The Herbalist — Restaurant in Maidstone

Our birthday girl wanted coctails. however, after some research, most places in Kent say they are a coktail bar, but offer less than 10 cocktails, and they are the same old ones everyone has. I came across the Juniper that had over 30, with some really wonky ones she really wanted to try, however the Birthday girl is disabled and not able to go down the stairs (no other disabled access). I called the Herbalist and explained, they offered an alternative. there was some confusion when we got there as originally I was told that as long as it was discrete and not constant I could pop down and grab some cocktails, however when we arrived we were told this couldn't happen. It was all sorted in the end and they offered to make any that we wanted if they had the ingredients. Most were the same between the two menus, apart from the bartenders flare section (fire, dry ice, candy floss). They did offer to stop people coming up and down the stairs for a couple of minutes to see if she could make it (able to hobble a little), but she declined as she was more worried about getting up!

In the end we stayed where we were. Have to say the lady from the bar was amazing very attentive! She even popped downstairs and grabbed a dry ice wand (put in a cocktail it makes bubbles and fog) We ordered cocktails and food, just randomly as we fancied it as we were there for cocktails and not the restaurant. In the end we had the scallops, french onion soup, cheese board, cremebrulee, seasonal veg, bread and they were lovely. We did have the halloumi fries, but they were not right for us. 12 cocktails later (all different) and we were very happy.

Lovely atmosphere, we got there at 17:00, at around 17:30 they dimmed the lights, at about 18:00 they turned up the music. I assume this is to coincide with Junipers opening at 17:30. If you are wanting to go to the Junipers but can't make it downstairs, call the Herbalist...

Quick booking for a Christmas meal due to train strikes. No issues booking at all, we chose the normal menu which is quite varied. The premises had problems with the heating, but we received plenty of warning and communication in case we wanted to cancel. It's the first time I have visited, I have heard mixed reviews but I couldn't find fault (bar the obvious - prices etc 😬) I had the Chicken wings for starters, £6.50 for 2! 🤔 They were lovely, but should have 3 for that price! Rib-eye steak for main, it was slightly over done, I should have sent it back, but absolutely tip top taste wise, absolute banger. The meal was finished off with the waffle, banana and honeycomb ice cream. I'm not normally a pudding person, but what a taste-gasm! If I'd had more room (or money) I'd have had another. Couple of glasses of Port, a beer and we were at £65, which overall, considering the meal is ok, but worth considering if you're watching the pennies. I'd definitely go again, and would recommend you go and make your own mind up. We didn't use the downstairs area as they were shutting up, everywhere was nice, clean...

I had kebab which was OK but over priced and family, 2 Adults, 1 Child, had pizza and they were honestly the least appetising bare pizzas I've ever seen. There was virtually no toppings on an over thin piece of cooked dough and for what you got the price was extortionate! Exactly the same can be said of the Calzone - all puff with very little filling.

My family had deserts, 1 Eaton Mess, 1 crumble, 1 Childs Ice Cream. Eaton Mess - delicious. Crumble - Left as was extremely poor quality and tasteless. Ice Cream OK.

No sides came with pizza's not even salad so I side salad was ordered.

Myself and grandchild had iced tap water. 1 × mocktail and 1 × 1/2 beer

Total cost £122. Absolutely bloody ridiculous. It was my daughters treat but never, never again, seriously over priced for supposedly Italian food, which is in all honesty, was probably the most tasteless I've ever tried.

If you have to go here do yourself a favour and have burger, they look better but with so many more good reasonably priced establishments in Maidstone, I'd give it a...