Topic ID 1422
I went to the Hillside on Saturday night and I have to say that you lot must be having a laugh at my expense or it was a bad night. [}:)][}:)][}:)][}:)][}:)][}:)][}:)][}:)][}:)] There was four of us and we only had a main meal each but the ladies had fish which was overcooked and the lads had Veal which was cold and almost inedible. To be honest, I should have sent it back. Then to compound this, they had to charge me twice as they had mucked up the first credit card transaction and have just phoned me this afternoon to say that they didn't charge for the Hake so would only be refunding me £89. I shall not be returning!!!
Reply ID 17597
Wrapper - If you look under this Forum header, you'll see that The Hillside has been done to death. 3 separate threads, all The Hillside.
Reply ID 17600
Yes I know Nora. Everybody has been raving about it and I woke up on Sunday morning and wondered why. Give me the Waterside any time.
Reply ID 17601
You must have caught it at a bad time, I have never had a bad meal there. You are right, you should have said something about about the food at the time if it was that bad. Personally if I had a meal that was as bad as the one you described I would not have paid for it or certainly would have asked them to re-cook it.
Reply ID 17602
Not the only bad review of The Hillside I've heard this week - I recommended it to someone who is new to Hertford last week, and they came back with less-than-complimentary opinions of the mushroom risotto...
Reply ID 17603
Was it Justin's night off? He doesn't work 7 days a week. I wonder if it's his regular locum chef or a new one. Personally, never had anything less than superb food there, but have always gone around a weekend. Joby, when did your friends visit?
Reply ID 17604
quote:A week last Saturday. I too have never had anything other than superb food and service there, which was why it's so peculiar to hear two bad reviews in a week.
Originally posted by farrowandfarrow
Joby, when did your friends visit?
Reply ID 17619
Am thinking of making a booking for few of us in the near future. Any reasons why the 2 bad reports? It is pricey so I want it to be right.
Reply ID 17621
Is Justin not around to comment?
Reply ID 17623
quote:He tends to log on late at night after a shift and doesn't seem to check in every day.
Originally posted by jez_p
Is Justin not around to comment?
Reply ID 17624
Interesting because a friend of mine went recently for his fourth visit and reported lower standards than before - the steak was slightly tough, the walnuts missing from one of the starter dishes, the Special Vanilla Ice Cream was "ordinary". Overall still very good but not as good as he'd remembered. All the same, in your situation, Wrapper, I'd have said something the moment I'd realised the food was ropey. I hope you didn't pay the "optional" service charge on the bill.
Reply ID 17637
I nearly ran Justin down last week crossing Chambers Street, so I guess he is still around. I hope so, I am booked for the 28th.
Reply ID 17644
quote:sorry to hear about your experience on saturday wrapper. by the sounds of it it was a disaster. Out of interest how come you didnt have starters? Im shocked to hear about the veal rib, because i cok it and rest it as soon as the order is taken, and i find it so very tender, maybe the kidney was not to your likeing. shame. How was the pecan tart? the card machine jammed whilst the transaction was going through, sorry these things tend to happen from time to time, sorry if it was a big deal for you. I do remember the order, and have relayed your complaint with the manager. She was unaware of your mispleasure and believed that you had a good experience, as you seemed grateful and thankful during and after the meal when you were leaving, and even on the telephone on monday. I would also like to point out that we were completely honest with you about the credit card situation, and did not do anything untoward without your consent. It would have been much better to air your problems to us, so we can do something about it there and then, rather than going on a public forum. However this is your perogative.
Originally posted by Wrapper
I went to the Hillside on Saturday night and I have to say that you lot must be having a laugh at my expense or it was a bad night. [}:)][}:)][}:)][}:)][}:)][}:)][}:)][}:)][}:)] There was four of us and we only had a main meal each but the ladies had fish which was overcooked and the lads had Veal which was cold and almost inedible. To be honest, I should have sent it back. Then to compound this, they had to charge me twice as they had mucked up the first credit card transaction and have just phoned me this afternoon to say that they didn't charge for the Hake so would only be refunding me £89. I shall not be returning!!!
Reply ID 17645
quote:In my time there has never been a "special vanilla ice cream". I have been using the same meat supplier for 3 years now, the same cut of sirloin steak from glen fyne in scotland. I shall investigate into this, incidentally if the meat is more than medium cooked, its not at its best. Again, if his starter, main course and dessert was not up to scratch, why not tell us?
Originally posted by 2929paul
Interesting because a friend of mine went recently for his fourth visit and reported lower standards than before - the steak was slightly tough, the walnuts missing from one of the starter dishes, the Special Vanilla Ice Cream was "ordinary". Overall still very good but not as good as he'd remembered. All the same, in your situation, Wrapper, I'd have said something the moment I'd realised the food was ropey. I hope you didn't pay the "optional" service charge on the bill.
Reply ID 17646
quote:HI JOby. Is this the young lady who could not eat her risotto because it was too hot in temperature?
Originally posted by Joby
Not the only bad review of The Hillside I've heard this week - I recommended it to someone who is new to Hertford last week, and they came back with less-than-complimentary opinions of the mushroom risotto...
Reply ID 17654
I was in the Hillside on Saturday night and I had the Mushroom Risotto....it was more than perfect. I am rather proud of my own risotto's and usually find at resturaunts they serve you up a dish which resembles rice pudding. Justin's risotto was fantastic! As for the Hake which my partner had served on a bed of Chorizo and Chickpeas, he has not stopped raving about it all week! We did not get charged for the Hake either, but the waitress called the next day and explained their had been an error and very kindly asked if we would mind it being added to the card. Ok so its not the best situation but these things happen with any business from time to time and it was dealt with very well. We were not put out by it.
Reply ID 17656
quote:I'll investigate further. I always think it's unfair to say nothing on the night and then come away and have a moan later to others. I did not consider that he may have ordered his steak medium or well done. He was in a group of four and overall they were impressed but felt it was not as good as they remembered. I'll check about where the ice cream came from. He would still recommend you to others, he was just remarking to friends who knew the place already about his experience.
Originally posted by justinquote:In my time there has never been a "special vanilla ice cream". I have been using the same meat supplier for 3 years now, the same cut of sirloin steak from glen fyne in scotland. I shall investigate into this, incidentally if the meat is more than medium cooked, its not at its best. Again, if his starter, main course and dessert was not up to scratch, why not tell us?
Originally posted by 2929paul
Interesting because a friend of mine went recently for his fourth visit and reported lower standards than before - the steak was slightly tough, the walnuts missing from one of the starter dishes, the Special Vanilla Ice Cream was "ordinary". Overall still very good but not as good as he'd remembered. All the same, in your situation, Wrapper, I'd have said something the moment I'd realised the food was ropey. I hope you didn't pay the "optional" service charge on the bill.
Reply ID 17689
I take everybody's comments on board and respond as follows:- 1. I should have complained at the time but one of my party was feeling a bit rough and I didn't want to wait any longer as I was hungry. 2. The forum is for constructive criticism which I feel is what I have done Justin. It would be boring if everyone sang your praises. 3. I was not implying that there was anything untoward about the credit card transaction. 4. I am always polite and will not be rude to someone even if I don't think something was up to standard. 5. I have had veal a number of times and offal associated with it. It may be that the particular piece of meat I had was sub-standard. It was not inedible but lukewarm and very fatty. The kidney was in my opinion undercooked. 6. The food, particularly the veal, I have had in the Waterside has been infinitely better.
Reply ID 17697
quote:its always a shame to hear of people who have bad experiences, i could argue a case,as your comments on your oridinal post were, maybe, misunderstood, but ultimately it will not change anything, and its a pity that you shall not be returning. However i thank you for considering us. Also, nice to hear good comments about the Waterside. Michelle, hope to see you soon.
Originally posted by Wrapper
I take everybody's comments on board and respond as follows:- 1. I should have complained at the time but one of my party was feeling a bit rough and I didn't want to wait any longer as I was hungry. 2. The forum is for constructive criticism which I feel is what I have done Justin. It would be boring if everyone sang your praises. 3. I was not implying that there was anything untoward about the credit card transaction. 4. I am always polite and will not be rude to someone even if I don't think something was up to standard. 5. I have had veal a number of times and offal associated with it. It may be that the particular piece of meat I had was sub-standard. It was not inedible but lukewarm and very fatty. The kidney was in my opinion undercooked. 6. The food, particularly the veal, I have had in the Waterside has been infinitely better.
Reply ID 17707
The Special Vanilla ice cream was that Bourbon something vanilla ice cream. My wife's had it before and loves it. Each to their own - wouldn't be my choice on a night out. Anyway, anxious to check that the place hadn't subsided completely, we checked it out last night and can confirm no drop in standards. The venison was superb and my wife's sea bass was cooked to perfection. Chef was also able to accomodate her request to do a potato option without the crushed olives. I can definitely recommend the lavender creme brulee and the pot au chocolat is VERY rich. If you're a chocolate fan, you'll enjoy this. Service, as always, was exemplary. Wish I could afford to eat there every week. Hillside fans need not panic, it still represents excellent value because the standards are still as high as ever. Wrapper must have been very unlucky.
Reply ID 17715
Justin, as soon as we can get a night off, without my husband rushing off to work, we'll be there.
Reply ID 17719
quote:good. the vanilla ice cream is made with "fresh madagascan bourbon vanilla pods". Please introduce yourself next time paul. glad you enjoyed it.
Originally posted by 2929paul
The Special Vanilla ice cream was that Bourbon something vanilla ice cream. My wife's had it before and loves it. Each to their own - wouldn't be my choice on a night out. Anyway, anxious to check that the place hadn't subsided completely, we checked it out last night and can confirm no drop in standards. The venison was superb and my wife's sea bass was cooked to perfection. Chef was also able to accomodate her request to do a potato option without the crushed olives. I can definitely recommend the lavender creme brulee and the pot au chocolat is VERY rich. If you're a chocolate fan, you'll enjoy this. Service, as always, was exemplary. Wish I could afford to eat there every week. Hillside fans need not panic, it still represents excellent value because the standards are still as high as ever. Wrapper must have been very unlucky.