The Ridings Restaurant — Restaurant in Broxbourne

We were really looking forward to this when we booked but we quite underwhelmed by the whole experience. Firstly, booking on a Sunday the tasting menu was only 3 courses, not 4, which we were not aware of. The price was reduced to reflect this, but it would have been nice to know in advance as we could have booked a different day. Secondly, what we actually got was quite simple and unimpressive, every single dish was something I could have made at home myself with minimal effort. The starters were all vegetable based, aside from a tiny amount of anchovies for 3 people to share (2 each) and an equally tiny amount of cured meats (5 pieces for 3 people). They felt more like side dishes than starters and didn't really wow. We also had a vegetarian in our group who wasn't offered any alternatives, so instead of bread with cured meats just had bread, and just tomato salad without the anchovies. The mains were good, if small, the meat option was pork belly which was absolutely tiny. The size wouldn't have been an issue if it were a normal tasting menu, but paired with the starters and lack of a fourth course it wasn't a lot for your money. Again, the sides were pretty uninspired, potatoes and greens. Overall the food while not bad, felt more "dinner party at a friends" than fine dining. There was also no sommelier (or at least no one offered any advice on wine) and the orange wine I ordered was pretty ropey. All in all, it wasn't really worth the journey if you're not already staying at Birch. There was also a fairly long walk from the entrance to the actual restaurant which would have been very unpleasant if the weather wasn't nice, not much thought seems to have one into this, particularly if guests have...

I don’t really see what the fuss is about - it’s really overpriced for what it is. Go to any of London’s set menu restaurants (for example Leroy, Casa de Fofo, Pidgin - most have service included in price and service is exceptional at each) and you’d get real flavour for the same / less money. Visited evening 31 Aug - paid £130 for two set menus for £49 each (no cheese) and three glasses of wine. Wish could take service off - sat down at 730, got mains at 915... starving by then and unclear why took so long. Menu wasn’t explained. Wine recommendations not offered. Service of food was fine but doesn’t take much to bring a plate or take it away. And then the wait for food wasn’t even worth it -

Food: great bread and butter. Pickles next - fine but not exciting. The main of monk fish (pesce) and duck (for meat eater) with beans and side of green beans. Where are the carbs? The dessert of chopped up strawberries and ice cream with separate plate of some sort of mandelline like cake (a bit burnt, hard and not warm) was burnt. I can see why people would go for cheese as I don’t have a large appetite and was left hungry.

The wines are average - can see they tried but they’re not that great and also no recommendations. All in all, bit of a shame - like the rest of Birch, great concept and visually such promise but falls down on substance and execution. Take the cooking team to some of London’s decently priced set menu restos and pay attention to their taste combos, service...

Very disappointing, having read so many good reports I was expecting the food to be much better. We went for Sunday lunch and the food was really underwhelming. Reviews are spot on about the homemade bread and apple balsamic..delicious. Unfortunately the rest of the meal was not. For the table, appetisers were very bland and uninteresting. The main meal, Roast beef lacked flavour and both my partner and myself had unpleasant gristle which was inedible. The side dishes uninspiring, luke warm hispi cabbage covered in an overpowering garlic dressing., small bowl of potatoes. The dessert, pannacotta looked like it had been thrown in a bowl and a few slices of apple thrown in too. The tuille was very nice. Our main waitress was very nice. However the waiter who brought the mains just grunted 'here's your main, your side dishes are coming' and then disappeared. It's not a cheap place to eat approximately £100 for two without drinks. Although it stresses that's its a tasting menu,it needs to offer more, I don't think the chefs are doing themselves justice. It just wasn't very tasty or...