Fish On The Quay — Restaurant in Maldon

What a shame. Attracted by a spontaneous visit and greeted by 'Babs' who discovered we were looking for a place to celebrate a special birthday, she suggested we book a table during the coming week and they would 'look after us'. We booked and got a table we wished for. The staff didn't seem to know we'd booked. Apparently 'Babs' was sat outside with friends - we asked that our presence was brought to her attention - that didn't happen. We enjoyed a G&T followed by two half lobster main meals with a bottle of wine. Staff were attentive, friendly and clearly badly trained in the niceties of service at the table; one meal was served on a cheap plate that was made stable only by support from several napkins. Following the meal we moved to an outside table that had not been cleaned let alone disinfected. The final decision to not go here again was the refusal of staff to acknowledge the governments edict that support in the form of a discount was to be given for anyone for everyone dining out on Monday to Wednesday (this was on the Tuesday) would be given a government granted support of up to £10 towards their final bill. Our bill was a nil-discounted £66.00. This for two half-lobster portions, two G&T and a bottle of wine. Where was 'Babs' who sold us such an invitation but failed to follow up and greet as she so convincingly suggested? Attending an outside table with friends. Result?: lobster half the size we have enjoyed most other places in the uk and at twice the price, and no promised greeting from the management even spending £66.50. You decide. Certainly not encouraged...

We booked a table for 1.30 on Sunday to celebrate our daughters birthday. The food was excellent but service horrendous. My sons main was brought out with his starter 2 starters didn't come at all then they brought out starters we had not ordered. 3 times they came and took our order but when we eventually got our meal at 2.45 my husband didn't get one then when he did it they had obviously made a mistake and put peas on which my husband loathes then realised it should have had beans so they took some peas off and put beans on top of the rest. I am diabetic and because of the wait my blood sugars dropped dangerously low, although i carry glucose I need to eat carbs as well but when I ask if I could have a slice of bread I was told no as they would have to cook it!!! my husband had to but a bag of crisps. They took some meals off of the bill but it couldn't make up for the shambles they made of the whole thing and it spoilt the birthday meal. It seems like they are trying to run it with young untrained staff as they cost less but it is not working. A man had booked a table for 2.30 and although they took the booking they shut the kitchen from 2 to 4 , they were then debating if they could do his party any food. How not to run a restaurant, even though the food was lovely won't...

Got seated to a table and was loads of flies around, table was sticky too. Waited 55 minutes for a cold seafood platter which never arrived only to be told our order had be forgotten. Wasn’t particularly busy so no excuse. Such a shame as food looked good but due to this experience we won’t be returning. Ended up at the Tiptree tearoom down heybridge basin which was exceptional, know where to go next time.

In reply to the comment left, no we was seated to a table as was busy when we arrived, was the only one left. We was never offered a lobster roll either let alone take one, was only told we didn’t have to pay for the glass of coke and 2 beers we had which should be expected after waiting nearly an hour for food which never replied. I suggest your...