A Trip to the Fylde Riviera!

China Red, as the name would suggest, is a Chinese restaurant in Poulton-Le-Fylde (near Blackpool). It's not actually that near to where I live, but I recently won vouchers after an incentive at work and with the global economic climate as it is, I thought that only a fool would pass on a freebie meal (and I'm no fool, let me tell you). So it was I found myself perusing the restaurant's website (www.chinared-restaurant.co.uk) for directions and perhaps a sneak preview of the food on offer. I'm a massive fan of Chinese food so my mouth was watering pretty much as soon as the page loaded and so I went ahead and made a reservation.

-Making A Reservation-

Although the restaurant seats up to 170 people, the website does recommend that you make a reservation to avoid disappointment and, I have to say, I would agree. We went on a Friday night in May, nowhere near the end of the month, and the place was packed with extra people in the waiting area sporting the same look I must have had when I was looking at the menu online.
Booking couldn't have been easier; I simply called (01253 893701) one afternoon and a very pleasant lady answered and took down my details with no fuss and the job was done.

-Getting There-

The website has a map of the area along with directions on getting there, although if you know the area it's pretty easy, as it's right in the town centre. There are a few parking spaces around the back of the restaurant as well as a public car park just around the corner. If you don't feel like driving, there's a taxi rank right outside the restaurant as well.

-The Restaurant Itself-

The restaurant isn't anything like you'd expect from a Chinese restaurant. It's absolutely huge, yet very modern. You won't find any of the traditional Chinese lanterns, waving gold cats and pictures of waterfalls with moving water here. In fact, there's very little on the walls at all, it's very much more understated and contemporary with black leather sofas in the waiting area and lots of chrome and glass. The star of the show though, is the huge Koi Carp pool which dominates the dining area. They are understandably proud of this feature, which fits in very well with the style of the place.

Like I said before, the restaurant can seat up to 170 people and there are a lot of tables to accommodate them, but they are so well laid out that you have plenty of space and are never sitting too close to another table. Even with massive groups of people (as there often are here) they don't stop you from enjoying your own romantic evening as the place is more than big enough.

-The Food-

The food was excellent. This time we had the Mixed Hors D'Oeuvres, which included barbeque spare ribs, spring rolls, curry samosas, crispy seaweed, deep fried wontons and salt and pepper chicken wings. At £6.00 per person (with a minimum of 2 people having to order) it isn't cheap, but it is definitely worth it if, like me, you like to try little bits of everything. You get four of each item so there is plenty to go at, although they are miniatures, so it isn't overpowering. I felt that the batter to actual substance ratio on the samosas and the wontons was a little too much, making it just a bit too greasy for me. However, chicken wings are deliciously salty, with just the right amount of kick to them. If I went again, I'd give the platter a miss and just order some of these and the spring rolls, which were also delicious.

For main course I had sweet and sour chicken with fried rice and the other half had the beef and Chinese mushrooms with soft noodles. I'd be hard pushed to pick between the two, as they were both divine but in completely different ways. The beef was tender and the sauce lovely and garlicky (no good if you're planning on getting lucky though!). The main courses weren't the largest portions, but were enough to make you feel satisfied without being painfully full, which can often be the case. Also, you get plenty of meat, rather than the dishes being padded out with mountains of vegetables - which fiancé enjoyed!

Desserts are the standard Chinese fare - deep fried fruits, ice cream or lychees being pretty much the only options, although they do have a menu with the frozen desserts on. These tend to look very appetising, with chocolate bombes, mini Vienettas and oranges filled with sorbet; however the reality is that they are so frozen that you can't actually taste anything. I opted for the lychees, which were tinned, but were very refreshing after such a rich meal.

-The Cost-

China Red isn't cheap by any stretch of the imagination, although it's the extras that push your bill up. For example, main dishes are between £6 and £7 (and between £10 and £12 for sizzling dishes), but a side dish of noodles is £4.50 and rice is £2.50.

They also do a banquet menu on Mondays to Thursdays, which is a very reasonable £13.95 per person (or £12.95 for the vegetarian menu) for all you can eat.

Our bill came to £58, including wine, for two people. Considering we had starters, mains and coffees, this isn't too bad, but it isn't the cheapest meal you can get in these parts.

-Other Information-

*The opening times are: 5pm to midnight, Monday to Saturday and 2pm - 9pm, Sundays

*Takeaway is available, for pick up only.

*Gift vouchers are available.

-Overall-

I would definitely recommend China Red as it offers a great, modern atmosphere and well-equipped to handle big groups, as well as offering a suitable setting for a romantic meal. The staff are very knowledgeable and can't do enough for you. The food is very good and worth the money you pay.

Blackpool International Airport is a great little airport at the end of the M55, that serves various cities, ski resorts and beach resorts in the UK and Europe. It's easy to get to, easy to get around and has all the facilities you need from an airport, without all the hassle you get from the big city ones, such as Manchester and Heathrow.
As someone who is based at the airport for work (I'm cabin crew with one of the airlines) and who uses it as one of many bases for jet-setting, I thought I'd give you an idea of where it is, how it works and why I love using it.

Also on ciao.co.uk under the same user name.

-Getting There-

*By Car* Like I said before, it's right at the end of the M55, for which you leave the M6 at junction 32. The airport isn't signposted on the M6, but is well-signposted once you get near the end of the M55. It's about a five minute drive from the end of the motorway.

*By Train* There is a direct train to Preston to Squires Gate Lane (a five minute walk from the airport) every hour at about 10 to the hour. From Preston you can get anywhere in the UK.

-Car Parking-

There are a couple of carparks at the airport, with plenty of spaces - I have never had any problems finding a space. The parking is now free for up to 15 days - you just get a ticket as you go through the barrier on entry and then get it validated in the terminal before you exit. After the 15 days it is charged at £8 per day.

If you are picking up/dropping off, you get 15 minutes free and then charges apply. The prices are well signposted on entry to the car parks.

-Destinations-

There are a number of airlines operating services out of Blackpool. Since times, frequency and destinations change, I'll just give you a basic rundown of some of the airlines and destinations that are currently being operated (more accurate details can be found on the website):

Air Arran - Dublin

Manx Air - Isle of Man

Jet2.com - Alicante, Belfast, Faro, Geneva, Ibiza, Mahon, Malaga, Murcia, Palma and Tenerife.

There are also various charter airlines that operate at different times through the year to other destinations.

-Facilities-

*Landside (before security and passport control)*
- 14 check-in desks
- WH Smith
- ICE currency exchange
- Information Desk
- Airline ticket desks
- Hertz Car Hire
- Cafe
- Cash machine
- Toilets
- A small selection of arcade games

*Airside (after security and passport control)*
- Seating for 600 people in the lounge
- Bar
- Cafe
- Duty free, selling perfumes, cosmetics, gifts, essentials, cigarettes and alcohol.
- Games arcade
- Executive Lounge
- Toilets

- Leisure Flying-

There's also plenty of oppurtunity for leisure flying at Blackpool, with various companies offering flying lessons (I can strongly recommend this as a birthday present - I was in the good books for weeks afterwards!), pleasure flights over Blackpool and helicopter lessons.
For more information check out the links on the website.

-My Opinion-

I love Blackpool airport! It's so convenient for me and there is no hassle involved in it. It is a really tiny airport although it is just starting to undergo a massive renovation and expansion project that will see it introduce more destinations, airlines and facilities.

But, personally, I think it's small size is it's biggest advantage. There are journeys from the carpark on buses that seem to take hours to come - it's a twenty-second walk accross a zebra crossing. There's no trawling the internet for hours looking for the best parking price - it's free. There are no massive queues for checkin - there are 14 check-in desks and generally only one flight at once departing. It's just a stress free way to travel.

Everything you need is there once you've checked in and there are no long walks to find anything. Plus there aren't any long walks to the gates for departure - it's right there, next to the comfy chair you've sat down in to read your book!

The staff are all friendly and efficient - ready to give you the good old Northern welcome.

There is a great range in the duty free shop. Plus, you don't have to spend hours traipsing round shop after shop of the same thing in a bid to occupy your time because you don't have to be at the airport a gazillion hours before departure since everything runs so smoothly here.

Seriously, I know I ssound like I'm waxing lyrical here, but Blackpool International Airport really is a chilled out way to begin your holiday. So, much so that I've metpassengers who travel from as far as Scotland becuase it's so much easier and cheaper than their local airport.

So, in conclusion, I have to say that I recommend Blackpool airport to anybody who lives close (or not so close)! Hope you've enjoyed the review and found it useful - thanks for reading!