We have visited Las Iguanas many times for meals, drinks before the cinema etc etc. On all of these…read moreoccasions I have been impressed by the service and the food and given high star ratings. Unfortunately, this time things went downhill. Not the service, which was exemplary. The food was, once again, of high standard. But........... I had booked, a number of weeks prior, a table for St. Valentines Day. The booking requested a £10 pp reservation fee to be paid. This I did by popping in one lunch time. No problem, they have to make sure of numbers, I assumed. On the evening we arrived and were shown to a tiny table. I asked if we could have a larger table or, preferably, a booth. I was told they were all reserved. I had booked about four weeks ago???? I will say that during the evening at least one couple arrived without a booking and were shown to a booth. The table was, as I say, tiny. OK if you were having a drink and a plate of food. We had fours cocktails, two plates and four tapas plates balanced on that table. Really did take the enjoyment away. I wont say what would happen if a couple ordered two fajitas meals. Impossible to eat it. An order for a specific cocktail was met by sorry we don't have any of ??????. Irish coffee, sorry we don't have any cream. Then when the bill arrived no where to be seen was the £20 deposit. When queried I was told it would be paid back onto my credit card used to pay it???? I paid cash. All in all a totally ruined St. Valentines evening. As the saying goes 'a bad day in the office'. However, it doesn't change my overall thoughts about Las Iguanas. We will be back but, on this occasion, two stars only for the service provided by the girls and the food delivered.

Omg they are so good I wish they would start a chain in america so bad…read more they are beyond amazing the only thing that we have close to them is Bahama breeze and they cant even compare. Everything I legit had on the menu was amazing. I had the prawns, duck tacos sweet bbq wings , and the ribs platter, and caramel cake. Along with the buy one get one free alcoholic beverage it was amazing

I have passed this pub many times on the way into Braintree and have always meant to give it a…read morevisit. Friday, while we waited for a Chinese takeaway to be cooked we made a visit. Entering we were greeted by the landlord with a cheery welcome. The bar had about eight real ales on offer, my heaven. Above the bar was a sign showing that other guest beers would be arriving in the future. Not knowing any of the ales on offer the landlady offered to give me a sample before buying. I believe that you need a full pint to gain the full flavours so I declined and had a pint, then another of a different ale followed by another LOL. The pub has a mixture of ages and characters in it's clientele. On leaving a friendly 'bye' was given by the landlady and landlord. Be sure, I will be returning to this haven in Braintree. It's nice to see that there still is the hospitality in some pubs, an art many have lost.

First of all the people there are very, very nice. The food was great…read more And how you top the amazing beams are 500-year-old farmhouse! As an American, the 1st cup of coffee was quite cool, the 2nd cup was hot enough. When we asked for a glass of water... I was surprised to see ice. Some of you may enjoy ice in your water. If you go, take a few minutes to look around the whole place. It's quite charming.

One thing lacking in Braintree is a 'local' pub for just a drink. Prior to visiting friends on St…read moreValentines night we fancied a drink. The only close pub was Fowlers Farm. I know this pub is more for meals but, on the off chance, we popped in and asked if there was anywhere we could sit to just have a drink. Remember, the night , and I was pleased to see the pub was packed out. The young man said we could use a table pointed out to us but for and hour and a half as it was booked. Let me say that this act has made us want to visit Fowlers for a meal later in the month. Food looked delicious and staff worked so hard. I know the pub has a wonderful outside area for the warmer weather and a pint. In summer we know where to come.

Once again a friends meeting and, naturally, the pick was The Green Dragon. It has never let us…read moredown. Covid precautions still in place, thank goodness. This, I mean, for the safety of customers but, more importantly, for staff. Without the staff, establishments like this cannot open and give decent service. The food and service in this 'pub' had never changed. Always friendly and priced in the region giving everyone a chance of eating out once in a while. Loved the starter of scotch eggs. Was worried that a Scotch egg was a little heavy for a starter but these were a little smaller. That didn't take away how delicious they were. The mains of mussels with fries was a great offer. My parents were Belgian so I was brought up on 'mosselen met frites'. These met my taste buds very well. Still a great pub, great service, lovely atmosphere. Guys #staysafe

Went here with my family after a long day of sightseeing. Grump and hunger all around. The…read moreappetizers, chicken wings and some felafel lime things, soothed our frayed tempers and prepared us to enjoy the meal. I had the Ploughman, which I thought was tasty and lots of fun (as an American I hadn't had anything like it before). My sister had the chicken pie and it was yummy. My mom enjoyed the lamb, but my dad wasn't much impressed with the fish and chips. We got ice cream for dessert and it was very good. Highly recommend the lemon curd sorbet. The service was a bit slow, but the waitress were nice. One was still going through training.

We love family run restaurants that source local produce and The House by Hilly Gant meets all…read morethese requirements. Yes, an odd name but check out the map and look at the lane next to the building. As soon as you enter the warmth of staff and management hits you. So friendly. Shown to a table on their patio because it was during a warm spell. Nice to eat al fresco, normally abroad but not the UK. Drinks order taken and they arrived promptly. Small menu, thank goodness. A hate is large menus that cannot provide the quality. Wine list is of a reasonable range at reasonable pricing. Our first course arrived. Wonderful chilli prawns in garlic butter on toasted sourdough bread. Delicious. The main course was difficult to choose. My partner decided on Essex grass-fed beef, medium rare. That looked to me, a brilliant choice. Cooked to perfection and, she said, tasted exquisite. Was I jealous? No way, as my East coast skate wing covered the plate. Pan-fried with a parsley and parmesan crumb. Skate wing is deceptive as the 'meat' covers both sides of the wing. Too much for me as I gave in after about 75%. After a short break we shared a platter of cheeses. I did like that the biscuits were my favourite of water biscuits. My choice as the minimal flavour doesn't distract the subtleties of the cheese. All in all a wonderful evening. Professional, friendly service. Nice ambience. Thank you everyone. See you again soon.

Best food in Braintree! Our group of 8 had a fantastic lunch here. The service was outstanding and…read morethe food was delicious.

Great for weddings and other special occasions; exhibitions and conferences. A great 1950's/1960's…read moremotor themed bar too. https://www.facebook.com/The-Benson-WeddingParty-Suite-745228675511195/timeline/

We had to travel to Essex on a last minute appointment so hotels were mostly fully booked so we…read morebooked this hotel from a popular booking website as it was one of the few available . It won the dubious award of best hotel in a tv series of three is a bed . It sounded like a hotel however when we arrived it was obviously more of a local pub with rooms. The rooms were quite nicely decorated and the two we looked at had four poster beds but the bathroom was not of a high standard and just had a shower cubicle with a curtain . The best thing about the place was a member of staff called David who lit up the drab bar with his smile and cooked us a decent evening meal.

I hadn't been into the Bull for many months so, while in town, I thought I would pop in for a…read morelunchtime pint or two. What a shock I got, it was DEAD. Nowhere were the usual crowd of lunchtime drinkers. I was served immediately by a friendly face but on my second pint the server had changed. This one was serving coffee to another client. No problem there but as she walked past me on about three occasions I wondered if I was there or just a mirage in her eyes. I was ignored with not even a 'sorry, I'll be with you in a moment'. Then, when I was served, by a totally sour face. I was in there about an hour and a half and during that time I estimate three people entered. Not the Old Bull that I remembered. Next lunch will be at Wetherspoons or The Horse and Groom.

Great wee spot in Halstead. Was staying here over the weekend and decided to have dinner and a pint…read morein the evening, though was slightly disc