The Haywain - Menu

The Cross Inn

➤ Horsley Cross, CO11 2NX, Tendring, United Kingdom

Menu • Cafés • Pizza • Steak • Asiatic

---

"Came here for a pre Christmas lunch with the family. My sister brother in law have passed many times it's always looked busy popular, so we thought we'd give it a try. Really pleased we did: a warm friendly welcome, a great choice of menu good service. Baked camembert looked spot on, my beetroot, red onion stilton tart was a perfect starter. My brother in law can be quite specific in what he likes his prawn starter was soon cleared so it must have been good! Main courses weren't a let down either: steak kidney pie was home made veggies cooked perfectly. My sister had chicken goujons which were also home made looked delicious. No space in our bellies for desert, but they all sounded appealing. There was a Christmas pud listed it was so refreshing to see a note on the menu letting people know it's not home made it would be so easy for the team here to pass the pud off as theirs, so I applaud their honesty. Will definitely be back it's great to have somewhere we can spend quality time together whilst also being able to enjoy good food."

The Brantham Bull

➤ The Street, Babergh, United Kingdom, CO11 1PN

Menu • Meat • Steak • Salads • British

---

"Been twice before fine. Last Friday October 27th husband said shall we book the Bull for tomorrow? I said ask when is skate next on the menu? Husband came off phone said got skate today and lady said if any left it will be on tomorrow so have asked her to save you a wing and she agreed. Upon arrival went in sat down asked what drinks we wanted ordered. Same lady took our food order. Husband ordered Garlic mushrooms i declined a starter as did not know how big the fish would be, I noticed on the specials board skate done in frying pan with capers so said to husband better make sure if i can have in batter, Husband went to speak to this lady who was behind the bar area and she said yes no problem. I say with my drink why husband ate his starter and then we sat and sat and by the clock in front of us about 15 minutes. Then a man came up and took husbands starter plate away and we sat and sat and out came husbands steak and my fish/chips asked if wanted sauces said yes and asked for vinegar. Upon opening the fish to put the vinegar on having noticed the batter was dull and not glistening like should be this batter was like a suet crust that thick and dense. Nobody came to ask if all okay so ate the fish had better and put the rest aside to take home for our dog, I noticed people coming in through the other door and going to the bar and getting served and we were ignored, Then i waved my hand and a lady came over and i said this batter is awful thick and doughy and i can taste flour as though not cooked through properly. She said will tell the Chef. Whilst been waiting for attention had noticed another lady laying up a table in the distance as said to my husband laying for non existent people and ignoring us. First lady came back and i asked what did the Chef say she said have not spoken to her yet thought she said her, She said do you want to speak to Chef i said yes. Then this lady who had been laying up a table earlier came up and i asked her who are you ? she said what do you mean who are you i asked are you the Chef? Then suddenly this man appeared and said i will not have you being rude to my staff. I said have not been rude to anyone and he looked at my husband and said and you whistled at my wife. My husband is in his eighties why would he whistle at some middle aged woman and it turned out she was the one that took our order when we first sat down, Surely if my husband had whistled she would have said something to him unless she needs a mouth piece meaning her husband to speak for her. I said since coming in i have not got up Chef said i know and i went on have not left my husband and assure you he has not whistled anyone.. Chef said to husband if you have not i take that back then, Then went on he did not want any money for our food, I said about the awful batter he did not want to know, For the benefit of the few people eating and listening he was trying to deflect my complaint about the food and infer we were rude customers by husband whistling and me complaining. Forgot before Chef came out the first lady said Chef said there is nothing wrong with the batter. To which i said i am eating it and paying for it not him so he cannot tell me what is okay and what is not, Perhaps that was construed as being rude because he tried to tell me the same when he came out and i said do not talk to me like i am five. We got up to leave and then he said to my husband in future do not whistler at my wife as if we would go back there again this was after he had said i take that back then if you did not whistle my wife."

Marlborough Head Inn, Dedham

➤ Mill Lane, CO7 6DH, Colchester, United Kingdom

Menu • Steak • Vegan • British • Vegetarian

---

"Stayed on december 9th Saturday. What a lovely, friendly, welcoming place. The room was amazing, very clean and fresh, and the bed was like sleeping on a cloud. Dinner was fantastic, and we had a good choice of vegetarian options. Staff were very attentive and pleasant. Would highly recommend staying here and we are looking forward to a return visit in the future 5 Rooms: 5"

Riverside Fish And Chips

➤ 7 Riverside Ave W, CO11 1UN, Tendring, United Kingdom

Menu • Fish • Seafood • British • Fast Food

---

"So we revisited tonight as our previous visit was a success. However tonights food was a little short of a disaster. We as a couple, always order 2 medium Haddock and a portion of medium chips to share between us. Older age being the reason that a few chips each normally suffices. If this is the ‘new medium’ chips, then it needs labelling as ‘small’. We seriously considered the local Harwich chip shop for another portion!! Tonights meal was taken away to Harwich to eat. Both of the Medium Haddocks were more of a small size to be honest, but that aside, it tasted Nothing like Haddock tastes. Its a ritual for the pair of us on a Friday night to have fish and chips and we both know what Haddock breaks apart and tastes like. Tonights so called Haddock was a lot drier than anywhere else does it. The flakes as you would normally break it would be larger and more of the size of a dessert spoon. These were very small and dry without the same taste. We both said this is not Haddock and didn't finish either of them. Disappointed with tonights serving and i need to hear some good things from there for us to return."

Boathouse

➤ Mill Lane, Colchester, United Kingdom, CO7 6DH

Menu • Full • Steak • Lunch • Drinks

---

"Our visit to the restaurant was great. We ordered a boatyard burger and a ploughman's, both of which were generous portions that we were able to share with our two-year-old. The dishes were of great quality and very tasty. Despite the busy atmosphere, the wait wasn't long, especially considering the number of customers they had to serve. I would rather wait for freshly cooked homemade food in such a beautiful setting than be served quick, microwaveable meals like you would find at lower quality establishments. The staff were helpful, polite, and attentive. We also took a boat ride, which was a lot of fun. Our young daughter especially enjoyed it. Well done to the boatyard team. We are looking forward to coming back again soon!"