Golden Fleece — Restaurant in Chelmsford

AVOID AT ALL COSTS. Unpleasant, arrogant staff, crowded, been twice and both experiences have been awful.

The first time we went into the pub wasn't too bad, we went in through the nearest door leading to the bar, which was unlocked and there was nothing to suggest that we shouldn't use it. However upon going in, the three of us were immediately confronted by the bar staff, who started inaudibly shouting at us and pointing violently towards another door, about 2 metres away from the one we used. They then spent an incredibly long time scanning and studying our ID before reluctantly pouring our drinks.

The second visit we had was not a pleasant experience at all. I wasn't drinking, and our small group of friends sat outside. Having already been challenged for ID at the bar, a chubby patronising man who looked about the same age as us came out and challenged all of us again for no apparent reason, no one else in the busy pub, just us. We all had ID apart from two of us who weren't drinking, hence why we weren't drinking. We politely explained this, at which point he asked us to leave the premises claiming that it was illegal to allow people without ID proving they were 18, in the pub, which is a complete load of rubbish. We had been polite but he most certainly was not, and forcing us out was completely unnecessary, unwarranted and unjustified. We volunteered to leave, not wanting to stay anyway, but being left outside was boring, so out of spite and being illegitimately asked to leave, we walked straight back into the garden to join our friends. The same man returned immediately with security, making a beeline for our group and with a smirk, said "I thought I asked you to leave?", to which we responded, "No we volunteered to, but we've changed out minds now". This didn't make him very happy, understandably, forcing security to beckon us out and cable tie the gate shut. The remaining 5 of us 7 who did have ID, were then challenged another 3 times! Only them, no one else.

Naturally, we moved on as soon as possible. However, the next pub we went to, then refused us entry, explaining that the golden fleece had radioed around to all the pubs in chelmsford, claiming that a group matching our discription were trying to get into places without ID. A blatant lie, the two of us without ID had explained we weren't drinking, they had no right to lock us out of the pub. We were embarrassed in public, it spoilt our night celebrating our friends 18th birthday, and we felt discriminated through age.

We will never return to that appalling, arrogant...

Despite living in Chelmsford for 10 years, this was my first visit to the Golden Fleece, and I have to say, I left feeling very disappointed. Having recently turned vegan, I was told the Golden Fleece had a great selection of Vegan items on the menu. I opted for the Jackfruit burger. The description was as follows:

JACKFRUIT BBQ pulled jackfruit layered with lettuce, sautéed red onion, spinach and Violife grated mature, between a toasted sesame seed beetroot bun - served with a sticky BBQ dip and topped nachos.

I wish I took a picture of what I was served. Out of everything listed, the only thing I received was the BBQ pulled jackfruit. The bun was a standard brioche bun. I was told this was a vegan bun, however I'm unsure as to how brioche could be vegan. I stated to the server that this wasn't what I ordered. She took the plate away to the kitchen, came back and said we don't have any of the beetroot buns. I said ok and asked if I could have the rest of the items listed in the burger. She went away for roughly 5 minutes. Came back and all that was put into the bun was a little bit of lettuce. What should have been a nice colourful and vibrant burger, turned out to look just the same as any other.

I really didn't want to make a fuss, but had I been either with other company, or by myself, I 100% would have said something more. I felt as though, despite having a great selection of Vegan items on the menu, my needs could not have felt any more disregarded. To be honest, I don't think I will be returning for food any time soon.

Despite all of this, the service was very friendly, and Golden Fleece is a great place to watch the sport. The rest of the group I was with were happy with their food and overall had a pleasant experience. It was just me, the awkward vegan than left...

Having Birthday drinks with a large group of friends early evening and every round was going up and up my 3rd round I asked for a receipt as previously just tapping my card as prompted by staff, anyways I had to ask for the till receipt on inspection had noticed I had had an extra VODKA at £3.05 and bottle of tonic at £1.90, my server had slopped off so spoke to another one who then spoke to someone else, who was irritated as I companied and prompted 'it was not me who served you' of which I had not said she had not and I had not said it was here (all very defensive), from the receipt they could tell who served me, talk about attitude, I asked them to speak to the manager who basically said 'mistakes happen' which I get but makes me wonder with no receipts how many other people where paying for more than they where receiving ? my advice ask for printed till receipts and check when drinking here, I know I will be from now on lesson learnt although I did get the cash back of £1.90 then another £3.05 as after a few back and fourths and whispering between the staff...

I also noticed as well they charge you for a bottle of tonic but just top the glasses up from opened bottles behind the bar, so you are not getting the full bottle yet being charged for the 200ml bottle !! there stock take must be good as they are certainly on the take unless you catch...