Harvester Five Bells Vange Basildon — Restaurant in Basildon

We were warmly welcomed by a manager who greeted us and despite not having made a reservation he still managed to get us a table. We were given a nice cleverly packed activity pack with a game and colouring crayons for my son. This brought a big smile on my sons face so thank you for that.

Then we were shown to our table and menus were provided and soon after a server approached us asking what we would like to order for drinks. So far so good.

Then we ordered our drinks and food and we were given our salad bowls for the unlimited salad. We then made our way to the salad bar and as being vegetarian we were not sure if the pasta were suitable for vegetarian or not so we asked a member of the team. They checked with the kitchen and adviced us that everything at the salad bar is vegetarian. What I found a little rude was the loud conversations happening in the kitchen that could be heard clear at the salad bar. They were saying “how could someone be vegetarian as all you are eating is leaves”. It almost felt as if they were talking about us which did make us feel rather uncomfortable. I understand everyone has their opinions but it was rather unprofessional as being the restaurant staff having loud conversations that the guests can clearly hear was not a pleasant experience at this part of the restaurant.

Then we went to our table and shortly the food arrived.

The table wasn’t set and had to ask for cutlery and paper napkins. The sauce bottles we nearly empty and not replaced/refilled with food and dry sauce stuck all on the outside of it. Hygienically could have been better. But I have seen worse at other restaurants so compared to that it was far better. The interior, tables and chairs were well looked after and was a comfortable experience.

Halloumi Fries (very over cooked and could taste the burnt flavour and was a little bitter for that reason)

Nachos (Cheese sauce, Sour Cream and Guacamole was really delicious but the salsa was too strong to dare to finish. There were more crumbs of tortilla chips then the chips in the bowl. But overall was a nice starter)

Vegan bean burger with fries (This was the highlight of the meal as it was nicely made and tasty too. I thoroughly enjoyed this compared to the rest of the food we ordered)

Mac N Cheese (This wasn’t too bad and my son enjoyed it. The thick layer of cheese seemed a little over cooked for me but the macaroni beneath it in the creamy sauce tasted delicious.)

Overall the experience was good and my son enjoyed the meal and activity pack. Which made me feel that it was worthwhile brining him there. Would I come back? Yes I would because no place is perfect and with a little training to the kitchen staff and a bit of care on the tables this is really a nice place for a meal for couples or families and friends. You will have a good time. Check it out as your option for...

Seated and order taken quickly. We had booked ahead. Food came quite quickly after we had finished eating what we had been helped to select from the salad bar. Simply chicken option was acceptable but the peas and green beans could have been cooked just a little longer. The jacket potato was perfect. My partner had the Cajun chicken wrap. Although he enjoyed his food he said the wrap was a little dry and crispy. Maybe warmed for too long?

Dessert was apple and blackberry crumble with ice-cream/custard. First desserts were served soon after ordering but were not very hot. The waitress took them away with an apology and brought back fresh desserts, very hot this time. For me, they were the best part of the meal. Cooked to perfection and very tasty. There was a little bit of drama between two customers, who got up to walk out, and a waiter. The manager (I am assuming that's who it was) dealt with the situation quickly and calmly.

Although the government has said all restrictions have been lifted it is reassuring to see that social distancing is still in place in some areas of the restaurant, especially the seating areas. However, there was a waitress coughing, one of the reasons given for the customers walking out, who I overheard say that she was nervous and that's why she was coughing. If this is the case she should have been asked to wear a mask, as should those members of staff who get close to customers whilst taking orders. Having had CoVid and being extremely ill with a long recovery time, it is understandable that I feel so strongly about distancing still.

A visit to the Five Bells hasn't happened since before the first lockdown so it was nice to return. The menu has lots to choose from and is value for money.

The place holds special memories because it's where myself and my partner spent time together on our first date over 5...

From the start. Parking fine. Entrance fine. The guy at the desk said we had to wait as was a bit early for our booking. Not a problem went to the bar and ordered a few drinks. There was no where to sit in the bar area as tables were full. The 1 table that was free had empty glasses left on it and drink spilled over the top and it looked a mess. So stood there at the bar instead.

Went to our table. A table designed for 2 with a chair moved over for the third person in our party so a bit cramped.

Food wise the salad bar was not refilled and containers were empty or low. Bread rolls were a bit dry aswell. No bowls for the oil so had to ask. Starters of breaded mushrooms was OK. Garlic bread was a pitta bread with alot of garlic butter on. Picked it up and it just dripped off. So much of it. Not really garlic bread. Mains of the dirty one burger was OK. Chicken skewers was dry. The chicken was very dry and a struggle to eat. The bread on it was again a pitta bread coated in some kind of oil. Not nice. But to top that off there was a hair under it and was only noticed when cutting into the pitta bread. Put my wife off her meal and she didn't eat anymore. We told the waitress who offered another meal but we declined. In the end the meal was taken off the bill.

Desert was OK apart from they had no apple pies and the wife had to pick something else. The lemon blizzard was not in the usual glass and in a bowl instead.

The atmosphere was loud. No background music playing. The floor by the salad bar felt slippy underfoot right on the stairs no ideal possible accident happening there. Arrived at 7:30pm left at 9:50pm. A long time for a meal and to be served. In the end I had to get up to find someone to get the bill.

The waitress we had was fine, she was polite...