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I booked a table for Sunday morning as it was my wife's birthday. Excellent food, using quality ingredients, and excellent very friendly service. I would always recommend it, plus the opportunity after to look around.
The Barn Garden Centre Cafe – ColchesterCame here on the 15th August, with my sister and Dad. We all had the salmon Nicoise, although nice, there was an abundance of lettuce and only 3 small chucks of salmon. I had the same dish here about six weeks ago and at that time we had a decent piece of salmon, I even took a photo at the time (which disappointingly I have erased). Shame as we won’t be returning.
The Barn Garden Centre Cafe – ColchesterVery pleasant atmosphere and delicious food with fabulous new summer cocktail.
The Barn Garden Centre Cafe – ColchesterWe chose to go to the blue anchor to try the lunchtime set menu, we weren't disappointed. The right amount of delicious food for lunch, particularly enjoyed the pineapple upside down cake! Would highly recommend
The Blue Anchor – ColchesterOur first visit, on friends' recommendatio, and we were delighted. Nice setting, we ate indoors. Polite, friendly staff. Sue had the fish and chips, beautifully cooked and not at all oily. I had the Buddha Bowl, deliciously divine, amazing ingredients with many complementary flavours. I was full up without any additional extras, but nicely so - full but not uncomfortable.
The Barn Garden Centre Cafe – ColchesterWedding Anniversary visit…waiter was polite and friendly,food was very good with what we considered a respectful time between courses. I checked the bill as I do everywhere and noticed we were charged for a bottle of wine we did not have. I called the waiter over to discuss this and he agreed it was wrong and changed the bill accordingly.. Will happily refurn
The Blue Anchor – ColchesterWent for breakfast for the first tine. lovely food cooked to order but quick service. Also tasty too
The Blue Anchor – ColchesterWe went for our anniversary and had a really enjoyable evening. The food was amazing and we particularly loved the ‘while you’re waiting’ Pork scratching sticks! There was an excellent choice of all 3 courses and we managed to have a dessert which was divine. The staff were professional and the right amount of attentive without checking in all the time. We would definitely recommend and will definitely be back.
The Blue Anchor – ColchesterPolite and attentive service. Reasonable wait for food to be served. Generous portion and overall quality was good. Menu is very limited, which may put lots of diners off, but the quality goes some way to remedy the very limited choice of dishes. Dessert menu on a board so be prepared to leave your seat to make your choice. Again not a huge array of options. Producing a small menu to give diners might help improve the service. General atmosphere was pleasant although music was quite loud which doesn’t suit everyone.
The Hare and Hounds – ColchesterGreat food lovely service definitely coming back
The Blue Anchor – Colchesterbooked for breakfast at 11am, one of our party was a bit delayed. Got told , quite sternly at 11.10 that we'd need to order by 11.15 as the kitchen closes between 11.30 and 12 for a deep clean. Shame it didn't say on website that brunch finishes at 11.15! Our late arrival came just in time so all okay but I was left a little embarrassed as the person who'd booked and planned. The food was delicious, especially the avocado and poached eggs. Slightly more expensive than other breakfast venues but did seem to have quality products. Servers were polite and helpful. Bit cramped when trying to pay as in the main walk through to outside area. Would recommend overall.
The Barn Garden Centre Cafe – ColchesterWe had Breakfast yesterday and enjoyed it . I booked before we arrived but unfortunately they didn't have our reservation but they found us a table and everything turned out o.k. Lovely staff and location, shame about the car park though ( big holes and needs some work done on it .
The Barn Garden Centre Cafe – ColchesterFirst time visit and was impressed. Service was very good and attentive despite being a weekday. Starters were lovely and had a good selection. Mains were very nice, especially the chicken supreme. Couldn’t manage desserts but will next time. Did think it would be nice to have a specials board but will definitely visit again
The Blue Anchor – ColchesterHave been to The Barn numerous times & always received good service & enjoyed the food. However, this visit didn’t turn out so well When placing our food order I asked if I could change the Brie cheese in panini for Cheddar my two friends ordered their meal too- the server cxx as me back to say the kitchen had s lot of ‘tickets’ so they couldn’t change cheese this meant I had to choose another meal the only one I could eat was ploughman’s which had only 4 thin slices of a small baguette , cheese was fine but ham was also 4 very small pieces- wasn’t too impressed with that! My friend had ordered the Brie panini but ate a couple pieces but then opened the panini but the Brie wasn’t runny as it should be it was hard & the Panini seemed stale - she could not eat anymore The server on collecting plates enquired the everything ok & my friend said what was wrong with her meal & she straight away said would she like it replaced but my friend declined the server then said she would take it off the bill- which she did We had all felt that the menu was rather limited for our taste but were very disappointed at the quantity & quality of the food which is not something we have ever encountered before at The Barn & the refusal of kitchen staff to accommodate my request for cheddar instead of Brie which I go not like- honestly how hard was that to do? We spent a fair bit for our lunch as we had cocktails & 2 or 3 sml bottles of wine as we were there for 4hrs- the food just spoilt it so we don’t ge coming back anytime soon! Such a shame as it was always good whatever good u had but not on this occasion!!
The Barn Garden Centre Cafe – ColchesterAs always lovely premises but disappointing food and slow service. Not the usual delicious food we've come to expect.
The Barn Garden Centre Cafe – ColchesterAlways enjoy, fresh food cooked and presented well. Staff attentive and make you feel welcome. Plenty of extra things to purchase plants and gifts of excellent quality
The Barn Garden Centre Cafe – ColchesterEnjoyed our first lunch in the Barn. Two of us had Salad Nicoise & I ordered one without olives, but we both got a lot! I also ordered a sugar-free drink & was told the Elderflower was just that - but in fact the 2nd ingredient was sugar. Otherwise, good, & my husband enjoyed the Tart Tatin.
The Barn Garden Centre Cafe – ColchesterOverall the food was excellent, the service was a little poor as I had to pour my own wine. Would I go back, yes I will.
The Blue Anchor – Colchester