Lion and Lamb pub restaurant Little Canfield Essex

One would like to hope that the meal and service we had at this pub/restaurant, was a one off disaster, but I don’t think we will be back to find out I am afraid.

Having been recommended this restaurant for quality food and a relaxed atmosphere, we stopped after a day of sightseeing, and hoped for exactly that, but it wasn’t to be.

Firstly, we ordered starters of prawn cocktail and cream of vegetable soup. Michael got his prawns and I was left sitting there with nothing. Our waitress who took our order glanced at our table, and so I hoped she was off to get my soup, but she wasn’t. We had to ask in the end, and it arrived shortly afterwards. They forgot the bread, so I asked for that, and was offered a roll, which I had to put directly on the table cloth as I had no plate, so I asked for a plate and some butter, which came quickly but the butter was rock hard it was so chilled. The prawns seemed like the sort that would have come from a frozen packet and my soup was average.

Lion and Lamb Dunmow Essex soup 2010

Lion and Lamb roast beef August 2010 Little Canfield Essex

We were then told that there was no pork left, which we had both ordered. At this point, we had no choice but to order the beef. It was very poor for the price, and the potatoes were hardly roasted at all and it was smothered in gravy, virtually like a soup. When I tried a little of my beef on its own, I realised why – it was cold! I didn’t eat mine. I was so fed up by this point. When we asked for the bill, they took my hardly touched plate of food, and didn’t even bother to ask me if I didn’t like it, or if there was a problem. We paid in full, but will not return.

However, it does look like a busy pub/restaurant for food, so hopefully this is not the service or food that everyone receives.

Stortford Rd

Little Canfield, DUNMOW, ESSEX CM61SR

01279 870 257

I am not overly keen on queuing for food, but when it is busy, the food is at its best. I tend to check for condiments and sauces before I queue and ask for more if they are running out, so that I have a fresh supply by the time I get to the end of the queue with my food, otherwise it can be quite frustrating, but it is the same with all carvery restaurants. I find the Toby to have the best selection of vegetables, a better quality of meat and the best deals. They also tend to have hotter, fresher food than others.

I went to the Toby Carvery at Southend on Sea (the Bell) which was ok, but I prefer the ambience and food of the Toby at the Wickford restaurant (The Thomas Kemble, Runwell Village). The staff there are really good too – friendly and helpful.

The best part of the carvery is the price. In the day (before 7pm) it is just £5.25. However, when it goes up to £7.50 in the evenings, I would say it was average, as for a couple of pounds more, one can get a very good meal served to them by a waitress in another restaurant. It depends what you want, but the drinks are good value, so this is great for the budget.

The Bear Inn at Stock seafood starter

We have been to the Bear Inn in Stock three times now, and have really enjoyed it. In the winter, the interior is welcoming and cosy, with plenty of space to eat in the bar area or more formally in the restaurant. We prefer the bar, as we like the informal seating! In the summer, the outside area extends from alfresco on the patio, to well spaced bench seating around the large pond. It is so peaceful out there, with ducks mooching about and a nice ‘country feel’, even though it is so close to some major Essex Towns.

The food is traditional and very good with great choices of seasonal produce, fish, meat and vegetarian. To compliment this, there’s a fine choice of wines, including a fantastic New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and some great reds, like Rioja Reserva, Chianti Classico and Fleurie.

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We have been for lunch and dinner and it has always been relaxed and friendly. The seafood starters and soups have been splendid, and the Ribeye steak is to die for! The chef really knows his flavours and techniques in the kitchen! At lunch one time we had a burger, and even that was top quality.

This reminds me, I must go back there soon

Restaurant name

The Bear Inn

Date of visit

various to July 2009

Website address

http://thebearstock.com

Restaurant telephone

01277 829100

Restaurant address

16, The Square, Chelmsford, Stock, CM4 9LH

Service Charge included?

No

Average price per person for 3 course meal, excluding drinks

moderate (£20-£30)

How many dined?

2

Value for money rating?

8/10

Atmosphere Quality rating?

8/10

Service Quality rating?

7/10

Food Quality rating

8/10

The Hawk seafood salad

The Hawk is a cosy pub in Battlesbridge – great for all year round drinking and dining. In the Summer, you can make the most of the large outdoor area, and in the winter, the quaintly laid out interior offers warm and welcoming surroundings.

We went late this Summer and we ate inside, not for the weather, but the wasps were out in full force in the garden! We just had a light lunch with a half of one of their draught bitters, of which there are a few to choose from. The wine list is good and you can have light snacks to three courses. We chose the chicken kebab salad and the seafood salad and they were delicious! The seafood salad was our favourite, with salmon, prawns, crayfish and crab in a light dressing.

the hawk chicken kebab salad battlesbridge essex

Michael at the Hawk

It was busy and we can see why – the food is good, service friendly and it is a nice spot to relax.

Information from their website: The inn dates back to 1678 when it was described in the deeds as a “small rectangular building”. Wickford is an ancient settlement that has existed since before 975. There is evidence that the area itself was inhabited in prehistoric, Roman and Saxon times. Wickford was referred to in the Domesday Book as both Wicfort and Wincfort.

Restaurant name

The Hawk Battlesbridge

Date of visit

17/08/2009

Website address

http://www.vintageinn.co.uk/thehawkbattlesbridge

Restaurant telephone

01268 767263

Restaurant address

Hawk Hill, Battlesbridge, Wickford, SS11 7RJ

Service Charge included?

No

Average price per person for 3 course meal, excluding drinks

inexpensive (under £20)

How many dined?

2

Value for money rating?

9/10

Atmosphere Quality rating?

5/10

Service Quality rating?

7/10

Food Quality rating

8/10

The only issue I have is that they don’t do the ‘Casillero Viognier’ anymore which is a shame as this is a quality wine and was such good value. However, there is a good wine list at great prices. Due to the type of restaurant, they do get busy at 6 to 7 pm, as they cater well for families, but we have not had much problem getting our favourite corner sofa in the bar.

Our favourite dishes are:

Chicken Fajitas

Bison Burger

Ham, egg and chips

bread at the bell horndon on the hill essex

I just love the Bell Inn at Horndon on the Hill.  It is warm, cosy and comfortable.  They have a real fire in the bar in the Winter and you can eat in four different areas – the bar, the second bar area, the restaurant or upstairs.  The food is wholesome in quality and quantity and they use only the best ingredients.  Being meat eaters, we love the game pie when they have it, suet pudding with chicken and the terrines.  They also have fish, vegetarian and all meats on offer and a wide range of choice of meal and accompaniments which are always beautifully presented.  I have never had a bad meal there and the service is always very friendly – some staff have been there for years which is always a good sign 

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Restaurant name

The Bell Inn

 

Restaurant address

High Road, Horndon-On-The-Hill, Essex SS17 8LD

 

Restaurant telephone

 

01375 642463

 

Website address

 

www.bell-inn.co.uk

 

Date of visit

 

September 2009 and many times before (for many years)

 Value for money rating?

9/10

How many dined?

2

Average price per person for 3 course meal, excluding drinks

moderate (£20-£30)

Service Charge included?

No

Atmosphere Quality rating?

9/10

Service Quality rating?

9/10

Food Quality rating

9/10

 

 

The staff were friendly and the food was good. We had a prawn sandwich which came with chips and salad, and a home made chicken kiev, also with chips and salad, so it wasn’t as light as we imagined, but very nice.

If I was to go to Mersea again, I would go here for a lunch or evening meal, as they had a good selection of dishes, and the atmosphere seemed very relaxed.