Giggling Squid - Chelmsford — Restaurant in Chelmsford

Since seeing the first lot of signage go up the new Chelmsford location we were so excited for Giggling Squid to open. Soon after opening we managed to get a last minute baby sitter and then a table to head to the Giggling Squid to celebrate our anniversary. 10 years since we met! Wow! crazy!

Anyway, from the moment we opened the door of the restaurant we were greeted warmly and welcomed in. From the short walk to the table you appreciate the decor. A bright and airy room with many floral accents really brightens the restaurant on an icy winters day outside.

Even more amazing when you are sat at what we have dubbed the “lover’s snug”. A set of seats at a table with a Floral archway over each chair. Perfect setting for our anniversary meal, thank you.

The service was second to none, very attentive and friendly staff throughout our visit.

The food, oh the food! There are no words to be fair. Steamed pork buns… immense little bites of heaven. Chicken massaman curry… the fragrance just wafts up through your nostrils when it’s placed in front of you. The flavour paired with the sticky rice and just the right amount of warmth/spice for you to enjoy throughout, without it being over powering.

The Hake Feast Bowl blew my mind! It certainly is a generous portion of fish, which I could barely finish (still had room for dessert don’t worry). A dish full of flavour and a little spice just to keep it flavourful without it being too spicy. And the chunks of hake! So fresh, cooked to perfection!

We genuinely cannot wait to go back to Giggling Squid again, but hopefully sooner than our next anniversary! There’s so much more of the menu for us to discover and the staff made us...

We’ve visited twice now. The first time, the service was so bad but we gave it benefit of the doubt as it had recently opened. But then my main course was cold and I had to wait 30 mins for it to arrive again. At this point, everyone I was eating with, was finished. We then waited hours to get our bill after we kept asking for it. In the end they gave us me and my partners meal for free because it was such terrible service.

Wanting to give them another try, we went again yesterday and experienced the same thing, if not worse. Not one waiter but 5 different ones that had no idea. Various staff came up to our table with other peoples orders and wrong orders. We ordered a cocktail each and they were all not available so we had to get different ones. Three of us ordered the beef main and that too was off the menu. There were so many things off the menu (which for a Saturday at 7pm is worrying) that we realised we were left with things we wouldn’t particularly want to eat. Unfortunately the staff didn’t tell us what wasn’t available beforehand and in my opinion were just not attentive or polite.

The manager offered our drinks for free and seemed very apologetic which I appreciate immensely but, I would dodge this restaurant in Chelmsford, especially if you’re celebrating a special day. We decided to not eat and leave and went to Cote which had the most amazing food and service.

Honestly. Avoid, especially...

Exactly the same as Calvin Wright review below. This is a review based upon the operation of this restaurant, rather than the food, as didn't get any chance to sit in the restaurant. Attempted to go to the restaurant 5:30pm on Thursday night (I had been unable to book the day before for this time, which claimed no availability for the rest of the week), but thought surely this must be an error, and we would be fine at 5:30pm to get a table. Walked in and not one other customer in the restaurant. There were about 5 or 6 waiters, and couple of kitchen staff eating sandwiches on ones of the tables, and we were told they were fully booked, and were newly opened and didn't want to overwhelm the staff. I have never been refused a table in a completely empty restaurant, especially one open from 12pm to 10pm (it's not like they had just opened for service at 5:30pm....). I went across to Wagamamas, and got a table straight away, in a restaurant already half full, and which became full by around 6:30pm (probably many customers whom may have tried to go to Giggling Squid!), and was served starters and mains in about 10-15 mins (Giggling Squid - you could really learn some lessons from Wagamamas, and I cannot see how you will survive, with that massive restaurant space you have, rates and wages etc., if you are going to continue to serve such a small number of...