Fox Harpenden — Restaurant in St Albans

The Fox, Harpenden: A Mission Most Palatable As I maneuvered my Aston Martin DB11 through the quaint lanes of Harpenden, the coordinates led me to The Fox, a gastro pub discreetly positioned on the edge of Kinsbourne Green. My mission: to infiltrate this establishment and assess its culinary covert operations. Licensed to dine, I stepped into a venue that blended the charm of a traditional English pub with a modern, stylish edge—much like a tailored Brioni suit paired with a Walther PPK. The ambiance was immediately disarming. The Fox’s warm, inviting interiors, with their chic corners and contemporary decor, exuded a charisma that could seduce even the most seasoned operative. The soft lighting and tasteful furnishings created an atmosphere as smooth as a Vesper martini—shaken, not stirred, naturally. My cover as a discerning diner was secure, and the staff, ever-attentive yet unobtrusive, greeted me with the professionalism of MI6 agents on a diplomatic assignment. Seated with a clear view of the bustling yet cozy dining area, I perused the menu—a dossier of seasonal delights. The intelligence gathered from recent reports suggested a mixed track record, so I proceeded with caution. For my opening gambit, I selected the Halloumi Cheese Fries, a sharer plate that promised bold flavors. The dish arrived promptly, the cheese, hot and fresh, accompanied by a chili sauce that delivered a subtle yet precise strike to the palate. A commendable first move. For the main event, I opted for the 10oz Ribeye, a signature dish that aimed high. The beef was tender, and accompanied by a rich, harmonious sauce.

The drinks menu was a covert arsenal of its own. The Fox’s bar, stocked with real ales, lagers, and cocktails, is a safehouse for any liquid operative, whether you’re debriefing over a pint or celebrating a successful mission with bubbles. Service was a highlight, as polished as Q’s latest gadget. Nichole navigated the busy dining room with the precision of a laser-guided missile. Our food took a little longer than expected, however, was seamless—friendly, efficient, and devoid of the “attitude” mentioned in a rogue Tripadvisor dispatch. The Macchiato at the end was a finale worthy of a 007 climax. Rich, indulgent, and perfectly executed, it detonated any lingering doubts about The Fox’s capabilities. Yet, I remained vigilant; reviews suggested the menu could stagnate, with some agents yearning for more frequent specials to keep the mission fresh. As I exited into the Hertfordshire night, I reflected on The Fox’s operation. It’s a venue with undeniable charm, a strong base of operations for a memorable dining experience, yet not without its vulnerabilities. The atmosphere is a triumph, the service a reliable ally. For now, The Fox earns an 5 out of 5—a solid cover, but not quite SPECTRE-level perfection. I’ll return, Walther at the ready, to ensure standards remain as sharp as my tailor’s shears. Verdict: A gastro pub with the allure of a Bond girl, but keep your wits about you. Book ahead, as this...

I enjoy good food and appreciate well cooked food with great service. Historically I had eaten at the Fox and had fine cuisine. It’s clearly changed hands since I last visited. My partner booked a surprise table for valentines. They had spaces, now we know why

It started well, great front of house. That’s where the good review ends I’m afraid It was a Valentines menu. We started with the seafood platter. The aioli contained so much garlic - it was offensive. To the point that 2 packs of extras, mouthwash and teeth brushing still has not resolved the overpowering lingering stench on both of our breaths. This was pointed out to our server after - to which it was conceded that it was heavily laced with garlic so did we want Mayo- no thanks. Menu stated there was crab on the seafood platter. It was hidden in some Mayo served with shrimps. To be honest, under trade descriptions it would have been misleading. The bed of tomato risotto was undercooked and. crunchy. Fortunately only two spoonfuls worth, so negated. We moved to the mains — minus cutlery. Asked the sever for cutlery. We were not the only table to have to do so. Next the ribeye steak. Which was so tough I didn’t know whether to fight it or eat it. As I could do neither - the whole steak was sent back. Not one of the staff asked why an entire steak had been returned- which tells me; they’re clearly used to customers not eating the food!!!! In fact, I’m still convinced they served me braising steak instead of ribeye. The sides were palatable, but chips, a mushroom and greens consisted of my meal. For which we were charged full price!!!! When it came to desserts and were asked would we like to see the menu; it felt like a challenge. So we very quickly declined. The wine was great. I quaffed an entire bottle of Malbec in an attempt to forget what I was eating. The espresso martini was also delicious, however it was offered as an alternative to a dessert and again we were charged for it. We did not tip, but if we had to our tip would be; find a chef that can cook alongside some decent waiting staff. Overall abysmal. Will not be returning and will not be recommending. The happy ending to this tale of sadness is we found a lovely tapas bar with a great mixologist on station road so our night wasn’t completely ruined NB there is one star awarded as you can’t leave a review unless you give at least a star. Needless to say - it’s not...

We went to have dinner last night for Mother’s Day. Booked last minute so I could only get a late table. I was not told when we sat down that a few meal options on the set menu were not available so not great when you have spent time trying to figure out what you want to eat only to find out that you can’t have it.

You would think that on a special day which is expected to be very busy that they would have planned it well enough to be able to provide the customers with whatever is on offer on a pre set menu.

I wanted the fish which had ran out and was offered a piece of code as a replacement and I thought great but unfortunately that piece of fish tasted disgusting, my sons also tried it and agreed with me.

Starters were not great either, the prawns and mushrooms dishes were tasteless, my scallops too salty and my son’s mains pretty average. On a positive note the puddings were really nice.

Food delivery was very slow and by the time I got my fish which I had to send back, it was just too late to order anything else.

Fiona who was one of the waitress was amazing and did everything possible to end our evening in a positive way, no manager in sight to sort the issues at the end of the dinner.

As for the chef, to serve such a horrible piece of fish and tasteless food is beyond understanding.

He/she needs to rethink their standards and how they cook it, I wouldn’t be surprised if everything came out of a pack including the jus/sauce.

We don’t go to the restaurant very often and it was supposed to be a real treat, instead I went home hungry and very disappointed by our dining experience and so...