Seaside Restaurant Offers £250K Prize, Delights Diners

Westward Ho! Eatery Earns High Marks, Unveils Unique Property Giveaway

A popular seaside restaurant in Westward Ho!, the Pier House, is drawing attention not only for its menu but also for an unusual property giveaway. The eatery, situated at the end of the beach with stunning ocean views, is offering patrons a chance to win a house or a substantial cash prize, adding an exciting element to the dining experience.

A Taste of the Coast

The Pier House, described as one of the premier dining spots in Westward Ho!, offers a menu rich in local seafood, as expected from its prime coastal location. While the evening visit meant the panoramic views were obscured by darkness, the atmosphere inside was noted as being upscale yet retaining a seaside charm, complete with relevant decor and music.

The dining experience included a vegan burrito bowl for one diner, priced at £17.50. This dish featured tortilla wraps, chipotle black beans, rice, tomato salsa, charred sweet corn, and avocado. The accompanying cameraman opted for the butter chicken curry, costing £17. This popular Indian dish came with pilau rice, naan bread, papadom, lime chutney, mint yogurt, and a mixed salad.

For dessert, the reviewer indulged in two distinct options. The first was a chocolate tort, made with a blend of chocolate cream, coconut cream, and dates. It was served with mango sorbet, a chocolate drizzle, fruit, edible flowers, and caramel-flavored sugar snaps. This was followed by a lemon cheesecake, featuring a berry coulis, fresh raspberries, clotted cream, and chopped strawberries. Both desserts were praised for their presentation and flavor, with the chocolate tort costing £9 and the lemon cheesecake also priced at £9.

The Verdict on the Food

The vegetarian burrito bowl was found to be surprisingly flavorful and satisfying, offering a lighter alternative to meat-based dishes. The combination of beans, salsa, sweet corn, and avocado provided a good texture and taste. The butter chicken curry was also highly rated, with tender, succulent chicken and a well-balanced, slightly sweet sauce. The pilau rice was noted for being perfectly cooked and separate, not clumpy.

Desserts received particularly high praise. The chocolate tort was described as having an intense chocolate flavor with added texture from the coconut cream and a delightful contrast from the tangy mango sorbet and caramel sugar snaps. The lemon cheesecake was commended for its light, creamy texture and zesty aftertaste, providing a refreshing counterpoint to the richer chocolate option.

A Unique Property Offer

Beyond the culinary offerings, the Pier House is linked to a remarkable personal venture by the reviewer. The reviewer revealed ownership of a house in Westward Ho! for 15 years, which was initially intended for development. Having now retired from property development, the reviewer is offering this house as a prize in a competition. Tickets for this competition cost £5 each.

For those not interested in the property, an alternative prize of £250,000 in cash is available. This offers a significant financial opportunity for participants, providing flexibility in how the winnings could be used, whether for investment, travel, or other pursuits.

Westward Ho! – A Town of Distinction

The article also highlighted interesting facts about Westward Ho!. It is the only place in the United Kingdom with an exclamation mark in its name. Globally, only two other places share this distinction: one in Canada and one in France (named ‘Y’). The town’s name was famously derived from Charles Kingsley’s 1855 novel, with developers adopting the title for the seaside resort. Additionally, Rudyard Kipling is said to have briefly attended school in the area.

The beach at Westward Ho! is noted as being two miles wide, making it one of the largest in the UK and a popular spot for surfing, suitable for both summer and winter conditions, though winter surfing requires appropriate gear like a dry suit.

Financial Breakdown and Overall Score

The total bill for two main courses and two desserts, before service charge, came to £52.50. With a 15% service charge added, the final bill was £60.37, averaging approximately £30 per person. This was considered good value for the quality and quantity of food served, especially the generous dessert portions.

The Pier House received a solid rating of 8 out of 10. The reviewer expressed a strong intention to return, partly due to owning property nearby and having prior positive experiences at the restaurant. The combination of good food, pleasant atmosphere, seaside views, and the unique prize draw makes the Pier House a noteworthy destination.

Market Impact

This unique marketing strategy, combining a high-quality dining experience with a significant prize giveaway, could set a precedent for other hospitality businesses looking to attract customers. The offer of a mortgage-free house or a substantial cash sum provides a powerful incentive, potentially driving significant engagement and customer loyalty. For investors in the hospitality sector, this highlights innovative approaches to customer acquisition and brand building beyond traditional marketing methods.

What Investors Should Know

The success of such a promotion hinges on the underlying quality of the business. In this case, the Pier House’s strong food ratings and positive customer reviews demonstrate that the prize draw complements, rather than distracts from, a solid core offering. Businesses considering similar strategies should ensure their product or service meets high standards to justify the promotional costs and build long-term value. The dual prize option (property vs. cash) caters to different customer preferences, broadening the appeal of the promotion.

Source: I Didn’t Expect This at The Pier House, Westward Ho! (YouTube)