Small Talk Tearooms and Gifts — Restaurant in Chelmsford

Really disappointed with our visit. Firstly it seemed to be an inconvenience to arrive. Was asked if I'd like a drink before I'd even seen the menu and the waitress was unable to tell me what they offered. Then when we went to order food the brunette older waitress was simply the rudest person we'd ever come across. 3 of our party work in restaurants, one being a head chef and was astonished at how we were spoken to, every question was an inconvenience and we were then snapped at that there wasn't enough space on her order pad for all our meals....! Several times we had to ask for more drinks, often asking twice, again met with eye rolls and huffing. The breakfasts look OK but the ploughman's - £9 for a slice of bread, a slice of ham, some cheddar, 2 picked onions and 3 slices of gherkin.... We couldn't stop laughing and not for the right reasons.

When we asked about cake, again the staff couldn't look more disappointed that we intended on staying longer if they tried!

We won't be returning in a hurry. We'll continue to meet and spend our money in local cafés that...

I am writing this on behalf of my mother who attended with her sister and family. The two young members of staff were friendly and the food was nice and good value for the money. However, the experience was spoilt by a trivial matter. One of the pieces of cake was from the end and as such a little dry. My mother requested if it could be replaced. The young member of staff spoke to the manager who came over and with her FINGERS squeezed the cake on the platter and told them "it's not dry" as if they were lying. Really??? Over a piece of cake. This left an atmosphere and was not replaced. Instead, she gave my mother a dry scone with no butter, cream etc. (and she did not feel she could ask for anything to go with it so was mainly left). How ridiculous can people be. Instead of getting new regular customers, she left them feeling silly and they will never visit again. I hope the additional expense of a piece of cake was worth losing customers over! Why are people like this in charge....

I had poached eggs on toast. My wife had a jacket potato. My toast was poor quality pre-sliced shop bread. The dish was served with one cherry tomato and half a dozen rocket leaves. Pretty poor show. My wife said the jacket potato was average. I ordered a coffee, which was also fairly unpleasant. My wife ordered a tea from the extensive tea menu, and was very happy with that.

Instinctively I'd score this place lower. That said, I'm clearly not the target market, we were very late for lunch so I'm willing to accept it probably wasn't the cook's finest work. If you want tea, they have lot to choose from. We didn't have cake, but those on display looked nice.

Last thought - the waitress was quite snippy. She didn't say 'thank you' once. Again, perhaps it had been a long day. Overall I would say there are far better places for lunch, but nowhere with as wife a selection of tea...