Bridge Street Bistro — Restaurant in North Hertfordshire

We are not local to the area so it's been over 2 years since we last ate here. On our previous visit we were very impressed with how accommodating and friendly the staff were, especially since we had young children, so we had no hesitation in booking again. This time, however, we did not have the same experience as things we asked for were problematic. For example, although the food is of decent quality, the menu is not really suitable for children. We asked if plain, grilled chicken could be provided rather than stuffed with stilton and wrapped in bacon for my son but this wasn't possible so he just ordered the soup for main instead - the original waiter offered a flavour he was happy with but then the senior waitress returned to say that only a different flavour was available, which of course he didn't like. So, instead he said he'd just have some chips, but the waitress said we couldn't order just a plate of chips - we'd have to order a full meal that came with chips instead. Only when it became clear that we were not willing to do this and would instead go without anything did she relent. Now, the restaurant was busy so I might have understood this on the basis that my son was effectively taking a seat that potentially could have been 'sold' to someone else but there were 13 of us there, all packed into one side of the restaurant, spending a total of several hundred pounds so I thought this was poor customer service and we found the general attitude of the waitress to be unhelpful and aloof (I must say that the other staff were very nice though). In the end we were keen to leave and won't return again, I'm afraid, as my wife also didn't enjoy the food she'd ordered (my steak and kidney pudding was very good, though). This is a shame as we had really fond memories from our previous visit but regardless of the service aspect, the menu is simply not...

So disappointed… we came here for New Years, £95 a person (including one glass of champagne on arrival to be fair, but none of the other drinks after). Plus some hats and balloons on the table which admittedly added to the atmosphere.

We’ve eaten across the globe, at the Ritz etc and we know what to expect for the price. Our French server was fantastic and the music was lovely but we were so disappointed by the food.

The chicken was dry and overcooked, same with the veg; which was a mixture of mulchy broccoli, carrot that had the consistency of baby food, and what seemed like leftover Brussel sprouts, all with no seasoning… like something you’d get at a primary school dinner.

The duck was dry with the fat completely under rendered (still gooey). The rack of lamb was far more fat than lamb, and burnt on the edges (clearly had been waiting around for a while).

We left before desert even came and were charged the full price of the meal without management even coming over to talk to us.

In fact, they actively ignored us as we walked out.

It seems like such a shame as it clearly has the potential to be a lovely bistro spot to rival some of the best places in Hitchin. We were so excited for this meal. Unfortunately they clearly had overbooked the small venue - and had added far more extra covers than the small kitchen could provide for.

Personally I feel sorry for the poor chefs and waitress who had to try and handle the consequences of these poor choices from management. I hope they do better. But we will not be returning sadly - even though we are locals.

If you are looking for a good quality meal we recommend you eat elsewhere...

We recently dined at this establishment based on glowing reviews and an intriguing interior. From the moment we entered the small parking area to the warm welcome by a helpful young man, our experience was delightful. The restaurant's decor was captivating, and we were promptly seated at a perfectly arranged table. Our waiter, a friendly and charming gentleman, efficiently took our drink orders, and the haddock fish cakes for starters were truly satisfying. The mains featured a flawlessly cooked 8oz Scottish steak, tailored to my medium preference. The intimate and well-thought-out atmosphere, coupled with the wonderfully friendly staff, made for a memorable evening. We look forward to returning soon and extend our compliments to the chefs for crafting truly spectacular food.

Thank you for making our evening...