The Old Bell — Restaurant in St Albans

Let me start off by saying the staff here are really friendly and trying to do their best and accommodate all your requests. The food as well ‘in general’ is good and fair for the price. The service however is quite lacking….. first of all we ordered drinks 2 x Rioja & 1 x Merlot , the waitress comes to the table with the tray but then has no idea which is which (and almost surprised when we asked which is which as if all red wine must be the same!) We ordered the liver parfait starter. Indeed it was very nice but I was sharing it with my partner so we asked the waitress for more toast as it only came with 2 pieces. She said yes but it never came. Next another waiter came trying to clear our plate, we explained we are still waiting for more toast since 10 minutes. He went and got it immediately. The next thing…. We both ordered rib eye steak cooked ‘rare’ it came at best medium if not a bit over that. However it was still tasty. No one ever came to ask if everything was ok with our meals. We ordered initially Rioja by glass then another member of our party decided to join in on this so we ordered a bottle of it. The glasses we were served were indeed a very nice quality wine. The bottle that came was not Rioja it was very unclear from the label what exactly it was however it was made in USA and an ‘Italian inspired wine’ This is 100% NOT Rioja. I queried it with the waitress before we opened it and she assured me it was what we were served before….. which was also supposed to be Rioja! Anyway we enjoyed our meal despite the steak being over cooked. Then the bill came and indeed another wine from the USA was charged which according to the wine list was more expensive than the Rioja and not what we asked for. I asked the waitress to adjust the charge to reflect what we asked for/ordered regardless of what we were actually served as we were never informed if they did/didn’t have in stock the desired wine. The lady was actually amazing and removed ALL wine charges from the bill which we were not expecting. We were willing to pay but for the wine that we asked for. I’m giving 2 stars because this is the third time we’ve been to this pub and we really want to like it!! It’s a beautiful venue with nice staff and in general nice food but every single time we have come there has been some service issues. It could be so great….. please train your staff better. It’s a nice pub Disappointed by our experience again tonight, the discount is very much appreciated but it doesn’t make us want to come back as this is now too many times in a row with many problems :(...

Overall a very pretentious, disingenuous and discourteous service and customer experience.

Upon arrival on a quiet Monday lunchtime in June we (my 16 yo daughter and I) were asked if we'd booked, which we hadn't to which were ordered to sit in in a certain spot. The place was empty apart 2-3 pairs of other diners.

When the food arrived although my daughter's fish was lovely and light and crspy (which she enjoyed thoroughly), the chips were claggy and not the best texture. We knew she wouldn't eat the peas it came with.

The main problem however was my sausage and mash. I was expecting fresh and buttery mash (as described on the menu), however it was dry and had the texture of instant mash - mixed with not enough water, and completely lacking in that creamy buttery consistency that we can all achieve at home.

The young man taking orders and payments came over at the very start of the meal - to ask how everything was, to which I explained the sausages were great, but I had a problem with the mash for the reason outlined before. I saw him speak to the manager at the bar (who looked over at me and my plate and pulled a skeptical face), but my anticipation that one of them might speak to me about it, or try and remedy the problem, did not materialise.

My daughter and I continued with our plates.

Upon payment and being presented with a full bill, and no with no acknowledgement of the mash (which was clearly untouched on my plate when our table was cleared away), I asked if I might have a deduction made. The young man again went to speak with his manager.

I was told I would be offered a deduction because - You didn't ask for it to be changed at the start of the meal - (I wasn't presented with the option)

No other customers have ever had a problem with the mash (All customers are all individuals)

We could offer you a free dessert - (We didn't have time, not did we want the sugar intake)

In my opinion the food is overpriced for it's quality, the manager is self absorbed and lacking in true customer care skills, inflexible and rude.

I feel robbed, slighted, and will not be bringing the rest of my family here or be recommending the place to friends and other family members.

The venue looks impressive, but the staff lack...

Not being from Harpenden, I found myself in town while my fiancée was at Spire for surgery. Wanting to make the most of the time, I decided to find a comfortable spot to enjoy a nice meal. I’ve never actually eaten out alone due to anxiety, but I decided to take a chance—and I’m so glad I did.

After a quick search, this pub stood out, especially being just a few minutes' drive from the hospital. From the moment I arrived, I was impressed. The place has a really lovely atmosphere, with easy, free parking available for guests—such a bonus!

As soon as I walked in, I was warmly welcomed by the staff, who were friendly, chatty, and immediately put me at ease. I was seated right away and served promptly. I started with a Coke, which was perfectly chilled and refreshing, and the staff took my order as soon as I was ready—no pressure, just great timing.

I can’t speak highly enough of the service. The entire team was incredibly polite and attentive. A special mention goes to the general manager, Mike, who truly went above and beyond. It was refreshing to see a GM actively engaging with customers—checking in, chatting, and ensuring everything was just right. Jacqueline was also fantastic, equally welcoming and attentive. Their genuine care really made the experience feel special.

Now, the food—absolutely incredible. I had the pork belly, which was cooked to perfection: melt-in-your-mouth tender, paired with creamy mash and delicious cabbage. Every bite was packed with flavor. For dessert, I went with the chocolate brownie and clotted cream ice cream—pure indulgence without being too rich. Just the right balance.

The prices were more than fair for the quality of the food, service, and overall experience. It felt worth every penny. I also noticed they have outdoor seating for warmer days, which adds even more charm.

All in all, my experience here was outstanding. For anyone looking for a relaxing, high-quality meal or even just a peaceful drink, I would highly recommend this place. A hidden gem with a heartwarming atmosphere—I'll...