Great food, service and ambiance. I will return again. One of Chelmsfords best kept secretsread more

There are so many amazing hidden gems in Essex, and Russell's Restaurant is one of them…read more The building dates back to 1372, and is a converted barn. Before it was a restaurant, it was a woodshed, where my grandfather would go to buy wood. The restaurant has kept some of the original features, like the beams and high vaulted ceiling, which gives it a very rustic feel. The food is mostly French inspired, but mostly locally sourced (something I always like to see!) For my starter, I had the seared king scallops, which were served with a pea and asparagus compote, black pudding and black truffle oil. Scallops are one of my favourite things, and if it's on a menu it's a pretty safe bet that I'll be ordering it. These, in my opinion, were perfect - which is very high praise, as scallops are really easy to get wrong. These were perfectly seared and crisp on the outside, but really juicy inside - not at all stringy (which is the worst!) and the combination of asparagus, black pudding and truffle oil was divine. My dinner date had the chicken liver parfait, a pate served on toasted brioche with a sultana and sauternes jus. This was followed by a main course of duck - a seared Gressingham duck breast served with duck rillette bon bons, roasted pommes de cocotte potato and sauteed pak choi with cumberland jus. The duck was beautifully cooked, and the meat was meltingly tender. For my main course, I went for the Tournedos Rossini, served medium rare. The aged fillet of Aberdeen Angus beef was served on top of a potato and parsnip rosti, and was topped with seared foie gras, baby spinach, truffle oil and a wild mushroom jus. Basically, it was a whole list of my favourite ingredients on top of one another, and it was delicious. The flavours were delectable, and the whole dish was presented impeccably. After dinner I went for a coffee followed by a coconut and Malibu pannacotta topped with toasted coconut and sweet candied pineapple. The standard of the food and service is really impressive - and the venue has a lot of character, and for the quality of the meal, the price is really quite reasonable.

Flower gate, won't be missed. Like Italian food, but hard to read the menu. Anyway, Pizza, never…read morewrong! Mushroom Pizza, a little salty but still yummy.

The County Hotel is a solid example of a quality small hotel. THe hotel has excellent green…read morecredentials and have taken the time to outline these for each guest. The hotel is still udnergoing some upgrade of it's bedrooms. Make sure if you book with them you have a room that has been upgraded. The beds are not comfrtable in the older rooms and the furnishings are tatty. Some of the rooms, particularly those in numbered 60-69 are in the attic. I recently stayed in Room 69, which overlooks an internal courtyard. These are not to be recommended for a few reasons (cooking smells, lack of proper ventilation and noise from other rooms) I would suggest if you are offered a room in the 60's to ask for one that does not face onto the internal courtyard. Having said that those three problems aside the room was very comfortable. The service at the County was excellent for a small hotel, the food is excellent, locally sourced and organic.

An annual get together with a couple of friends so we decided to give The Lion Inn another go. It…read morewas brilliant the last time. This time was exactly the same. A wonderfully large pub/restaurant with seating outside, subject to the British climate. We decided not to take the chance and sat inside to take in the ambience and wall furniture that adorned this pub. Old metal adverts, bric a brac and other interesting paraphernalia. We ordered the sharing fish ploughmans. A wonderful feast with plenty to share. Our friends opted for Haddock and chips and corn-fed chicken breast. Both went down a treat. Followed by Crumble with custard, Sorbets, Ice cream and a huge cheese board. Then great coffee. All for a reasonable price with very friendly, professional service. Loved the place, staff are brilliant and helpful. Would we go back.....a definite YES.

Great pub off the A12, I believe it also doubles up as a hotel, open planned kitchen facing the bar…read more& eating area, good buzzy atmosphere. Simple very good pub food & check the specials, normally I shy away but I chose the Morrocan lamb with cous cous, perfectly slow cooked & tasty, my customer had the seabass & salmon with cream & leeks - gutted I didn't order it, all the fish dishes looked amazing. The puddings are all home made, I chose the lemon meringue pie...one of the best I've had recently. I'd be glad to come back if I was in the area.

rude management I was shocked by the way the General Manager…read moretreats guests, she clearly doesn't want to help or accommodate anyone

If you fancy a bite to eat and go to a chain restaurant in this area, M&C are the better of the…read moretwo. Been eating here for a while and always greeted with a smile and the food the food is always very nice. nothing to get really excited about as it is a chain place but it does seem as if they are paid enough to care about the food they are serving. Good apres cycle food unlike the Rotting Fox & Road kill Raven, next door. Do not get these two places confused, you might not live to regret it.

The restaurant at this address is now called Olio. Still Italian but either new owners or change…read moreof name. Food was good but service was very, very slow. We arrived for an 8 PM booking - table not ready and nowhere to wait except downstairs in the 'bar' which was now an extension of the restaurant with diners seated at tables. Not sure how long the starters took -at least 45 mins and at 9:40 PM I asked after the main course to receive the explanation 'we cook everything fresh - nothing frozen'. We were not in a hurry but 3 hours for a meal is slow! Staff were friendly but they have overstretched their capacity!

So was going to check on bookings where I could easily book. Was greeted by lovely staff. We…read morearrived just before the time and were seated right away. Out drink orders were taken and any dietary requirements were addressed. We were then told the coffee machine wasn't working when asked for a coffee. We then walked to the queue and which very slow. Managed to get food after 20 minutes queue at least and there was no more Yorkshire puddings after the last were taken but they were flat and undercooked. After sitting down I went to have a refillable drink where the ice machine was not working also. After sitting back down to eat I was unable to eat much as it was overcooked dry and burnt. Somethings were edible. After hearing another table didn't like it, realising the cooks were poorly trained. Won't be returning. Not the staffs fault but the business should be held accountable. Then seeing customers walking in and then waking straight back out after seeing the queue past the bar area and towards the entrance I wouldn't blame them. But they were under staffed and the place could have a better equipment

This pub has a very cosy atomsphere, on one side the pub is lovely big leather cosy sofas to sit…read moreand enjoy and drink. And on the other side are tables where you can eat a lovely meal which are very well priced. Also theres a large outside tabled area which is lovely to sit in the summer time. Theres also a smoking hut under shelter for all those smokers! Its a lovely little place to go and enjoy and nice relaxing drink. It lovely and quite.

I'm an American that was visiting family in England and I had Gluten intolerance, I have celiac…read moredisease, and their gluten-free bread was nice plus it wasn't dried out and the food was amazing and I will definitely come back Our server was the manager Jessica and she was great. 5/5

One thing I love is an old fashioned British pub although, these days, I will accept modernisations…read moreon this theme. The Bay is my type of pub with a drinking area and, separate, eating areas. Tables are there, set out for meals and others open, and ready, to set down a glass of their delicious beers. The décor is modern with hints of the original. Everything is painted white, even the old beams. Loads of pine coloured furniture and comfortable seating. As soon as we walked in we felt comfortable. The bar was packed out but service was quick and friendly. Wish I lived nearer as it would become a favourite for that Sunday pre-lunch drink.

We needed a break after shopping in Chelmsford and a welcome surprise was coming across a Bill's…read more Hidden away, somewhat, next to the river in a wonderful position. Greeted immediately at the door by a delightful young lady and shown to a nice quiet table. Well it is half term and kids are kids LOL. Ordering a white wine and a pint of Budvar we perused the menu. The drinks arrived quickly and we had decided on a sharing platter. A good choice as it turned out. A mezze of Spiced white corn tortillas, Dakkochi chicken skewers, calamari, crab cakes, olives, Pico de Gallo salsa, garlic and lemon mayo and tartare sauce. Totally delicious and filling enough for a lunch. As I have said, nice position, fantastic service and good food. Ticks all the boxes for me.