This venue was previously the Welshwood Pub, now reinvented as La Cascada. It specialises in…read moreSpanish cuisine Monday to Saturday, from the resident Spanish chef, switching to an English chef serving roasts on a Sunday. The hosts and staff were very welcoming and accommodating to our family of four - two adults and two young children. Alongside the spanish menu sits the childrens menu, serving a limited range of kid friendly meals, all of which appealed to our two, whilst we enjoyed a selection of superb tapas from the menu. The atmosphere was relaxed, with a number of other families dining in the restaurant. To the rear of the restuarant, lies a patio with tables and beyond that, the garden, laid to lawn - a good sized area. On Sundays in the summer, the menu offers a traditional roast, or a barbeque (weather permitting) which is very popular. Overall, this resutaurant gets a big thumbs up for friendliness of the staff, quality and presentation of the food and accommodation of the dining guests. We'll definitely be returning.

Lovely Tapas, tasteful music, amazing Paella, friendly staff... What more can you ask for!read more

What was I supposed to think when I was repeatedly given warning about what The Odd One Out was…read moregoing to be like? I was clearly instructed not to dress up for this place and not to expect much. So I didn't. When you walk in to TOOO it's as if you're stepping back in time and right away I recognised the wallpaper as being the exact same that my Grandfather has at home in NY from the 1960's, so I automatically felt comfortable. I laughed actually. Look around and it's as if not a single thing has been moved since it was put up there for the first time, whether it be pictures, the wood in the fireplace or the old man at the bar. You can nestle up next to one of the fireplaces, which you'll need to on a snowy winter night like when we were there. Get yourself your pints, or as I prefer, the spectacular cider from one of the barrels lined up on the bar. We're talking 7% alcho content people! On cider! Get some crisps for you and your mates and sit back talking about how old and great this pub is. In a town that is hailed as "the oldest recorded town in England" and hosts meeting for the Colchester Historical Enactment Society you surely can't go wrong. A place like this made me feel right at home like my own American dive bar, but in the States we don't have such grand cider served from wooden barrels or a lovely old fella giving out warm Christmas mince pies with joy. This place is top notch. Here are a few vital tips to help you survive a pub that could easily knock you on your arse whether it be by the cider, the step you drunkenly miss, the old man or the bar keep... 1. Don't you dare answer your cell phone here. This is a rule I LOVE like no other. Seriously, watch even pulling it out of your pocket if you know what's good for you. 2. Don't be surprised if you think someone's talking to you and they're not or if they're talking to you and you don't realise. There's no music to get in the way of a conversation, but all that quiet makes it sometimes confusing. 3. Good luck in the ladies room. You could really freeze your butt to the toilet if you're not careful. 4. And, if you're lucky enough to pull while in TOOO, feel confident in knowing that the condom machine is fully stocked. P.S. please don't start coming here and making it THE cool spot in Colchester. I want to find a seat when I return next Christmas, preferably by the fireplace.

The Odd One Out or Oddy as the regulars like to call it, is a cosy pub not far from Colchester…read moreTown-station. Its decoration and the crackling fire make you feel like coming home instead of entering just an ordinary place to have a drink or two. The Oddy is most famous for its delicious ciders from the region and got most recently awarded as the East Anglian Regional Cider Pub of the Year by the Campaign for Real Ale, but you also get a nice range of Scotch and of course ale here. The crowd is mixed from young to old and always friendly just like owner John Parrick, who has a few rules, though, like no swearing and no usage of mobile phones inside the pub. But once you tried one of the aforementioned ciders you want to enjoy it with no disturbance from the outside world anyway. And on top of all that the prices are low and to quote a good friend of mine This is one of the few places where you still get a pint when you order a pint.

We had passed this restaurant many times on our way to the 'other' seafood establishment in West…read moreMersea. On Christmas we received, from a relative, a gift voucher for The West Mersea Oyster Bar. So, yesterday, we decided to give it a try. We hadn't booked but decided to take a chance as it was quite early and the restaurant was just readying itself for the lunchtime rush. They found us a table, luckily, as a large group had a couple drop out. Loved, immediately, the ice box full of wonderful fresh seafood. It looked so inviting. Sitting at the table we were immediately asked for a drink order. My partner chose a white wine, a large one. However we were told there was only one size so we decided on two LOL. I chose a bottle of Efs. Unusually, a Turkish beer that we had tried on holiday. And, extremely unusual, Turkish wine on the list. The food was then ordered. Six oysters, plate of cockles and a platter for two. As it turned out, way too much for the normal two persons. All of it totally delicious. It arrived with a bowl of fresh bread and butter. Certainly, a feast. I find it odd, as a lover of oysters, that restaurants in a close locality charge up to £5 each whereas, here just over £5 buys you half a dozen. As they say in the Monty Python film, The Life of Brian, 'What did the Romans ever do for us?' Thank you for Gigas oysters. The locals are really good too. If you aren't into fresh seafood as it comes, then they do a fantastic range of battered fish and chips. Having seen what arrives out of the kitchen, may try them next time. Or the lobster, or the scallops, or the scampi or the, or the etc etc. It all looked brilliant. If you are down West Mersea and are feeling hungry, give them a try. You won't be disappointed.

The absolute freshest fish available!…read more Batter was perfect on the haddock, the scallops were cooked perfectly, and the lobster is my mother in-laws favorite. I don't care if you're full, get the Lemoncello desert too. Light and delicious with the perfect tang. You really ought to book ahead, especially if it's cold and outside seating isn't an option. There's a reason why celebs and royalty regularly order from this place!