The Fish Eels - Hoddesdon

Let me clarify: the staff were very friendly and did their best, but it felt like we were often forgotten and had to ask for things multiple times. We ordered t... read more Let me clarify: the staff were very friendly and did their best, but it felt like we were often forgotten and had to ask for things multiple times. We ordered the mezze sharing plates, requesting one for four people. When it arrived, we were surprised to see it was a plate meant for two, which the waitress thought we would share among four of us! We quickly ordered another plate, but it took at least 10 minutes to arrive. While I appreciate that fresh food takes time, the warm pitas and items on the first plate got cold as we waited. After finishing our starters, the waitress came to clear our plates and informed us that our main courses were ready. We requested that they be brought out immediately to avoid having food sit and get cold. Unfortunately, the chips were cold and had to be sent back, while the accompanying dessert was only slightly warm. I ordered the king linguine from the specials menu, and when it arrived, the portion was disappointingly small. I asked if this was the standard size, and the waitress confirmed it was. She said she would check to see if anything could be done about it, and my partner even offered to pay extra for a larger portion. To their credit, they did bring a larger portion without additional charges. When our desserts finally arrived (we had to remind them that we were still waiting), the Eton mess was a complete disaster—there were no fruits in it as indicated on the menu! As an apology for our disappointing meal, we were offered free coffee. Unfortunately, we have decided not to return.

We arrived to find that our reservation had not been recorded, and we were seated at a different table without any table service. It seemed like there was some... read more We arrived to find that our reservation had not been recorded, and we were seated at a different table without any table service. It seemed like there was some confusion among the staff about what was happening. The food was quite ordinary—nothing memorable. It also seemed like the beer was flat and lacked flavor. However, the waitress who took my order was really friendly and nice, which was a bright spot. Overall, it was just an okay experience.

We have a table for the holiday booked Monday, first pub I have ever entered, and there were two lines of people who are silent for drinks, so no good start! wa... read more We have a table for the holiday booked Monday, first pub I have ever entered, and there were two lines of people who are silent for drinks, so no good start! waited for 20 minutes until we were shown on our table and said waitress would be over to order drinks, waited 25 minutes and not wait waitress and no drink order! we were then told about the nice family on the table next to us that they were short workers, the menu was limited, as sold out allies and they had waited 2 and half an hour for their main course! so that we went and went elsewhere, like a few other tables, had been in this restaurant at numerous places and left very happy, but not this time, my advice will tell their customers, their short staff and the waiting time for eating and that the menu was limited not only sitting and forgetting them about them, never again in a bank holiday!

We were seated promptly and received our drinks quickly, which turned out to be the fastest service we experienced all evening. The staff were genuinely friendl... read more We were seated promptly and received our drinks quickly, which turned out to be the fastest service we experienced all evening. The staff were genuinely friendly and did their best, but it seemed they often forgot about us since we had to approach them several times to follow up on our orders. We ordered the Mezze platter for four, but when it arrived, it was clearly a sharing plate for two. The waitress mistakenly thought we were sharing it among four people. Another platter was ordered quickly, but it took at least ten minutes to arrive. While I appreciate that it was prepared fresh, the warm pitas and other items on the first platter had begun to cool while we waited. Once we finished our starters, the waitress came to clear the plates and informed us that our main courses were ready. She asked if we wanted them held, but not wanting the food to sit and become lukewarm, we requested it be served immediately. Unfortunately, the chips were cold and had to be sent back, while the accompanying vegetables were only barely warm. I ordered the king prawn linguine from the specials menu, but the portion size was very small. When I inquired if this was a starter size, I was told it was the regular portion. The waitress kindly offered to check if anything could be done, and my partner even volunteered to pay for additional prawns if necessary. To their credit, they did increase the portion size without any extra charge. When our desserts finally arrived (we had to remind them we were still waiting), the Eton Mess came out looking like a complete mess, with no fruit as described on the menu. As a gesture of apology for the disappointing meal, we were offered complimentary coffees, but ultimately, we decided we won't be returning.

No record of our booking, bunged on another table with no table service. No one seemed to know what they were doing. Food was standard, nothing special. Looked... read more No record of our booking, bunged on another table with no table service. No one seemed to know what they were doing. Food was standard, nothing special. Looked rushed. Beer was flat and tasteless! However, the waitress that took my bar order was really nice! Other than that. Was ok!