Topic ID 6352
Following the closed thread on the Bluecoat, this restaurant was purchased by the owner of the Aqua restaurant in Welwyn. We frequent this on a regular basis and decided yesterday evening to check out their new restaurant in Hertford. They have brought over a couple of the chefs from Welwyn as well as some of the waiting staff, so we were pleasantly pleased to be recognised. For the time being the menu and wine list is the same as Welwyn but advised this may change over time. We have always enjoyed the food at Welwyn and Hertford was no disappointment with excellent service. The restaurant was full which if they are going to make this a success you would expect on a Friday night, albeit this was the first Friday in January - recession - what recession I might ask? If I was to describe the clientele - very much the Lussmans crowd, so some competition for Andrei perhaps. The place certainly had a good buzz about it. Anyway, good to see a decent Italan in Hertford that is not part of a national chain and a cut above Ask or Pizza Express.
Reply ID 85439
We too went to Aqua on Friday, it was buzzing - the food was fab, although they were short staffed they really did work hard to make things right.
Reply ID 85593
Just walked to Aqua and it was sadly closed. I didn't realise any restaurants in Hertford had a Sunday closing policy. Will learn my lesson and check before I assume next time. Shame as I was looking forward to it. As it turns out, I wanted some Gnocchi and it wasn't even on their menu, but I will still give this place a chance one day when it's open.
Reply ID 85598
The menu is accessible here: http://www.aquaristorante.co.uk/Our-Menu.php I believe their Sunday opening times are limited to lunchtime.
Reply ID 85602
The menu looks very nice indeed except it calls the melon Honey Due Melon. I still might try and visit sometime.
Reply ID 85992
We ate here yesterday. Very nice food and it was not too expensive. Nice staff etc.
Reply ID 86002
Hi Louis - were the portions sufficient as you must have been very hungry after all that work you did on your allotment yesterday! Looking forward to a trip to Aqua in the next few weeks.
Reply ID 86006
Hello Mate, my dishes were good sizes, certain dishes are quite contemporary and a little smaller. I did it on Saturday, it took me ages by myself. I am waiting on another 11 sleepers but it should be much easier as the ground work is done. Sorry if it looks a little messy, I will try and complete it on Sunday.
Reply ID 86343
Any further recommendations or comments relating to Aqua Hertford? Looking to take a party of about 20 there soon and need to know if the place caters well for bigger groups of people.
Reply ID 86344
I went there for dinner mid December. I would happily recommend them, good food and good service.
Reply ID 86349
I went with a party of 12 and it was great. Food all came out at the same time, freshly cooked and very good too. Good service and very reasonable prices too
Reply ID 86355
They have a good branch in old Welwyn Village which is the one I have used and was very pleased to hear of them moving to Hertford. Always found the food and their restaurant good quality and full!
Reply ID 86953
Mr Rachel went to the Fore Street Aqua with work on a quiet week night recently when only three or four tables were occupied and although the food was good, the service was appalling. Some drinks and dishes they ordered never even appeared! Someone called Theo Walcott was on the next table, I wonder if his party had the same problems? [:)] I went for lunch recently and we had a lovely meal with good service. Looking at the comments on tripadvisor and other review websites about this and the Welwyn one, the service appears to be very hit and miss.
Reply ID 87084
I went on Friday night, very busy, full to the brim with customers of all ages. Food was excellent, fresh and plenty of it. We had a table of 8 and one arriving later, so we staggered our ordering and were given the space we needed to chat and have drinks and when we were ready to order we did. Yes, at times they could have been a bit quicker, but to be honest it was a table of gossiping girls and we loved not being hurried, everyone got their food at the same time and they separated our drinks and food bills out beautifully. Thoroughly recommend them and cannot wait to go back very soon. [:D]
Reply ID 87833
Maybe someone from Aqua might want to answer why their food deliveries at 8.30am yesterday were being placed in the bin store area? Not wishing to destroy an obviously highly reviewed restaurant but I ain't eating there based on what I watched for 10 minutes whilst I munched on my M&S sandwich across the road. Surely these owners can think of a better arrangement?
Reply ID 87839
Hi James007 Did your party of 20 enjoy their meals at Aqua?
Reply ID 87841
quote:[:D] We didn't go in the end. We went across the border to a nice little Italian which was superb.
Originally posted by Bengeo Bob
Hi James007 Did your party of 20 enjoy their meals at Aqua?
Reply ID 89743
I hope the fact that two of the Aqua kitchen staff were collecting kebabs from Bosphorus across the road the other night is not a comment on the quality of their own food [8D]
Reply ID 89745
Or is it a comment on the superb kebabs on sale across the road? I've been to Aqua a couple of times recently and thoroughly enjoyed it; good service and good food - the Scallops Prosecco were sublime - granted its not as cheap as Bosphorus but I have found the 'ambience' superior! Busy dusting off the passport though for a trip tonight across the border!
Reply ID 90840
Went here with some friends the other week, it was a really busy night so had to wait for our table for over half hour which was ok as we ordered drinks from the bar but it maybe would have been a nice touch from the management to offer us a complimentary drink whilst we waited but the lovely food made up for it. The staff were all excellent and welcoming and the atmosphere was good too. Will be going back again.
Reply ID 90850
quote:Did you book a table?
Originally posted by Kaystarr
Went here with some friends the other week, it was a really busy night so had to wait for our table for over half hour which was ok as we ordered drinks from the bar but it maybe would have been a nice touch from the management to offer us a complimentary drink whilst we waited but the lovely food made up for it. The staff were all excellent and welcoming and the atmosphere was good too. Will be going back again.
Reply ID 90924
Hi gregb, yes we booked a table but only a couple days before
Reply ID 90939
I quite liked AQUA when I went there (food very good, service good). A bit nonplussed by the fact they had never heard of Campari (in an Italian restaurant) - probably rectified by now.
Reply ID 90941
Agree with you Darcy, had a good time in Aqua, but we were a difficult, large group. All turned up at different times and they were happy to serve us drinks and then order the courses and let our late-running colleagues order when they arrived. Nothing too much bother.. Didn't know Campari!!! My, that's a first.. they know Limoncello though!!! [:D] Nice restaurant, good, fresh food.. will be there again...
Reply ID 90943
quote:Just a shame you have to pay for it. In Italy it comes free with the bill.
Originally posted by Drama Queen they know Limoncello though!!! [:D]
Reply ID 91098
And in Spain too - but alas in the UK only get free after dinner drinks when you know the owners. A small free liqueur after dinner is one continental practice I would be happy for us to adopt!
Reply ID 91121
quote:Spain and Italy are bust, so perhaps they deserve a free after dinner liqueur. Or is free liqueur the real reason for the problems? [:D]
Originally posted by robbieg
And in Spain too - but alas in the UK only get free after dinner drinks when you know the owners. A small free liqueur after dinner is one continental practice I would be happy for us to adopt!
Reply ID 91125
A lot easier for a family owned restaurant abroad to give you a free drink than the mostly chain owned restaurants in Britain , the manager would probably get the sack over here .
quote:Bit harsh , I have had plenty of free drinks in UK curry restaurants over the years .
Originally posted by robbieg
And in Spain too - but alas in the UK only get free after dinner drinks when you know the owners.
Reply ID 91126
We went there Sunday before last. The food was good, as was the service. It tasted as though it was cooked fresh.
Reply ID 91136
quote:Doing a runner from a curry house probably doesn't count [;)]
Originally posted by Donostia
A lot easier for a family owned restaurant abroad to give you a free drink than the mostly chain owned restaurants in Britain , the manager would probably get the sack over here .quote:Bit harsh , I have had plenty of free drinks in UK curry restaurants over the years .
Originally posted by robbieg
And in Spain too - but alas in the UK only get free after dinner drinks when you know the owners.
Reply ID 91144
quote:Well it was nearly an Olympic sport in the 80s . [:D]
Doing a runner from a curry house probably doesn't count
Reply ID 92563
I noticed today when driving past Aqua Restaurant that it was closed down, the signs had been removed and the blinds in the windows where drawn. Their website states that they have now closed their Hertford branch.
Reply ID 92566
That's a shame. What next for the site?
Reply ID 92568
When I walked past yesterday they had a notice up regarding structural defects and they had been forced to close; I believe this is reflected in their web site statement saying that there were "unresolved issues with the occupation of the premises" and hopefully other premises in Hertford may be sought. Haven't been there for a couple of months as every time I've tried to get a table on a Friday they've been fully booked so they must be doing something right.
Reply ID 92569
quote:Not surprising given the reputation of the building's owner.
Originally posted by Golden
When I walked past yesterday they had a notice up regarding structural defects and they had been forced to close
Reply ID 92571
I thought it looked closed when I went passed on the bus. I just assumed that they werenn't open that early.
Reply ID 92575
quote:Can you elaborate?
Originally posted by Stevequote:Not surprising given the reputation of the building's owner.
Originally posted by Golden
When I walked past yesterday they had a notice up regarding structural defects and they had been forced to close
Reply ID 92582
quote:A string of convictions, planning enforcement notices and the first floor of Bollywoods declared unfit for human habitation.
Originally posted by Ewoowar
Can you elaborate?
Reply ID 92587
Hmm, it may explain whilst on Saturday night some of food choices were not available at Aqua and also that the desserts were "all gone" and what was served instead had to be sent back as it was still frozen! I found this last visit not the best, which is a shame as normally their Welwyn branch is excellent and lovely and fresh. I hope Aqua find a new home in Hertford somewhere very soon... I do miss it already......
Reply ID 92597
I walked by Aqua today. The sign in the window says they are closed while structural work is carried out and they hope to re-open at the weekend.
Reply ID 92603
If they are hoping to open up in the next couple of days, why has the large fascia sign board of their name on the first floor front of the building been removed?
Reply ID 92760
I really hope they manage to re-open in Hertford.
Reply ID 93767
Noticed that they remain closed and the lease is being re marketed, so doesn't look as if they will be re-opening there. I wonder if the new tenant will be any more successful as the Bluecoat was only there a relatively short time prior to Aqua.
Reply ID 93768
quote:Maybe the short tenures say more about the freeholder than the leaseholders.
Originally posted by robbieg
Noticed that they remain closed and the lease is being re marketed, so doesn't look as if they will be re-opening there. I wonder if the new tenant will be any more successful as the Bluecoat was only there a relatively short time prior to Aqua.
Reply ID 94423
Walked past the old Aqua last night and they are re-fitting/furbishing the building to become the "Jungle Bar" - there was a model Gorilla in the doorway when we walked past. Licenses applied for seem to include live music and dancing.
Reply ID 94425
quote:Tastefully and respectfully Alfred Russel Wallace themed no doubt?
Originally posted by Jackanapes
Walked past the old Aqua last night and they are re-fitting/furbishing the building to become the "Jungle Bar" - there was a model Gorilla in the doorway when we walked past. Licenses applied for seem to include live music and dancing.
Reply ID 94429
One Google search later........... https://www.facebook.com/junglebar.hertford I guess that's a new thread on its way.
Reply ID 94434
There are aliens in the windows.
Reply ID 95140
Was hoping this might have become a Nandos. Hopefully we will get a Nandos in Hertford at some point. One of the best chain restaurants around. We
Reply ID 95146
quote:The old MacDonalds in Maidenhead Street is set to become a Nandos.
Originally posted by newboy
Was hoping this might have become a Nandos. Hopefully we will get a Nandos in Hertford at some point. One of the best chain restaurants around. We
Reply ID 95148
Really? Great news if actually true.
Reply ID 95149
This would be great and would help to regenerate Maidenhead Street (badly needed). Is this pretty definite do you think Ewoowar?
Reply ID 95151
quote:Yes, Ewoowar, is this pretty definite? Or couldn't you find an appropriate smiley? Maybe you'd like to start a new thread on that.
Originally posted by newboy
This would be great and would help to regenerate Maidenhead Street (badly needed). Is this pretty definite do you think Ewoowar?
Reply ID 95156
quote:That is seriously good news for Maidenhead Street. I can't believe how long that building has been unused and how detrimental to that appearance of that end of the street it has been.
The old MacDonalds in Maidenhead Street is set to become a Nandos.
Reply ID 95157
Pinch of salt, anyone?
Reply ID 95158
Yes, I think it will a case of 'proof in the pudding'...
Reply ID 95159
quote:"Seasoned" forum members will be aware that this has become a running joke ... http://www.hertford.net/yoursay/topic.php?id=6659 http://www.hertford.net/yoursay/topic.php?id=6659
Originally posted by Steve
Pinch of salt, anyone?
Reply ID 95167
Ewoowar is way off the mark and seems to take pleasure in misleading people from what I can gather? I contacted the Agent and the unit is still available. Apparently Nandos rejected the opportunity 9 months ago. I said I thought Nandos would do really well here and suggested that he contacts them again.
Reply ID 95170
Thread locked due to off-topic posts and the closure of the business in Hertford.