The Fish Eels - Hoddesdon

Having visited the Fish Eels previously for a mid week lunch during the summer and had a lovely time we were excited to take friends back here. How disappointed we were. We went on a Saturday night, expecting it to be really busy and were surprised to find the place quite empty. We were seated quite quickly and drinks brought over and that was the quickest service we had all night. Don’t get me wrong, the serving staff were really friendly and tried their best, but I think they kept forgetting about us as we had to go over and ask for items a couple of times. We ordered the Mezze from the sharing platters and asked for Mezze for 4. When this arrived it was a sharing plate for 2 which the waitress thought we were sharing between 4! So another was quickly ordered but this still took at least 10 mins to come out ok this shows it’s done fresh so can’t really complain at that but the warm pittas and items on the other platter were going cold whilst we waited for the other one to arrive. As soon as we finished our starters, the waitress arrived to clear the plates away advising us that our mains were ready and asked if we wanted them held. Not wishing for food which would more than likely have to be kept warm we said to bring it straight out. The chips were cold and had to be sent back. The vegetables which came with it were just about warm. I ordered king prawn linguine from the specials menu and when this arrived the portion size was tiny I asked if it was a starter size to be told this was the normal size. The waitress did say she would ask if anything could be done and my partner offered to pay for any extra if that was the issue. To be fair they did top up the portion and didn't charge any extra. When our desserts finally arrived, (we had to remind them we were still there) the Eton Mess was exactly that a mess no fruit as stated in the menu! We were given free coffees as an apology for the poor meal. Unfortunately we won’t be returning.

No record of our booking, bunged on another table with no table service. No one seemed to know what they were doing. Food was standard, nothing special. Looked rushed. Beer was flat and tasteless! However, the waitress that took my bar order was really nice! Other than that. Was ok!

Awful experience! Food took too long to come, staff is unfriendly and lots of things on the menu were actually NOT available but there was no mention of it anywhere. It is my second visit there and the first time was disappointing too. The only good thing was the beautiful location

We booked a table for bank holiday Monday, first pub I have ever walked into and there were two lines of people queuing for drinks so not a good start!! Waited for 20 mins till we were shown to our table and told waitress would be over to take drinks order, again Waited 25 minutes and no waitress and no drink order taken!! We were then told by the nice family on the table next to us that they were short staffed, the menu was limited as sold out of allot of food and they had waited 2 and a half hours for their main course!! With that we left and went elsewhere as did a few other tables, have been to this restaurant on numerous occasions and left very happy but not this time, my advise is tell your customers your short staffed and the waiting time for food and that the menu was limited not just seat them and forget about them, never again in a bank holiday!!

After we had visited the fish eels for a lunch week during the summer and a nice time we had thrilled to take friends again. how disappointed we were. we went on a Saturday night, expected it really busy and were surprised to find the place quite empty. we sat very fast and drinks brought by and that was the fastest service we had all night. do not misunderstand me, the serving staff were really friendly and tried their best, but I think they always forget about us how to go and ask for objects a few times. we ordered the mezze of the Sharing plates and asked for mezze for 4. When this arrived, it was a Sharing plate for 2, which the waitress thought we would share between 4! so another one was ordered quickly, but this took at least 10 minutes to get out, ok this shows it is fresh made, so can not really complain that, but the warm pittas and objects on the other plate ran cold while we waited for the other. Once we finished our ancestors, the waitress arrived to delete the tellers that told us our nets were ready and asked if we wanted to stop them. not to desire food that must be kept more than likely warm, we said to bring it out directly. the chips were cold and had to be returned. the sweet thing that came with him was just about warm. I ordered king linguine from the special menu and when this arrived the portion size was tiny, I asked if it was an initial size that should be said that this was the normal size. the waitress said she would ask if something could be done, and my partner offered to pay for each extra if that was the problem. to be fair, they have the part above and no additional fees. when our desserts finally arrived (we had to remind them that we were still there) the eton mess was exactly what a chaos no fruits as indicated in the menu! we received free coffee as an excuse for the bad meal. unfortunately we will not return.