Le Bouchon

The main course was where the Christmas meal really fell apart: cold plates, cold food, and too little of it. There was one slice of rolled turkey, with vegetables that barely seemed enough for two, though they were meant for four. Five sprouts cut in half, cold red cabbage, some cold orange mashed side, and roast potatoes so crisp there was hardly any potato inside. When I asked for more vegetables, the waitress said she'd bring the same amount, but only half that arrived. When I mentioned the cold food, she offered to take it back for the chef to warm, which wasn't acceptable. The starters were small but okay, the amuse-bouche and desserts were alright, and my cheese board was good. We'd eaten here a couple of times before and been very happy with the food and service, so we booked Christmas Day knowing it would cost more. Instead, it was a miserable experience. We talked about it for weeks, moving from disappointment to anger at paying a premium and feeling robbed. I do want to thank the staff who worked on Christmas Day. The problem started in the kitchen. A complete disaster for that price.

The hotel has bars and restaurants, and the staff were welcoming and professional. We stayed for two nights and found the place clean with a lovely style. I'd recommend it, about 9/10. Our room wasn't very big and had no fridge, though, and from the first floor we could hear music until around midnight each night.

We hired the private function room for a birthday, and it was a great spot for the celebration, close to Chelmsford. It's right in front of the bar, so getting a drink was easy. The food was very good, arrived as expected, and everything was cooked well. The hotel and restaurant are beautiful, and the occasion left us with some lovely memories.

We booked Sunday lunch for two at Le Bouchon after not visiting for a while. Our table was at 3pm, and we could relax with a drink in the lounge and look over the menu at our own pace. The roast beef and three-roast selection were delicious, with generous portions and vegetables cooked just right. Service was excellent all round. We're looking forward to coming back soon.