Miller & Carter St Albans — Restaurant in St Albans

I have been to Miller & Carter several times (albeit never this branch before) and whilst there have been better and worse experiences, this was probably the best meal I’ve ever eaten in one of your restaurants. My compliments especially for the onion loaf, as that can often be soggy and limp but on this occasion it was firm and crisp. Even the lettuce wedge (which I usually get just for the tang of the bacon and mustard dressing) was very moreish. The service, however, left a lot to be desired. Our meals took about 45 minutes to arrive (if this is usual at this location, I have to say this is poor, if it was unusual but expected owing to the time/day/how busy the restaurant was, we were not forewarned that such a delay was likely). When the steaks did arrive, they were incorrectly described (in terms of their doneness), causing them to be taken back to the kitchen only to be returned several minutes later with a comment that they were “correct” - given how pleased I actually was with the food I have no doubt of this, but given the wait we had already had, it seemed somewhat shambolic that there was then some question as to whether the order was correct. Having waited so long for the food, we asked the server for another round of drinks. They took so long, we ended up asking another server, then a third (who had happened to be our original server (who at that stage had done nothing more than take our orders)). The third (original) server - despite being the last to be asked - was the person who eventually delivered our second round of drinks (I use the term eventually in an holistic way, she actually brought them quite quickly after being asked). Furthermore, when the meals were served, we were not given steak knives, which I had to get up and get myself from a server station nearby, and I had to ask for my lettuce wedge (any other time I have patronised an M&C this has been served long before the meal arrives). Once we had finished our meal, we waited with the empty plates on the table for at least ten minutes until they were cleared and we were asked if we wanted dessert. As we waited a different server was actually preparing the tables around us for the evening service and never even acknowledged the fact that we were sat there clearly having finished our meals. I made a point of waiting for some acknowledgment as opposed to asking her to clear our plates. The slow service meant that we ended up incurring additional parking charges which I believe could easily have been avoided if the staff had been a little more attentive. I would like to point out that the original server (who took our orders and delivered our drinks on both occasions) was faultless and I would hate to think that she bore the brunt of any of this complaint. I left a tip solely in the hope that it went into her pocket alone. I have provided the receipt reference and (I assume) her name at the top of this review in the hope that praise and criticism be properly directed (in this case the former toward and the latter away from her). I was so exasperated at the end of the meal that I didn’t even have the patience to address my complaints to the duty manager, I just wanted to leave.

I would like to have left 2.5 stars, which doesn’t appear to be an option. Given that I go to a restaurant for the food over the service, and that the food was excellent, I’ve plumped for 3 stars...

Horrible experience!! My partner and I had a booking for yesterday at 8:30 PM for Valentine’s day (they were doing a set menu at £ 32.95). When we got at the restaurant they were clearly overbooked: there was a long queue ahed us and none of the staff/ manager of the restaurant could give us any information or estimated waiting time. After 40 minutes they finally prepared us a table and at 9:30 we were ready to order but we’ve been advised by the waitress that all the meat included on the set menu was not available…..A steak house with no steak….. The waitress, noticing our disappointment, told us that she would have checked with her manager if it was possible to give us the share platter (with different types of meats) without any supplement on the price. She came back after few minutes saying that she couldn’t find the manager and after we complained that it was very late and we wanted to order she said she would have ordered that platter for us (keeping a very cordial manner). Meat appeared very good but once done the first bite we realised that the meat was completely cold (the batter on the top of the meat did not event melt). So we had to give the platter back to the waitress and wait again for them to cook it properly We ordered the dessert and asked for the bill. It took them a lot for giving us the bill and was all incorrect showing £60 more than what we should have paid - there were 2 bottles instead of 1 and the supplement for the platter had not been removed I have told the waitress and she said she would have checked with the manager After a while she came back saying that (said by the manager) she should have paid for that difference because the manager did not want to take off the supplement for the platter I was very angry at this point and I wanted to speak with him as I couldn’t believe he would ask to a member of his staff to pay for the difference, it should be illegal. The manager had messed up the whole evening - at first with the overbooking, not knowing how to communicate with his staff and let a lot of people waiting outside of the restaurant without even say anything. And at last with not wanting to remove the supplement for all the inconvenience caused. After 15 minutes (nobody could find him) he arrived and all he could say to me, in a very arrogant way, was that it was none of my business how he treats his personnel. What should she had to do? Keep us waiting more? Not giving us any meat in a steak house? She took the right decision for keeping the good image of the restaurant and the manager should have understood that customer care is very important. It happens that you can overbook or bring a cold dish or do something wrong, but then you need to know how to keep the customer smiling and make sure that he/she will have a good memory of that place and assure that they will come back. I think that this restaurant would have a big potential but with this manager it will never be good. Very...

As a steak person; l look for great steak places and honestly this delivered beyond my expectations, meriting a resounding 5/5 rating.

The staff here are simply unparalleled. Each team member exudes a kind of genuine warmth and professionalism that is increasingly rare to find. Their attention to detail and eagerness to ensure every guest feels valued and well-cared for is commendable. But it’s their knowledge and passion for steak that truly sets them apart. They are not just servers but connoisseurs, offering insights into the various cuts, the best pairings, and the perfect degree of doneness, tailoring their recommendations to each diner’s preferences with an honest and personal touch.

The food, particularly the steak, is nothing short of excellent. It’s evident that there is a high standard of quality and craftsmanship that goes into every dish. The steak was cooked to perfection, succulent and flavorful, a testament to the chef’s mastery in selecting and preparing the finest cuts. The accompanying sides were equally delightful, enhancing the meal without overshadowing the star of the show.

Beyond the steak, the menu offers a variety of dishes, each prepared with the same level of care and expertise. The ingredients are fresh, and the flavors are balanced and inventive, showcasing a blend of traditional and contemporary culinary techniques.

The ambiance of the restaurant complements the dining experience beautifully, with a decor that strikes a perfect balance between elegance and comfort. It’s an ideal setting for both special occasions and casual dinners. Really really...