chicken liver pate at the Anchor Hullbridge

I have reviewed this restaurant before, based on four visits in 2010 – you can view the old review here: http://notjustanessexgirl.com/2011/the-anchor-restaurant-and-pub-hullbridge-essex-review  We went back in April 2011 to try out the new menu, which is less casual than the previous menu and focuses on quality ingredients and delicious combinations. Unfortuantely, the service has not improved.  We had the Lobster, crayfish, avocado & tomato cocktail with lobster mayonnaise and buttered chicken liver pate, toast & chutney, to start. The pate was as good as ever – smooth and not too rich, but the cocktail was served in a glass which made it difficult to mix the leaves and seafood and there was no plate underneath to capture the overflow. For our mains we ordered the pan fried corn fed chicken with fondant potato, stuffing and buttered vegetables, which, unfortunately came out whilst we still had our starter plates on our table, so the waiter walked off across the large busy restaurant with our main meals. When someone came to clear our starters, I said that I didn’t want food that is going back and forth across the restaurant and it was too quick after our starters, and we don’t like to be rushed. All that happened was that the same food, obviously, came out to us again and it wasn’t very hot when we finally got to eat it.

Unfortunately, whilst the staff were friendly, smiling and keen, the service is the issue of this restaurant for me, and it really does spoil the great food served here. It is a very large restaurant, has a large bar and large garden area, so the amount of cooking the kitchen does when it is busy is incredible, but the service staff cant seem to keep up. It is a shame.

Date of visit – April 2011

(Just been back again in May and it is just the same – they should stick to their old menu as the food is just not up to the prices now and service erratic.  Their bar food is great, but I had turbot and it was tasteless, and we also tried the scallop and paella and I couldnt eat it – ) Such a shame as it is a good venue that has gone downhill…) Personally, I wouldnt take another chance with this restaurant, not when Harrisons and the Roslin serve such great food with excellent service.  We ordered a bottle of Cliff Edge Sauvingnon Blanc and only had some so we took it home only to find that it wasnt a decent SB from New Zealand but a cheap Chilean ‘Villarica’ which I have never heard of.  Of course,we should have noticed, but because they dont present the wine and serve it properly we didnt notice.

To view images, please click on the photos and use the back button in your browser to come back to this page – contact details below photos…

 How many dined? 2

Average price per person for 3 course meal (excluding drinks) – variable (£20-£40)

Service charge included? no

Food – 7

Service – 5

Ambience – 8

Value for money – 6

Email:

info@theanchorhullbridge.co.uk

Phone:

01702 230 777

Website:

http://www.theanchorhullbridge.co.uk

The Anchor Pub and Restaurant, Hullbridge, Essex SS5 6ND

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scampi and chips at the anchor hullbridge essex

(This review is now old – See my updated review of April/May 2011 by CLICKING HERE - opens in a new window) We have eaten at the Anchor in Hullbridge, Essex, four times now and have had some really very satisfying food at reasonable prices. This restaurant has not been open very long, so all the furnishings and décor is new and clean. A modern style of restaurant, it doesn’t suffer with bright lights and uncomfortable chairs. Quite the opposite, the seating (either soft armchair style or soft bench seats) are very comfortable indeed, which encourages one to stay and enjoy a relaxing time and the lighting and ambience are subdued. There’s plenty of space between the tables offering privacy to dine and talk easily.

The menu offers some British favourites, such as steak and chips, lamb hotpot with red cabbage, fish and chips, burgers, pies and home made soups, but there’s also a specials board, offering a selection of pastas, fish and starter dishes, which change…

…regularly. Although this may sound a little bland, the food is well cooked, and has their own finishing touches, making this one of the better restaurants in the south east Essex region. It was about time we had a new restaurant in this area, and the fabulous riverside situations of this restaurant is now well utilised with their large outside area, which leads down to the water, where swans, boats and ducks can be seen.

The only thing that is sometimes variable is the service. The staff are generally very friendly and helpful and add to the relaxed experience, however, we did visit on New Years eve afternoon and were met with a very disinterested staff due to the preparations for New Years eve dinner party that evening. I would just say that perhaps if they have a big event to deal with, then perhaps it would be best to close early, as much of our order was forgotten about and I had to chase up three items which spoilt our new years lunch treat, unfortunately.

I am sure this was a one off though, and would recommend any of my friends, family or acquaintances to visit.

Date of visit: various in 2010 to New Years Eve 2010/2011

My marks out of 10: (10 being the highest)

Food – 8

Service – 7

Atmosphere – 8

Value for money – 8

Website: www.theanchorhullbridge.co.uk

The Anchor Pub and Restaurant,

Hullbridge,

Essex,

SS5 6ND

Telephone: 01702 230 777

Email: info@theanchorhullbridge.co.uk

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We dined there for Sunday lunch on our first day there, and dinner on the second, and apart from my prawn spaghetti starter, it was all very good. (the dish was too salty and I was a little disappointed that the waitress didn’t ask me why I had left it uneaten)  Actually, the breakfast was not as fabulous as I had expected either.

(photos to follow soon…)  It is owned by Jamie Oliver’s Mum and Dad, and apparently much of their vegetable ingredients come from his organic garden, so that is a nice touch and I have to say all vegetables we were served were fresh, delicious and held their flavour like only organic veg can.

The rooms are comfortable, with tea and coffee facilities and a telephone, but they only thing was that, when I required something from reception, they never answered, so I had to go out in the cold, along the road to the pub (the rooms are in a separate building) to speak with them. I was met with a ‘Well we are busy in the restaurant as you can see and I have to look after our diners first!’ when I told them I had been trying to call, which I found a little rude, since we were staying and eating with them and were customers too!

It still wouldn’t put me off though, and, as we had to leave at 5am to catch a flight on our last morning, we asked for a sandwich as we wouldn’t be having breakfast and they did make us a ham sandwich, which was handy, as there was nowhere else to get breakfast on the way. The weekend over, on Mondy the staff were friendly and attentive, and it was a much better service and atmosphere than the weekend, when it seemed chaotic and the staff were not as good as the food and restaurant deserve.  I think we had about 3 waiting staff on Sunday lunch and I think they would benefit by allocating tables to waiters/waitresses.  I used to work in the hotel/dining arena and that would be my tip.  Overall, our stay and dining experiences were pleasant.

It is in easy reach of Stanstead airport and I would recommend it as a great alternative to an airport hotel. It is rather expensive for the quality of room, but no more than you would pay at an airport hotel. We spent one day in Cambridge, and it was not too far to the park and ride, making it very easy to get into the town centre. It would be worth staying there for the food alone, but there’s lots to do in the local area, since it is close to Saffron Walden, many sights in North Essex, and the M11.

Date of visit: December 2010

My marks out of 10: (10 being the highest)

Food – 8

Service – 6

Atmosphere – 8

Value for money – 8

The Cricketers, Clavering, Nr Saffron Walden, Essex CB11 4QT

Telephone: 01799 550442

Fax: 01799 550882

Email: info@thecricketers.co.uk

Website: http://www.thecricketers.co.uk

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Magic Mushroom restaurant Baarleylands Billericay Essex

I wanted to dine at this restaurant for a few years, and finally, we had a Sunday lunch – it was definitely worth the wait too!

We chose to eat outside in their terrace area, which was lovely since it was a warm July day, although the interior looked very comfortable and inviting too. The staff were friendly and professional, and nothing was too much trouble, whether it was asking for more gravy (I am very partial to it!) or asking information about the local craft shops in Barleylands.

However, the food was the star. As usual, I ordered beef, and not the pork, and wished I had, as Michael had pork, which delightfully came with apple sauce, cracking and stuffing, and I had to steal a couple of mouthfuls as it was so tasty and tender. This does not mean the beef wasn’t up to scratch – it certainly was – just that I should learn to differ from beef every so often. All the trimmings, including home made Yorkshire puddings and gravy were just right.

See the rest of the review after these photos – to see a photo in a larger format, please click on it and use your back browser to come back to this page….

Before this I had the prawn and crayfish cocktail, which sounds a safe choice, but it was a step up form the usual expectations of such a dish with a light, tangy sauce which perfectly coasted the seafood rather than drowning it. Simply delicious! Michael had the chicken liver salad – the livers were cooked beautifully, and the accompanying salad and dressing were completely complimentary.

Unable to resist the wonderful dessert menu, we had an apple and rhubarb crumble with custard and profiteroles with hot chocolate sauce to share, with coffees. Both were exactly as they should be and better.

All in all, a fabulous dining experience and we will be back to try the evening menu soon….

Food – 9

Atmosphere – 7

Value for money – 8

Service – 8

http://www.magicmushroomrestaurant.co.uk

Barleyland Rd

Billericay, Basildon CM11 2UD

01268 289 963

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plaice with pea casserole pipe of port southend

This is a candle-lit Wine Bar with mahogany tables and sawdust covered floors. It is set our like a cellar and is very cosy – an unusual find in Southend on Sea. I wouldn’t say it is over comfortable, as the wooden seating is basic, but there are booth type seats for a little more privacy and it is cosy in a way.

The wine list there is extensive and to suit all tastes, but the service was mediocre, and unfortunately the food was not fabulous.

I had a potato and leek soup to start, which was rather good, and Michael had the prawns in lemon and garlic, and he enjoyed those, although it was a small portion for the price.

For mains I had pan fried plaice with a pea casserole and new potatoes. I thoroughly enjoyed it but Michael’s pork belly and casserole was not of the same standard. The pork belly was not soft enough and the casserole lacked flavour in every way – a very bland meal that we could not recommend. However if you like fish, then the prawns and plaice were really good and I would thoroughly recommend them.

Restaurant name

Pipe of Port

Date of visit

October 2009

Website address

www.pipeofport.com

Restaurant telephone

01702 614606

Restaurant address

84, High St, Southend-On-Sea, Essex SS1 1JN

Restaurant E-mail address

info@pipeofport.com

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?

6/10

Atmosphere Quality rating?

6/10

Service Quality rating?

6/10

Food Quality rating

6/10

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The Boatyard as a venue is smart, yet the food and service are pretty bad and overpriced. It was good a few years ago, but seemed to go downhill every visit we made.

We have been a few times for special nights out, as it was in fact the place for my first date with my partner. I love the interior, which is modern and comfortable enough, with a piano player and a bar shaped as a boat as a central piece. It is laid out on two floors (mezzanine) so you do get the feel of being in a decent place, but all too often we have found the waiters/waitresses to be rude, unprofessional and they seem like they have not had any training in the industry. This does not count for them all, but it does spoil the evening a little.

The menu is pretty basic, and I often go for a fillet steak, which is a bit of a boring choice, but it is one of the things that they cannot ruin too much. At £22, without vegetables, it should be alright though!

We don’t mind paying for good food, but the food isn’t worth the prices, plus you have to pay extra for side orders with the mains. I have been for lunch and it was pretty good, but they wouldn’t serve it outside on the sea view terrace which is a shame as it is a nice spot out there and it would not have been much further for them to walk.

They will park your car for you, although the car parking facilities are limited, and to be honest, it seems to depend what car you drive as to whether they will park it for you or not! If you have a new Bentley you will be alright

We were going back each year for the anniversary of our first date, but this year we missed it, so I really don’t know if we will go back. We constantly see bad reviews of the food and I guess until we are convinced otherwise we will not bother.

Restaurant name

The Boatyard Restaurant

Date of visit

multiple until early 2009

Website address

www.theboatyardrestaurant.co.uk

Restaurant telephone

01702 475588

Restaurant address

8-13 High St, Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 2EN

Service Charge included?

No

Average price per person for 3 course meal, excluding drinks

expensive (over £30)

How many dined?

2

Value for money rating?

3/10

Atmosphere Quality rating?

8/10

Service Quality rating?

4/10

Food Quality rating

4/10

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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 in 2009 and 2010

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

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Woodmans Arms benfleet essex restaurant

We love this restaurant, and have been a few times now in 2009, with many more to come hopefully!

The restaurant area is small, cosy and comfortable, with well placed tables and chairs, so you are not on top of your dining neighbours.

I would say it is a little overpriced, but the food is so good, that we could not complain at all. Everything from fish and chips to belly of pork and Morrocon tagines is on the menu and it changes all the time, as the chef uses the fresh ingredients of the season, so if you are a regular you do not get bored.

The service is good and the wine list has plenty to choose from, as well as a full bar. The bar area has a couple of sofas, so if you are lucky,…

(please click on the images below to enlarge and press the back button on your browser to return to the main page)

…you can get cosy on those or just sit up the bar whilst you wait for your table.

The menu changes regularly but our favourites dishes have been:

Soups

Bang bang chicken

Sardines

Fish and chips

Morrocon Tagine

Pork belly

Restaurant name

Woodmans Arms

Date of visit

15/09/2009 and various

Website address

http://www.thewoodmansarms.co.uk

Restaurant telephone

01268 775 799

Restaurant address

Rayleigh Road, Benfleet, Essex SS7 3TA

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?

7/10

Atmosphere Quality rating?

8/10

Service Quality rating?

7/10

Food Quality rating

8/10

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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

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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

Update in November 2010 – we recently went back here and found it has slipped as the food was awful – we had a very long wait for cold food which should have been hot!

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