Reviews in Essex

Lovely, but costs are slightly high

Yesterday was the first time we have eaten at your resurant and it was a most enjoyable experience. Great buzz and atmosphere with the other diners and the food was excellent which included local vegatable produce. I've told my friend to give it a go. Thanks

Our father passed away last Thursday, so we decided to come to his favorite gardening centre to have lunch and pick some plants to remember him by. After placing our order, my partner and son ordered the burgers. They specifically ordered them plain. Just cheese and paid the extra for Bacon. All ordered and we waited. It was quite busy so we understood it wasn't going to be quick. The food eventually arrived. My partners burger came with no bacon, my sons came with everything on it..lettuce, tomatoes, burger sauce...everything we ordered not to have and again no bacon. After calling someone over to explain this is not what was ordered, they took the food away It took so long to remake, that the rest of the party had finished our meal and then had to sit and wait for the other food to arrive. It was such a sad day for us, and unfortunately wasn't made easier by having to sit and wait for the wrong food to be remade.

Enjoyed a very relaxed and delicious lunch with a friend. The environment and tables were clean and service was attentive and friendly. Food arrived within a short time and was presented nicely, with homemade vegetable tart, a fresh salad and beautiful buttery new potatoes. There was no pressure to vacate the table and the whole experience was pleasant, and just as I've always found it...... I'm a regular customer!

Great setting, food and service

We had lunch with some friends at The Dukes Head on the recent Bank Holiday and were rather disappointed. The beer chosen by 2 of us, which seemed to be the only ale one on offer - the others all being indicated as not available - was so thin that we all thought it had been watered down. The wine glasses on the table were filthy and one still had lipstick on the rim and when this was pointed out they were taken away with no apology. On finishing our main course we waited to have the plates removed and be asked if we wanted a desert but nobody came so just went to the bar and paid vowing not to return which is a pity as it seems nice inside.

As always the Barn did not disappoint- a lovely afternoon having the most delicious asparagus risotto with tarragon oil and wild mushrooms .. better than any London restaurant. A beautifully curated floor of gorgeous accessories for the home. It is guaranteed happiness all under one roof … I only wish they would open one closer to Chelmsford … amazing !!!

The roast was superb. Beautifully cooked, potatoes crispy on the outside but soft inside, veg just right, but mostly the lovely flavours coming through - fennel, rosemary and nutmeg in the cauliflower cheese. The price was slightly high but worth it for the quality and flavour. Atmosphere a little noisy and service adequate.

An excellent lunch for me and my 93 year old godmother Lovely service, calm atmosphere and delicious food

My husband was able to make up his own light breakfast of granary toast, fried egg, mushrooms and beans. The beans could have been a little hotter but the rest of the breakfast was delicious. I had a bacon butty with granary bread which was really nice and the cakes are good as well. The staff were very polite and helpful. The Barn has a lovely atmosphere, well worth a visit.

A very busy evening at the Skylark, beginning of the Bank Holiday weekend with the sun shining but the food was sublime, the service as friendly as always if just a little slower due to the volume of people. A great evening

My daughter recently moved into Hatfield Broad Oak and we have eaten at the Dues Head on two occasions and have fully enjoyed the experience. Hence we booked a table for four persons for Sunday lunch at 3.15. It is worth pointing out that on our previous visits both reservations were midweek and early evening. We arrived at 3.00 for our 3.15 table and was informed that it wasn’t ready. As we were early we quite understood so ordered a round of drinks and waited, and waited, and waited. At 3.25 I managed to intercept, who I believe is the Manager, as he was walking from the kitchen to the bar and asked when our table would be ready. He stated ‘it won’t be long, should be about 5 minutes’, and walked off. No apology, no explanation. At 3.30, ie 15 minutes late, a waitress showed us to our table. Once seated our orders were taken fairly promptly but it took a further 30 minutes for our starters to be served. Two of the orders were for crispy squid which were pale, soggy and undercooked. We contemplated sending them back but given that we were, by this time, extremely hungry and were unable to attract the attention of one of the waitresses, we didn’t. This proved to be a big mistake, had we known what was to follow. Our starters completed and table cleared we awaited our main courses. By now it was 4.15. Once again we waited and waited. After 30 minutes I began to get concerned that our orders had not reached the kitchen, particularly as a couple who had arrived after us had received their meals. It is worth mentioning that on a number of occasions we sought to get the attention of a waitress to order drinks and each and every time one of our party had to waive frantically for them to notice us. Eventually I caught the eye of a waitress and asked why our meals had not been served and was told ,you’re next’. Yet again no explanation, no apology. Finally, at 5.00, a full 45 minutes after we’d finished our starters our lunch were served. Unfortunately the waitress failed to notice that two of our party did not have any knives and forks. To avoid another spate of frantic arm waiving I got up and took cutlery from an adjoining table. On the plus side, one served, the roast dinners were ver good. I appreciate that particularly at busy times delays can occur, but the very least I would expect is to be kept informed and the courtesy of an apology should have been forthcoming from the manager. May I point out that I am not an individual who forwards over-exaggerated, negative reviews about a restaurant in the hope that a ‘freebie’ will be offered by the establishment. Prior to posting this review I have emailed the Dukes Head FIVE TIMES in an attempt to obtain some feedback, but it seems that the manager must have attended the Basil Fawlty Hospitality training school because I have not even had an acknowledgement, let alone an apology. It may seem that I blame the waitresses for most of the problems highlighted above but this is not the case, patently they had received little or no training . The blame lies firmly on the shoulders of the owners and management who are unprofessional, discourteous and rude.

Normally very pleased and the previous visit set such a high bar i was little disappointed. Front of house not impressed as being shown to our seats was not asked if we had a preference of outside or in, plenty of space at the time. Fish goujon sandwich, chips and iced coffee good.

A lovely lunch. Large plates of food. Please note that there is no car park. Paking is available at the nearby Harvester which is pay and display.

We went for a family Sunday lunch. We were taken to our table promptly, although our request on booking for a highchair had been overlooked, However the environment was good, not too noisy. The food when it arrived was lovely and cooked well. Unfortunately, it took an hour before we received our meal, which when you have a young child is an unreasonable time to wait. Aside from the minor criticisms, a nice meal and would recommend to others.

We enjoy going to the Owl and its a great setting and there's the park area for the kids. Disappointed in the Sunday roast as for the money it wasn't a full plate. No carrots, parsnips, peas just some green beans and cabbage, plus potatoes and Yorkshire pudding. The fish and chips looked good, a massive piece of fish. We would visit again but have some different from the menu.

First time visiting The Dukes Head. Lovely welcome on arrival, staff were friendly and very helpful. Went there for Sunday lunch. Didn't have a roast although it looked delicious, I decided on the Gammon, my son had a burger and side of pigs in blankets because that he he rolls. Food was lovely, hot well presented and tasty. Atmosphere was lovely. Would visit again.

Food always excellent, staff also excellent. Some say expensive but it's worth every penny as fresh produce, cooked to order what's not to love again. Always satisfied, love wandering the shop and the beautiful plants too