Fishcakes
Gables

Gables

14-16 Newgate Street Village Hertford, Hertfordshire SG13 8RA, United Kingdom

Steak • Pasta • Italian • Seafood


"Firstly, I am somewhat amazed at the reviews theis venue has based on our visit on Saturday evening. We arrived 45 minutes early for our table for 4 persons at 7.30pm as I had called ahead at lunchtime asking if they had a bar area that we could sit and select from the menu in advance of being seated in the restaurant. I was given the impression that they had a lavish area for this purpose. However, this was not the case and we were shown to our table on arrival which was probably the worst location in the restaurant that was sparse of diners at that time. I will elaborate on our table location as it made for a negative night. It was a circular table placed in a “gap” between the original restaurant area and what appeared to be an extension to the restaurant. This gap did have curtains that could have been closed which would have curtailed guests and staff squeezing between the wall and one of our chairs but when asked the Owner said he would not close them……. In fairness, “Theo” the Owner did offer the choice another two alternative tables but both were in no better location! We sat and ordered drinks and were provided with menus. The drinks arrived in a timely fashion and were made fine. I also ordered some wine which was decanted and allowed time to breath before being served. The wine was an Amorone but the year did not warrant the price he was charging but nonetheless was quite good. We placed our food order and in doing so I asked if chef would add a simple fried egg to top the steak I had ordered. I was told by Theo that he was down a number of staff on the evening shift and could not provide the egg. How many people would we have needed to fry an egg???? To be honest the whole experience was not worth almost £500.00 even though the food fine. We also found it disturbing the way Theo tried to control the waiting staff this may have been because they were young or new to the role but we felt that the staff did a good job and didn’t need micro managing! I am always curious when a front of house individual, who gives the impression he is in total control, loses the plot mid service. I did tell Theo I would give a poor review and he pretty much dismissed me so I dug a little deeper and it would appear the restaurant has suffered financial issues in the very recent past…….. this information is in the public domaine through Google. All in all we were so disappointed with a venue that appears to have a wealth of happy diners from their reviews……. It’s NOT that good Guys!!!"

The White Swan

The White Swan

Ash RoadAsh, Sevenoaks, United Kingdom

Pub • Cakes • British • Breakfast


"I have just got back from an unfortunately VERY disappointing meal here today. I was recommended this place by a friend who said the food was great, and as it is so local to me we thought we would try. However, we went in and first off the only menu was a Sunday one which just offered various meats with standard roast accompaniments, no matter o chose a steak as it said it came with chips and onion rings. My first mistake. Secondly we ordered some bread and olive oil and balsamic dip. And a lamb shank. It took 53 minutes for the kitchen to send out our order and we didn’t even get the bread and olive oil to pick on. We had to ask a very rushed looking waitress how long table 59 would be, and could we at least have our bread and dip. She went in and came out another 5 minutes later with two plates one with bread and oil and another with some kind of pate on it. I said straight away we hadn’t ordered it so she took it away and then reappeared 5 minutes later carrying the same plate and saying that we had in fact paid for it so it was ours. No refund or apology was offered so I graciously said ok, we will try it. It was AWFUL, really warm pate and the bread was dry. Awful. Now onto the mains; My steak turned up with peas which I did not order. It was also bland and unseasoned and was brought dry with no sauce options or anything. I ate a few mouthfuls and ate 5 chips and I honestly couldn’t eat anymore as it was just tasteless and chewy. The lamb shank was ok, the gravy with it had no flavour at all and there was no salt or pepper offered or on the table at all ‍. We waited another 35 mins and no one came over to check or ask us if everything was ok. In the end. We got so fed up we left. I am incredibly disappointed, I never moan or put up reviews but I actually feel seriously unhappy that a meal for two cost me £65 in a mediocre setting and was flavourless. That combined with being charged for a starter neither of us would ever order in a million years and the fact we had to clear our own table and dust ash off of it gave me an experience I’m massively unhappy about. For a restaurant with apparent 4 stars online it was mediocre at best. And that is only because the lamb shank and a few mushrooms on my plate were edible and I was hungry! I really would like to hear back from someone, and for you to morally do the right thing and have my ‘unordered’ starter refunded back to me at some point. I have no issue in returning in the future however I would like some assurance that the whole experience will be far better and that all the issues here are addressed to give me an incentive to come back again."