Topic ID 2243
I ate at the Hotel on Saturday night. If found it a bit of a mixed bag that is suffering from an identity crisis. Is it a bar or is it a restaurant? For those of you that haven’t been in, it’s an open plan bar and restaurant. On the Friday night, I understand diners had complained, because the large volume of people at the bar was disturbing them. So for Saturday, they decided to limit the amount of people at the bar. The only problem is they chose to facilitate this restriction by telling people that cannot come in, after they had walked through both sets of doors and sent a large blast of freezing cold air into the restaurant every two minutes. The lack of a doorman to implement this was a serious failure. I felt sorry for the two tables sat near the door. With food costing over £40 a head, I think you would expect to be warm. On the plus side. The place looks great. The food was good quality. The service was top notch( but not silver service). We had a guy in a pink cardigan and a girl with 4 pig tails serving us and they couldn’t do anymore for us. They were great. I had the Yorkshire pudding to start, for main I had Roasted pig in apple mash with black pudding. Side dishes were all extra, and very small, so be warned. On the down side - price. The food was good quality, but this is London prices. I spent less in The Ivy than in this Hertford venue which is best described as a gastro pub. The menu mixed the bar lunch food and the evening restaurant food together and was full of spelling mistakes. The main meal does not come with vegetables. All the sides are at extra cost and are fairly small. In the case of a side order of chips/wedges, the bowl was no larger than a coffee cup Also, they were sold out of too much. First the pigeon was all gone, then the mushroom, then the steak. To make matters worse, two hours after we were told the steak was now off the menu, we witnessed more guests arrive, who ordered, and got steak. I was also very surprised when the bottle of wine arrived, already poured into a carafe. When you are spending over £20 on a bottle, I expect it to be treated with a little more thought. All in all, the venue has the potential to be good, but they have got to decide who they are catering for. The style, service and general set up say bar, the price and food says restaurant. Either lower the prices, or increase the service and exclusivity. I put a lot of the issues we experienced down to teething problems. I liked eating at Elberts, so we know they can do it, but they have to come up with solutions fast, or word will get around. For me, this is a welcome addition, and I hope they iron out the very obvious problems. Food quality = 4 Service = 5 Atmosphere = 3 Facilities = 3 Value for Money = 1 However....update....did anyone else eat there on Saturday, have the white bait as a starter and find themselve sick a few hours later? I've heard of two people already.
Reply ID 30961
On Saturday, we commented very quickly that we would not eat there on a Friday or Saturday evening because the bar area dominated the dining area. I am surprised about your comment regarding the doorman. A very polite chap greeted us on entry and took our umbrellas, which we were pleasently surprised to find still present by the door when we left at the end of the evening.
Reply ID 30964
Dude, I have not eaten there yet, so cannot judge, but I do agree that I would not feel comfortable spending £60-80 for a meal to sit at arse level with someone drinking at the bar. I agree with Ewoowar, I would also not eat here at the weekend, unless numbers at the bar die down. I have only been here for a couple of drinks, but on the whole I was impressed with the place and will be re-visiting. I will try the restaurant, but will leave it for a Tuesday, as Wednesdays seem to be the new Thursdays!! I also look forward to seeing what they do with the Members Bar and private dining room in the basement. Maybe that will free up some space in the restaurant.
Reply ID 30965
From what I've seen so far (I liked drinking in the bar) They might be better off making the upstairs the pub, and the basement the restaurant.
Reply ID 30966
quote:Was that the owner? (white shirt, blue jeans) He did tend the door on a few occasions when he realised it wasn't working.
Originally posted by Ewoowar
On Saturday, we commented very quickly that we would not eat there on a Friday or Saturday evening because the bar area dominated the dining area. I am surprised about your comment regarding the doorman. A very polite chap greeted us on entry and took our umbrellas, which we were pleasently surprised to find still present by the door when we left at the end of the evening.
Reply ID 30967
quote:It did cross my mind, all be it the other way round. It just nice to have a beer in decent surroundings and not have to shout.
Originally posted by Dude
From what I've seen so far (I liked drinking in the bar) They might be better off making the upstairs the pub, and the basement the restaurant.
Reply ID 30986
quote:Nope. A polite middle aged gent in a black overcoat with a West Indian accent. The door was also attended by the manager when a queue formed outside.
Originally posted by Dudequote:Was that the owner? (white shirt, blue jeans) He did tend the door on a few occasions when he realised it wasn't working.
Originally posted by Ewoowar
On Saturday, we commented very quickly that we would not eat there on a Friday or Saturday evening because the bar area dominated the dining area. I am surprised about your comment regarding the doorman. A very polite chap greeted us on entry and took our umbrellas, which we were pleasently surprised to find still present by the door when we left at the end of the evening.
Reply ID 35273
nice to see it's up and running again. good alternative to the brand, please don't put prices up!
Reply ID 39956
Had a really lovely Sunday lunch in there today, dessert was also fabulous. My only complaint is that they advertise their prices excluding VAT, which I think is a bit sneaky. I went with a small child and we were made to feel welcome (highchairs provided). Highly recommended for Sunday Lunch
Reply ID 39964
Went in for a late luch earlier in the week. Took their vouchers as printed in the Mercury. Waste of effort as the set menu was what was on offer with the voucher or without. Food very slow as there were only 2 of us in Resturant. Service very confused. Wouldn't rush back. I was really looking forward to it aswell.
Reply ID 39966
quote:If they do, then that is one for Trading Standards... (it all depends on the wording & the font).
Originally posted by possum
Had a really lovely Sunday lunch in there today, dessert was also fabulous. My only complaint is that they advertise their prices excluding VAT, which I think is a bit sneaky.
Reply ID 42070
Been in today just to see the place as I have to deliver there in a few weeks for a wedding, I must say the staff were very helpful with the information I needed as I was worried about the logistics of delivering there, only a couple of guests in the bar/ restaurant but it was a Tuesday afternoon!
Reply ID 42072
I was at a corporate do there last Tuesday - the food and service were excellent.
Reply ID 43223
Myself, and two friends, drank and ate at the hotel last night. The experience was a world away from our first visit when it opened. Last night the bar staff were great, especially the chap that made up my Cosmopolitans! They had one booth left free so we nabbed it and the food was really good. The chef is so proud of their menu and you can tell as it was delicious. Would definately recommend.
Reply ID 43224
would you suggest booking ahead for a table or can you generally just turn up (thinking of a Tue/Wed visit)?
Reply ID 43227
quote:Probably and idea to ring and check, it is quite small and if there is a private party going on you wouldn't get in. The staff were great when I took the flowers for the wedding I must say, didn't get to taste the food but the place looked very good.
Originally posted by shaun
would you suggest booking ahead for a table or can you generally just turn up (thinking of a Tue/Wed visit)?
Reply ID 43228
quote:I would normally try and book in a place like that but we just got lucky not having decided on where we would like to go to eat.
Originally posted by shaun
would you suggest booking ahead for a table or can you generally just turn up (thinking of a Tue/Wed visit)?
Reply ID 43925
The application for outside seating has been withdrawn after planning officers raised the rather logical issue of safety. I can't imagine how they ever thought that a plan requiring waiting staff to cross a road to tend to customers would ever have been successful.
Reply ID 44218
Looking to book somewhere for family dinner next saturday - what are the prices like here?[:)]
Reply ID 44219
quote:There is a sample menu on their web site.......... http://www.hertford-house.com/media/download/the-eatery.pdf
Originally posted by Zsathestar
Looking to book somewhere for family dinner next saturday - what are the prices like here?[:)]
Reply ID 44227
quote:However, watch out for Pinot Grigio. Normally a reasonably priced wine at around £17 in a restuarant and £5 at an off-licence, it's £32.50 a bottle here![:0]
Originally posted by Zsathestar
Looking to book somewhere for family dinner next saturday - what are the prices like here?[:)]
Reply ID 44228
To be fair there is a wild discprency in the cost and quality of Pinot Grigios in the mkt. It may be overpriced or may be a lot better than some of the poor quality Pinot Grigios that have flooded the mkt....
Reply ID 44230
quote:That is true, but PG has positioned itself as a day to day, quaffable white, so we have got used to it being reasonably priced. Unlike Chablis or Sancerre, which can be either fabulous or undrinkable, the Veneto quality level appears to be more consistent.
Originally posted by Frenchie
To be fair there is a wild discprency in the cost and quality of Pinot Grigios in the mkt. It may be overpriced or may be a lot better than some of the poor quality Pinot Grigios that have flooded the mkt....
Reply ID 44383
i'll be going for the first time next week for dinner. got to say that it does look nice, the staff are friendly. having eaten at the hillside recently, at least the hotel looks roomy enough for you to have a chat with your companion without everone listening in. the hillside's food is fine but it's just too pokey and lacking atmosphere. don't know why they don't just get rid of the bar area and spread the tables out
quote:
Originally posted by Ewoowarquote:There is a sample menu on their web site.......... http://www.hertford-house.com/media/download/the-eatery.pdf
Originally posted by Zsathestar
Looking to book somewhere for family dinner next saturday - what are the prices like here?[:)]
Reply ID 44399
I was there this weekend to join family who were staying overnight. The food is great, the rooms are great, but after all this time and after all the comments, the service is still appalling. They even mucked up breakfast. I find it so difficult to understand why they can spend so much on the design and chef, but won't pay for experienced staff or suitable staff training.
Reply ID 44419
Had dinner here on Sat night - Cocktails are great and a bargain at £5.50. Unfortunatly they had our booking down as Friday night for 4 guests rather that the correct Saturday night for 5 guests! - Service although slow to start was fine. Food was excellent.
Reply ID 44441
quote:*bites his lip*
Originally posted by nora batty
I was there this weekend to join family who were staying overnight. The food is great, the rooms are great, but after all this time and after all the comments, the service is still appalling. They even mucked up breakfast. I find it so difficult to understand why they can spend so much on the design and chef, but won't pay for experienced staff or suitable staff training.
Reply ID 44443
On the spur of the moment I decided to sample the IOD's in house eatery in Pall Mall whilst there on Friday evening. The experience only served to demonstrate how mediocre Hertford's food venues really are. If asked to judge the likely final bill by menu, wine list, service, decor, presentation and food quality, I'd guess the IOD to be twice the price of Hertford House. In reality, it's slightly cheaper. Priced as it is, Hertford House needs to be significantly better to get my vote.
Reply ID 44444
quote:You should let Nick Shipton know. The only email address I have for him is info(at)elberts.co.uk
Originally posted by nora batty
I was there this weekend to join family who were staying overnight. The food is great, the rooms are great, but after all this time and after all the comments, the service is still appalling. They even mucked up breakfast. I find it so difficult to understand why they can spend so much on the design and chef, but won't pay for experienced staff or suitable staff training.
Reply ID 44447
I stumbled across this article about the hotel. http://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2004/10/28/55744/nick-shipton.html
Reply ID 44512
we stayed there this week and had dinner. awful, plain awful. i wish it was good, but it is so far from that. they can't even get the basics right. its almost comical. the worst service i have ever eoncountered.
Reply ID 44624
quote:Did you make your feelings known?
Originally posted by foodman
we stayed there this week and had dinner. awful, plain awful. i wish it was good, but it is so far from that. they can't even get the basics right. its almost comical. the worst service i have ever eoncountered.
Reply ID 44628
Had a very pleasant evening at the bar here on Friday night. Most of the staff struck me as the eager but raw type. Only 2 real gripes: 1) Pouring wine into a measure and then into the glass. Tacky. 2) they don't know how to make a proper Caiparena (but then nor do most places in Hertford).
Reply ID 44635
quote:would you prefer those horrible glasses with a line on it to donate the measure? I wouldnt.
Originally posted by carlos fandango
Had a very pleasant evening at the bar here on Friday night. Most of the staff struck me as the eager but raw type. Only 2 real gripes: 1) Pouring wine into a measure and then into the glass. Tacky. 2) they don't know how to make a proper Caiparena (but then nor do most places in Hertford).
Reply ID 44639
No I expect the waiter/waitress to be able to judge when a glass is correctly full as happens in most restaurants in the world. The mark up is so huge that a little over is not going to bankrupt them is it.
Reply ID 44646
quote:It is a contravention of licensing law to serve over-sized measures and also illegal to serve under. The law states that if glasses are unmarked, a properly marked measure must be used. The exception is when a bottle is purchased in a restuarant.
Originally posted by carlos fandango
No I expect the waiter/waitress to be able to judge when a glass is correctly full as happens in most restaurants in the world. The mark up is so huge that a little over is not going to bankrupt them is it.
Reply ID 44653
I stand corrected. Still think it's tacky though.
Reply ID 44654
quote:Yep, so do many publicans, but there you go. Curiously, free-pour is allowed when making a cocktail. [?]
Originally posted by carlos fandango
I stand corrected. Still think it's tacky though.
Reply ID 44661
quote:i cant vouch for "most" restaurants in the world, as i do not think i have been to more than half of the worlds restaurants. I like it as it can be impossible to get nice quality glass wear that has a line on it donating measures, which, if i may add, find tacky.
Originally posted by carlos fandango
No I expect the waiter/waitress to be able to judge when a glass is correctly full as happens in most restaurants in the world. The mark up is so huge that a little over is not going to bankrupt them is it.
Reply ID 44665
quote:You haven't been to Greece Shunt?
Originally posted by shuntquote:It is a contravention of licensing law to serve over-sized measures and also illegal to serve under. The law states that if glasses are unmarked, a properly marked measure must be used. The exception is when a bottle is purchased in a restuarant.
Originally posted by carlos fandango
No I expect the waiter/waitress to be able to judge when a glass is correctly full as happens in most restaurants in the world. The mark up is so huge that a little over is not going to bankrupt them is it.
Reply ID 44667
quote:I so agree. I used to keep one set for the bar and another for the restaurant.
Originally posted by justinquote:i cant vouch for "most" restaurants in the world, as i do not think i have been to more than half of the worlds restaurants. I like it as it can be impossible to get nice quality glass wear that has a line on it donating measures, which, if i may add, find tacky.
Originally posted by carlos fandango
No I expect the waiter/waitress to be able to judge when a glass is correctly full as happens in most restaurants in the world. The mark up is so huge that a little over is not going to bankrupt them is it.
Reply ID 44669
I did, yes, throughout. But things only got more comical. I asked for a half bottle of wine, as on the menu. The barman didn't know how much there is in a half bottle. I said 37.5cl, he asked me what that meant. He then said a full bottle had 750ml, so how could 37.5cl be half? He then set about pouring from a full bottle into spirit measures, and then pouring from those into an old empty bottle - spilling half of it on the way. I laughed and cried at the same time
quote:
Originally posted by simcutquote:Did you make your feelings known?
Originally posted by foodman
we stayed there this week and had dinner. awful, plain awful. i wish it was good, but it is so far from that. they can't even get the basics right. its almost comical. the worst service i have ever eoncountered.
Reply ID 44671
I was impressed by the barman a few weeks ago. I was at the bar while a waiter was ordering drinks for some of the diners, one of whom had asked for a double of a cocktail in a pint glass. The barman said it was illegal to serve that quantity of alcohol in a single glass. He could serve two of the cocktails to the customer but he could not pour them into the same glass. The waiter relayed this information to the customer who was not pleased but still ordered two of the cocktails and then asked for a pint glass. It was good to see the barman abide by the law and not serve the drink in a pint glass.
Reply ID 44677
quote:I assume you mean DENOTING not DONATING.
Originally posted by justinquote:i cant vouch for "most" restaurants in the world, as i do not think i have been to more than half of the worlds restaurants. I like it as it can be impossible to get nice quality glass wear that has a line on it donating measures, which, if i may add, find tacky.
Originally posted by carlos fandango
No I expect the waiter/waitress to be able to judge when a glass is correctly full as happens in most restaurants in the world. The mark up is so huge that a little over is not going to bankrupt them is it.
Reply ID 44678
Quote Ewoowar "I was at the bar while a waiter was ordering drinks for some of the diners, one of whom had asked for a double of a cocktail in a pint glass. The barman said it was illegal to serve that quantity of alcohol in a single glass. He could serve two of the cocktails to the customer but he could not pour them into the same glass." Rubbish! As far as we are aware, there is no illegality involved in serving two drinks in one glass, cocktail or not. It can be served in a jam jar if wanted as long as the measures were correctly applied. It may be a "house" rule, but not illegal. By the way, mine's a large gin!! (that's two drinks in one glass)
Reply ID 44681
Where it gets really weird (unless it's changed since my day) is that two gins in one glass have to be measured, as does one gin to go with a mixer. However, if there are two or more alcoholic drinks of different types, you can free-pour. hence a Pimms and lemonade has to be measured, but a Pimms Royale doesn't.
Reply ID 44682
quote:same thing
Originally posted by Roosterquote:I assume you mean DENOTING not DONATING.
Originally posted by justinquote:i cant vouch for "most" restaurants in the world, as i do not think i have been to more than half of the worlds restaurants. I like it as it can be impossible to get nice quality glass wear that has a line on it donating measures, which, if i may add, find tacky.
Originally posted by carlos fandango
No I expect the waiter/waitress to be able to judge when a glass is correctly full as happens in most restaurants in the world. The mark up is so huge that a little over is not going to bankrupt them is it.
Reply ID 44684
quote:I was only quoting the barman. However, having now researched the matter you are correct.
Originally posted by Rooster
Quote Ewoowar "I was at the bar while a waiter was ordering drinks for some of the diners, one of whom had asked for a double of a cocktail in a pint glass. The barman said it was illegal to serve that quantity of alcohol in a single glass. He could serve two of the cocktails to the customer but he could not pour them into the same glass." Rubbish! As far as we are aware, there is no illegality involved in serving two drinks in one glass, cocktail or not. It can be served in a jam jar if wanted as long as the measures were correctly applied. It may be a "house" rule, but not illegal. By the way, mine's a large gin!! (that's two drinks in one glass)
Reply ID 44703
What's a Pimms Royale....sounds interesting
Reply ID 44704
quote:Pimms No.1 and champagne. Yummy, but after a few, it leads to a tendancy to tell strangers and even furniture that you love them.
Originally posted by carlos fandango
What's a Pimms Royale....sounds interesting
Reply ID 44714
quote:No, it is not! End of discussion.
Originally posted by justinquote:same thing
Originally posted by Roosterquote:I assume you mean DENOTING not DONATING.
Originally posted by justinquote:i cant vouch for "most" restaurants in the world, as i do not think i have been to more than half of the worlds restaurants. I like it as it can be impossible to get nice quality glass wear that has a line on it donating measures, which, if i may add, find tacky.
Originally posted by carlos fandango
No I expect the waiter/waitress to be able to judge when a glass is correctly full as happens in most restaurants in the world. The mark up is so huge that a little over is not going to bankrupt them is it.
Reply ID 44720
quote:if you say so.
Originally posted by Roosterquote:No, it is not! End of discussion.
Originally posted by justinquote:same thing
Originally posted by Roosterquote:I assume you mean DENOTING not DONATING.
Originally posted by justinquote:i cant vouch for "most" restaurants in the world, as i do not think i have been to more than half of the worlds restaurants. I like it as it can be impossible to get nice quality glass wear that has a line on it donating measures, which, if i may add, find tacky.
Originally posted by carlos fandango
No I expect the waiter/waitress to be able to judge when a glass is correctly full as happens in most restaurants in the world. The mark up is so huge that a little over is not going to bankrupt them is it.
Reply ID 44727
Pimms No.1 and champagne. Yummy, but after a few, it leads to a tendancy to tell strangers and even furniture that you love them mmmm...might have to try a couple on her in doors tonight. [}:)]
Reply ID 44730
quote:Carlos, are you that desperate?????[;)]
Originally posted by carlos fandango
Pimms No.1 and champagne. Yummy, but after a few, it leads to a tendancy to tell strangers and even furniture that you love them mmmm...might have to try a couple on her in doors tonight. [}:)]
Reply ID 44733
I reuse to answer on the grounds I may incrimminate myself. [:)]
Reply ID 44738
quote:Careful Carlos, you don't want Rooster to turn on you for your spelling do you?! [:D]
Originally posted by carlos fandango
I reuse to answer on the grounds I may incrimminate myself. [:)]
Reply ID 44750
just saw the mistake....uggh. Still, better than people writing loose when they mean lose.
Reply ID 44770
quote:Have you been sampling the Pimms Royale?????[:o)]
Originally posted by carlos fandango
I reuse to answer on the grounds I may incrimminate myself. [:)]
Reply ID 44778
Pimms O'Clock?
Reply ID 48611
There is a great 3 courses for a tenner offer on at midweek lunchtimes, the grey mullet on bubble and squeak was excellent!
Reply ID 48627
Sounds good when I have a couple of days off in February. Would they accept Little Wrapper?
quote:
Originally posted by wingnut
There is a great 3 courses for a tenner offer on at midweek lunchtimes, the grey mullet on bubble and squeak was excellent!
Reply ID 48644
quote:I should think so as we took Little Willow [:)] a few months back at lunchtime.
Originally posted by Wrapper
Sounds good when I have a couple of days off in February. Would they accept Little Wrapper?quote:
Originally posted by wingnut
There is a great 3 courses for a tenner offer on at midweek lunchtimes, the grey mullet on bubble and squeak was excellent!
Reply ID 48914
So how are people finding the Hotel of late?
Reply ID 48917
quote:It doesn't move around much, so it's fairly easy after the first time. [:D] (Sorry, I tried to resist)
Originally posted by simcut
So how are people finding the Hotel of late?
Reply ID 48922
quote:Maybe they could use Sloop's iPod [:D]
Originally posted by shuntquote:It doesn't move around much, so it's fairly easy after the first time. [:D] (Sorry, I tried to resist)
Originally posted by simcut
So how are people finding the Hotel of late?
Reply ID 48934
quote:Sloop keeps referring to "Hidden Hertford" too. Despite closing my eyes and counting to a hundred, I always seem to find the town exactly where I left it. These competitions need to be harder.
Originally posted by Stevequote:Maybe they could use Sloop's iPod [:D]
Originally posted by shuntquote:It doesn't move around much, so it's fairly easy after the first time. [:D] (Sorry, I tried to resist)
Originally posted by simcut
So how are people finding the Hotel of late?
Reply ID 48936
[:D][:D]
Reply ID 48938
I have not been to the lunch sittings! I have been a few times at the weekends and have has a great time! Food and atmosphere were great!
Reply ID 48941
quote:LMFAO![:D][:D][:D]
Originally posted by shunt Sloop keeps referring to "Hidden Hertford" too. Despite closing my eyes and counting to a hundred, I always seem to find the town exactly where I left it. These competitions need to be harder.
Reply ID 48996
quote:Sigh. *SLAP!*
Originally posted by shunt It doesn't move around much, so it's fairly easy after the first time. [:D] (Sorry, I tried to resist)
Reply ID 49403
Has ANYONE been in this year? I'd be interested to know if its improved?
Reply ID 49404
quote:Yes - have been 3 times and thoroughly enjoyed every visit. Food great, service great, bills reasonable - and fabulous cocktails too [:D]
Originally posted by Dude
Has ANYONE been in this year? I'd be interested to know if its improved?
Reply ID 49405
quote:Thats good to hear. Has it moved away from London pricing now then?
Originally posted by Kitty Katquote:Yes - have been 3 times and thoroughly enjoyed every visit. Food great, service great, bills reasonable - and fabulous cocktails too [:D]
Originally posted by Dude
Has ANYONE been in this year? I'd be interested to know if its improved?
Reply ID 49407
quote:Been a few times, generally during the day on a Saturday. Never been great - sometimes ok, others crap. On the plus side they are welcoming to children, plenty of high-chairs. But the service is very hit and miss, I guess it depends who is working and whether they can be arsed or not. Since being refused a beer at 11:45am [:O] last Saturday morning I have decided not to return.
Originally posted by Dude
Has ANYONE been in this year? I'd be interested to know if its improved?
Reply ID 49432
went again to savour the 3 courses for a tenner 'Mercury menu,, lovely food and excellent value, they serve a nice pint of London Pride. I went Wednesday lunchtime and business seemed to be ticking along nicely.
Reply ID 49445
quote:You cant eat 3 courses at mcdonalds with £10. extraordinary. Do we reckon that the same clientele will go back in the evening and spend £40 - £50 per head?
Originally posted by wingnut
went again to savour the 3 courses for a tenner 'Mercury menu,, lovely food and excellent value, they serve a nice pint of London Pride. I went Wednesday lunchtime and business seemed to be ticking along nicely.
Reply ID 49448
Is it the same clientele that dines at lunch time for a tenner that dines in the evening ?
Reply ID 49451
quote:Probably not.
Originally posted by Frenchie
Is it the same clientele that dines at lunch time for a tenner that dines in the evening ?
Reply ID 49453
quote:Yes I would, but obviously at a tenner one can just pop in when the chance arises.. a 50 pound a head meal tends to be more for a special occasion!!
Originally posted by justinquote:You cant eat 3 courses at mcdonalds with £10. extraordinary. Do we reckon that the same clientele will go back in the evening and spend £40 - £50 per head?
Originally posted by wingnut
went again to savour the 3 courses for a tenner 'Mercury menu,, lovely food and excellent value, they serve a nice pint of London Pride. I went Wednesday lunchtime and business seemed to be ticking along nicely.
Reply ID 49454
to be fair the college arms has a similar although not so spectacular deal, so presumably the same applies there for lunch vs evening clientelle!
Reply ID 49459
quote:Yes - it is in some cases. The Mercury £10 deal seems to have attracted a wider audience for the hotel. Had a few 'ladies that lunch' in the shop the other day from Enfield. Popped to Hertford just to take advantage of the offer and discovered what a lovely town it is to shop in. The said they will be back for sure - so great for all of us [:)]
Originally posted by justinquote:Probably not.
Originally posted by Frenchie
Is it the same clientele that dines at lunch time for a tenner that dines in the evening ?
Reply ID 49464
quote:Not so sure what the college offers but we offer £12.50 for 2 courses lunch and early dinner, and just about manage to justify it. £10 for 3 courses is not do-able for us.
Originally posted by codek2
to be fair the college arms has a similar although not so spectacular deal, so presumably the same applies there for lunch vs evening clientelle!
Reply ID 52135
Had lunch in here with the missus last Friday and it was absolutely superb. Food was spot on for a flash version of Steak and Chips. Lovely wine and two quality puds. Service was excellent and all at £53. Cant wait to return.
Reply ID 54863
Thought we’d try the Hertford House Hotel. I’m often reluctant to eat at hotels because they always seem to over-charge for mediocre food, probably because many hotel guests can’t be bothered or don’t have the energy or knowledge to go anywhere else and are thus easy rip-off targets. But, we hoped, a town center hotel might be different, particularly one as well located as the HHH which has several alternatives within eyeshot. So, we went one Thursday evening and were shown to a nice table next to the window with a nice view of Hertford’s short-skirted ladies and buffed-up men teetering and strutting around from one bar to another. So, the menus arrived. Three (ie half) of the main courses had to be booked ahead (lobster, seafood and pig), leaving, I think, fish, chicken and a vegetarian; and the separate steak-and-chips menu. And the starters. Nice to see prawn cocktail making a return after an overlong absence of 25 years from the nation’s menus, and presumably at £7, the chef would have the budget to have a bit of fun with it. Partner had scallops with lentils and bacon. An unusual combinations of tasty ingredients, which individually all tasted well enough despite the heavy-handed lashings of garlic, but didn’t really work together. And my prawn cocktail? An absolute disgrace. Served appropriately enough in (an inappropriately detergent stained) cocktail glass was a couple of shredded leaves of roundhead lettuce, six (6) small cooked prawns (think: Tesco’s “jumbo” prawns) and a miserable dribble of feeble mayonnaise sauce. In fact, there was so little sauce I can’t for certain say what was in it. How about - say - different lettuce leaves; marinated/char-grilled/stuffed/etc prawns; a decent amount of an interesting sauce. The sheer laziness and astonishingly poor-value of this dish left me wanting to leave. One expects to be overcharged at restaurants these days, but £7 for 30 pence worth of ingredients chucked together in a dirty glass? Come on. Let’s go home. But we’d ordered steak and chips and we felt duty-bound to at least eat the poor cow that had lead such a blameless life at Bridget’s farm just up the road. My rump was OK - but cut far too thin and “well-done”, not “medium-rare”. It too was covered in garlic butter and lots of salt, which is a cheap way of adding flavour. The chips were OK. Partner’s rib-eye was better. But for steak and chips, you’d be far, far better off going to the Wellington in Welwyn, where the service, atmosphere, food and wine are better and the price considerably lower. (The HHH house tempanillo was bland, but at least tasted better than it smelt. The smell reminded me of Sainsbury’s Bulgarian Country wine from the late 80’s, all my student budget stretched to). Puddings - I had waffles (not sweet enough) and partner had chocolate brownies which were large but stale. Mrs Cottenden’s brownies (on sale on her Farmer’s Market jam stall second Saturday each month) are much better and 1/10th the price. So we left, and won’t go back. The cost was £85, which was £1 less than lunch for two at Auberge du Lac the previous day (which included two glasses each of much better wine, sparkling water, three delicious, generous and inventive courses, lots of free bread, an amuse bouche, coffee and madeleines, attentive and impeccable professional French waiters, clean glasses, a tablecloth, and even a minor celebrity sitting at an adjacent table). So, my opening gambit that hotels generally don’t do good food, holds true.
Reply ID 54866
quote:Agreed. I have given it three chances to get it right with suitable time left in between to sort it out. It's still not consistently of a standard to justify it's price. Time for another "electrical problem", perhaps? The moral is perhaps to master the basics of serving quality food, before trying anything else. A seaside cafe could produce an acceptable prawn cocktail. It's previous commonality on menus was because it could be quickly churned out by unskilled kitchen, or even waiting, staff.
Originally posted by campusandcrates
Thought we’d try the Hertford House Hotel. I’m often reluctant to eat at hotels because they always seem to over-charge for mediocre food, probably because many hotel guests can’t be bothered or don’t have the energy or knowledge to go anywhere else and are thus easy rip-off targets. But, we hoped, a town center hotel might be different, particularly one as well located as the HHH which has several alternatives within eyeshot. So, we went one Thursday evening and were shown to a nice table next to the window with a nice view of Hertford’s short-skirted ladies and buffed-up men teetering and strutting around from one bar to another. So, the menus arrived. Three (ie half) of the main courses had to be booked ahead (lobster, seafood and pig), leaving, I think, fish, chicken and a vegetarian; and the separate steak-and-chips menu. And the starters. Nice to see prawn cocktail making a return after an overlong absence of 25 years from the nation’s menus, and presumably at £7, the chef would have the budget to have a bit of fun with it. Partner had scallops with lentils and bacon. An unusual combinations of tasty ingredients, which individually all tasted well enough despite the heavy-handed lashings of garlic, but didn’t really work together. And my prawn cocktail? An absolute disgrace. Served appropriately enough in (an inappropriately detergent stained) cocktail glass was a couple of shredded leaves of roundhead lettuce, six (6) small cooked prawns (think: Tesco’s “jumbo” prawns) and a miserable dribble of feeble mayonnaise sauce. In fact, there was so little sauce I can’t for certain say what was in it. How about - say - different lettuce leaves; marinated/char-grilled/stuffed/etc prawns; a decent amount of an interesting sauce. The sheer laziness and astonishingly poor-value of this dish left me wanting to leave. One expects to be overcharged at restaurants these days, but £7 for 30 pence worth of ingredients chucked together in a dirty glass? Come on. Let’s go home. But we’d ordered steak and chips and we felt duty-bound to at least eat the poor cow that had lead such a blameless life at Bridget’s farm just up the road. My rump was OK - but cut far too thin and “well-done”, not “medium-rare”. It too was covered in garlic butter and lots of salt, which is a cheap way of adding flavour. The chips were OK. Partner’s rib-eye was better. But for steak and chips, you’d be far, far better off going to the Wellington in Welwyn, where the service, atmosphere, food and wine are better and the price considerably lower. (The HHH house tempanillo was bland, but at least tasted better than it smelt. The smell reminded me of Sainsbury’s Bulgarian Country wine from the late 80’s, all my student budget stretched to). Puddings - I had waffles (not sweet enough) and partner had chocolate brownies which were large but stale. Mrs Cottenden’s brownies (on sale on her Farmer’s Market jam stall second Saturday each month) are much better and 1/10th the price. So we left, and won’t go back. The cost was £85, which was £1 less than lunch for two at Auberge du Lac the previous day (which included two glasses each of much better wine, sparkling water, three delicious, generous and inventive courses, lots of free bread, an amuse bouche, coffee and madeleines, attentive and impeccable professional French waiters, clean glasses, a tablecloth, and even a minor celebrity sitting at an adjacent table). So, my opening gambit that hotels generally don’t do good food, holds true.
Reply ID 55588
Ate here tonight and can't believe how poor the service is. Food was average but seriously overpriced [:(!]. Our waitress had no idea what she was doing, reading past reports I am surprised the restaurant is still open as it hasn't got any better. Must be the hotel guest keeping it open [?]
Reply ID 58829
Myself and Mr J ate at the newly refurbished Hertford House Basement Restaurant on one of the opening nights and thoroughly enjoyed the food (this may have been helped by everything being 50% off however (o; Thought the surroundings were very bland however. Haven't been back lately apart from to visit the very good upstairs bar for a cocktail or two which are always consistently good! Has anybody been recently?
Reply ID 58931
We ate their on Christmas day - the service was brilliant and the food was very nice!
Reply ID 60127
http://www.voucherchoice.com/en/gutschein.php?affid=Hertbeat&kat=34&id=197
Reply ID 67237
This place (bar) has become a dive in the evening. On Sat night it had all the tables removed from the front window area, rather than leaving the normal 4/5 tables. The clientelle are now a similar crew to Baroosh but a bit older and dare I say grubier. The floorspace, now cleared of tables, is dirty and jammed with people standing up and 2 deep at the bar. Outside was a queue of 20+ people. The one nice bouncer has now been replaced by 2 huge scowling brutes. It has morphed into the worst parts of both Baroosh and the White Hart. This was once a nice cocktail bar/wine bar in which you could hear yourself talk, sit at the bar etc and also even get table service (no-longer). Its is now a dump...
Reply ID 67307
[quote]Originally posted by Frenchie
This place (bar) has become a dive in the evening.
On Sat night it had all the tables removed from the front window area, rather than leaving the normal 4/5 tables. The clientelle are now a similar crew to Baroosh but a bit older and dare I say grubier. The floorspace, now cleared of tables, is dirty and jammed with people standing up and 2 deep at the bar. Outside was a queue of 20+ people.
The one nice bouncer has now been replaced by 2 huge scowling brutes. It has morphed into the worst parts of both Baroosh and the White Hart.
This was once a nice cocktail bar/wine bar in which you could hear yourself talk, sit at the bar etc and also even get table service (no-longer).
Its is now a dump...
I think the nice bouncer has moved to Deco across the Square along with the good barman, I was in both venues last Saturday and have to say that the ground floor at Deco now seems to have a lot of the clientelle that used to use the Hotel, very nice atmosphere as most people have just eaten upstairs or are waiting for a table
Reply ID 67308
Perhaps it is struggling for an identity. What is it? A hotel? A restaurant? A bar? A middle aged meat market?
Reply ID 67329
Yes Ewoowar I agree. I believe its biggest revenue stream by far is the bar now and they are maximising this as much as they can. Thats fine but any boutique image they hoped to present themselves as having has long gone now i'm afraid. Quantity over quality mentality has taken over.
Reply ID 67397
We went in to the bar on Friday night after a birthday meal in Loch Fyne. There was 12 of us that went in without having to queue, and granted I was driving so not drinking, but I shall never visit this place again. It was shocking - absolutely rammed with people, most of whom seemed ready for a fight at a moments notice should you look at them the wrong way or bump in to them (which was pretty easy to do seeing as there was no space to actually move). There was also a rather unfortunate lady who was completely slaughtered, seemed to have no friends with her, and decided it would be a good idea to smash a glass and try to slit her wrists. We got the bouncer to take her out, but there really were some seriously questionable people in there on Friday - full of wannabe gangsters was how it seemed to me. Thoroughly not recommended - bar wise anyway.
Reply ID 67398
This thread is for comments about the restaurant at the Hertford House Hotel. Unfortunately I failed to pick up Frenchie's post of 24th that led the thread off-topic by discussing the bar. I'm sure this was an oversight on Frenchie's part. If someone would like to start a new thread in the correct forum ([url="http://www.hertford.net/yoursay/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=9"]Recommendations - Bars and Pubs[/url]) please feel free, rather than commenting here. http://www.hertford.net/yoursay/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=9"]Recommendations Thanks [:)]
Reply ID 67401
The reviews on LateRooms and TripAdvisor aren't great either: http://www.laterooms.com/en/hotel-reviews/142605_hertford-house-hotel-hertford.aspx (50% would not stay again) http://www.laterooms.com/en/hotel-reviews/142605_hertford-house-hotel-hertford.aspx (62% do not recommend) Plenty of room for the new Master's House Hotel to cash in then!