The Dove — Restaurant in London

We've just come back from the Dovecote. After reading so many gleaming reviews our expectations were high. Especially as it seems as the pub had been pretty much run into the ground by its previous owners. Sadly though none of the reviews reflected our experience. The Haddock that was fried in week old fat (when the batter is spongy you know theres something rotten in Denmark), the mushy peas were straight out of a can. The burger was cooked within an inch of its life (a life I hope that was short as it was tasteless). FYI a burger meal should be a pubs cornerstone, juicy and bursting with flavour (also when people order a burger that costs that much you ask how they want it done (medium rare etc)). For £10.50 I can get a substantially better burger at Collab. The kids meals were pretty much rank and burnt. Now I know that the new owners have gone to great lengths to sort their pub/restaurant/brand out but the fact lies that the food is sub standard for the price they are charging, the gins are big standard, as to are the whiskies and the staff (apart from the people who run it) seem to not really care much about the job at hand. Which is hospitality. The food is advertised as home cooked and no frozen produce is sold. I found both of these hard to believe. For us its £60 wasted but at least we know not to go back. Lastly I'm sorry for this review but it needed to he said. I'm sure the new owners have changed it for the better, sadly in a crowded market of gastro pubs The Dovecote couldnt be worse if it tried. Basically I'd advise anyone expecting good food and quality beverages to look elsewhere. Lastly the child oriented facilities there need to be rethought. The trampoline is placed in a concrete base, the bouncy castle was...

It's like they forgot they were re-opening after lockdown. Got there to be told cash only(WiFi hadn't been installed). 20min return walk to nearest cashpoint, only to be offered card payment shortly afterwards when they were struggling for change! 20 min wait to take a drinks order, then another 15 for the actual drink. It wasn't busy....just badly organised. Garden needs looking after. No hand dryers or paper towels in toilets.

I really had high hopes for it, given that its got the biggest outdoor space in Chingford. But unfortunately it appears to just not be ready after 3 months. Nothing looks refurbished. Garden is untidy. I...

Great Pub! Very spacious welcoming pub with a massive garden for warmer months. Loads of free parking in the pubs car park and surrounding streets. The lady serving behind the bar did a great job and was very friendly with it, a credit to the pub. I visited The Dove as they had an open mic night on, a night of great entertainment! Free pizza and snacks were on offer for the performers and spectators which was a very...