Frankie & Benny's, Merry Hill

Happy tunes are pumped out of speakers to let potential diners know what they are all about and if you choose to eat there on the strength of the music alone then you can't go far wrong.

Because 'feel good' seems to be the motto down at Frankie & Benny's - smiling staff, relaxing seats and giant portions of comfort food is always the dish of the day.

The American/Italian influence can be felt throughout this restaurant from the baseball pictures on the walls to the style of food served up.

And while being part of a chain means that this isn't one of your more unique restaurants, you can be guaranteed a good all round experience.

I chose to go along on a weekday lunchtime. When I arrived with my dining partner we were ushered through to our American diner style seats with a choice of menus ready and waiting for us.

The open plan kitchen is the focus of the restaurant and allows diners to see the chef hard at work.

As it was half term there were lots of families enjoying a meal, but the size of the building means it was still quite easy to eat in relative peace if you wanted to.

We were given the main menu, a brunch menu and a lunch menu to choose from which meant it took some time to select our food.

The lunch deal was too good to turn down though, as customers can choose a main course for £4.95, two courses for £6.25 or three courses for £7.45.

Unlike many meal deals there was a good choice on the menu and I eventually selected the cheese and chive potato skins served with a sour cream dip to start followed by the mushroom pizza made up of lightly sauteed mushrooms oven baked on Frankie's tomato sauce.

My dining partner chose the crispy coated chicken, served up on honey and mustard dressed salad leaves served with celery sticks and a pot of spicy dipping sauce to start.

He chose penne marinara as his main course which was made up of crayfish tails tossed with penne pasta in a cream and mustard sauce.

He was torn between that and the BBQ baby back ribs but in the end his love of seafood won out.

We both selected soft drinks which meant free top ups were available.

The starters were served up promptly by our excellent and friendly waiter who was attentive when you needed something but didn't bother you like some waiters do.

My potato skins were lovely to eat, not too greasy and quite satisfying.

I was told that the crispy coated chicken was delicious and the meat tender and that the accompanying salad was very fresh.

All in all it was a good start to the meal.

There was just enough time for our starters to go down nicely before the main meals arrived.

It had its own flavour which distinguished it from the pizzas that you would buy from a supermarket. The only problem was the size as it was just too much to manage.

My dining partner also faced similar problems with his penne marinara which I was told was 'very nice' with a good amount of crayfish to munch on.

The freshly grated cheese offered as the meal arrived also went down well.

After managing as much as we could of our meals both of us were pleased that we hadn't ordered desserts despite the attractive menu as we wouldn't have managed them.

This place is ideal for families who want a guaranteed enjoyable meal out, you won't find gourmet food here but you will get a good meal at a decent price and a slick restaurant that has plenty of staff on to make sure you don't want for anything.

ADDRESS

Frankie & Benny's, Merry Hill Complex, Brierley Hill

Tel: 01384 265554

By Helen Cartwright