I ordered a 10oz fillet steak on Saturday 19 November. It came folded in half and was hard to cut and eat. There is no way that this was fillet steak, my friend later said he thought it was braising steak but on reflection I believe it was a piece of skirt. I should have sent it back but we were tired and I didn't want to embarrass my friend. My friend said his venison was not good either. read more

Marconato is one of my favourite restaurants in England. It is an Italian restaurant, split over two levels, serving a wide range of traditional and more contemporary dishes, and there really is something for everyone. I heartily recommend the Mozzarella In Carrozza (Deep fried mozzarella in bread crumbs with salad and Marconato dressing) for a starter. I do love melted cheese and this cholesterol-laden dish is up there with the best of them. For a main courseyou can take your pick, but their pizza is very good if you like the genuine article. Aside from the food what makes this place good are the following hit points: 1) It's not overly expensive 2) It's ALWAYS busy so you need to book, but it shows the success of the place 3) They're very child friendly 4) The entertainment The entertainment takes place upstairs and changes throughout the year. It consists mostly of 'Stars In Their Eyes' style soundalikes and though I've never been myself (I think it's more of a girly thing) my wife and friends have all highly rated it and had a great time. Apparently the George Michael soundalike is the best?! There is a great atmosphere in the place and definitely suits being as busy as it is. A regular venue for us, and one for you once you try it I'm sure. read more

Marconato - Italian Near Me - Hoddesdon, HRT

Marconato's is one of the two Italian restaurants in Hoddesdon. It's a charming little restaurant with a ton of tables, a full bar in the back and a little patio out front for summer evenings. We had a lovely dinner here and really enjoyed it. But...with the wooden fllor, the high ceiling and a million tables packed into one little room you really have to shout to make yourself heard at all. My ears were ringing when we left! Maybe it was an odd night, but next time I'm taking earplugs. read more

Marconato - Italian Near Me - Hoddesdon, HRT

No, just no. My husband and I were staying on a boat (so British of us) for a wedding in Hertfordshire and would often walk into town including Hoddeson for food and what not. My husband is of Italian descent and I love the cuisine too, the restaurant looked open and inviting and we thought why not? I get the feeling that the owners are not actually Italian, which is a big no in my book. Call me traditional, or whatever you want I don't care but I like Italian restaurants which are old school where the family recipes are secretive and someone is in the back slicing garlic much like Paul Sorvino in Goodfellas. The staff was very kind, so the 1 star has nothing to do with service provided, only the actual food. The food was lackluster. The 'fresh' lobster linguini tasted like Chef Boyardee and my husband's pasta Carbonara looked positively inedible with chunks of cheap looking ham strewn about. Presentation was so so, flavor was bad, but we didn't complain. We just tried to eat a few bites, paid and left. I kept looking around at locals but everyone was seemingly enjoying their food. I guess in a small city this is one of the only games in town. Maybe I am spoiled because there are so many great Italian restaurants near me, and I have also traveled around Italy for 3 months sampling the best of the country's culinary delights. Tourists if you're looking for food stick to fish and chips or Indian food-something the British have mastered. read more

Great restaurant, must book for peak times as its the best in the area! Good facilities, toilets a bit dated though, with a magnificent function room upstairs. As for the food, very high quality ingredients, and some unique specials (I'll leave that for you to find out!)! I would recommend the Calamari as a starter, and I found after multiple visits that Penne Arrabiata does it for me! It is quite expensive, however once you have finished, you won't care! read more

I love this place! We visit regularly and have never had any complaints. Always great food and service whenever we visit. The tribute nights are great fun too and always have a good atmosphere. The extensive menu is full of variety and caters for everyone and its a great place for families with children. read more

I have visited this restaurant on at least 3 occasions and have been disappointed every single time. This is not authentic italian cooking. I do not think that the food is freshly cooked to order. The prices are not high so I haven't complained but would not return!! The service is less than impressive with servers are constantly in a rush and do not seem to care particularly about the customers. read more

Must be the worst presentation of food I've ever seen. The Risotto dish was white - no garnish whatsoever - and contained RECONSTITUTED chicken! The 'salad' accompaniment to my dish consisted of shredded lettuce. Overpriced and yet people flocked there like lemmings! read more

i guess its a good local restaurant if you live in herts, otherwise not worth travelling to.

This cosy Hertfordshire Italian institution always buzzing with media executives,business personal & popular locals -invariably packed .The owner of Marconato takes its food very seriously & the food is always consistant every time you go !The House Specials is wondrously good especially the fillet steak - one best in the UK,Spaghetti with lobster,veal milanese - which makes demands of the kitchen ,but the staff get the all-important timing right and know how to look after demanding guests , add to this convivality , superb wines and prices which are low can be .For our money , this is one the nicest places to eat in Hertfordshire or pershaps whole of Europe . read more