Visited the Speckled hen a few weeks back for a family members 30th on a Tuesday evening. Heard great reports and read great reviews. The menu was just up my street. With an extensive wine and craft beer choice there is something for everyone!
On arrival we were a little confused to where the dining area was as we came in what we knew later to be the back bar entrance. Leading us into a separate dining area which had no one about. The bar staff were busy and didn't catch on that we were a little lost. A member of our party tried a door which took us into the restaurant area. We had a good table and it was relatively busy for a Tuesday. It turns out Tuesdays are a night with steaks on offer also, a good deal but I knew what I wanted before I got there.
I chose the local scallops, black pudding crumb, lobster & parmesan infused risotto this looked great on arrival however I quickly spotted there was no black pudding and an addition of chopped king prawn to the risotto. The dish was a little bland but with additional parmesan it improved. Another lady with my party did not enjoy the risotto at all and really only ate the small scallops on top.
For main course I went for the flat iron steak having loved it at another restaurant. I was informed by the waitress it was served pink... My favourite way for a steak!
When the food was delivered there was a little mix up and tooing and froing. What seemed like a little misunderstanding over surf with some turf, kinda felt like a big deal to one of the waitresses.
Having tucked in I could see the steak was more medium-well and as i bit in realised it was very tough, chewy and over cooked. I tried another bit and it was the same. I brought this to the attention of another waitress who quickly took it away. She returned to assure me another was on the way and that they would speak to supplier as this was unusually tough cut.
I got my replacement which was exactly how I had imagined however my whole party had finished their meal and I felt a little like I as holding them up.
We had brought our own cake for dessert and organised for the obligatory candles, parade and song. However before taking the cake out the waitress didn't check our table and it was missed by the guys Mum and daughter who'd went to the bathroom. Id tried to make eye contact to kitchen door but Birthday spotted her and she had to continue. Ha what a palava!
We got no plates or forks with the heavily iced bday cake which we had to chase.
I don't know what to make of here. Nearly want to try it again due to food being quite nice, friendly but inconsistent service and the great reputation it has built. Maybe this was an off night? read more