Topic ID 532
Visited on 4th March 2005. [:)] What was good: the food [:(] and what wasn't: the table (couldn't fit the chair under it properly), the service And the ratings... Food quality: 5/5 As always, top notch. I had swordfish, my wife and her Mum had skate and my father in-law had quail, absolutely perfect all round. For pudding we all had spotted dick and custard...mmmm.... The menu is reasonably extensive - several meat, fish and vegetarian dishes to choose from. There was also an al-a-carte menu, although this may have been due to mother's day, not sure. Won't comment on the wine list as I'm no expert. What we had was fine. Service: 3/5 Generally ok, but a couple of things resulted in this being a 3 rather than the usual 4 or 5 - first, we were left sitting a while before anyone took our drinks orders. Second (and this is a pet hate), it took ages to attract anyone's attention to get the bill, even though we had been sat around waiting for quite a while after coffee - I really hate having to get up and ask for the bill. Service has always been great in the past, perhaps they were just having an off-night. Atmosphere: 4/5 Fine. The restaurant was reasonably full, a mixture of couples, large groups etc. Nosmo environment (I think) certainly helps. Value for Money: 4/5 A bit pricey, but you pay for what you get - good quality food. In any case, my father-in-law decided to pay, so I'm not going to dwell on this category [;)]
Reply ID 5225
Their bar food is good as well, as long as you are lucky enough not to have a lot of smokers in.
Reply ID 5227
quote:2 questions. 1) is the front snug bar non-smoking? 2) can you have have bar food in there?
Originally posted by wizkid
Their bar food is good as well, as long as you are lucky enough not to have a lot of smokers in.
Reply ID 5230
quote:Yes and yes.
Originally posted by Victor Meldrewquote:2 questions. 1) is the front snug bar non-smoking? 2) can you have have bar food in there?
Originally posted by wizkid
Their bar food is good as well, as long as you are lucky enough not to have a lot of smokers in.
Reply ID 5233
There are two front bars. The larger one with the TV in it, on the right as you walk in, permits smoking throughout, like the back bar. Only the little room on the left as you walk in is non-smoking. This is also the only room, apart from the restaurant, in which children are permitted.
Reply ID 5234
quote:Their bar food is indeed fantastic, I've stuffed my face on it on many an occasion. They've just updated their bar menu too - one of the few places I've ever found that does veggie bangers and mash.
Originally posted by wizkid
Their bar food is good as well, as long as you are lucky enough not to have a lot of smokers in.
Reply ID 5235
quote:I thought the one on the left was what Victor meant when he said "snug bar". It does allow children, but, bizarrely, not prams. Funny, I never go in the back bar - I tend to go to the Salisbury during the day on a Saturday for a pint and enjoy people watching (and now traffic warden watching) out of the front windows.
Originally posted by Rachel
There are two front bars. The larger one with the TV in it, on the right as you walk in, permits smoking throughout, like the back bar. Only the little room on the left as you walk in is non-smoking. This is also the only room, apart from the restaurant, in which children are permitted.
Reply ID 5239
Maybe I was just unlucky but I ate in the restaurant a couple of times and I couldn't see what the fuss was about. The back bar is one of my favorite watering holes though.
Reply ID 5254
Their lamb burgers are good and so are their fish and chips. I really recommend it. The price is good as well.
Reply ID 5280
quote:I find getting up, putting coats and making like you're leaving generally speeds up the presentation of the bill. [;)]
Originally posted by Joby Second (and this is a pet hate), it took ages to attract anyone's attention to get the bill, even though we had been sat around waiting for quite a while after coffee - I really hate having to get up and ask for the bill.
Reply ID 5535
Went in at lunchtime and ordered Ham ,Egg (free range) and chips. I really enjoyed it..ok I was hungry but..the eggs were just right , warm and runny whilst the Ham was real and also not chilled (I hate stuff just out of the Fridge) Chips were thick, crispy with not a trace of grease. 5 out of 5 (for what was needed) Service, Very good, smiling , barman(Scottish guy) is chatty,. Beer I drank Country Bitter and although I'm not a fan of Mc Mullans I really enjoyed it. Surroundings..Front bar..speedway on T.V Volume low good chance to people watch, wasn't smokey but it can be. not cheap but ..recommended.[:D]
Reply ID 9096
I think the service here is really, really good. The bar staff are so polite and helpful.[:D]
Reply ID 9132
quote:Joby We also do veggie bangers and mash, and a range of home made veggie dishes. See BH thread as this one is for the Salisbury. (Sorry Admin)
Originally posted by Jobyquote:Their bar food is indeed fantastic, I've stuffed my face on it on many an occasion. They've just updated their bar menu too - one of the few places I've ever found that does veggie bangers and mash.
Originally posted by wizkid
Their bar food is good as well, as long as you are lucky enough not to have a lot of smokers in.
Reply ID 9174
The resturant also does a fixed (relatively low) price evening meal (Monday to Fridays). Limited choice but good quality. They also do a Birthday Club. Tell them when your birthday is and they will send you a token by post around that date valid for one month. The token entitles you to a free bottle of wine if at least two people book a meal.
Reply ID 9198
quote:You could have told me earlier, it was my birthday today 26th (or was it yesterday now) and we ended up in Wadesmill to eat. Excellent meal though.
Originally posted by Ray_by_the_Beane
The resturant also does a fixed (relatively low) price evening meal (Monday to Fridays). Limited choice but good quality. They also do a Birthday Club. Tell them when your birthday is and they will send you a token by post around that date valid for one month. The token entitles you to a free bottle of wine if at least two people book a meal.
Reply ID 59166
Went to the Salisbury restaurant last night. We hadn't been there for ages so thought we would give it a try. First impressions, very good. Clean crisp linen tablecloths, sparkling glasses & cutlery. The restaurant was pleasantly warm in contrast to the freezing weather outside. We hadn't booked, and although the waitress gave the impression that this might be a problem, it wasn't as the place was hardly half full, and this was just after 9pm. The food was good. A fairly limited menu, but to be honest I prefer that approach rather than somewhere that has an extensive menu, both from the point of how they deal with it in the kitchen, and for having too much choice! Good, friendly service, with no long waiting periods between courses, but no feeling of being rushed. Two starters, two mains, two glasses of house red & 1 pepsi. £55. There is a space on the bill for a gratuity, but, as is my usual practice left this in cash on the table. A pleasant meal in pleasant surroundings, and I will go back. Did notice last night that there didn't appear to be many people either in the restaurants or the town itself. Don't know whether this was due to the weather, or the economic climate. I guess restaurants are going to be one of the first types of business to feel the effects.
Reply ID 62387
Another fantastic evening at the Salisbury with a party of 8. Attentive staff, excellent food and wonderful surroundings. I had the warm salad with leg of duck to start - a very generous portion which tasted superb. The sirloin steak followed for my main course and whilst I initially doubted the charred outer would reveal the medium cooking I'd requested, it was indeed cooked to perfection and was delicious. This was finished off with a chocolate puddle pudding with chocolate ice cream, I love the chocolate Mövenpick they serve there.
Reply ID 63379
Went for lunch in the restaurant at the Salisbury today. Very disappointed. My two companions had melon to start with: a very meagre slice of melon with a drip of something red on the plate. I had avocado and tomato salad. Three half slices of avocado which must have been cut with a razor, plus three extremely thin slices of tomato, accompanied by a bit of something green. The other two then had roast beef with "seasonal vegetables" which consisted of two overdone roast potatoes plus a floret each of cauliflower and broccoli. I had fillet of Kingfish. I had never heard of it and asked the waitress about it. Was informed that it was a thick meaty fish. A piece of fish approx 2 and 1/2 inches long and barely 1/8th inch thick arrived with a few assorted mussels, a lemon sauce and aforementioned veg with chips. Would have had a far better meal if we had dined in the Bar from their specials menu. Won't be going back to Cromwells
Reply ID 63383
I take it that you moaned to the management. What did they say?
Reply ID 63388
quote:I was in a difficult situation. A friend had treated my mother & myself to lunch, and it would have appeared ungrateful to have complained in his presence, (although I know he was not impressed with the meal). I shall be mentioning it next time I go in alone.
Originally posted by James007
I take it that you moaned to the management. What did they say?
Reply ID 63476
Just an update. I went into the Salisbury on Tuesday and pointed out my concerns re the meal to the lady on reception. She took my name and phone no. and said that she would get the restaurant manageress to give me a call. That was Tuesday.....Wednesday....Thursday.....Friday.... still waiting for the call.
Reply ID 63498
Am going to the Salisbury for a meal Thursday evening with several fussy friends. Will report back accordingly on our evening out.
Reply ID 63501
Rooster: Hope you have a good meal. On a previous post on this thread I commented on having a good meal in the restaurant in the evening. Perhaps it's just the lunches that don't make the grade. One of the staff did confide in me that other people had the same reaction as I did to the lunches.
Reply ID 63570
Well, eventually did get the call from the Salisbury. Believe it was the restaurant manageress. Basically said "what do you expect from a £10 a head menu". However did accept that I had experienced a less than satisfactory meal and offered a voucher for future use. So, to give them their due, good customer service, even if the meal was substandard.
Reply ID 63593
Seven of us ate here. Table was booked for 8 pm and they sat down promptly I believe. I was a little late. We had to ask if we could order at 8.40 pm as some were getting hungry and waitresses not that attentive. Food very expensive for what it was. Vegetables were sparce and past their best. My steak was superb however, and apparently, so was the duck. Waitress again had to be summoned to order desserts and took forever. I didn't enjoy my dessert and left most of it (almost missed the ice cream as portion was so small), although the waitress did tell me that every one else normally enjoys what I had. I had one drink, although there were three bottles of wine plus others were drunk at the table by my companions. Coffee and mints followed for four of us. All in all, a pleasant evening. Final bill for seven of us £250 +/-. Will not rush back.
Reply ID 63601
quote:£35 per head with wine and drinks seems pretty cheap for a full restuarant meal. Not a perfect experience for you it seems, but there are few places in Hertford who can match the budget in a formal restuarant setting. I'm dismayed to find some bad reviews of this place, as I have always rated it highly, though I suppose I do make some allowance for the low cost. If the Salisbury was £70-80 per head, like some other venues, I'd probably be less forgiving.
Originally posted by Rooster
Seven of us ate here. Table was booked for 8 pm and they sat down promptly I believe. I was a little late. We had to ask if we could order at 8.40 pm as some were getting hungry and waitresses not that attentive. Food very expensive for what it was. Vegetables were sparce and past their best. My steak was superb however, and apparently, so was the duck. Waitress again had to be summoned to order desserts and took forever. I didn't enjoy my dessert and left most of it (almost missed the ice cream as portion was so small), although the waitress did tell me that every one else normally enjoys what I had. I had one drink, although there were three bottles of wine plus others were drunk at the table by my companions. Coffee and mints followed for four of us. All in all, a pleasant evening. Final bill for seven of us £250 +/-. Will not rush back.
Reply ID 63603
where in Hertford is £70 - £80 per head? Even if you have the chateaubriand at the Merchant House, that's only £22.50 each, so if you have a starter and desert, you'd be pretty drunk from the 2-3 bottles of wine per couple you'd need to drink
Reply ID 63604
quote:Aperatif+Starter+main course+seperately priced vegetables/side dish+bottle of drinkable wine+pudding+coffee. I'd say you're about there with a £20ish main course. My last to MH visit worked out £155 per couple. HH hit about the same. Both were underwhelming, though I hear MH might be worth another go, having got into their stride a bit. 2-3 bottles of wine is about £75 on it's own at restuarant prices, even if making a fairly modest selection, so would leave you drunk and hungry for your £. Example:- HH Pinot Grigio at £36. Three bottles and some little dishes of nuts and crackers between three people= £130. [B)] No meal required to empty the wallet.
Originally posted by thefair1973
where in Hertford is £70 - £80 per head? Even if you have the chateaubriand at the Merchant House, that's only £22.50 each, so if you have a starter and desert, you'd be pretty drunk from the 2-3 bottles of wine per couple you'd need to drink
Reply ID 63609
Lussmans, Main dishes (non-pasta) are £10 - £19 and starters £4 - £6 - sides £2.95. The Corney and Barrow house white is very acceptable at £14 or 8 other choices of white wine under £25. Petit Bourgeois at £21.50 is excellent. 3 courses and coffee,a bottle of wine for £100 a couple....jubbly. Food locally sourced when possible and I find staff excellent, a keen young company. I would chose this any day over the dark, velor ridden dining room of The Salisbury ...every time
Reply ID 63613
quote:I guess it's a matter of taste. I also enjoy Lussman's, but it is a rather more hectic and informal cafe experience and that is not always what is wanted.
Originally posted by Frenchie
Lussmans, Main dishes (non-pasta) are £10 - £19 and starters £4 - £6 - sides £2.95. The Corney and Barrow house white is very acceptable at £14 or 8 other choices of white wine under £25. Petit Bourgeois at £21.50 is excellent. 3 courses and coffee,a bottle of wine for £100 a couple....jubbly. Food locally sourced when possible and I find staff excellent, a keen young company. I would chose this any day over the dark, velor ridden dining room of The Salisbury ...every time
Reply ID 63617
Aperatif+Starter+main course+seperately priced vegetables/side dish+bottle of drinkable wine+pudding+coffee = FAT!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm not suprised it's expensive eating out if you order all that.
Reply ID 63619
quote:That explains my disgusting obesity.[:I] I was wondering. Thanks. From now on I'll take your cue and just have the side salad and a carrot juice.[xx(]
Originally posted by thefair1973
Aperatif+Starter+main course+seperately priced vegetables/side dish+bottle of drinkable wine+pudding+coffee = FAT!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm not suprised it's expensive eating out if you order all that.
Reply ID 63631
starter + main or main + desert surely suffices (with drinks, obviously)?
Reply ID 63633
Is it fair to comment on what someone should or shouldn't order when they go for a meal?
Reply ID 63634
quote:That would depend on whether one goes out to eat for sustainance, or for the sense of occasion and whether you like vegetables and coffee. In a formal dining setting, the ritual and sequence of courses, the atmosphere, the slowness of it all, are all as important as the content. A good restuarant sets the portion size to allow for a full meal with all the variety that offers. It's not like burger and chips in the bar, where one huge and cheaply produced plate of fat and carbohydrate is the entire ten minute meal. That has it's place, but it's not an event.
Originally posted by thefair1973
starter + main or main + desert surely suffices (with drinks, obviously)?
Reply ID 75931
A group of us had dinner in the restaurant last night. The service was excellent as was the food and there was a good choice on the 3 courses for £14.95 menu. My beef and mushroom casserole with mashed potatoes was delicious and the roast pork was also highly rated. I'll definitely be returning.
Reply ID 78264
St.Andrew Street retailers had their annual bash there last night. Excellent and attentive service (amazing considering that there were 72 of us..), good food - good atmosphere. Couldn't fault it.