Song's Buffet Chelmsford — Restaurant in Chelmsford

We attended songs buffet last night for some dinner I called at 7:30 and booked a table and was informed that there was a table available however they were shutting at 9:30. We agreed as a family this would be okay as we was arriving at 8 and had at least an hour and half to eat dinner.

Upon arrival we were seated at our table, I first took my daughter up to get her dinner when looking round to see the options of food I'd noticed that they had started to take the lids off the hot food meaning this was all now being left to become cold. I got my daughter's food (very limited options) due to most of them being empty and not being refilled. Return back to the table and as she started eating she said it was disgusting and cold. I felt her food and it was in fact all cold, the chicken nuggets were solid, vegetable freezing and chips hard and stale.

We then all took in turns to go and get our own food to only be presented with the same thing majority of the food being cold and inedible. I went back myself to get some more steak as this was the only things that was hot and I asked for my steak to be cooked medium well this was more rare when cut into. My partner then come back from getting food to be told that they wasn't bringing no more out nor was they willing to give him any fresh food.

My partner complained to the waitress/waiter to be asked what exactly was wrong with the food upon explaining that the food was freezing cold, we had all paid good money to have dinner and no one had really eaten anything because of it being so terrible. We were then informed that they were going to probe each of the dishes to check temperatures. Which was done and on return the waiter had said that they wasn't able to give a full refund however was happy to offer 3 people baring in mind none of us had a substantial amount of food. We accepted this as there was no budging and we thought at least 3 people was better than nothing.

After receiving this refund, my partner visited the toilet and a member of staff was also using the toilet at the same time with his marigold gloves on and used the toilet and failed to wash his hands after whilst still wearing his cleaning gloves.

Overall the experience was shocking and probably will not attend this restrict nor recommend it to anyone. I feel basic hygiene standards should be adhered to and also communicate that we was able to visit the restaurant however they was going to start closing down the food so not all options would be available to us. Not charge full price and not offer a full refund when complained due to not eating.

This resulted in us spending double the amount as we had to leave and get something to eat when...

We had been told by others that it would be a good experience going to Song in Chelmsford. However, it was a below average/poor experience for a number of reasons. We arrived at 2.50pm, so first up for the late afternoon/evening sitting. As we walked in, you are at the bottom of a flight of stairs (also a broken disabled lift). The stairs are dirty, not just a little dusty, but dirty. We looked past this at first. At the top of the stairs and after a short hall, a stroppy greeter informed us that as we have a 3pm booking, we are expected to be out the door by 5pm. OK, 2 hours would be enough, but ‘expected’? Sorry if we are an inconvenience of being in an empty buffet. As you get in, you are expected to pay before you are seated. Not a normal practice in anywhere else we eat, except takeaways. This is a second off-putting thing that stroppy greeter said. We pay as we are here now. We are shown to the table, which is adequate for the purpose. Looking at the drinks' menu, we note that the non-diet soft drinks are not part of the bottomless drinks' selection. Only diet. So I order a coke from the bar, given a warm glass which I ask for a cold glass and am given a glass that is just as warm as the 1st. Quite a poor show up to this point, but the food should be OK. WRONG. Congealed, cold, straight out of the bag, not prepared on premises. Prawn toast has since been used by the military as bullet proofing, wring it out for an oil change. Far to much salt, an attempt to cover up the poor quality by putting chilli sauce on it. Puddings included an apple crumble & custard, again cold. For the money paid, this should have been far better. My party & myself are not going back. Keep the money, I’ll vote with my feet. Now I wait for the response along the lines of ‘We are sorry to hear you had a negative experience, and will look into it’, and they won’t. They have your money before...

Really disorganised.... We prebooked a table for a large group. When we arrived some of our party where already there and had paid and were at the back of the que. We then waited in the que for a good 10 minutes without any progression on the payment situation (it was rammed and I think they only had one young girl working the tills) before we even moved close enough to pay they called all of our group through to sit down at the table. Once sat, we went and got our drinks which were poor quality from the despenser- the lemonade was flat. Back at the table a lady came over saying she only had 6 meal tickets to which we had to explain that we had been called in by a gentleman at the door, she kept trying to argue it and we had to reliterate that some of the group had paid prior but the gentleman requested all of us be seated, she then left with no explanation as to what we should do. We waited for about 10 minutes unsure If we could get the food or not since we had not paid but had been seated before we decided to go up to the buffet--food choice was good but no indication as to allergens or vegetarian options--some trays were quite empty . We then sat down with our food and drinks and were half way through a plate when they said we all needed to get up and pay- I do understand this is the process but I found it incredibly rude to make us leave our food to go cold at the table, we then all had to pay before being sat back down the same lady taking the meal tickets as we walked back through, we then had her come back and accuse us of someone not paying as the table was booked for more people that what turned up. Overall I was really anticipating the night as it was saying good bye to work colleagues and I think we were all a little dissappointed, I'm not sure if I would go...