The Oak, Stanstead Abbotts — Restaurant in East Hertfordshire

A welcome addition adding a touch of class to the village. The Head Chef really knows his stuff - the food is quality, locally sourced and ideal for special occasion dining. I'd highly recommend the breakfasts too. The decor creates the right ambience and attention has been paid to details. However, the staff are letting the Chef down. Having eaten here twice now its apparent that the waiting staff don't know the menu properly. It's not obvious to the customer what some of the items are or what they contain and the staff don't seem to know either. When viewing the menu I asked if the pork belly bites were crackling and if the mussels were served with cream white wine and garlic. They confidently agreed to both without asking the kitchen. When the food came out I was surprised to find pork meat balls and a different sauce with the mussels. The Chef would benefit from adding a brief description of each dish on the menu. While waiting for the food the staff are talking amongst themselves about their hangovers and should be more mindful of...

As locals in Stanstead Abbotts, we tend to avoid this pub, as it’s been disappointing in the past. Unfortunately this is still the case even under new management. We had thought the football would be shown in the pub, but were told that they can’t show Sky Sports as they do not pay for it. We asked for a non-alcoholic beer, they had run out. We asked for mayonnaise for our chips, they had none. Two out of the three women’s toilets had no toilet roll and there were no paper towels. We arrived shortly after opening, so to be so poorly stocked on a Sunday was a bit shocking. Fairly certain the manager was hungover from the night before. Sadly this pub still can’t provide the basics you’d expect, so we will continue to go to the other pubs on the high street. Fingers crossed the next time the management changes...

Ate here Friday night as part of a table for 4. 2 starters, 4 mains and 2 desserts took 2 and a half hours to get through.

Staff seem friendly enough, but represent in the way I think the owner want the restaurant to come across.

I think the aim here is to be a cut above other restaurants in the area. They are failing this. The food descriptions are poor. The menu doesn't match what is listed online. The food is very much over priced. Excluding drinks it cost £140 for the above meal. 2 people ordered steaks and both said that the mushroom was the best thing on the plate.

Over priced, bad food descriptions, poorly cooked steak and very long waiting times. (6 covers and 3 staff. It wasn't even busy). I wont be eating here again.

Choppy's at the wagon and horses is a cheaper and better...