a restaurant that delivers good food with staff that are obviously happy in their work. If you want freshly prepared delicious food in a modern friendly environment the Silversmiths is for you.

Whats the prices like ?

Could it still pass for an evening bar?

Following stories in the local press about the Runaway Girl and a certain celebrity chef myself and my wife thought we should revisit the Runaway Girl. Previously we have experienced the tapas offered there and always found the food extremely well prepared and enjoyable.

Now relaunched as Silversmiths and only a week since the changes we booked ourselves in for an evening meal. The menu has changed beyond recognition, gone are my much loved tapas replaced by starters, mains and desserts. The restaurant has undergone a total transformation, much brighter and with a modern twist. The staff are friendly and well informed about both the food and drinks now served. The menu offered a nice selection of local products from much talked about venison sausages to Yorkshire blue tart.

I hate being gushy, just doesn’t suit me at all, but the food was excellent, well presented, extremely well prepared and a delight to eat. There was no rush, waiting staff allowed us the time to enjoy our food and left enough time between courses to allow us time to enjoy the food we received. To go with the food there is a good selection of wines and some wonderfully prepared cocktails.

After so many bad experiences with restaurants in and around Sheffield it was refreshing to find a restaurant that delivers good food with staff that are obviously happy in their work. If you want freshly prepared delicious food in a modern friendly environment the Silversmiths is for you.

How long have you worked there mate? :rolleyes:

Now relaunched as Silversmiths and only a week since the changes

?:confused:

Gawd! I'll miss the name 'Runaway Girl', my favourite club/bar name in the whole of Sheffield!

Will they still be available for hire for late club/private party nights like the one organised on June 8?

?:confused:

Gawd! I'll miss the name 'Runaway Girl', my favourite club/bar name in the whole of Sheffield!

Will they still be available for hire for late club/private party nights like the one organised on June 8?

I heard through a couple of promoters the soundsystem has been sold - so it looks like it's just going to be a restaurant.

Well they better do some serious advertising then, cos it's not exactly on the beaten track!

Thats probably why they are on Ramseys Kitchen Nightmares fairly soon....

He was in town last week.

http://www.thestar.co.uk/features/TV-rescuer-Ramsay-looks-to.4311512.jp

Agree Tyranna - why change the name? Did he put a big sign up outside? On the American one he always got the owners to whoop and cheer when he did the big unveiling! Sorry, but Silversmiths is not exactly original or interesting ... (as a name) but Runaway Girl was.

I'm surprised at this actually. I got handed a menu in town last week. Really didn't appeal to me. I thought it looked utterly boring. The name as well is pants. How boring Silversmiths, apart from anything, it made me think of Richard Smith (one of the better known chefs in Sheffield of Thyme). So really didn't seem appropriate. Runnaway Girl was a brilliant name.

I was going to give it a try. But I'm yet to convince anyone that I show the menu to it is worth trying. It might be nice, but I like to go out for something different.

What's on the menu Jess? I think the food was always fab before ... I don;t think it was the food or the NAME that led it to be struggling - probably location and not really knowing what it was? Been to some cracking parties/band nights there though!
Is it just a restaurant now then?

To me it was just very bland, or probably the "simple" approach that Ramsay usually takes. I can't remembber though sorry. Isn't there a menu online anywhere?

All I can remember was

Chilled Pea and Mint soup
Chicken liver parfait (although this might be wrong)

Basically bangers and mash (worded different)

Lemon Tart
Yorkshire Cheese and biscuits

I liked the way produce seemed locally sourced, but I have eaten every dish on the menu before, many times.

The website is still under construction ... which is ironic as that was the worst thing about the Runaway Girl ... hmmm.
I agree that sort of food seems a bit samey samey and safe.
Ah well.

I agree the problem with Runaway girl often was it was off the beaten track of bars, so you'd have to stumble down to it or make a concerted effort to go. Saying that, I've had some great nights there, eating a meal, watching a band, just having a cocktail, even a Burlesque night once by accident;)!
I like Justin and his attitude so I will definitely be going back to try it as a restaurant in the near future.
Wish they'd kept the name though... and look forward to the programme.

Does anyone actually know when it will be shown on TV?

At least November it says in the newspaper article.

silversmiths is a great name. it's a shame to lose the fabulous tapas, but i think this is a really smart move. i've been nagging justin and the lovely donna for a long time to put real ale on to draw in potential customers from SHU, many of whom were avoiding RG because it didn't serve real ale (and despite some really lovely waitresses and barmaids, one or two bar staff were making up drinks prices off the tops of their heads :suspect: - i hope gordon cracked the whip on that one!)

i'm a very old mate of justin's and i've been rooting for him and donna from the start. i covered their win of best food at sheffield's best bar and club awards 2007 on my blog, including shots i took of chef richie and jonil in the kitchen (both totally sound blokes, in fact i would go so far as to say that richie is a legend.) the blog article (http://judecalverttoulmin.blogspot.com/2006/04/poets.html) also includes the old runaway girl menu in the appendix for those interested or nostalgic! and of course ive got loads of footage of me performing excerpts from my novels at sheffield's premiere spoken word night, words aloud (http://wordsaloud.org) which the RG hosted for a while, on my youtube channel linked to in my sig, for those also nostalgic! in fact when my racy novel is a massive bestseller those times will seem even more nostalgic! :hihi:

all in all, i think they've done the right thing and we will defo be calling in for a meal.

Does anyone actually know when it will be shown on TV?

dunno, but i am planning to find a pub with a screen and set up a facebook event for people to all come along and watch it together - free entry of course, non profit making, only for publicity. i may have copies of my newly released novel on sale at the bar though, wink as i lerrrv tie-in publicity.

my main motivation though is so a load of us can whoop and cheer when justin gets ********ed by gordon, and i can film it and put it on youtube :) i mean, come on people, it's going to be great publicity for silversmiths and great fun for everyone :banana: :banana: :banana: , bring it on!

btw who fancies attending when i set this up? tyranna, you'd be up for it wouldn't you? :) and edna, we can even have a toast to heaven 17's recent gig on the roof of sheffield hallam uni! :headbang:

There are a lot more places doing good food than there are good bars and that it was is sad.

Every time we took different friends there for the first time, they all said it was the best bar in Sheffield. A really unique and eclectic atmosphere.

There may have been some 'inconsistencies' with the drinks etc but i still feel there would have been more mileage in pushing the bar side than the restaurant.

Still, time will tell.

P.S. Sorry to keep moaning lol.

If its off the beaten track, its got more chance as a restaurant than a bar. And they are better informed to make that decision than the rest of us.
I think they deserve big praise for having the balls to go on Kitchen Nightmares.

Although Sheffield has a lot of restaurants, the standard is poor. In a recent Good Food Guide, Sheffield only had one listing, compared to eight in Leeds and even Huddersfield had two(!!).
Having Gordon Ramsey involved in a venue can only be a good thing.

Every time we took different friends there for the first time, they all said it was the best bar in Sheffield. A really unique and eclectic atmosphere.

i agree. but they're running a business and you stay in business by making the business profitable and if the unique and eclectic atmosphere aint paying the bills you strip everything down and build summat else, which is precisely what has been done in the case of RG.


There may have been some 'inconsistencies' with the drinks etc

it's not acceptable, it's unprofessional and was getting them a bad reputation. sheffield's not called the biggest village in england for nowt. i care what happens to that place; i want them to succeed. if you want an example of a perfectly run bar with an excellent range (in the double figures) of beautifully kept real ales then look no further than the dove and rainbow in town, run by goldenfleece, who is also taking over the york in broomhill (re-opening halloween.)

justin and donna needed a re-focus - the strength of the old RG was the fantastic food. it's an old adage but a true one - focus on your strengths. that's been done and now i really hope they can make a success of silversmiths because going on kitchen nightmares is a very, very brave decision.

dunno, but i am planning to find a pub with a screen and set up a facebook event for people to all come along and watch it together - ...edna, we can even have a toast to heaven 17's recent gig on the roof of sheffield hallam uni! :headbang:

Go on then I will look out for the date.:thumbsup:

i agree. but they're running a business and you stay in business by making the business profitable and if the unique and eclectic atmosphere aint paying the bills you strip everything down and build summat else, which is precisely what has been done in the case of RG.



it's not acceptable, it's unprofessional and was getting them a bad reputation. sheffield's not called the biggest village in england for nowt. i care what happens to that place; i want them to succeed. if you want an example of a perfectly run bar with an excellent range (in the double figures) of beautifully kept real ales then look no further than the dove and rainbow in town, run by goldenfleece, who is also taking over the york in broomhill (re-opening halloween.)

justin and donna needed a re-focus - the strength of the old RG was the fantastic food. it's an old adage but a true one - focus on your strengths. that's been done and now i really hope they can make a success of silversmiths because going on kitchen nightmares is a very, very brave decision.

Fair do's then.

I understand the need to keep their heads above water, i'm MD of a medium sized company myself.

Good luck to them both, hopefully we'll find time to pop down and check it out.

dunno, but i am planning to find a pub with a screen and set up a facebook event for people to all come along and watch it together - free entry of course, non profit making, only for publicity. i may have copies of my newly released novel on sale at the bar though, wink as i lerrrv tie-in publicity.

my main motivation though is so a load of us can whoop and cheer when justin gets ********ed by gordon, and i can film it and put it on youtube :) i mean, come on people, it's going to be great publicity for silversmiths and great fun for everyone :banana: :banana: :banana: , bring it on!

btw who fancies attending when i set this up? tyranna, you'd be up for it wouldn't you? :) and edna, we can even have a toast to heaven 17's recent gig on the roof of sheffield hallam uni! :headbang:

I'd be up for this. Got to agree that Silversmith's is a good name and it's plastered in the original stonework on the front of the building - calling it Silversmith's makes the most of the building - good move. I'm up for trying the food and hope it all goes well for them - I don't know Justin and Donna, so will get back with an objective review.

I'd be up for this. Got to agree that Silversmith's is a good name and it's plastered in the original stonework on the front of the building - calling it Silversmith's makes the most of the building - good move. I'm up for trying the food and hope it all goes well for them - I don't know Justin and Donna, so will get back with an objective review.


That is a very good point, about the name being in the original stonework.

How long have you worked there mate? :rolleyes:

So if you give a good review you must work there? Great mentality, if I had slagged it off what would you have said then? "Recently been sacked?"

Agree Tyranna - why change the name? Did he put a big sign up outside? On the American one he always got the owners to whoop and cheer when he did the big unveiling! Sorry, but Silversmiths is not exactly original or interesting ... (as a name) but Runaway Girl was.

Look outside and you see the original sign...it was a silversmiths, so for Sheffield it is original

I was a great fan of runaway girl, good tapas and cocktails. Sheffield does not have many decent restaurants, in fact it has an appalling reputation and is hit and miss in even the best ones. Blunkett commented that there was a lack of decent places to eat in Sheffield, he may be a prat, but he does have a point.
Rather than bemoan something different why not give it a try, it isn’t going to kill you to be open minded.
ps It is of the beating track but next to Hallam uni, thats how I found it, and on the way down to the station.

It's not really off the beaten track - it's a stones throw from the Millenium Gallery, the old National Centre for Pop and just off the main walkway to the Train Station. A short walk to the Theatres, the Showroom or the Odeon. I for one can't wait to give it a go.

Silvermiths got good a good review in the paper today.

"Verdict: It may have been a Kitchen Nightmare but Silversmiths is set to become a foodie's dream if it carries on the way it has started." Silversmiths polished (http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/foodguide/Silversmiths-polished.4394611.jp)

I think it's a great move. I did think the bar was absolutely fantastic in terms of vibe and image, but the drinks prices (as mentioned already) were beyond a joke, and this led to me very heavily falling out with the venue after being charged £3.50 for a CAN of Red Stripe (the "barman" didn't even pour it for me, just gave me a can and a glass and asked for £3.50 - yeah right). So yeah, it is much more suited to being a restaurant IMO, most people I know said they'd never go in "The Runaway Girl" again, which is no fault of Justin's (really nice guy, spoke to him a few times n band nights). Mentioning band nights, the sound in there was lovely, which I'll miss, but the *ridiculous* bar staff (sorry if you were one of the good ones!) I certainly won't!

I wish nothing but Good Luck to Silversmiths but have to say Good Riddance to TRG!

I've been down to the new Silversmiths Restaurant a couple of times now and it's really worth checking out. For those of you who don't know the Runaway Girl on Arundel Street has been transformed into a sophisticated but relaxed new restaurant - they've made the wise choice of keeping the cocktail bar (and adding some amazing new cocktails!). The staff described the food as 'modern Yorkshire' which I thought was a good description of what was served - lovely presentation, good portion size and fresh tasty stuff - I had some fabulous prawns as a starter and delicious locally sourced venison sausages for my main. I couldn't decide which dessert to try as they all sounded lovely but went for the Yorkshire Rhubarb fool with crunchy biscuit on top - yummy!!

I reckon this place is also a good bet for after work/before theatre/cinema cocktails too as they open from 5pm. It's easy to park outside too and (free in the evening!).

If you go let me know what the other pud's are like so I know what to try next!!

Cheers Caz

Went on Friday and thought it was generally very nice. Definitely one of the best dining experiences I've had in Sheff recently. Good food, decent wine and the misses said the cocktails were spot on.
Only problem was that we ordered shrimp to start but they had ran out. No problem. had the chicken pate and salted beef. Both were excellent. For main course, Venison sausages were cooked to perfection and my girlfriends steak was large and done to her liking.
Was too stuffed for pudding but will go back

Me and the wife eat fish but not meat. Worth a go or not?!

I'd say so. Think they had monkfish and another fish dish on the menu. Cant remember the other one though unfortunately

Any comments on the Dawes` review in the Star yesterday? That`s pretty much the worst one I`ve seen. Usually he`s pretty neutral but he laid into Silversmith`s. :o

Any comments on the Dawes` review in the Star yesterday? That`s pretty much the worst one I`ve seen. Usually he`s pretty neutral but he laid into Silversmith`s. :o

I've never been so can't comment on the place but he didn't do it any favours at all. But then Dawes has his favourites. I bet you never see him giving Richard Smith a bad review.:suspect:

Any comments on the Dawes` review in the Star yesterday? That`s pretty much the worst one I`ve seen. Usually he`s pretty neutral but he laid into Silversmith`s. :o

any body got a link to the dawes review?

I've never been so can't comment on the place but he didn't do it any favours at all. But then Dawes has his favourites. I bet you never see him giving Richard Smith a bad review.:suspect:

plenty of people on here who don't have vested interests have said they were impressed. genuine customer reviews speak volumes and so far they've all been positive. we will definitely be giving it a go.

the Runaway Girl on Arundel Street has been transformed into a sophisticated but relaxed new restaurant...delicious locally sourced venison sausages for my main.

i think on ebay they call this "shilling". please desist, you aren't doing silversmiths any favours, whoever you are (rolls eyes.)

It would be nice if they paid their suppliers! Think they have been bust twice

prob been posted already but has anybody been?

comments would be appreciated

I went at the beginning of September. The service was good and the food was very good (it has Gordon Ramsey written all over it). I would happily go back if someone wanted to go there but not sure i would choose to return myself. I can't really give a proper reason but i think it's something to do with the inside structure; it still felt like i had gone to a bar to eat and i just didn't like that when paying restaurant prices. If the inside was changed to tables throughout the floor space with crisp white table linen etc then i think it would improve it no end. Lovely food but i think i could have equal quality in a more comfortable environment elsewhere. That said, i would recommend it to anyone to try because it's only my opinion on the layout.

I went at the beginning of September. The service was good and the food was very good (it has Gordon Ramsey written all over it). I would happily go back if someone wanted to go there but not sure i would choose to return myself. I can't really give a proper reason but i think it's something to do with the inside structure; it still felt like i had gone to a bar to eat and i just didn't like that when paying restaurant prices. If the inside was changed to tables throughout the floor space with crisp white table linen etc then i think it would improve it no end. Lovely food but i think i could have equal quality in a more comfortable environment elsewhere. That said, i would recommend it to anyone to try because it's only my opinion on the layout.

cheers for info

Following stories in the local press about the Runaway Girl and a certain celebrity chef myself and my wife thought we should revisit the Runaway Girl. Previously we have experienced the tapas offered there and always found the food extremely well prepared and enjoyable.

Now relaunched as Silversmiths and only a week since the changes we booked ourselves in for an evening meal. The menu has changed beyond recognition, gone are my much loved tapas replaced by starters, mains and desserts. The restaurant has undergone a total transformation, much brighter and with a modern twist. The staff are friendly and well informed about both the food and drinks now served. The menu offered a nice selection of local products from much talked about venison sausages to Yorkshire blue tart.

I hate being gushy, just doesn’t suit me at all, but the food was excellent, well presented, extremely well prepared and a delight to eat. There was no rush, waiting staff allowed us the time to enjoy our food and left enough time between courses to allow us time to enjoy the food we received. To go with the food there is a good selection of wines and some wonderfully prepared cocktails.

After so many bad experiences with restaurants in and around Sheffield it was refreshing to find a restaurant that delivers good food with staff that are obviously happy in their work. If you want freshly prepared delicious food in a modern friendly environment the Silversmiths is for you.

Oh, the food here was very pleasant and enjoyable, I must say. I tried this Gordon Ramsay cod dish which was a very Iberian (or Catalan, in particular ? I had a similar dish somewhere in Barcelona) like dish. The atmosphere, too, was very pleasant.

I thought I had posted on my shambolic experience in this restaurant, but it seems not, unless it has been removed. We ate here in the summer.
The meal we had was a complete disaster and I will not go back or recommend it.

From the start, the owners girlfriend was hanging around our table, listening to our conversation. If we commented on any element of the restaurant she interjected, which made us all feel very uncomfortable and at times it was embarrassing, especially when we waited twenty minutes for our drinks and having to remind them twice.

.

Starters were okay, but not great;it was the main courses which were shocking, oh and the service.....
One friend had a steak - it was inedible. It was a very large portion but the knife woudl not cut through any of it as it was so stringyl She tried and tried but to no avail She complained and they offered to make her another. it was now an hour after we had arrived and so she asked them to make something quickly; I think it was sausage and mash.
Another friend had the £13 bangers and mash. The sausages may be good quality but it was such an inflated price for what was served.
I had s fish stew, but it had a flavourless broth and the fish was overcooked.
By time we had finished, it was too late for pudding, so we had coffee and then wine.
My friend and I went to the toilets; the queue was long and by time we returned our drinks had been removed from the table and they were seating other people.

I asked to speak to the manager, he listened, but did nothing about this. He took my email address and phone number and promised to apologise and set the matter right. He failed to respond to this. Oh, apart from a marketing call asking for my email address.

This was a shocking experience from start to finish. I am disapointed that the owner did not resolve the situation. I held back from posting in case he did, but there you go. It shoudl have been a great restaurant. I will not be going back.

is it under new management?

do they still haver the monthly club nights?

Has the programme been on the tv yet?

Has the programme been on the tv yet?

No . . . I think it was scheduled for November but the series hasn't been advertised yet.

Does anyone know when this is going to be on TV ?

I went by at about half nine and Gordon Ramsey was back there with a film crew. I walked by with haste.

I went by at about half nine and Gordon Ramsey was back there with a film crew. I walked by with haste.

When?

Last night?

Does anyone have any idea when the new series of Kitchen Nightmares is?

The Kitchen Nightmares programme will be on in February I think.

The most recent visit was for a special one-off (not part of the KN series) about restaurants coping with the credit crunch, so I was told.

I haven't been since it became Silversmith's but my boss has been several times and is very enthusiastic about it. He's not the sort to give praise unless it's deserved.

I went to Silversmiths last week and loved everything about it!!!! Fab atmosphere great wine list, lovely tasty food and really enthusiastic staff. I had Yorkshire pud for starters and veggie pie for main it was fresh tasty and the whole experience was like having a big food cuddle! Hope they survive the tough economic times ahead I am going to go back as soon as i can and i really recommend others try it too. You have to support good independent businesses where possible don't you think?

Does anyone have any idea when the new series of Kitchen Nightmares is?

This one is going to be screened late January as part of a Credit Crunch Special, so I believe.

I left a signed copy of my novel with Justin and Donna to give to Gordon as thanks for helping them out. I hope he likes it.

I went by at about half nine and Gordon Ramsey was back there with a film crew. I walked by with haste.

You're Comic Book Guy off The Simpsons, aincha, love? :hihi:

A crowd of us ate there last night and had the special Christmas menu. We all really enjoyed it, very tasty, good choice and reasonably priced, £25.00 a head I think. I think we'll be back there in New Year.

We went a few months back and generally the food and wine etc was really nice. However, there were some niggly things that really got on my nerves (being slightly pedantic). For instance - they kept bring Gordon Ramsey up again and again and again which got a bit annoying. Other thing was that they had paper tablecloths on the table which were ripped off once someone had left and a new one selotaped back on ready for the next customers. Now I know it's not the worlds most expensive place, but it's not the cheapest either, and I would have expected to at least see a nice cotton tablecloth at least (OMG what am I turning in to???)