Ginola14's Reviews

OK, a curate's egg if ever there was one.
Some background.
My wife and I moved to the Knebworth area of Hertfordshire around 7 years ago. We have tried most new, existing and recommended restaurants. We dine out at least once a week and have travelled as far as L'Enclume in the Lakes for their awesome taster menu, Jamie's 15 in Cornwall for lunch and trawled most of London for quality and value, not necessarily mutually exclusive.
Maybe 4 years ago we ate here one evening – and were very very impressed. It would appear that the restaurant has changed hands. On the surface – and having called ahead to confirm the experience we were looking for – the menu and conversations were promising.
However we were looking for something similar to that which we had received some 4 years ago – journeying 24 miles for my father's 75th birthday. We didn't receive it.
Unfortunately I have had to score as above and I'll explain why.
Food&drink.
With 3 of us having 3 courses I allocate 1 point for each of the 9 plus an additional point discretionary for drink.
Starters – mushroom risotto, baked egg & smoked salmon and tomato soup. Only the soup failed. 2 points. Mains – venison pie, chicken&mush pie and beef goulash with chorizo. Nil points
Deserts – 2 peach melba specials and a baked apple and creme freche crepe. NIL points
Discretionary point – had to walk to bar to ask for drinks twice – and on the bill had added extra tonics and bits that hadnt been used. Additional order of chips – not crispy, damp, lifeless and nearer to McCains wedges.
So food 2.
Detailed reasons
soup – clearly not home made – no attempt at garnish. tasteless other 2 starters really very tasty indeed – the highlights
pies – over priced, underfilled, poor pastry, too dry.
goulash – meat very tasty – but no evidence of ANY chorizo within the stew. Queried this – and the evr helpfyul waitress took the pot to the kitchen where cold chorizo was sliced and added to my dish with gay abandon.
chips seriously rubbish.
Service.
A… More

The Saveur is a restaurant “added onto the side” of the Rustic Pub Company at 65 High Street Codicote, which I THINK used to be the Bell Inn.
We have lived in the area for 6 years. In our opinion this is the best combination of excellent food and value for money that we have experienced in that time. And we are spoilt for choice with Reed, Datchworth, Welwyn and Hitchin all within 20 minutes.
We were one of only 2 tables occupied at 845pm on a Friday evening. A total of 6 covers that we could see – and maybe that is to credit for the sublime personal service received, including a lengthy discussion with the chef/patron Liam.
Nevertheless complimentary cava with cassis on arrival and an amuse bouche of deep fried frogs legs in a light tempura style batter with mayonnaise and micro corriander (from Kent) were very well received, the latter herb proving somewhat amazing in its depth of flavour.
We both started with foie gras on a caramelised onion bread topped with a poached duck egg. A fricasse of wild mushrooms competed with these ingredients in a non-supporting role. Only issue i would have was the mushrooms not being quite “woody” enough for my liking – although this may be a personal idiosyncracy. At £6.50 we are already well ahead in the game.
Moving on, my 28 day aged beef with Guinness jus cooked “bleu”, was perfect. The fondant potatoes a prefect accompaniment.
Hazel advised that her rose veal with wild mushrooms and cashew blue sauce way exceeded her expectations. Indeed the “best veal since the chop served at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas on our honeymoon in 2005”. For me the accompanying basket of baby carrots, green beans and other vegetables was a distraction – and not needed. But for the “portion hunters” of Hertfordhire out there, this will go down very well.
Hazel who had, bizarrely, eaten before she came out, could go no further and surrendered to coffee. I went “all in” with a delicoius, individual apple tarte tartin whose sweetness and flavours beautifully… More

You simply cannot beat the location of this charming country estate out-building nestling on the far banks of the “great house's” lake. I have had birthday bashes here – and took my wife on our first date here (a September 11th Saturday lunch – not THAT Septemebr 11th).
A fellow reviewer is spot on – a great cheeseboard is a massive measure of what a place is all about. The cheese board here is one of the finest in the UK, say no more.
Very difficult to fault much other than the prices – but I guess greatness comes at a cost. I find the Auberge du lac a bit like taking a London taxi – an indulgence. You know you can get to your destination much cheaper, only you know that this is the best way to do it. And unfortunately no matter how rich or poor we find ourselves, its almost impossible to take your eye off the meter as it clocks up the pounds and pence. If value is near faultless cooking, service and presentation then this is a 10.
If value means not costing an arm and a leg, then you have to score this down.
Nevertheless, every visit is exciting and a joy. But dont blow your last £200 to attend.

a few summers ago this was my favourite “pint in the sun” escape-away lunchtime retreat. On a sunny warm day very few places compare in the capital. and despite the waste of tax-payers money, the dome/O2 remains a stunning backdrop. the quality of the food here has never been in doubt.
And one Sunday we popped in for a “late lunch” ahead of an O2 show, as we have become dispirited by the rubbish and cost of feeding under the tent. My current wife having never been there, I was excitedly looking forward to her reactions.
Initially i “threw the toys out” a little as i was advised that it would be “Sunday lunch” menu only and no a la carte treats for us – and then the bar steward brought be the wrong beer. My wife sensed trouble brewing…but I self calmed, in truth becuase I couldnt be arsed to look elsewhere.
the food then started to come.
from warm “breads” to perky espresso to close it was brilliant. no point in going into massive details – as the menu will change week to week. But there was wonderful taste in the belly of pork. the vegetables and accompanying apple compote balanced perfectly. the broth I started with was actually perfect. as i say I was up for a fight and then ended up leaving a tip.
The manager here – whoever they are – runs a ship tight enough for the Admiral himself. responsive staff and a well numbered team. And ive only marked the service down because of the early cock up on the drinks.
Most importantly my wife loved it – and what initially looked like letting down my “bigging-up” of it on the way over, became a warmly basked “told you so” on leaving. not the cheapest – but the better ones shouldnt need to be.