The Tudor Oaks, Astwick

Review by David/Tracy Stephen and DP) - 2 May 2002

DP had tried this one a few times, but Tracy hadn't been for about 20 years so thought we would give it a whirl. The place is quaint with low beans and up/down floors. We were asked to sit at our table, but the menu was on a blackboard, so you have to get up and read through it (there was quite a lot on it) so this took some time and I felt pressured into making a quick decision.

Whilst standing there we found out (from another table) that you have to order your veg separately, this is not mentioned on the blackboard. The starters turned up - pasta for Tracy (very garlicky), smoked salmon for Dave and deep fried brie for DP, all very good.

Tracy ordered tuna and the lads had steaks, all were cooked well and tasted good with plenty of veg and potatoes. No room for dessert except for the lads who both ended up with huge pieces of crunchie cake and a rum ba-ba. A good bottle of white Amarone, was consumed as well. There was only one waiter, who worked very hard and was very pleasant. The bill came to £85.

Bridge Street Bistro, Hitchin - 01462 440072

Review by Neil and Frances - November 2002

We decided to visit this restaurant on a Tuesday evening at around 8pm without booking.  On arrival we were made very welcome and shown to a table immediately. The house wine served was very good, but in very large glasses, so be warned. We ordered Dover sole and Salmon as the main course, having decided to forgo a starter on this occasion. The waiting time was not unreasonable considering we had chosen not to eat a starter and we enjoyed great conversation in a very pleasant atmosphere. Both of the meals were delicious with an ample amount of beautiful tasting fish, with an excellent serving of perfectly cooked vegetables, but not a lot. Although the surroundings are not that plush, the atmosphere and especially the food was excellent we recommend this restaurant.

Review by Tracy plus bits by Jonty Wild (Dave Stephen & Irene Fussell also attended) - 15 June 2001

Have heard lots of good reports about this restaurant so thought it would be a good idea to try it and to finish off of a nice day after attending the Gardeners World exhibition. We had a table right next to the food preparation area. This provided a good view of what was coming out of the kitchen. And it was really amazing what was coming out of a kitchen measuring probably no more than 6x6 foot. As we had a good view of the kitchen we sat and tried to guess whose food was going where, and was usually disappointed that it wasn't coming our way. The starters were all very good, and so on to mains. These were also very good although Irene's chargrilled chicken was a little too dry. And so do desserts, only the lads could fit one in. They both had bread and butter pudding with syrup and custard. It looked and tasted wonderful, properly made out of a giant steam pot. Dave thought the starters were a little pricey but the main courses were very reasonable. Definitely a place to go back to.

Jonty's notes - 
I thought that this restaurant was excellent, one of the best we've been to.  Tracy's forgotten the minor hiccup when one of the starters was incorrect (she's been on holiday - bless!), but it led to the quickest replacement in history!   The chef and kitchen were both amazing, how anyone can work so hard and look so unfazed in a kitchen so small I have no idea - I'll make enquiries to see if he gives lessons (our kitchen would be ideal to give them in!).  Mind you the assistant chef seemed to spend most of the evening pinned in a corner dashing out only every now and then whilst he was sure the chef was fully occupied.

A word of warning, watch the very steep steps leading up to the toilets, I slipped noisily whilst coming down, much to the concern of the assistant chef who came running out.  I had managed to catch something above to stop myself falling, then whilst I was assuring him that I was okay, I slipped again "just to prove I could catch myself again" I explained to him!  I blame the smooth soled shoes I was wearing and the steepness of the staircase, I am sure it was nothing to do with the large volumes of red wine that I had been drinking!!!  Still apart from the assistant chef, no-one saw anything.

Definitely a place to try - an experience only marred by the smokers on the next table.  Why is it that one or two people in a whole restaurant still insist on smoking between courses without any thought to everyone else in the restaurant who may be still eating?

The Carriage House, Nr Meppershall - 01462-850583
Review by Tracy & Dave Stephen, Jonty Wild & Irene Fussell - 19 January 2001

Recently opened, nice big bar area with a big roaring fire and a HUGE log basket. Dave was disappointed with the quality of finish of the internal decoration. At lunchtimes they do real milkshakes! Not a huge menu but everything sounded really good. We ordered and were taken through to the restaurant when the starters were ready. They bought out an appetiser of pate (complimentary), but we had to eat it minus bread - very strange.

Starters then arrived with a big bowl of bread rolls still warm - we all enjoyed them. Main courses came and were again delicious. Only Dave could manage dessert, but of course we all helped him out. Irene then 'launched' the petit fours at Dave, which was very funny. The restaurant was fairly empty, a shame as more people would have made more of an atmosphere. The lighting was also a little bit too bright. The tables were nice and big though for 4 people.

La Cachette, Biggleswade - 01767-313508
Review by Tracy & Dave Stephen, Jonty Wild & Irene Fussell - 9 September 2000 

It was Dave and Tracy's turn to choose. Although we were due to be out all day on the Pumpkin Club's trip to Barnsdale, Geoff Hamilton's garden.  Having tried for ages to get into this restaurant, they booked early deciding to make a whole day of things. Parking is a bit of a problem at this restaurant, but we managed to get a space outside of the gates of Hire and Buy. We went into the restaurant (which was a house). It was very hot, probably the only balmy, hot night we've had this year. You pay a fixed price (£25/head) and then choose whatever you want. The staff were more mature and therefore quite relaxed and funny. The food was excellent and we could not get to the cheese course! Very unlike us. The restaurant itself was a bit cramped, and very hot! Definitely a place to go back to.

Moon and Stars, Rushden (nr Baldock) - 01763-288330
Review by Tracy & Dave Stephen, Jonty Wild & Irene Fussell - 28 July 2000

This one was chosen by Jonty and chosen and booked in record time (about an hour). We tried to sit out in the garden but it was a bit chilly and there were a few spots of rain. Menu was quite small but what was on it was looked nice. We all chose, even Dave chose in record time. Then we got on with the business of eating. The food was very good and the owners(?) keen to find out where we had come from and how we had heard of them. This suggested that perhaps business was a bit slack, which would be a pity as the food was good and excellent value for money. A very pleasant evening.

Laterna, Station Rd, Letchworth - 01462-684346
Review by Tracy & Dave Stephen, Jonty Wild & Irene Fussell - 6 May 2000

Tracy had serious reservations about this after booking as everyone kept saying that "all they do is pizzas". Managed to park right outside the door. Walking up to the restaurant we thought it was going to be empty, but once inside it was positively throbbing. We had a nice window seat. Food was really lovely and everyone picked something really good. Waiters were quite good fun. We're glad we tried it and will definitely go back.

St Michael's Manor, St Albans - 01727-864444
Review by Tracy & Dave Stephen, Jonty Wild & Irene Fussell - 11 March 2000

Jonty's birthday again, none of us had any idea where we were going except Irene who chose. After quizzing Irene on along the way we finally decided that we were going out in St Albans. St Albans' town centre was heaving as we drove through. Eventually we ended up at St Michael's Manor. It looks as though they have beautiful gardens, a shame it was dark. Walked in to be greeted by the resident cat. Lots of beers on offer although not all available - Jonty chose, eventually. We all chose from the menu fairly quickly and waited to be seated at a lovely round table overlooking the grounds. The restaurant layout was a little awkward with the bar being in the "wrong place". The starters arrived and looked lovely, even the plates themselves were lovely. The main courses were next and everyone really enjoyed them. Jonty - Cod, Irene and Tracy - Pork Fillet, Dave - Wild Salmon. Puddings were also good, so Jonty had 2! - (I don't remember that! Jonty) - (I'm not surprised! Irene)

Letchworth Hall Hotel, Letchworth - 01462-683747
Review by Tracy & Dave Stephen, Jonty Wild & Irene Fussell - 22 January 2000

Dave and Tracy had discovered that Rafael was now working at Letchworth Hall Hotel (ex La Torres owner). As La Torres had been their favourite restaurant they wanted to give it a try. We turned up in the Daimler (very posh) and had drinks at the bar. Tracy chose a naff starter (pate - yuk) but everyone else raved about theirs. Lots of scallops and mash potatoes. For main course Irene and Tracy had duck (although in different sauces) which were delicious and the lads had steaks. We had a lovely round table. Irene and Tracy skipped dessert but needless to say the boys didn't. We then had coffee in the lounge. It's a shame we have to visit these places in the dark.

Jolly Waggoner's, Ardeley -01438-861350
Review by Tracy & Dave Stephen, Jonty Wild & Irene Fussell - 13 November 1999

Irene's choice and Dave and Tracy found it very difficult to navigate as they weren't told where they were going. After spending hours whizzing through country lanes we finally arrived at the pub. It was a shame it was dark. The bar area was quite small so after we got our drinks we moved straight to our table which was in the house next door. The food all sounded lovely. The starters were amazing although quite expensive at around £8.00 each. The main courses were just as delicious and homemade ice cream for dessert. An excellent choice and one we should definitely go back to (£146.00 for 4 including approx. £44 for drink and coffees & 10% service charge).

The White Horse, Walkern - 01438-861251
Review by Tracy & Dave Stephen, Jonty Wild & Irene Fussell - 30 October 1999

It was touch and go as to whether we could get a table when Tracy rang to book so we knew it would be quite busy. Huge Greek starters went down very well. We then quizzed the waiter (a boy of about 16) on where the beef came from and as it was British we all ordered beef! Somebody called Stephen had a birthday cake delivered by the waitress and we all had to join in the happy birthday song. Fortunately soon after this they all disappeared leaving it somewhat quieter and free of kids.

As You Like It, Codicote - 01438-820452
Review by Tracy & Dave Stephen, Jonty Wild & Irene Fussell - 10 July 1999 

Dave and Tracy let Irene choose food for them, as they have no idea about Chinese. Food was lovely, but not exceptional, especially for the cost.  A lovely warm evening.

The Three Horseshoes, Hinxworth - 01462-742280
Review by Tracy & Dave Stephen, Jonty Wild & Irene Fussell - 12 June 1999

Booked this one as it was supposed to be good for sauces, however Tracy wasn't particularly impressed with them. The starters were all good. Main courses were lovely (even though Jonty's duck was a bit too pink even for him!). Jonty thought that there should also be more veg. We all had desserts as well and they were all lovely.

We thought it was quite expensive for a pub, but we had been warned that it wasn't cheap.

Auberge du Lac, Lemsford - 01707-368888
Review by Tracy & Dave Stephen, Jonty Wild & Irene Fussell - 13 March 1999

Well what a posh one for Jonty's birthday! Food was lovely and couldn't be faulted. Tables were lovely and big and the chairs were very big and very comfortable. There were people at other tables who looked as though were famous or at least thought that they should be! Very expensive, very good!

The Lytton Arms, Old Knebworth - 01438-812312
Review by Tracy & Dave Stephen, Jonty Wild & Irene Fussell - 16 January 1999

The carpet on the floor is the same as that in Tracy & Dave's dining room! Tracy was worried after getting there that it didn't look very good. We had the table by the window and after getting a round of drinks sat down to choose. The menu is fairly varied and unfortunately Irene's first choice, Duck Curry, was off. The starters arrive and all was well there. We comment on the fact that we don't like sauces in plastic packets - so common (as Irene would say). Main course arrives and all is ok there as well. The lads both have "surf 'n' turf" and remark on how tender their fillet steak is and Irene squirms as the lads pick at their prawns. Tracy's "proper" pie was good (i.e. not a bowl of stew with a pastry top!). We all remarked on how crunchy the chips were. The dessert menu was disappointing with a choice of only three things. Irene went to the bar to order the lads chocolate sponge with chocolate sauce, she mistook the Landlord for a customer! The chocolate sponge arrives and WOW! what a lot of really chocolately sauce.  Coffee was also disappointing no proper cream  for liqueur coffees (we don't like "squirty" cream in the coffee). Overall a good choice.

The Old George Hotel, Silsoe - 01525-860218
Review by Tracy & Dave Stephen, Jonty Wild & Irene Fussell - 13 November 1998

We got to the pub ordered drinks and sat down to survey the menu. So many lovely choices. We placed our order and waited to be seated. The time came and off we went to sit in their lounge, a little strange but very nice. We marvelled at the fibre optic plant that kept changing colour (so kitsch is was good - I want one Jonty). Food came and the starters were lovely. Jonty was disappointed that his plate didn't have more prawns on it. Main courses arrived, excellent lobster thermidore and pheasant to name two. After Dave had finished spitting out lead shot we moved on to the sweet trolley. By this time a band had started playing in the pub but the restaurant was very well sound-proofed. Another excellent pub.

The George and Dragon, Watton at Stone - 01920-830285
Review by Tracy & Dave Stephen, Jonty Wild & Irene Fussell - 19 June 1998

Irene & Jonty's choice so off we went to Watton. A rather pleasant evening and we sat in the garden sipping drinks whilst trying to decide what to order. This wasn't as totally relaxing as it sounds as we had to keep dashing back into the pub to see what was on the blackboard because there was so much and we couldn't remember it all. We placed our order with a funny waiter and sat down in front of a huge wine rack (lucky us) to await our starters. Jonty's fish soup (can't remember the proper name- bouillabaise??) was superb and we all had to try it. Main courses arrived and everyone's was good. Good value for money.

The Knife and Cleaver, Houghton Conquest - 01234-740387
Review by Tracy & Dave Stephen, Jonty Wild & Irene Fussell - 14 March 1998

Dave and Tracy's turn to choose and they chose the pub voted the best pub in Bedfordshire. The Knife and Cleaver is nothing like a pub, more like a sophisticated restaurant. We ordered drinks and sat down to peruse the menu, which all looked very posh. We placed our order and chose the wine. The starters were soon ready and we were seated in the restaurant, which is a conservatory and very pleasantly decorated. Starters were lovely although Tracy didn't really know what to order. Main courses were also lovely, with everyone having fish?

The pudding menu looked wonderful and Tracy definitely wished she had skipped starter and waited for dessert. The ice cream was homemade and very nice. Next came the cheese board which was huge and portable! Unfortunately we were all too full to try it.

Cafe Meze, Bucklesbury Hitchin - 01462-455566
Review by Barbara Primrose - 18 April 2007

We (4 x women, 0 men, 0 kids) were warmly welcomed as we walked in and were seated at a table in the window; during the evening about half the ground floor tables were occupied. The waitress was efficient and friendly even though we only ordered 2 meze selections between 4 of us. We also had two bottles of wine, a large bottle of water, extra bread and 4 coffees - the total bill was just under £50 between us which isn't bad for the enjoyable evening we had.

The meze selection is brilliant because it's mainly vegetarian (and there were 2 veggies in our group) comprising 8 dishes of tzatziki, humous, taramasalata, olives, peppers, mini baby new potatoes, 2 kinds of beans and some sort of mashed aubergine (which was very nice) with a basket of bread.

We tried white retsina (a first for me, and absolutely ok) and would have tried the baklava but they had run out. Oh well, maybe next time because I'm going back with some different friends next month.

Review by Don Watson - 24th March 2001

You can spend a pleasant evening eating here. It's standard Greco-Turkish stuff but a nice upstairs and downstairs dining area. You can start with a tremendous selection of meze dishes for £6-something. Apart from the usual houmous, taramasalata, tzaziki, there will be more than half a dozen other things on little saucers, and a Greek salad. For another six quid you get, to follow, three dishes; one fish, to meat. The fish one was the inevitable calamari, which, to me, has all the charm of battered, fried, elastic bands, but that's just me. Instead of these table d'hors dishes, you can select your own from an extensive list. I'm going to do that next time, or else just have the meze.

Review by Tracy & Dave Stephen, Jonty Wild & Irene Fussell - 17 March 2001

Irene's choice and once again Jonty's birthday.  A bit of confusion when we first arrived as Irene had booked a non-smoking table which the management claimed was in the non-smoking section, but it just happened to be next to a smoking table - hmm not sure how that one works.  Anyway we had to wait around 5 minutes and then we were moved upstairs to the non-smoking area.  They offer one dish called a Meze which basically means everything on the menu and good value at £12.95 per head.  The atmosphere was loud and buzzing and the restaurant was packed.  Prices very reasonable if you order individual dishes.  Wine - not much choice but probably something to suit everyone.  A good place for vegetarians and for fun nights out with lots of people.

Jonty's Comments - good standard for Greek food, but bear in mind that Greece isn't particularly well known for it's gastronomic excellence!

Papillon at The Woodhall Arms, 17 High Road, Stapleford, Nr Hertford - 01992-535123

Update by Tracy Stephen 14 May 2005
Returned to this pub/restaurant as definitely one of my favourites.  Pub and restaurant has been re-decorated and is now more modern looking.  Packed as always.  They now have a web site so you can check out the extensive menu.  They do the best duck around so every time I go so I have that, but my fellow diners tell me that what they choose is also very good.  www.papillon-woodhallarms.co.uk

Review by Tracy Stephen & Jonty Wild - 11 May 2002

Sample receipt

Irene thought she knew where we were going but after 3 guesses gave up. The pub actually looks quite shabby from the outside and the bar is none to special, but the staff were friendly and efficient. We sat down with our drinks and perused the large menu filled with lots of lovely dishes. We ordered and awaited our table.

We were seated quickly and our food was delivered, 2 lots of wild mushroom gratin, 1 fish of the sea platter and 1 scallops. All were lovely and to die for!  Lots of bread was served with the starters.

The restaurant was packed to capacity with people covering all age ranges. The restaurant was a too bright for our liking, but the atmosphere was good. The main courses arrive: Melt in your mouth duck, scallops (same as the starter but bigger), lovely monkfish, and an amazing salmon. Lots of veg and potatoes came with the meal. The lads ordered desserts, a cheesecake and fruit pancakes, the ladies had coffee (which came in extremely small cups). Definitely a place to revisit. Cost £95 including a cheap bottle of wine and a couple of drinks.

Jonty's Comments

My starter, the fish platter was mostly different versions of prawn, which might have put me off had I known - but it was excellent,  The decor is a bit of a mix and a bit too bright (as Tracy mentioned above).  We were seated next to an open fireplace which backed onto the bar.  As a consequence when a couple sat there and started smoking it was drawn through.  I thoroughly recommend this restaurant especially for the fish, but ask for a table in the conservatory or away from the bar wall!

Please note that if there is 6 or more of you they add on a 10% service charge - which I think is a bit cheeky!

Review by Tracy Stephen - 23rd March 2001

A pub with a lovely restaurant attached. They specialise in fish and there is a HUGE menu to choose from. Staff were very friendly. Before we went I heard that the portions were not big, but I thought they were more than adequate. Not particularly cheap but not really expensive either. Well worth a visit.

The Crown, Shillington - 01462-711667
Review by Tracy & Dave Stephen - 23rd March 2001

We hadn't been for a while so thought we would try again.  The bar menu being served in the bar and restaurant was ok, but we found it difficult to choose. Dave went to the bar and I stood up with my coat to move into the restaurant. The manager (we presume) snatched the menu from me and put it on another table assuming that we were leaving. We then asked for a table in the restaurant. The manager then said to me have you ordered starters, I said no, so he promptly started removing all the cutlery, then he said "have you ordered", I said "no" so he promptly puts all the cutlery back. 

We then sat there for a while - good job we had decided what we were having as we didn't get another menu. Dave had pate (very nice) and I had stilton, apple and walnut pate (well, I couldn't taste any stilton and it was all rather bland and blobby). 

Main courses arrived, Dave had ordered rack of lamb in a Cumberland sauce and I had steak and kidney pudding. Mine was lovely full of meat and gravy and very tasty. Dave's was lovely except Cumberland sauce was obviously an orange sauce, and unfortunately citrus is not Dave's favourite food, so we ended up swopping. The veg was good - new pots, red cabbage and brussels (which again is not Dave's favourite), but overall the main courses were excellent and very tasty. The manager then came and removed all the glasses from the table and didn't ask us if we wanted anything else. So then I had to go to the bar to get some more! The waitress then came and asked what desserts we wanted, so Dave said "what have you got" (as no one had told us or left us a menu), she then rattled off 12 deserts at 50 mph - so Dave asked her to run through them again, so she holds out her piece of paper for him to look at (never cracking a smile!). Do Dave chose and I had a coffee. When the dessert turned up (with no cream), we had to use the cream from my coffee, which was pretty awful. It was a biscuit base (which was missing) with raspberry mush, followed by cream mixed with white chocolate (which was pretty hard and probably still partly frozen!) 

So then we wanted the bill, as no one appeared we had go to the bar and get them to run the bill off and pay there. The food was good and the restaurant area is full of character but the staff let the whole experience down.

Second Review by Don Watson - 24th March 2001

The most generous helpings and most varied menu for miles around. The food is good too. It'll cost a pound or two more than a bar meal in other places, but well worth it, in my opinion. You can eat in the bar area if you wish, but the restaurant is a very pleasant place. I think it would be advisable to book for that. I don't know how the chef can offer such variety. There's an extensive printed bar and restaurant menu, and then a lot more choice on the chalkboard.

Update by Tracy Stephen - 12th March 2003

Last visited here on 12 Mar 03 as couldn't be bothered to cook. Dave had fish and chips  (what a surprise) (£8) and I had the stilton and bacon baguette and salad (£5). Size of portions big. Not a huge bar menu but sure this will come as trade picks up. The restaurant is an impressive building and am sure we will try it again soon.

The Orange Tree, Stevenage Road, Hitchin - 01462-432733 JUST REFURBISHED 8/4/2007
Review by Ed Cree - 6th September 2002
Sample Menu

On Friday 6th September we went for supper at the Orange Tree. It was our second visit and equally as good. The service is very friendly, and also very quick. It is order at the bar and pay before the meal, which sometime causes concern if the meal turns out to be low quality. I had the 'special' Muosaka, which although very tasty was made with a potato layer and very little aubergine chopped up. Ailsa had Fishcakes which were crisp and flavoursome. My starter was mushrooms with blue cheese dip. The mushrooms were great but the blue cheese dip rather synthetic.

Ailsa's soup was very good. To drink I had the Cabernet Merlot which was a good complement to the Mousaka.

Review by Don Watson - 24th March 2001

Another McMullen conversion from a 'local' to an Inn, where you expect to eat as well as drink. (They did the same thing to the Three Horse Shoes at Hooks Cross on the Hertford Road out of Stevenage.) The décor and menu are similar in both places, but I find the Orange Tree more congenial. There are warm, welcoming fires and a substantial non-smoking area. The menu is rather limited, but what there is, is impressive; a hint of designer meals. Then there is a specials board, though not much more on that. But don't let me put anyone off; most people will find something to their taste. It's a bit pricey; you'll have to pay £2 or £3 more than you would in something like a Beefeater. They've made a big thing of their wines. There's a card with a list of red and white. Their idea of a small glass is 175 ml and it'll cost you well over £2. A bottle will be over a tenner. I liked the Adelberg Merlot. The service is easy-going and welcoming.

Review by Jonty Wild - 12th February 2002

It is interesting to write a new review and compare it with an earlier one (above). 

Much of what was written by Don still holds true.  The decoration hasn't changed and one wouldn't expect it to as it was refurbished fairly recently.  The menu, however has changed quite recently and, over a period of about 5 weeks I've eaten there 3 times, always on a Friday night (well it's what we PRATS get up to after squash and before retiring to one of the Pirton pubs!).  The first occasion was the week before the new menu started.  It was okay, but they ran out of some dishes and of some ingredients/accompaniments for some dishes.  With 2 or 3 people being affected, we complained and received a number of vouchers for future meals, hence why we have been back so frequently - normally we try to vary where we eat a bit more!  The next 2 visits were much better.  Don is still right in that it is a little more pricey than some of the pub chains, but I like the new menu.  A sample menu is available below.  The dishes are unusual and very good, I've had the cod and chips off the specials board (huge!) and the chargrilled escolar fillet of roasted vegetables with a warm tomato sauce - fish, a bit like swordfish without the sword - or at least that's what the waitress said.  I have to say that it was excellent, the roasted vegetables were particularly good.  Others have said that the calves liver was also very good.  My only complaint is that the food does take a while to arrive.  To be fair that should be expected if freshly prepared and perhaps I'm just too anxious on a Friday night to get back to the local pub at a reasonable time.

Sample menu "Click Here"

The Angel's Reply, Bedford Road, Hitchin - 01462-450219
Review Barbara Primrose - 6th December 2006

Atmosphere somewhat lacking so not first choice for a celebratory night out but edible food and reasonable prices for a family of varying ages from infants to grannies who just want to eat and the service was ok too. Non smoking area was next to the kids play area, which is sensible but could be a bit noisy for earlier diners. No need to book.

Review by Don Watson - 24th March 2001

This is yet another McMullen conversion, but quite different from the Orange Tree. The food is more like standard bar stuff, but the price is very reasonable indeed. You can get gammon and chips for less than a fiver. Our window cleaner recommends it.

Review by Tracy Stephen - 19 December 02

The meals are very cheap and obviously this is reflected in the quality. We ordered for starters a platter to share, there was one item on it that we still haven't managed to work out what it was. Main courses were Burger & Chips, Sausage and Mash, Lasagne and Chilli.  Would personally prefer to pay more and get a better meal.

The Green Man, Great Offley 01462-768256
Review by Don Watson - 24th March 2001

This is a bit like the Orange Tree and the Three Horse Shoes at Hooks Cross, but was there first. The wine list is similar - a card with a selection of rather pricey wines, but they are nice. Here, the menus is more varied than the McMullen place, but is all chalked up on a blackboard. You might think this would indicate frequent change, but it doesn't. It's always the same. I think this is Chef and Brewer country. You eat in a bar that's been extended into a conservatory. Best to go in daylight hours when you can sit there perched on the Downs and look out over a splendid view to the north.

Shaker Browns, Great Offley  - BELIEVED CLOSED
Review by Don Watson - 24th March 2001

It's all right but rather expensive. Designer meals. Their trick is to encourage you to compose your own meal from menu elements. It works up to a point, and the good is good and well cooked.

Lobster's Tail, Great Offley
Review by Don Watson - 24th March 2001

Rather posh. The food is good, but I find the atmosphere rather strained. It's like being in church; a rushed sanctity pervading the place. I couldn't relax even though someone else was paying.

Sainsbury's Restaurant, Corey's Mill, Stevenage
Review by Don Watson - 24th March 2001

Can't be beaten for value. A good breakfast (six items) can be had for £1.99 and fish and chips for £3.99. No wine list, and shuts rather early.

Monty's Snack Caravan on the Luton Road, Hitchin - Luton
Review by Don Watson - 24th March 2001

A congenial place to eat; a good pull-in, in a spacious lay-by. However, at £2 for a bacon butty it's not as good a buy as Sainsbury's, unless you like the open road and the hum of tyres. The union flag flying from the caravan heightens the spirits. (Not available at the moment. They've dug up the road. Open again 28 March.)

The Black Horse - Woburn 01525-290210
Review by Tracy Stephen/Jonty Wild 4th August 2001

Irene and Jonty's turn to choose. A pub with a non smoking restaurant!  The pub specialises in steaks and fish which are all sold by the ounce and cooked to your liking on the chargrill. We again managed to get a table right near the grill which means you can watch what's going on and see what you fancy before you order. Dave and Irene shared a fish mixed grill, basically every type of fish you could wish for was on it. Tracy had a steak with a sauce (the steak was so tasty it really didn't need the sauce) and Jonty had fillet steak with tiger prawns. All served with veg and cheesy potatoes. The lads were the only ones who could manage dessert both of which tasted yummy. Definitely a place to revisit.

Jonty's Comments

Amazingly Tracy ordered her steak medium to well done - we must be having an influence!  I couldn't persuade myself to miss the steak and tiger prawns despite the tempting fish.  Pretty expensive at £19.95, but a lovely steak.  In the end I was slightly disappointed with the tiger prawns, the trouble is I was spoilt, when a few years ago we were in Goa.  UK tiger prawns are pussy cats in comparison.  Would like to go again, but will avoid tiger prawns there and probably everywhere else having learnt my lesson.

Quite expensive, but great food.

The Crown - Northill (01767 627337)
Review by Tracy Stephen/Jonty Wild 15th September 2001

Just heard that the Crown has changed hands (November 2005) - hopefully this won't affect the quality - Jonty Wild

It had taken me quite a while to get this one booked so I was quite pleased when we managed to get in. We arrived to find the car park full and the pub heaving.  Jonty managed to find someone he owed money to (what bad timing)! So while Jonty chatted, the rest of us sat at the bar.  Irene then proceeded to put a plastic menu into my eye (by accident! - Irene.  Food can be chosen from the menu or specials from the blackboard.  We chose and were shown to our table. Our starters arrived and quite big they were to.  I ordered pate, but they bought the bread out first and Dave had managed to scoff most of it before the pate arrived! But more was forthcoming. The main courses and vegetables turned up - again plenty to eat.  Irene and I couldn't manage desserts but the boys tried. And of course we dipped in as well. A pleasant evening and a pub worth visiting again.

Jonty's Comments

At first sight the menu didn't seem to have a particularly wide selection and was a bit "Little Chef" in appearance, which did not reflect the quality of food.  I think they are under-selling themselves here.  Yet again good food, not badly priced.  Perhaps a bit awkward to get to from Pirton.

The Lynmore, Sharpenhoe (01582-881233)
Review by Jonty Wild - February 2007

This restaurant closed down for a considerable time for refurbishment.  So we wanted to go to see how it has changed.  The old review on the website has now been removed because the change is so dramatic.  It used to be a "country" pub packed with diners and consequently doing a large food trade based on good old fashioned pub grub, i.e. lots of pies, steaks etc.

Well it has been completely refurbished and changed, so much so that previous diners wouldn't recognise it.  Tastefully done in a sort of modern, wine bar style.  Walls have been removed, a false ceiling put in (presumably hiding the RSJs, which I hope are supporting the upper building).  It is now a restaurant not a pub, although there is modern comfortable furniture in the seating/reception area.

They appeared to have lost our booking, which was odd considering we definitely booked and there weren't that many people there for a Friday night!

The food was very good, but definitely not cheap, probably twice or two and half times the cost that it used to be. Perhaps the slow trade might say something or perhaps having been closed for so long the trade has yet to recover?  Definitely a planned meal out and not a spur of the moment "going out for something to eat".

Rocco's Two - Biggleswade (01767 310390)
Review by Tracy Stephen/Jonty Wild 23rd February 2002
www.roccostwo.co.uk

Once we found the restaurant, we're not that up on Biggleswade, we parked in Budgens and went in. We were a little disappointed that we didn't have the table by the fire as it was a chilly evening, but found our table and sat down, it was quite tight. Jonty had bought a pocket camera and was trying to snap away although a bit unsuccessfully as the camera didn't have a flash. There was a big table of people sitting behind Irene and Jonty that made it quite loud, luckily they left shortly after we arrived. We ordered wine and food and waited for it to turn up. Starters arrived, Dave, Irene and I had ordered pasta and Jonty had ordered anti pasti. It all went down very well. The main courses turned up Jonty had fillet steak with capers (very nice), Irene had duck with plum sauce in pancakes (different but nice), Dave ordered fish in broth (which turned out to be seafood and mainly mussels so he was disappointed and I ordered chicken (but when it turned up it was more like a kiev, so disappointing). The veg was also a little strange not sure what the puree of one of the veggies was ? Then another table of 4 sat down behind I&J. They started rowing with the waiter over, we think, the number of courses they wanted to order, so that was slightly off putting. Irene, Dave and Jonty all had sweets and I helped them out. Not sure if I would recommend this place, I think I probably need to go again.

Jonty's Comments

I think that I was lucky having made probably the best choice of main dish and I have to say that it was very good, however I got the distinct impression from the others that they were not as satisfied with their choices and at £135.25  for (including £42.50 bar/wine) not particularly cheap.  So I'd have to say nice but we've had better value.

The Jaipur - Milton Keynes
Review by Tracy Stephen 15th May 2002 (Lucy/Neil Croucher, David/Tracy Stephen, Suzanne/Keith Moore, Jo/Tim Ellershaw, Claire Scott attending)
www.jaipur.co.uk

An impressive white temple looking building from the outside and very posh inside. There is a reception area where you put your coats and lots of staff milling about and opening doors.

Drinks were served in record quick time and when we all arrived we went and sat at our table. The menus arrived - not an onion bhaji or vindaloo in site, but instead things like sword fish tikka, chicken, sweetcorn and coriander samosas.

The starters arrived and all were lovely. Champagne arrived as it was Neil's 30th. Then the main courses arrived. The menu covers a lot of fish including pomfret, tuna, swordfish and lobster. Plenty of rice comes with the meals although the naans were not huge. No one could fit in dessert but we had coffee and lots (and lots) of mint chocolates. Now for the shock the bill came to £300 (9 people), although this does include 10% service change and a £30 bottle of champagne. The lads were also on a beer mission.

In summary a lovely place to go for an indian that is different to the one you would find in your High St. Although it is not cheap. Starters range from (£4-10), mains from (£7-20)

Bom Bora - Hitchin
Review by Tracy Stephen/Jonty Wild 16th March 2002
www.bombora.co.uk

Jonty couldn't get booked for any of his suggestions so Irene picked this one. An Australian restaurant, a lively place with a lot of atmosphere. We sat down and ordered. Irene and Dave being very adventurous and going for the kangaroo for starters. The wine turned up and off we went (especially Tracy who still wasn't driving). The food arrived and we all tucked in. Irene and Dave said the kangaroo was nice but glad they didn't order it as a main. Jonty had crab which was enormous and Tracy had goats cheese which was also very good. For main Dave had surf and turf while the rest of us had fish. All was very good, the steak was melt in your mouth and cooked to how we asked, all the fish was very good. Three of us had desserts, two ice creams and a sticky toffee pudding.

There were a lot of young people in the restaurant (2 tables of 8+) and the noise level at times was LOUD. There was also a situation with the toilets, the ladies were out of action which left the men's, 1 urinal and 1 cubicle. Therefore the queue was pretty long.

A good fun meal!

Jonty's Comments

The crab terrine starter was one of the best crab dishes I have ever had, ranked alongside a dish I had in Blakeney.

The bar next door (adjoining doorway) was lively, but interestingly although packed, the merrymakers were not allowed into the restaurant until the diners had finished and were leaving.

I thought that the toilet situation was particularly interesting when young ladies were getting so desperate they began sharing with men! Seriously I am sure that this was a one off so don't let it put you off going.

The Windmill - Charlton - (01462-432096)
Review by Tracy Stephen/Jonty Wild July 2002

After a hard day's graft in Jonty & Irene's garden we were all ready for some good food. It was a lovely evening, warm and all of us had been wanting to try this pub for sometime. There is plenty of space to sit outside and a stream runs down the edge of the pub. There is nothing really different on the menu but they do good standard pub food and specialise in pies. A good quantity of food is served. A good place to go for a good quantity, cheap meal.

There is no smoking area so if you happen to be sitting with other tables that smoke this could be a problem.

Jonty's Comments

I enjoyed this one - good basic food.  Quite small inside and yes people smoking could be a problem.

The Raven - Hexton - (01582-881209)
Review by Ed Cree 1st September 2002

On 1st September we had guests staying and walked over to the Raven in Hexton. We couldn't book a table as we could not find the number in Yellow pages. We arrived at 1.25 for Sunday lunch and although busy there was still plenty of room outside. I had chicken satay followed by Cajun chicken and scampi. Both tasty, well cooked and served in good time considering the number of people. When ordering drinks the staff have a good routine and there never seemed to be a long time to wait to place orders. There were plenty of vegetarian options for Ailsa to choose from and so no complaints from her either.

La Bella Vita - Hitchin -(01462-434380)
Review by Alma Oakley 20th September 2002
Sample bill

La Bella Vita Hitchin, excellent service, food a little bit more expensive than your every day pub, but lovers of Italian food excellent choice.

Jonty's Comments

I have to say that this is one of Irene and mines all time favourite places to eat, but we haven't been for some time  so we didn't feel that we could add a write up.   If I am being honest a colleague of mine went recently and was not so impressed.  He did go mid-week so there were not so many people there, so he was not impressed by the atmosphere and he felt that the decor was getting somewhat tired.  The latter is, I believe, true, although we have always found the food to more than make up for this.  They also have the most amazing range of special dishes, you need a pen and paper to make notes so you can remember what he has read out!  - and the service has always been great.  I believe that it has been in the same hands for something like 30 years, which for this trade is probably some sort of record.

Jonty's updated comments - 30/12/02

We re-visited this restaurant for Irene's birthday.  I can only reiterate that from our point of view taken in the round, i.e. quality of food, standard of service and friendliness of the staff and owner La Bella Vita remains our favourite restaurant! 

I have added a copy of our bill for 4 (see above), you will see it is not cheap, but then quality rarely is and in our opinion it represents excellent value.  In fact if you choose cheaper wine it is not even that expensive.  My new year's resolution is to go more often.  Try it and enjoy!

PS in fact the decor is not that bad!

Lilley Arms, Lilley - (01462-768371)
Review by Alma Oakley 30th September 2002

This pub offers VERY good home made food, Sunday lunches, quite a small eating area smoking and non, friendly atmosphere, just the job after a good stroll.  Caters for children also has BED & BREAKFAST

The Old Crown, Little Horwood, Nr Milton Keynes - 01296 713062
Review by Sue & Sean Burgess from Lilley - 30 October 2002

A very pleasant public house, just outside Milton Keynes. [little Horwood].  Has a basic menu, scampi/chips, home made pies, Sunday lunches, sandwiches, caters for children. It is a little way to go from Pirton, but pleasant once you get there.  Good ales and has a lovely garden with play equipment for the children in the summer months.

The Sow & Pigs - 01920 463281
Review by Jonty Wild 9th November 2002

This was my choice. My first choice being unavailable I went for pot luck using an AA book of pubs - unfortunately it was distinctly ordinary.

The pub looks inviting from the outside and we only entered the restaurant and restaurant bar so can only comment on those. The restaurant was fairly ordinary; basic laminated menus, no "grindy" pepper, paper serviettes and tables laid up with no cutlery. This always gives some clues as what to expect!  Although I accept that this is not always necessarily indicative of the quality of food, but certainly does tell you whether it is likely to be pub or restaurant standard. This is particularly true when coupled with sachets of sauces on the tables (not the case here).

The service was good and friendly, I think that Dave was particularly impressed by the passing resemblance of the waitress to Julia Roberts.

Starters were battered mushrooms - quite good, but small and too few, potato wedges - no surprises which were like fat chips and not wedges (fat chips a particular hate of Dave, chicken wings - ordinary and prawn cocktail - quite good.

Main courses were fish pie - probably best of our choices, pork in a cider and apple sauce - very tasty, oven baked lamb - okay, with a nice sauce and liver and bacon - I thought okay, but likely to be special. We ordered 3 lots of sauté potatoes and one lot of chips. We got a good portion chips (for 2?) and a small portion of sauté (for 1?). when we queried this we were told that we had two portions of each. The veg was quite stewed especially the brussels.

Dessert courses were okay quality, i.e. the sort of puddings commonly bought in by pubs.

My main problem was with the bill. It came to £112.50 including bar drinks and a bottle of wine. I know that we should have checked before paying (stupid not to!) but it sounded right and we were only offered the receipt as an after thought. Anyway on getting home a quick look suggested that we either got someone else's bill, a mix of two bills or it was a complete work of fiction! I think that we were probably only overcharged by £7 or £8, but if you go here, or anywhere else for that matter, don't forget to check your bill! We were a bit bummed that we were over charged and left a tip!

We enjoyed the evening, but then we always do, but all in all not worth travelling the 20 miles from Pirton (it seemed further!), when there are more impressive and better value places close by. Personally I think that although it was not poor, it was the most disappointing place we've been to, possibly because it looked really promising from the outside. It only goes to show that "pot luck" is dodgy, better to go by recommendation.

Musgrave Arms, 01462 711286
Review by Tracy Stephen - 28 March 2003

PLEASE NOTE that this pub has changed hands (2004) the previous landlord/lady have gone to the Fox and Duck at Stotfold

Have visited this establishment on many occasions and have never had a bad meal. Portions are big but the quality is good. They do brilliant homemade pies and a good Musgrave chicken (with stilton). Most of the starters and desserts are also home made. Prices are good with a main dish costing around £8. The non-smoking part is small so always best to book. I don't think they serve meals on Sunday evenings.

Updated 18/4/2009
Review by Jonty Wild

An update long overdue.  Just a short walk from Pirton 2 miles so has obvious advantages.  I was impressed.  The description, good old pub food no longer has kudos it once had, these days it seems to mean cheap and nasty, but in the old fashioned sense this is the right description.  Recognisable menus, decent home (fresh) cooked food and value for money - try it!

Just32, Sun Street, Hitchin, 01462 455666
Review by Tracy Stephen - 15th March 2003

Sample Bill
www.just32.com

Was struggling to think of somewhere to go, but a nice person at work gave me a few suggestions. So I booked Just 32.

We arrived early in Hitchin so popped into the Corn Exchange for a swift one before crossing the square and into Just 32.  Got our table and menus and sat down to study it.  It's a tiny restaurant (was there an upstairs?), but the atmosphere and building were good.  Dave then rested his menu on the table where it promptly caught light on the tea light on the table. Luckily it we caught it in time.  Unlike the table next to us who did actually manage to set it alight. 

We ordered our starters: fish consommé with spicy balls, duck and game terrine, Jonty and Dave's crab tian.  They arrived and all were lovely. Plenty of bread as well to mop up juices.  Followed by the main course of rabbit in a mushroom, bacon and shallot sauce, 2 turbots with lentils and a monkfish for Dave. Vegetables come separately and are charged separately.

All the main courses were to die for.  Beautifully cooked and lovely sauces.  The vegetables looked a bit stringie when they arrived but we were all stuffed at the end.

The lads again had desserts, Jonty cheese, a choice of 4 from a good selection and Dave a very wicked chocolate thing that we all helped him with. 2 bottles of wine and 3 coffees later we were done. A very lovely evening with excellent food. Not cheap - about £165 in total!

Notes by Jonty

It is an interesting technique to attract the attention of the waiter and/or waitress, i.e. setting light to the menu - it worked every time!

The food was a very good standard, my rabbit was beautifully cooked, not too gamey and you can't beat a good mushroom, bacon and shallot sauce with a strong flavoured meat.  The restaurant certainly wasn't cheap with the main courses often around £19.  We had 2 bottles of "medium" priced wine (£17.50), so if you took the drinks bill off the cost was £122.50 - for 4 which isn't too bad, perhaps we should go teetotal?

Good service, pleasant surroundings and attentive staff (perhaps they didn't want to get burned alive).  A re-think over the size of the menu or the position of the candles wouldn't go amiss (or more fire extinguishers!)

George & Dragon  Graveley, Nr Stevenage, 01438 351362
Review by Tracy Stephen/Jonty Wild - 16th August 2003

Photos and Sample Bill

Irene led us all into a false sense of security by taking us into the Coach (or is it Wagon) and Horses first for a drink. Then we popped next door for dinner. We noticed on the blackboard outside it said 'Saturday night singalong with piano'. We hoped that it would be quiet in the restaurant part. After sorting out the fact that they had lost our booking we were shown to our table. The menu was quite varied and there were lots of signs around saying 'see our special board'. Unfortunately the specials board was completely empty. They were quiet slow to take our order but there were 2 large parties eating. Once the order was taken the food came along in good time. Starters were: mushrooms stuffed with pate, pate on toast and 2 bacon, mushroom and cheese bakes. At this point the piano was plugged in and Malcolm started to play. Unfortunately we were very close. It made talking to each other very difficult as it was so loud. Not exactly our taste in music either. The rest of the pub punters disagreed and seemed to like it often joining in singing, making it a piano karaoke. Main courses were then served, Thai green swordfish, 10oz sirloin steak, tornado rossini and 10oz sirloin steak with bordeaulaise sauce. The portions were big and no one could manage a dessert. A first ever I think. Coffee and liqueur coffees were served with UHT milk and squirty cream - yuk. Bill came to £71.00 with no drinks, a fair price I think for what we had.

JW's Comments

First impressions on walking in to the Pub were that the food was not likely to be too great, the specials board being empty and the bar snack menus looking a little basic and smack of a chain run pub, however the restaurant area gave a better impression despite the plastic table cloths. Mind you they did seem to have lost our booking. I am not sure about the Cockney sing a long theme, alright for a pub, but if you've gone out for a meal, you don't really want that forced on you.

The food was of reasonable quality and large portions. Irene was disappointed with her Thai green swordfish and felt it didn't taste "home cooked", my steak was good. I am beginning to feel that pubs have upped their charges in the last few years and are now almost at restaurant prices for not really the same quality. Although generally their drink cost remains lower. Perhaps that is unfair and I'll consider that over the next few visits!

The Flying Fox, Sheep Lane (A5) Near Woburn, Beds 01525 290444
Review by Tracy Stephen/Jonty Wild - 20th September 2003

Sample Bill

Tracy and Dave's choice and again struggling to think of somewhere to go. DP (mutual friend) recommended this one.

I should have been a bit suspicious when I rang to book and they said you just turn up. So we went early-ish (7.45pm) and managed to get a table straight away. And straight away I realised it was a Vintage Inn pub which was a bit of a shame as we prefer non-chained pubs. You choose your meal, then order it at the bar, collect a spoon and your food is delivered to your table. There was an unusual choice of starters we had: Crispy bacon and black pudding, mussels, crab cakes and chicken strips. The mains were a bit more bland and run of the mill. We ordered peppered steak, Tornado Rossini and 2 ham hocks in a wholegrain mustard sauce. Lads had puddings of profiteroles and apple and caramel cake.

The service was excellent and the waitress was very attentive.

A pleasant meal, with good company and good food. Wouldn't rush back as looking for something more exciting in the food line and there are other Vintage Inns closer to home.

Jonty's Comments

I found the policy of not being able to book very strange, after all who would want to travel a long way only to find that you weren't able to get in?  And situated as it is right on the A5 it's not as if you can just walk off to find somewhere else to eat.  Still they did have a lot of tables and it seemed like lost of people arrived early (perhaps that was the point of the policy?) meaning that tables were freeing up during the mid to late evening.  The food was okay, but not exceptional value for money and I didn't think that my profiteroles were filled with real cream. 

Tracy's right - for us there are better places much closer.  The bill came to £90.85, but £30.75 was bar, so in fact it wasn't bad for the money.

The Live & Let Live. Pegsdon
Review by Tracy Stephen - 15th November 2004

It has been couple of years since we last visited this one whilst doing a ramble from Pirton one Christmas. Since then its changed hands and internal design. The bar area was surprisingly empty, so most people there were eating. We chose a bottle of wine by the colour of the bottle (it was bright red) and sat down at our table to peruse the menu.

Lots of things to choose from and we had: starters, Dave had (smoked salmon, very good and plenty of it), Tracy had soup, wild mushroom very nice and Irene had (crab ). 

For main courses we had Irene (lamb with cranberry) Tracy (peppered pork fillet) and Jonty (something fishy). Jonty wasn't so keen on his main course but all the others were very good. There were plenty of vegetables. As normal the girls couldn't manage desert, but the boys could. There were a couple of meringue dishes on offer, a couple of chocolate ones but Dave had treacle pudding and custard and Jonty had ? Irene had a liqueur coffee, made with proper cream. The pub was surprisingly free of smoke, as it has low ceilings, but it seemed that the smokers were going outside to smoke. The pub also has a conservatory part so plenty of space to eat in. Definitely one to revisit.

The Plume of Feathers, The Green, Ickleford, Nr Hitchin, SG5 3YD 01462 432729
Review by Jonty Wild - January 2004

Having just walked the Hambridge Way from Pirton, we were ready for some lunch. The lunch and evening menus are the same and there looked like a good, varied selection of “traditional” pub restaurant meals. There is a separate restaurant area at the rear of the pub, but we chose to eat in the bar. The Landlady was somewhat surly and quite abrupt, but the service was efficient and we didn’t have to wait too long for the food.

We had ham, egg and chips (£4.75) nice crumbly, chunky ham, chicken ham and leek pie (£5.75), not a real one, by which I mean it was dish with a pastry topping, but good none the less. Chicken tikka baguette (£3.00p) and soup – leek and potato (£2.50).

The food was good and reasonably priced so this pub might well be a good choice for an evening meal as well.

The Cabinet, Reed (South of Royston) 01763 848366
Review by Tracy Stephen/Jonty Wild - 31st January 2004

Website

Tracy's choice, and this one was recommend by a number of people from the Codicote area and work.

We arrived fairly early and sat in the 'Snug' while we waited for our table. We sat down at a table for 6, always nice to have the extra room. We ordered starters: 2 x oak smoked salmon and sesame onion rings, 1 x halloumi and sun blushed tomatoes, 1 x leek and potato soup - all very good. (Prices for starters from £5-10.)

For mains we had 2 x long horn beef with haggis mash and café au lait sauce, there was so much beef the boys nearly struggled to get through it, 1 x salt marsh lamb with olive and caper sauce and 1 x venison with apple and potato rosti. All the meat was "melt in your mouth". (Prices for main courses were from £14-20.)

For pudding Irene had crème brulee, Dave had sticky toffee pudding and Jonty had raspberry mousse ? The bill was not cheap, coming in at £168.00. The bill did have a discretionary 10% surcharge added to it, which we always hate. However the staff were very friendly and jolly so we paid it. The chairs were very comfy and very well padded.

Fifteen The Restaurant 020 7251 1515
Review by Tracy Stephen - Lunchtime 22nd February 2004

Website

This is Jamie Oliver's restaurant, featured on television.  You know, the one where he took 15 unemployed people and started a business!

It took 2 days to get through on the telephone and you have to book 2 months ahead. By the time we got through there was only lunchtime availability.  At the time of booking we were told that it was a taster menu for £65/head. Everyone was happy so we confirmed our table for 6.

The day arrived and we all turned up. We sat upstairs in the bistro having a beer before going to our table.  Once there we were handed menus, a bit confused by this we ask our very dishy waiter what the score is.  Apparently the taster menu hasn't been working at lunchtimes so they scrapped it.  Karen (who made the booking) was a bit upset about this and thought we should have at least been informed before the day.  He went off to discuss this and came back saying that they will rustle something up for us. 

We then proceeded to eat our way through our 10 courses.  Sounds like a lot of food, but I can assure you it was not.  Some of the courses were literally just a mouthful. All the food was VERY nice (look on the website for the menus). We had a fab time and the staff were all very friendly.  One other annoying thing about eating there on a Sunday is that the on-site baker doesn't work on Saturday night, therefore there wasn't a lot of bread to go round.  I've heard from other people who've been on different days that there was stacks of bread.

Overall I think the whole experience was very over priced. The bill with wine came to £110/head. A 12.5% service charge was added to the bill.  Although I wasn't starving when I came out, I like my food and would have liked a little more.  Everyone else I know that's been really enjoyed it and the food.

Vila Rosa, Brookmans Park
Review by Tracy Stephen - 13th March 2004

Irene's choice and Jonty's birthday so a special occasion.  The restaurant looked quite bright from outside and the car park was full so a good sign.  We were shown to our table by the waitress, but were not asked if we would like our coats taken so we hung them on our chairs. The menu arrived so we perused and ordered drinks.  The waiter dropped the bottle of coke - luckily it had the lid on. There was a mention of 'daily specials' so we felt we couldn't make our minds up until we had heard them.  We were offered bread rolls which we launched into as we were starving.  It was quite a while before the head waiter came over and told us the specials and the wine menu didn't arrive until this point.

Irene had fresh sardines, Dave and Jonty had mushrooms stuffed with dolcelatta and Tracy had spaghetti bolonaise.  All very nice. The waiter then came round and offered Irene and Dave another bread roll, Jonty and I didn't get asked.  We're not sure whether he remembered we had already had some or not.  A while later Jonty was asked if he would like more bread, but again not me - odd, and so to the main course.  Irene had fillet steak, as did Dave (can't remember the sauce?), Jonty had sirloin steak with mushroom and shallot sauce and Tracy had grilled Dover sole. Vegetables were extra and served on side plates.  The waiter came round with the big pepper pot, but again only Irene and Jonty were offered it.  I'm not sure if they were really busy and rushing around of whether he didn't think it would go with our dishes.  A relatively minor point, but Jonty's steak, which was supposed to be medium rare, was rare - otherwise all mains were lovely. Quite a comprehensive sweet trolley, Dave and Irene both had blackcurrant cheesecake and Jonty had cheese. Price £175 for 4 with 2 bottles of wine.  On comparison to La Bella Vita we would rather go there.

Jonty's Comments

I think that we all felt that the interior was a little bright and consequently a bit lacking in atmosphere.  The food was very good, but I didn't think exceptional, particularly when the cost was considered.  I do like rare steak, but at these prices it should be served correctly, having said that I didn't complain (typically British) so they weren't given the opportunity to put matters right.  To be honest, I wasn't that bothered because if the steak is good I'm happy for it to be rare.

The Jackal, Thurleigh
Review by Tracy Stephen - 7th August 2004

www.thejackal.fsbusiness.co.uk

Was really struggling to find somewhere to go and turned to the internet. Did a search on pubs in Bedfordshire and found the Jackal. It was a lovely summer’s day and on arrival we thought the restaurant would be busier but wasn’t may be due to school holidays.

We ordered drinks and settle down on the settee and big chairs to look at the menu. The menu wasn’t huge but everything sounded good. In the end we ordered: 2 goat and hazelnut cheesecakes, an aubergine tower with toms and mozzarella and a roasted tomato dish. All were very good.

For mains we ordered 2 plaice stuffed with spinach and smoked salmon, one beef stir fry and fillet steak stuffed with boison cheese. All were good but the fillet steak was exceptional along with the dauphinoise potatoes. For desert we had 3 sticky toffee puddings (for which the Jackal is famed) and one ice cream. Again all really good. This pub is a bit of a trek but it is worth the drive.

Jonty's Comments

The food was excellent and rarely if ever have we found a more congenial pair of hosts, we spent a long time after the meal discussing, Henlow and Dr Who - by the way it was the McGann Brothers and Paul McGann that we were all trying to think of!

Indian Ocean, Lower Stondon
Review by Tracy Stephen - 15th January 2005

15 January 2005, Indian Ocean, Lower Stondon

A nice surprise when Irene turned up in her new car. So much more room in the back than Jonty's Prelude!. 

Indian Ocean is one of those places that you drive past all the time and never seem to make it in the door.  Car park was very busy - always a good sign. Sat down at our nice round table and ordered papadums.  Then for starters we had onion bhajee, keba puri, aloo chat and tandoori chicken. All very good. Then our eyes went a bit bigger than our belly’s and we ordered mains and sides dishes. Tandoori mixed curry, madhu curry, king prawn bengal. Side dishes were motor ponir, vegetable samber, cauliflower bhajee with 2 peshwari naans, 1 chapati and 2 pulao rices.  Wow so much food. All was very good. Staff were nice and friendly, atmosphere was good. Bill came to £80 for 4 including all drinks. No room for sweets or coffee.

Tables available in the smoking or non smoking section which are completely separated. Toilets were freezing.

Tracy

The Chequers, Fowlmere
Review by Tracy Stephen - 20th November 2004

Jonty had just purchased satellite navigation so we were trying it out. Set off and ended up in Foxton, not where we wanted to be. Bless we think she got confused. (Just a one off she is normally very reliable! - Jonty ).  So then we went to Fowlmere to a pub where I remembered we went to once before, then we cheekily walked into the pub used the toilets and walked out.  Jonty couldn’t remember the name of the pub we were going to, so we ended up driving into the car park of the same pub, thought not may cars here! got out of the car headed for the door and then Jonty remembered it should have a conservatory. Got back in the car and drove down the High Street and found the lovely old coaching pub called the Chequers.

Lovely roaring fire in the bar area and our table was in the conservatory which was warm and totally none smoking. This meal wasn’t cheap but it was very nice.

Jonty's Comments

Excellent food.  Tracy had Plum tomatoes, mozzarella cheese as starter followed by a melange of chestnuts, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella pasta dish,  Dave game pate, baked halibut steak, Irene smoked haddock then fillet steak, which absolutely melt in your mouth tender, I had pheasant breast with avocado pear, then freshwater prawn and mango curry.  Dave also had a date sponge with sticky toffee sauce and I and Irish cheeseboard selection.

Goose Fat and Garlic, Sawbridgeworth
Review by Tracy Stephen - 7th May 2005

Website

Not a good start, Irene had a cold, Tracy a headache and Dave all achy, lucky Jonty was feeling ok (the rest are wimps! - Jonty).

From the outside this place looked very trendy and was packed - always a good sign?  We went to the bar for the initial drink, no beers on draft.  Bought bottles of beer, but insisted on glasses.  We decided to go to our table as it was smoky and there was no where to sit down in the bar.  Our table was shoe horned into a space and we had to ask both adjacent tables to move so we could get into our seats.  We waited for menus, which did take some time.  On arrival it was quite surprising at how few choices there were, the waitress did however offer a couple of specials.

We ordered starters, Irene and Jonty both had squid with a chilli sauce, Dave had crab and crayfish salad and Tracy had venison sausage with onion marmalade.  All very good and tasty although the venison sausage was tiny. 

For mains we ordered steak with pink peppercorn sauce - very good, sea food laska, pesto stuffed chicken and spaghetti and a goats cheese (something ?). All mains were good although my chicken was very lacking in pesto and again tiny.  Deserts for the lads, sticky toffee pudding and toblerone cheesecake. As the evening wore on the non smoking area was filling up with smoke from the bar, but the end of the night it was just as smoky.  Not what you expect from an expensive restaurant.  The acoustics of the place made it difficult for the waitress to hear us and for us to hear her, plus all staff seemed to be under 21.  Me just being ageist.  The bill came to £132 which included drinks consisting of 4 beers, 2 cokes, 1 bottle of water and 2 glasses of wine so not cheap and overall it was a disappointing.

Jonty's Comments

I booked this restaurant on the strength of the name, which is quite unusual.  I did ask for a non-smoking table and was told that the whole restaurant was non-smoking.  It is not good enough therefore, for a fog of smoke to descend from the trendy bar area.  I have 2 examples of how bad it was; firstly when the waitress went outside (to answer her mobile phone) you could see wafts of smoke billowing out of the door from the restaurant; secondly this is the first time that we have felt the need to complain - except when seated in the non-smoking area, but right next to a table full of smokers!  To his credit the manager (very young, but seemingly very efficient) apologised and did say that they were about to install a new ventilation system which would solve the problem and if we cared to book again we would noticed a difference.  The only problem with that offer was that the food wasn't good enough to tempt us to spend another £132 to find out if he was right!  

The Wellington Inn, High Street, Welwyn, Tel 01438 714036
Review by Tracy Stephen - 2005

This pub has been refurbished and is no longer a hungry horse - hooray!  The inside is lovely and modern, staff are very attentive.  I've not eaten here yet but a number of people from work have and say its very good.  I believe you can't book a table its turn up and claim a table.  Food looks very good and reasonably priced from what I have seen.  In the leaflet I picked it up it states that it stocks the 'complete d'Arenberg wines collection from South Australia'.  I think the bar prices are a bit on the pricey side - 2 small glasses of wine one red, one white and a lemonade and lime came to a massive £10!  This Inn has a large car park and beyond it a woodland garden.  Although no flowers I find this garden very relaxing on a Friday lunchtimes, large trees and the river Mimram runs along the bottom of it.  

The Plough, Brockley Green, Hundon, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 8DT, Tel: 01440 786798
Review by Tracy Stephen - 17 July 2005,

Pot luck this one. Irene and Jonty and Irene had booked a Landmark Trust property in Clare for the week and invited us down for the day. It was a glorious Sunday, we arrived at around 10.30 am and had a good look around the property and Clare then went for a pub lunch before setting off on the Clare circular walk. Walk was very hot, but we did manage to stop off at the Antiques Warehouse for a spot of shopping before finishing the walk, then back to the Landmark for a spot of readying and chatting in the garden with a glass or two of Pimms. How very pleasant. We then decided to show Jonty and Irene another landmark property that we had stayed in called Purton Green. It was in the middle of nowhere but we did manage to find it again and even met the family staying in it. They very kindly showed us around. Then it was off to the Plough for dinner.

When I rang to book 2 weeks prior to going the restaurant was booked - a good sign we thought. When we arrived the restaurant didn't look particularly busy and one section of the bar was completely empty, this was the no smoking part of the bar. The waitress was very good fun and took Dave's teasing very well. All the food was nicely cooked, lots of it and good veg.  Lets see if I can remember who had what: Jonty - Goat cheese something, Irene no idea and Dave and Tracy both had the pate made with local Suffolk bacon which was excellent. For mains Dave had a fish platter, Tracy steak and kidney pudding, Irene - did you have the same as Dave ? and Jonty - again no idea. We were all pretty stuffed but Dave managed a pudding which was lush. A chocolate brownie with cream and ice cream. I wish I had had more room to fit it in. A very pleasant end to a lovely day. Found work very difficult for the next few days, I was just so depressed to be back and just wanted to be on hols in Clare.

The only down point was that the bar staff let a table of 5 sit near us one of which wanted to smoke. Why is there always one?  Of course the smoke wafted straight for us so Irene had to ask him to waft it somewhere else.

Coltsfoot, the Country Retreat, Coltsfoot Lane, Bulls Green, Datchworth, Herts, SG3 6SB, Tel: 01438 212800 Info@coltsfoot.com
Review by Tracy Stephen & Jonty Wild - 12 November 2005

www.coltsfoot.com

Irene’s choice and due to a miss-understanding over the booking (they rang to confirm the booking and Jonty, who wasn't supposed to know where it was!) we had a free glass of champagne on arrival which was rather nice!

The bar area was lovely had a roaring stove going, not enough seats for all the diners but his didn’t seem to matter. We chose our meals chatted whilst we waited to be seated at our tables. We sat downstairs in the dining area which was very airy but surprisingly not cold. The seats were large and comfortable.

For starters Dave had gratin of scallops and leaks, Irene had crispy duck, Jonty full English breakfast terrine with poached egg and I had pan seared wood pigeon breasts with caramelused pears.  The duck and scallops were fantastic, the breakfast I was expecting (we normally all try each others - Jonty) to be warm or hot so it was a bit of a shock when it was cold and my pigeon was ok but a bit tough.  For main course Irene and Dave both had fillets of sea bass with a crab risotto and king prawns, Jonty had chicken stuffed with boursin and thyme and I had fillets of lemon sole grilled with lemongrass butter. 

All were very good.  A small amount of vegetables tuned up, in fact so small we didn’t know who they were for – surely not for all 4 of us. Anyway we shared them around. We all had room for puddings, Jonty had the selection of cheese and biscuits cheese, Dave the fresh figs with cream and honey, Irene raspberry and baileys crème brulee and I had dark chocolate torte, which was fab. All followed by coffee in rather posh cafeteria.  The bill came to around £165 which included 2 beers and 2 bottles of wine. Definitely a must for a nice posh meal.

Jonty's Comments

We were treated to a village firework display on the way through.  Nice of the locals to delay their display for us!

Arriving at the restaurant was slightly unnerving - being met with closed gates on the entrance!  But after a moments confusion on the driveway the gates miraculously opened, probably due to our combined will power born out of hunger!

Apparently the restaurant has only recently been opened to the public, previously it was kept for t the hotel's guests.  It is a large well appointed restaurant, in a converted barn, lots of new oak used, so it was difficult to guess the age in the light that we had; simple, but very stylish.  The main dining area is downstairs, but they also have a upper level accessible by stairs.  The seating was wicker chairs, which looked good, but I thought was a bit of a strange idea, still it was quite comfortable and didn't creak so perhaps it wasn't so strange after all.  Quite a lot of space between tables, so surprisingly airy and, although "private" would be the wrong word, you felt that you were not imposing on anyone and vice versa.

The food was very good and the expression is "reassuringly expensive?", but good value for money.  The best starter was the gratin of scallops and leaks.  Mine, the full English breakfast terrine with poached egg, was very unusual and innovative, but I thought would be better served warm.  Absolutely nothing wrong with any of the food, but the fillets of sea bass with a crab risotto and king prawns was perhaps the best.

Oh and we though that the floor tiles in the toilet would look good in our kitchen, mind you how we can be sure that the tile in the gent was the same as the ladies I don't know.

Motte and Bailey, Great Green, Pirton, 01462 712641
Review by Sally Bridge - 3rd March 2007
www.pirton.org.uk/motteandbailey

Went to The Motte & Bailey on Saturday night.  Had not been for a while as was disappointed last time we went under previous management. There were four of us and we all thought the food was really excellent. Only one problem we had that we thought we should point out to others, as nobody told us, you need to go up to the bar to order your food. We sat at our table for twenty minutes waiting to be served and then asked if somebody was going to take our order and were told we had to order at the bar. It would have been handy if we had been told this when we were shown to our table. The only other thing was that we thought the music was a bit too loud if you wanted to have a conversation. But, as I have already said, the food was well worth the couple of problems and we would definitely eat there again.

Review by Jonty Wild - January 2007

As I live in Pirton and as I don't want to be accused of favouritism, I usually try to get others to review the pubs in Pirton, but the Motte & Bailey definitely needs to be on the website. The great food (if fairly expensive) that was served by the previous landlords has gone, due to the "rip off" mentality of many of the 'property landlords' that now own and run pubs, in this case Punch Taverns.  It is difficult to describe these businesses as anything other than property companies, they seem to be solely interested in getting as much rent out of tenants as possible and "hey if they can't make any money, then there'll be another tenant along in while".  Investing and supporting the actual trade in the building seems to not be on the agenda and strategy seems to be that if the tenants want investment in the property to grow a business, well they can do that and then we can up the rent!

Anyway enough of my diatribe. The food is not of the standard of the previous landlord's, but neither is it anywhere near the cost. If you're after good basic food at a reasonable cost (and lots of it) the you could do a lot worse than go to the Motte, you can definitely afford to go here on the spur of the moment.  Well done to the new tenants, good value for money.  I hope that the business goes well for you.

The Well Pub, 181 Stevenage Road, Hitchin, Herts. SG4 9EA.  Tel: 01462 458738
Review by Barbara Primrose - 22nd February 2007
www.thewellpub.com

Formal but friendly attentive service, pretty good food, prices ok, quiet atmosphere on the night we went (Thursday).  Non-smoking establishment.

Zizzi Restaurants in Hitchin, 21 Sun Street, Hitchin SG5 1AH - Tel: 01462 440708
Review by Barbara Primrose - 3rd March 2007
www.zizzi.co.uk

As we wandered by, it looked large enough to cope with a group of 7 non-bookers early one Saturday evening so we ventured in - youngest in party was age 7, oldest over 80. Food was good and reasonably priced. As time progressed towards 7pm the restaurant filled and the atmosphere was buzzin' (or should that be Zizzin'?); would go again.

No12 (12 Bridge Street) Hitchin (01462 431661)
Review by Barbara Primrose - 4th April 2007
www.no12.uk.com

Currently, on the 1st Wednesday of each month, a saxophonist and guitarist plays background jazz in the conservatory. We booked our table for five and were well attended by a young but mature waiter with a good sense of humour (just as well - our friend who is dairy intolerant asked for a dairy-free cheesecake for pud!). The food was excellent: sea bass, seafood pie, chicken x 2 and lamb shank, and the Chilean sauvignon slid down a little too easily. Two courses each plus two bottles of wine and two bottles of cola averaged out about £25 per head - pretty reasonable! Most tables are in the conservatory which is strictly non-smoking. www.no12.uk.com

The Fox, High Street (01462 711101)
Review by Jonty Wild - 6th April 2007
www.pirton.org.uk/thefox

As I live in Pirton and as I don't want to be accused of favouritism, I usually try to get others to review the pubs in Pirton, but the Fox definitely needs to be on the website.

Recently restarted doing food and currently only serve food on Friday and Saturday nights.  The chef Mark is trying very hard to provide restaurant quality food at excellent prices.  He is succeeding!  Prices for main courses are about £6.95.  I had a gorgeous prawn salad starter and cod and chips (yet I know not very restauranty), but others had oven baked steak and stuffed pork escalope with apple sauce.

A word of warning if they are not busy on Friday you may find the menu restricted to steak or fish.

Mark's effort deserve to be successful, I recommend trying the food at the price it is excellent - Pirton residents use it or lose it!

The Gloucester Arms, Great Offley, Nr Hitchin (01462 711101)
Review by Barbara Primrose - 4th May 2007

A Friday evening and we (1 family of 3 - child age 12) hadn't booked but the restaurant was quite large and there was no problem seating us. No longer a pub but a proper restaurant specialising in Chinese food and Seafood; candles, table cloths, great ambiance and friendly, helpful staff. Two of our party are not great fans of Chinese food but it's fair to say that this restaurant turned that around. (Armed with confidence, we tried Aroma a few days later. No contest!).

The food didn't taste over-salted, over-vinegared, over-syrupy, as I find with most Chinese offerings I've tried, and ... we weren't hungry later on!
It was very well presented - a carrot carved into a pagoda decorated one course - and very good value for money (with drinks, under £80 for three courses for two plus an extra main meal, unlimited (non-greasy) prawn crackers, a bottle of really nice chardonnay, two glasses of cola and inclusive tip). We are so going back with friends!

The Highlander, Hitchin and Just Deserts, Hitchin
14th March 2009
The Highlander - 45 Upper Tilehouse Street, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, SG5 2EF 01462 454612
Just Deserts - 12 Bridge St. Hitchin, SG5 2DE - 01462 431661‎

Jonty’s birthday so off out for a meal. The pub was nicely busy and we sat down to pursue the menu. Not a massive menu but things on there for everyone and a few things on the blackboards above the bar. For starters we chose: Jonty and Tracy vol-au-vont filled with wild mushrooms and stilton, Irene Thai Fish Cakes and Dave Goats cheese and walnut salad, all very nice. For mains Dave had Potato, onion and bacon bake, Irene and Tracy had beef bourgione and Jonty had skirt of beef. Again all was good. We looked at deserts which looked good but the lure of Just Deserts was too strong so we paid up and headed out off. The bill at the Highlander came to £86.00 that included a round of drinks and a bottle of wine.

Jonty's comments - They messed up my main course - Skirt of Beef or Scamp?  But we hasve eaten here several time abd this was the first problem and anyway the speed of the correction was impressive, as was the dish.  If you eat here a lot then they need to change the menu a little more frequently, but I think this place represents great value for money.

Just Desserts was still busy although it was approaching 10.15 pm. We all enjoyed what we had Dave Sticky Toffee pudding, Jonty Chocolate Brownie with ice cream and cream, Tracy Classic chocolate sundae and Irene Banoffee crepe. All washed down with 2 hot chocolates and 2 cappuccinos. Bill £25. I thought Just Deserts was a cool place but Dave wasn’t so keen. I think it was the lack of beer that was putting him off.

Jonty's comments - Strange concept, but deserves support

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