Restaurant Reviews from local residents
- By Chris Clements
- Published 02/28/2007
- Restaurant Reviews
Restaurant Reviews
| Jamie Oliver's Graduate at The Cock Inn, Beazley End, Nr Braintree. Sent in by Jamie Eels A bit out in the sticks and directions were a bit sketchy when we were almost there (from AA website).
Difficult to park as the car park was full at 7.30PM.
Once inside the staff were very friendly, I couldn't decide on my 1st drink, the barman recommended a very tasty glass of red wine. The atmosphere was cosy and intimate as there was just the 2 of us.
To start we shared the "fantastic salad! as I didn't really like the sound of most of the starters. The mozzarella was as the name said, fantastic.
For main Mark had the duck which was very tasty, I had the filet steak from the specials - the best steak I had ever tasted. Although my main came with potatoes and veges, Mark's didn't - we thought it a bit steep to pay extra for the sides. We did notice that we waited a little longer than most places for the main meal to arrive!
As we ate our desserts we did overhear that they had now run out of fresh bread, the duck and the risotto, luckily we got our first choices OK as I would not have been amused if it had happened to us. Mark had the chocolate brownie and I had the chocolate fondant - absolutely superb, especially the homemade icecream.
All in all a fantastic tasting meal, a bit expensive for a gastro pub but definitely worth a 34 mile drive for that special occasion. |
| MILLER & CARTER The Gatekeeprer, London Road, Harlow Sent in by Hazel We went for a Sunday Lunch in March to the re-furbished Gatekeeper. The bar area is spacious and nicely furnished and the restaurant looks good too. I had checked by phone that they had booster seats and that children's portions were available. They don't take bookings or large parties. Three adults and an eighteen-month-old arrived at 12.05, thirty-five minutes after their Sunday opening time, and they told us that their only two booster seats were already taken. They tried to help, offering us any table in one section and a cushion from the bar to sit Lucy on. There were plenty of staff and our waitress was helpful but seemed unable to grasp that a baby won't sit still for ages, so I had to find her to order both courses. We all found that there weren't enough vegetables and that the chips, served in a cold dish in cold paper, were inevitably cold! My Jacket potato was lovely, though. My salmon was tasty and well cooked, although too large for me - at 10oz. The chicken was OK, if a little dry and the 12 oz Ribeye steak was about normal - nothing special for being specially matured etc. and costing £13.50. The sweets were a great success. My £5 lemon cheesecake with fresh strawberries was well presented on an ice-cold plate and was lovely, as were the ice-cream sundaes with profiteroles and chocolate sauce at £4. I wouldn't take the baby again, unless they get lots more booster seats or high chairs. Note: they don't let you take buggies in so don't take young babies. |
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THE NEW CATHAY CHINESE RESTAURANT, I took a group of nine adults to the hot lunch buffet on a Thursday in March, having booked ahead. The food was fresh, being replenished continually; the staff were friendly and the whole place had a happy buzz. With cotton cloths and serviettes - I'm not sure how they provide an 'eat as much as you like' buffet plus help-yourself to ice cream - all for £4.50 per head. The staff serve drinks to your table from a small bar. The only fault was a slightly draughty atmosphere. They also do a lunch time take-away buffet - choose for yourself, which includes a drink - for £3.50, and in the evening they do buffet, a la carte and set meals. I would give them eleven out of ten for value for money and can thoroughly recommend this new restaurant. |
| GOOSE FAT & GARLIC Bell Street, Sawbridgeworth Sent in from Elaine, Bishops Stortford I have been to this restaurant quite a few times and cannot sing its praises enough – Certainly not cheap but I am a believer you get what you pay for, It is a very comfortable atmosphere and the staff are excellent – it has a cocktail bar where you could sit with an aperitif or go straight through to your table unfortunately as a non-smoker last time I went smoking was still allowed at the bar, but I am sure this will soon change! There is always a wide choice on the menu – starters average about £6 main about £15 and desserts about £5 but the food is absolutely delicious and well presented, you may need to order vegetables as a side order as they are rarely included in the main course. If the night is still young and you have finished your meal there is always the option of going back to the bar to try out the wonderful cocktails! They also do Tapas nights, although I haven’t managed to try this out yet, sounds great for an informal night out with friends. |
