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Topic ID 2877

18/06/2007 by chickpea

College Arms

Has anybody been there yet? It's in Hertford Heath.


Replies

Reply ID 41747

18/06/2007 by Tigger

Have a look at Justin from the Hillside's posting. He closed to be at the Opening so that may shed some light on the situation.


Reply ID 41754

18/06/2007 by Ewoowar

quote:
Originally posted by Tigger
Have a look at Justin from the Hillside's posting. He closed to be at the Opening so that may shed some light on the situation.
The Hillside and The College Arms are part of the same company.


Reply ID 41764

18/06/2007 by Mr P

My in-laws went there for Sunday lunch not long after it opened and they were very impressed. Generous servings, beautiful beef and proper (that's PROPER, we were repeatedly told), proper roast potatoes. It has changed significantly from the old days: very simple & sympathetic colourways, softseating area(s) together with sit-at-table dining areas, friendly staff and a very interesting menu. Take a look at the wine cellar - on view from the bar area - I want one of those! I believe the head chef used to work with/under Peter Gordon - the curly-haired Australian who has a guest appearance slot on Nigel Slater's TV programmes. We've yet to go there but it's certainly a place that we'll be visiting soon.


Reply ID 41810

19/06/2007 by Maddison3

Went there for a drink, one Monday lunch time, was most impressed. Will certainly be returning with friends for dinner. The wine cellar is most impressive and the garden looked really nice too.


Reply ID 41835

20/06/2007 by Jackanapes

Does anybody know if they are they child friendly?


Reply ID 41973

24/06/2007 by Bengeo Bob

Hello Mr P I think you'll find that Peter Gordon is from New Zealand. It's a bit like someone calling me English when I'm actually from Aberdeen.


Reply ID 42008

25/06/2007 by chickpea

Great, thanks for the response. I have booked for dinner in their private dining room (when booking for 10 or more) a few saturdays from now. Will keep you posted x


Reply ID 42012

25/06/2007 by Mr P

quote:
Originally posted by Bengeo Bob
Hello Mr P I think you'll find that Peter Gordon is from New Zealand. It's a bit like someone calling me English when I'm actually from Aberdeen.
Sorry Bengeo Bob - there's my dodgy ear for accents going full pelt again. I understand where you're coming from as I remember being appalled when an American said I must be South African![:D]


Reply ID 42036

26/06/2007 by Zsathestar

We celebrated our 25th Wedding Anniversary at the College Arms on 23rd June - we used the private dining room. Despite some change of staff, it was wonderful, couldn't fault it at all - food was good, staff were good - what more could you ask?


Reply ID 42038

26/06/2007 by jez_p

What are the prices like?


Reply ID 42043

26/06/2007 by Zsathestar

We thought it was very good price wise - Average Starter Price: £5-7.00, Fillet Steak £20.50, Duck £14.50, House wine: £11.95 - Presentation was excellent - we couldn't fault it


Reply ID 44214

10/09/2007 by Zsathestar

I would like to add, that the photo's on The College Arms website of their private dinning room is our family occasion. A photographer turned up and asked if he could take photo's to be used on the website. We agreed on the proviso that he would let us have copies of the photos which we obviously would pay for. Did he heck! No reply to emails or phone calls. Why are people like this - we didn't want something for nothing - but he did! I would like to mention that the table decoration and any other decorations that can be seen in the photo's were our own - provided by us and not the restaurant! Bah![:(!] Still, food was good!


Reply ID 44241

11/09/2007 by angry

After visitng the Hillside on several occasions and being generally pleased with all aspects such as service, greeting, food etc. I may well have had high expectations of this new restaurant. I thought the service was nothing special at all, the waitress was so small, the poor thing couldnt even carry a dish with out holding the plate with two hands either side!! Drinks were brought to the table with no trays therefore hand marks on the glasses, main course duck was served with a jus which was had no flavour. Dessert was chocolate compote (those of you who have been to the Hillside will know how GREAT this is), arrived dry (like overheated in microwave too long), split and broken not well presented. Staff in general were not that happy. Will not be visting te college arms again, but sticking with what i know at the hillside


Reply ID 44243

11/09/2007 by Frenchie

I have a reservation here for 20 people for a Christmas dinner with friends in the private room - does anyone else have a view?. I booked it on the reputation of the Hillside and a quick drink/tour a few weeks ago.


Reply ID 44248

11/09/2007 by Deveraux

quote:
Originally posted by angry Will not be visting te college arms again, but sticking with what i know at the hillside
Precisely - they may be part of the same chain but that's it. You can't compare them like for like


Reply ID 44272

12/09/2007 by DCI monkfish

quote:
Originally posted by angry
the waitress was so small, the poor thing couldnt even carry a dish with out holding the plate with two hands either side!!
Wow a waitress with 4 hands! Thats got to be worth the visit itself.


Reply ID 44273

12/09/2007 by shaun

Does that mean she gets paid twice as much??


Reply ID 44280

12/09/2007 by Zsathestar

Re my earlier posting about the photo's taken and used on the College Arms Website. I would just like to say that Justin from the Hillside has today contacted us amd managed to get hold of some of the photo's for us. Great shot of all the family. Many thanks again Justin. What a nice man! We're trying the Hillside next!


Reply ID 44283

13/09/2007 by angry

DCI monkfish Posted - 12 Sep 2007 : 17:18:31 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- quote: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally posted by angry the waitress was so small, the poor thing couldnt even carry a dish with out holding the plate with two hands either side!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wow a waitress with 4 hands! Thats got to be worth the visit itself. Apoligies my fault, i mean hand either side of the plate


Reply ID 44303

13/09/2007 by MrsG

We are big fans of The Hillside and tried The College Arms. We liked it alot too and would go back. I did think the table service at The Hillside was better although the greeting and move to table at College Arms was good (and involved a tray on our visit!!). The Hillside is just a walk from us though so that would still be my first choice place to go. We thought The College Arms was well worth a trip for a change and if The Hillside is full.


20 replies