East Hertfordshire
The Bull

The Bull

Bull Lane, Buntingford, SG9 9, United Kingdom, SG9 9QP, East Hertfordshire

Pubs • Full • Steak • Lunch


"Stopped here 1 pm Thursday lunchtime as we were driving past and the car park at the front of this nice looking pub restaurant had plenty of free spaces. We were surprised at the notice on the door saying “No Children” but went inside to the empty restaurant (just one table of 4 occupied). We took a seat and the waitress brought over the lunch menu. The cheapest offering was £14, baked ham, egg and chips or scampi and chips. I ordered a small glass of Sauvignon Blanc and we ordered the ham and scampi. The wine was brought over in a chipped glass (on the base) and the bottle had obviously been opened a few days ago. I didn’t complain at that point but if I had known the price, £7.50, I probably would have. The meals arrived promptly and I noticed immediately there was a problem with my ham. Although hand carved the edges of the two slices were dry and grey. I lifted off the top slice to see the slice underneath was also wet, sticky and grey in the middle. It also smelt “off”. I called the waitress back and said I couldn’t eat the ham for obvious reasons. She took it back and came back almost immediately saying “the chef says there is nothing wrong with the ham, he cooked it this morning, but would you like something else”. I was so taken aback with the response I just said can he do me egg and chips. She returned 5 minutes later with a fresh plate containing the original egg and 6 chips. I said is that the same egg and chips I returned, “yes” was the reply, the Chef has reheated the chips. So, I have in front of me a small, child portion, of stone cold fried egg and refried chips. I was hungry so ate this dismal offering and asked for the bill. Unbelievably I was charged full price for ham, egg, chips. Had to insist the bill was adjusted and it was to £3.50 for a bowl of chips and £2 for my egg. Was told to pay at the bar. At the bar I again said how disappointed I was, especially being served ham in such a condition. At this point another woman, maybe the manager, pulled the waitress aside and said there was nothing wrong with the ham, they cook a fresh ham every day and that I probably don’t know what a fresh baked ham looks like. How insulting can you be. I probably baked my first glazed ham before she was even born. I paid the bill, feeling ripped off and insulted. This was by far the worst dining experience I have ever had."

Jolly Fisherman

Jolly Fisherman

8 Station Road, SG12 8ET, East Hertfordshire, United Kingdom

Pubs • Steak • British • Vegetarian


"Everything is jolly but the food! After lovely a day out, four of us decided to have a pub supper and saw the Jolly Fisherman as we were passing through Stanstead Abbots. It looked idyllic being a hot sunny day and with the river location, it was just too wonderful to miss. The atmosphere was pleasant and everywhere looked clean, we also noticed quite a few group reservations, it was a good sign. Being early Saturday evening, the place was lively with mainly family groups and friends enjoying the garden area. We started off very well. The service was not bad considering it was busy. We loved the wine, the house red was particularly enjoyable, room temperature and silky smooth. The chardonnay was equally good, fruity and chilled. Unfortunatley, it all went downhill from there. Two of us ordered the Baked Enchiladas, the others had a chef's special Thai Prawn Curry. Our friend had a Beef Nachos sharers dish as a main. Frankly, it would have been good to see a main meal salad option, being a hot sunny day. The Enchiladas looked like they were cooked in a microwave two small non descript rolls were dished on a small round plate. I didn't see any bubbling cheese on top, there was pockets of water and the bread itself was quite a soggy dough consistency. Definitely not baked. However, it tasted OK. A small garnish sized salad was placed on a hot plate and wilted and no dressing was provided. The Thai King Prawn curry had about 4 small prawns and no more than 4 tiny crackers. The Beef Nachos was mainly corn chips and little substance with the jalapenos being on the mushy side. The average cost of the main meals was just under £9 each. I have had better sized starters from other chain pub restaurants ie Harvester, Wetherspoons, Old English Inns. As we were all very hungry we ate up and left stating we were disappointed. If it was not for my elderly mother being in the group, we would have just got up and left. I think we were all better off buying the same food in a supermarket and just heating it up ourselves at a fraction of the cost mirroring the basic and plain presentation with no attention to detail. We went home still hungry. I would return again to the pub as it is in a good location, but definitely not for food. PS However, since writing I did make a complaint to McMullen pubs and to give them credit I had a very prompt reply. They have since provided a voucher with assurances that they willl look into the issues and resolve any bad practices. I look forward to returning again in the near future and will update my review"

The Raj Tandoori

The Raj Tandoori

30 Ware Road, SG13 7HH, East Hertfordshire, United Kingdom

Balti • Asian • Indian • Vegetarian


"The Raj is a local Indian restaurant in Hertford that we frequently patronise. Last night, on the off chance, my husband I fancied an Indian meal so went along to The Raj in Hertford. We were warmly welcomed as we frequently come here for meals. We were shown to a pleasant table with fresh flowers on it, like the rest of the tables. Within seconds, a waiter came up to ask our order for drinks. We had a jug of 'tap ' water as we find that other drinks don 't quench our thirst. Our waiter brought us a jug of ice cold water which was welcome. He also brought us 2 glasses with ice a slice of lime. We then proceeded to order our meal 2 Plain Poppadoms with their usual dips (4) which were all very tasty. We then had an Onion Bhaji each plus salad which were very filling very tasty. Our main course was Subzi Dhansak, a Vegetarian Curry with lentils mixed vegetables added to it. We ordered additionally, Bombay Aloo, some delicious, spiced potatoes, Pilau Rice a Naan which was cooked in their Tandoori Oven. For dessert we ordered Kulfi, an Induan ice cream which was both creamy yummy. There were 2 flavour choices, Pistachio or Mango. On this occasion, we had the Mango flavoured ice cream which nicely cooled our mouths down. We were then offered quarters of Orange to refresh our palates hot towels to clean our hands mouths. We then asked for the Bill which, as always, was very reasonable. With the Bill came 2 liqueur glasses with a Coffee Liqueur cream on the top really yummy. With the Bill came 2 Chocolate Orange chocolates too. The waiters chatted made pleasantries each time they passed our table making us feel at home . The Raj is definitely the Best Indian restaurant in Hertford with a wide range of dishes to choose between. It is pleasantly furnished with adequate lighting air con when necessary. The atmoshere is pleasant friendly which is why we like it recommend it so much. We have been coming here for over 16 years haven 't come across an Indian restaurant that we like more. We also have never had a bad meal yet!!! We would highly recommend a visit to The Raj, we are sure you won 't be disappointed. Ann David Geller Hertford residents."

The Buntingford Coffee Shop

The Buntingford Coffee Shop

61 High Street Buntingford Hertfordshire SG9 9AE, SG9 9AD, East Hertfordshire, United Kingdom

Food • Tapas • Coffee • Breakfast


"We recently moved to the area and while larger than the village we came from, the high street is still fairly small compared to other places; so I was so happy to find we have a lovely little independent coffee shop nearby.It is tastefully decorated with the rustic charm that I particularly like, a sort of modern and country fusion if I’m correct. Reminds me a bit of Whole Foods...The staff have always been very friendly and welcoming when we’ve been there and on one occasion where my son didn’t like the unexpected fizz in a fresh apple juice product, they kindly let him replace it for free which I thought was a lovely thing to do.We haven’t had any meals there yet but we’ve had a few outings of great coffees, drinks and cakes which we’ve enjoyed every time. It is small so space is limited especially when they don’t have the curb-side seating in warmer temperatures.Things which would greatly add to the cafe are some allergy specific products. My son in particular has egg, peanut and sesame allergies so there is never a large choice of tea time things he can have out, but we find that some basic butter shortbread or egg-free cookies are always a good compromise for food allergy sufferers, and some simple cartons of fresh unfizzy juice.Still, we love our new, local coffee shop and there will be more visits to come."