The Karalee on Preston

Rebecca found and booked the Karalee for us online! The Karalee is a mix of tavern and bar, much of it is focussed on a rowdy sports bar with TVs and no separation between the drinking area and the eating area. Many taverns I visited (for example, Captain Stirling, Carine, Kingsley, Windsor, Iron pot) have walls in the way or some sort of sound isolation. We walked a little confused through the sports bar to find the register tucked in the corner. We queued (with others paying) and asked for table since there was noone else to speak to regarding our table.

We were shown to our table, which had Rebecca's name written on the 'reserved' cardboard stand. A fairly good idea, but noone would know to use it! We wondered if we would have been just able to walk in and sit down. This has Beach shack layout -  pay in advance at a register, which I have no issues with. I ordered the Chicken schnitzel, hoping for something a bit like a Chicken parmigana without the spicy sauce (I wasn't in the mood for nightshade/tomato).

There was a medium-long wait before it was brought out, I was not distressed. However, I did expect something a little more tasty. The chicken was lukewarm, and a rather thick cut. The crumbing with parmesan was an interesting move, but I think it could have really done with more or stronger sage or even some rosemary for a twist. I did need to add a bit of salt as well. The potatoes were great! Wholegrain mustard (with a hint of honey) was on them, and these worked well with the firm/waxy potatoes. A small, sweet burst against he potato was a great texture and taste contrast. The beans were uninteresting, I think butter is too plain for beans. If they were done in garlic and olive oil I would have been happier.

I was still feeling hungry so I chose a cake for dessert. It was a rather heavy, thick chocolate cake and quite moist. A thick layer of icing crowned it. It was good, but fairly run-of-the-mill

Overall, I found it a little lacking but not bad, and prices were reasonable  We've had better at this price bracket, though. Three stars.