College Arms — Restaurant in East Hertfordshire

Lovely decor and surrounds, although, we were cramped into a corner and a lovely couple behind us moved a chair from their table away to provide more room. We felt a little let down as did not live up to the good reviews that we read. Considering that we are locals, I took my wife and mother in law on Friday as we were on our way to a Wedding, so heading North for the weekend.

We ordered 2 Buttermilk Chicken Burgers and I had a Double Beef Burger. The Buttermilk chicken (which I also tasted) was quite chewy and tasted sour, which generally suggests that it had marinated and had been stored a little too long before just going off.

Anyway, due to time constraints, with a long 2 hour journey ahead, we did not get the opportunity to send it all back etc. as we had already waited a while for service. I mentioned it to the young girl serving us when she asked if everything was "OK" (it came across as she asked as part of 'run of the mill lip service', that when mentioned, the reply was "I'll mention it to the chef"......... ).

Our experience: Nice enough surroundings, nothing special in relation to food, compared to Pubs that have a warmer welcome, comfort and are attentive. The quality of the food did not equate to the price, rather that it was a little over pretentious.

I'm hoping that we may give the place a second chance, and that our experience just bad luck, but there was something lacking. Needless to say that we did not stay for pudding on this occasion. Perhaps 2...

This place has gone downhill in a spectacular fashion!! It’s brill if you want a nice place with a bit of outdoor space and the team of staff were lovely.

However….our meal took over 4hrs with long long waits between course!! When our courses did arrive although they tasted ok they were a total disappointment. You don’t go to a pub for teeny tiny haute cuisine portions, you go for good wholesome food that will fill you up! If something says it comes with veg and potatoes I expect more than 3 half mini potatoes and a few peas alongside more than 4 pieces of meat! Half of us seriously got home and immediately raided the fridge for food as we were so hungry the other half raided a shop on the way home and bought food to eat! Several items were battered/coated to such an extent that the contents where dry n flavourless. Last year I would have raved over this place but I’m sorry guys we won’t be back and it’s nosedived through the floor! The amount we spent on our tiny meal we could have hired our own chef and bought ingredients etc, eaten well and still had money and food to spare!

Good luck as I think you’re going to need it but I’m soo hoping it was a glitch and you’ll be able to turn it back...

Visited on Saturday 21st.June for my Daughter in laws baby shower .I and otge male relatives were only there to lend a hand then off to the bar. The day the pub was hosting a garden party and luckily the wrather was good so it was a perfect time.The landlord couldn't do enough to assist with the preperation of the space for tha baby shower . The BBQ and music and atmoshphere at the garden party was great and us blokes who were excluded fron the shower had a lovely afternoon. The girls had a great time and the buffet supplied by the pub was excellent .We were allowed to join the baby shower at the end for photos and can attest that the buffet food was spot on . We are not local which is a shame because it is such a nice pub indoors and out . However we would recommend the College arms certainly for a function...