Hermitage Rd Bar and Restaurant — Restaurant in North Hertfordshire

Used to come here a lot before Covid, was great for birthdays.

Since covid though, massive decline in food quality and won't be coming here again for a long time until some obvious/clear changes made. We tried it twice since covid, hoping last time was a mishap but 2nd poor experience has made it a write off for us.

EXPERIENCE: We were served by 4 different waiters, so it made a mess of orders/requests.

Then orders didn't arrive (drinks) were wrong (drinks and food) were missing key parts (a pasta dish of 2 ingredients was missing 1 them + the sunday roast was missing 2 sides supposed to come with it which we then asked for but arrived too late to eat with meal + cold)

...and one or two of the above scenarios happened to 5 of us, not just one or two people at our table.

You know when something goes from a bit annoying to just really funny because it's ridiculous? Well, that happened. So weirdly, we were given a really funny evening as a result because we couldnt stop laughing, so thanks I guess? 😂

FOOD: On top of that, the food was just straight up bland. I'm not even a fussy eater either + had fasted that day so was super hungry, but total let down (and the same went for all 6 of us at the table). Vegan options are VERY limited (we had 2 in our group) and it really does not cater for them ultimately, so be aware of that.

STAFF: Most of the staff were clearly very young/unexperienced, and that's totally OK we as weren't too bothered by that at all as it happens in small town areas of course (they were all really lovely btw and a couple of them were clearly experienced), but we were there for the food and it was just a joke (quite literally in the end 😂). If I was ever going to point fingers at any mishaps from the evening, it wouldn't be the staff it would be at the manager (who should be experienced).

ATMOSPHERE: Was a Sunday and it's a big place to fill, so was more quiet than we have seen, but even when there aren't many people, it still seems/sounds lively which I like. You wouldn't be able to hear a conversation from another table for example, which I think is great.

So yeah, definitely won't be coming back again which is a shame, as it was one of the better local...

My recent experience at the Hermitage left much to be desired, especially considering I’m a frequent customer who has had only positive experiences prior to this. We were excited to enjoy a leisurely evening with cocktails and desserts, and although we met the £30 minimum spend in no time, the staff made it clear that our table was only ours for 45 minutes instead of 2 hours that was booked. Spending around £110 within this timeframe was perhaps expected by staff (considering staff warning us 3 times that we had a “minimum spend” of £30) and instead of feeling appreciated for our contribution to go above and beyond the “minimum spend”, we were rudely rushed off our table. Told twice by staff “you have to leave, we need your table” despite making a 2 hour booking online and the restaurant being half empty at 7:45pm. If we had been able to have our table the full 2 hours we would have spent considerably more and easily doubled our bill. To add to the disappointment, we weren't offered an alternative table in the bar area to continue our cocktail night. While I understand the need to manage table turnover, the approach felt unwelcoming and unfair considering our 2 hour booking. A more customer-centric approach, considering there was nothing disclosing we could not book for pudding and cocktails, would have significantly improved our experience. We won’t be returning again, to our disappointment considering the great food and drinks. The manager on shift was patronising and unpleasant regarding our restricted table time, but the waitress was sweet and friendly despite the...

Hermitage Rd Bar and Restaurant is an excellent dining establishment located in the heart of Hitchin. As soon as you enter the restaurant, you are greeted with a warm and welcoming atmosphere that is both cozy and elegant.

The restaurant's interior design is modern and stylish, with dimmed lighting, exposed brick walls, and wooden accents. The tables are nicely spaced out, providing a comfortable and intimate dining experience. The staff is friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu and wine selection.

Speaking of the menu, Hermitage Rd Bar and Restaurant offers a diverse range of dishes that cater to all palates. The menu changes regularly, featuring seasonal and locally-sourced ingredients. The dishes are beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. Some of the standout dishes I had were the lamb rump, beetroot risotto, and the sticky toffee pudding.

The drinks selection is also impressive, with an extensive wine list that includes both old world and new world wines, craft beers, and creative cocktails.

In addition to the dining experience, Hermitage Rd Bar and Restaurant also hosts live music events, making it a great spot for a night out with friends or a romantic evening.

Overall, I highly recommend Hermitage Rd Bar and Restaurant to anyone looking for an exceptional dining experience in Hitchin. The quality of the food, the service, and the atmosphere make it a...