Eight Bells, Saffron Waldenback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The restaurant area is somewhat characterless - difficult for what could be a lovely building, but they manage it. Bar area is OK but felt cramped. Food, frankly, was average and over-priced. Similarly beers were average. Probably won't be back in a hurry.
BobOs - 23 Aug 2008 11:43 |
I can only imagine the wonderful pub this place probably was. How could they have done this to such a wonderful, characterful old pub?
It is now a sterile restaurant where the only seating on my visit seemed to be rows of dining tables with very un-publike chairs. No respite from this exposure, no nooks and crannies, no bar area. When you walk in, serving girls are there to seat you and take your order. Nice, in its place. Not when, to get it, you have to lose a pub with hundreds of years worth of atmosphere.
Hopefully none of the original features were removed and some day a more sensible owner will try and regain the warmth and atmosphere this pub must once have had.
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£2.50 for a small coke???????? not going beck here....no atmosphere any more far too clinical.
anonymous - 5 Aug 2007 08:37 |
I went there last night with a large group. The service was very good and the staff very friendly. The portions were, I thought, the right size although several in the party felt there should have been more vegetables. (If you have the steak pie the vegetables are underneath it.) Sticky toffee pudding is recommended, however, the soup was rather bland. It can become quite noisy if there is a large party so might be worth checking this out before you book. One word of warning, if you are invited to have your coffee in the bar check that there are seats available or be prepared to drink it standing up; as another contributor has noted the bar area is quite small compared to the restaurant.
anonymous - 20 May 2007 15:11 |
I would thoroughly recommend this pub (as a restaurant). I took my wife there on our anniversary with another couple of friends. I had been before so I knew what to expect.
I guess I would describe it as more of a restaurant than a pub these days. There is a bar area (in fact there are two areas exclusively for drinking) but it seemed that most of the people there were there to eat.
All four of us were HUGELY impressed with the place. The atmosphere was very relaxed and friendly. The service was superb - the manager/owner came and spoke to us several times and nothing seemed to be too much trouble for him or any of the staff.
The menu is classy and there was plenty to appeal to all of us. The food was divine (and the presentation was excellent). It was probably a good thing that the portions weren't massive because the food was quite rich. None of us went away feeling unsatisfied though. I guess if quantity is your thing rather than quality you should go elsewhere!
(even the wine was served at exactly the right temperature!)
The prices weren't too bad either. We all had starters main course and desert and two bottles of wine between us and we paid about £150
My tip - the Sticky Toffee Pudding is to die for!
NOTE: The current management have been there since about September/October 2006. I never went in this pub before then but it seems to have had a complete transformation from the sound of the other comments
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I think localyocal has got it right........which is a big shame. The place has gone a weird grey/blue colour on all the woodwork, the top bar is a tapas area with tables all laid out for eating, not sitting and having a pint. The actual area for drinking is very small, and set out more like a holding area for the food parts of the place. Not tried the food, alledgedly it is good, but portions are small.
Nobody goes in there for a drink anymore so it seems!
Sounds like I am describing a restaurant with a small bar attached...? I think so.....!
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I was based at Wimbish in the early to late 90's just up the road from Saffron Walden and a few of us religiously frequented the Eight Bells during the day on a Saturday and on Saturday Evenings, I am very surprised by the sound of other comments that it appears to have lost the wonderful character it had back then! the food was Outstanding be it in the unusual 'Barn' restuarant or a meal bought from the Bar, the staff and service were excellent and the female staff were always stunners and lovely friendly people. The Eight Bells was one of those pubs that you would love to revisit if ever back in the area, it used to attract 'nice' people the sort who would talk to you if stood next to you even if you had never seen each other before! I hope to read here in future that the pub has gained back its once remarkable character. Maybe the current Landlord/Lady and Staff can sit down and speak to people who used to work or frequent there and try and regain what sounds like has been lost?
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Since previous contribution, the landlord retired (although now runs a pub in Orsett, South Essex), and the dog died. New manager was an American lady, although she like good beer which was a bonus. IPA was removed (which is a good thing as its everywhere in Walden), and beers are now Broadside, Landlord and guest which has been varied and well kept. In fact the beer is as good now as it was years ago. However the big news is that Spirit Group (pubs part of the Punch group) have flogged it off to a guy who owns just a handful of other pub/restaurants so we may yet see a return to proper food. All happens in the next month so I am told - watch this space.
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Oh dear. What happened to the Eight Bells then?
Once upon a time this boasted an Egon Ronay rated menu in the stunning restaurant, an ancient Tudor barn. I should know how good this place was as I worked there (albeit in the kitchens). Despite its location right at the end of the town people would come from miles to drink here because the atmosphere was genuine.
What happened? It got bought out and was turned into a kind of 'themed' pub. You know, they have tried to give it a spit-and-sawdust look which makes it look contrived. Silly really as it always was a spit-and-sawdust pub.
Beer is ok and the landlord has good intentions (and a beautiful dog too!) but I can't see him lasting. Go to the OEG instead.
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Usually three real ales, currently IPA, Abbot and Adnams Broadside (tasty). Bar staff friendly, food is way below how it used to be in the late 80's/early 90's as it's now part of a set menu chain of pubs. Having said that it's still tasty enough grub, if a little bit expensive for what you get.
Can be a bit quiet in the week, although Thursday often busier. Weekends can get a good atmosphere, not crowded out, and no under age or chavs come down.
Sunday recommended - a regular quiz night with Malcolm in the chair (usually around 30 quid prize, pound per person). TV very occasionally for terrestrial sport, pool, dart board, other board games, jenga available.
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