County Hotel, Samphire Restaurant

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1. J

   Jacs100

   Essex

   156 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   156 reviews

   Dined on 28 August 2020

   overall5food5service5ambience4

   Sapphire Restaurant: quiet on arrival by atmosphere livened up later, excellent service, food, wine list, value for money. Impressed!

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2. FE

   FrancescaE

   London

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on 11 May 2019

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Great time here for afternoon tea. Staff were accommodating to our particular eaters and assisted my with little sandwiches and milk for my young boy along with a colouring in pack - food was amazing! Love the cream cheese and mint sandwiches!!

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3. IM

   IanM

   Essex

   3 reviews

   4.0

   3 reviews

   Dined on 14 February 2018

   overall4food4service1ambience2

   Food was nice. Service was just poor. They tried but it was like everyone had just started and didn’t have a clue.

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4. J

   Jacs100

   Essex

   156 reviews

   vip
   3.0

   156 reviews

   Dined on 1 November 2017

   overall3food4service2ambience1

   The food at The County Hotel is great (I had the pan fried salmon with mashed potato which was excellent) but there was absolutely no atmosphere on both occasions I have dined there recently. (Maybe it gets busier later in the evening though).

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5. NH

   NicH

   Buckinghamshire

   3 reviews

   3.0

   3 reviews

   Dined on 10 September 2017

   overall3food5service3ambience4

   Nicely refurbished restaurant, excellent menu and wonderful food. The only problem was that on a Sunday lunchtime, with only 50% occupancy the food service was so slow. We were first to arrive at 12 noon and finally paid the bill at 14:30 which even for a 3 course lunch was glacial in pace. Our frustration was mentioned a couple of times to staff but they just blamed the kitchens .

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6. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Essex

   3 reviews

   3.0

   3 reviews

   Dined on 4 June 2017

   overall3food3service4ambience3

   Good service, very quiet, good food

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7. J

   Jacs100

   Essex

   156 reviews

   vip
   4.0

   156 reviews

   Dined on 17 March 2017

   overall4food5service5ambience2

   Samphire at The County Hotel is a great find! Couldn't fault the service (waitress very friendly), food excellent, décor and ambience very relaxing, but there was not much atmosphere on the Friday evening when we went (only a few other guests dining). Highly recommend.

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8. b

   bellymo

   Essex

   5 reviews

   3.0

   5 reviews

   Dined on 22 May 2016

   overall3food4service2ambience3

   The hotel dining room is lovely but it was empty, we did get there early for the pre-theatre menu but even so. The choice was good and everyone enjoyed there meal. Apart from the lack of atmosphere my problem was the service, the waiter lent over the ladies to give the men there meals and obviously wasnt aware of silver service. We were told that if we wanted dessert we had to order it with the rest of the order - why? who knows if they want a dessert before having the starter and main and we were the only people in the restaurant! so we just said no. Great location for the Chelmsford Civil, we left our car and just walked up. Brilliant

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9. YY

   YumYum

   London

   3 reviews

   3.0

   3 reviews

   Dined on 5 April 2015

   overall3food3service4ambience2

   My wife and I have been to the County Kitchen a few times for their Sunday Carvery. So why, you may ask have I only given the County Kitchen 3 stars and entitled my review as lacks consistency? Well the title does say it all, it isn't that the food and service and surroundings are bad its just that as a complete package it...........lacks consistency. Perhaps I should explain rather than repeating myself Our table was crammed in with others in the small conservatory/veranda area. It felt cramped as we were against a pillar and so close to at least 6 other diners that it felt uncomfortable and unwelcoming, especially as the rest of the restaurant was empty. Moving on to our food. We opted for starters, followed by the carvery. My wife's starter crab & haddock fishcake, with chive hollandaise was presented nicely and according to her "very nice but lacked flavour". Mine was pork belly terrine and chutney my comments mirror those of my wife's. Lacked seasoning and flavour, but looked nice. I echo Greg Wallace's thoughts on Masterchef the other day....."...would rather have something that tastes good rather than a dish that just looks pretty..." Now the carvery you have a choice of at 3 roast meats plus vegetables and if you feeling really hungry there isn't a limit to the number of times you can go back. But for most appetites 1 visit is enough. Being a little greedy I had a couple of slices of port (with yummily crisp crackling) and some beef. The carver described the beef as medium rare (my preference) but it was more like medium to well done so it was a bit tough and chewy (shame as it looked a fantastic joint of beef). That finally put an end to our meal, we paid our bill (£59.95 incl bottle of wine, and starters) and left. I have to say that this hasn't been our experience on other occasions, so perhaps its was just an off day. Will we go back? Probably, but we won't be rushing back. Its not a bad place, it just.....lacks consistency!

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10. CF

    CFox

    London

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 17 October 2014

    overall4food4service4ambience3

    The food was great and reasonably priced. The restaurant was absolutely empty which seemed strange for 1pm and certainly spoiled the atmosphere. Service was great though.

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11. L

    Louis

    London

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 8 March 2014

    overall4food5service4ambience5

    Great meal, really nice atmosphere great birthday event! Would suggest going with a partner for a special occassion.

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12. R

    Rayymondo

    London

    21 reviews

    4.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on 24 September 2013

    overall4food4service3ambience3

    Arrived early and had drink in bar , met dinner guest and moved through to restaurant . Shame almost empty , but were made to feel welcome. Shared starter (and they altered the quantity ( Scallops) to be divided by two ) - good move! Partner had the Fish and I had the Lamb All food was delicious and well seasoned and nicely presented. Waitress was helpful and smiled lots Looking forward to a repeat visit

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13. P

    Pityme

    London

    7 reviews

    4.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on 30 March 2013

    overall4food4service5ambience4

    This is not our first experience here and have booked again if there is one issue is that you would think for the price a bread basket would be offered especially with the excellent steamed mussels. Bit quiet at the moment so the the atmosphere was probably not as good as it could be.

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14. R

    Russell

    London

    35 reviews

    4.0

    35 reviews

    Dined on 3 February 2013

    overall4food4service3ambience3

    Good range of starters - we had the sliced duck - tasty and a generous portion. We both had the roast beef which was excellent. Chefs were very jolly and served generously - Beef, lots of veg and 2 types of potato. A dessert table to die for - chocolate b & b pudding, many cheese cakes - more fruit would have been good. First coffee had almost no coffee in it - just hot milk! Replacement cup much better. Table service efficient but not overly warm. This was a very informal family oriented venue so this service seemed oddly out of place.

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15. TO

    TheOutofTowners2012

    Essex

    10 reviews

    4.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on 23 October 2011

    overall4food5service3ambience4

    We visited The County Kitchen on Sunday 23rd Oct. As other reviews have suggested, it was far from full to capacity (we arrived at 12:30) and were 1 of 3 tables. Towards the end of our meal the number of occupied tables had "swollen" to 5. I was told by my father-in-law that the lentil and bacon soup was great, the best soup he had had in years (and this is coming from an ex chef). Those that had the carvery said it was very good, well cooked. My pork belly was perfect. Desserts were amazing!

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16. GK

    GK2030

    London

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 30 July 2011

    overall3food4service4ambience2

    Excellent food, freshly cooked and highly enjoyable. Only criticism is the place lacks atmosphere.

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17. JL

    JoeyLove

    London

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on 22 July 2011

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    A very attractive venue, both inside and out. The food is excellent and the service is to a high standard. The atmosphere is pleasant and not too lively. If you want somewhere with a bit more atmosphere then I wouldnt recommend here.

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18. DD

    DownhamDiner

    London

    21 reviews

    4.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on 25 June 2011

    overall4food4service4ambience3

    The County Kitchen, (County Hotel), in Chelmsford was eerily quiet for a Saturday night. There were two other couples already dining when we arrived and one further couple turned up whilst we were there, so consequently there wasn't much of an ambience to report on. The chef was clearly bored as our selected dishes came out very quickly, but the food itself was absolutley fine. At first glance I thought the portion sizes were a little light but by the end of the meal I was quite content.

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19. JT

    JohnT

    London

    11 reviews

    4.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on 24 April 2011

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    The County Hotel, Country Kitchen, Chelmsford. We had an excellent Sunday lunch. The restaurant had a good ambiance. The roast meats from the carvery were very good. The service was friendly and attentive if not "silver service". Whilst the wine list was narrow we were able to select a reasonable bottle.

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20. s

    sarahtalan

    London

    20 reviews

    4.0

    20 reviews

    Dined on 23 October 2010

    overall4food4service4ambience5

    The County Hotel was a great place to take my parents for a meal to avoid the rowdiness everywhere else in Chelmsford on a Saturday night.

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21. JB

    JBo86

    London

    22 reviews

    4.0

    22 reviews

    Dined on 15 October 2010

    overall4food4service3ambience3

    County Kitchen Chelmsford. Although the outside might not look too smart inside this is a well presented, contemporary restaurant. The evening we went had a function in another part of the hotel which seemed to keep the waiters very busy but they still managed to pay us lots of attention. Was given the wrong starter, although this was rectified, and food was a little slow (probably the food for the function). Food was very nice though - mussels, lamb cutletts & choc tort particularly good.

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22. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    London

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 27 June 2010

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    a really pleasent place to sit and eat , the staff were all attentive and the calvery was fabulous, will be going again soon !

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23. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    London

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on 29 May 2010

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    We found this restaurant through Top Table as we were looking for somewhere nice but not pricey in Chelmsford. The exterior and location looked unpromising, but once inside it was a little gem. Very nice menu and good service and we would definately return.

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24. YM

    YuMM

    Essex

    30 reviews

    1.0

    30 reviews

    Dined on 24 October 2009

    overall1food2service1ambience1

    Not what we imagined it to be. I booked a table at the County Kitchen, Chelmsford, for my husband's birthday and was a little disappointed in the menu. Not enough choice for us and what arrived was a little bland and unexciting. The restaurant was also very empty and cold and lacked any ambience. Wouldn't return.

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25. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    London

    11 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on 14 November 2008

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    A very nice meal in pleasant if slightly sterile surroundings. Little atmosphere but this was probably due to the restaurant being virtually empty and I'm sure would improve in the evenings. Friendly and obliging waiter service let down only slightly due to the fact their credit card machine doesnt work in the restaurant so you have to walk to reception to pay! Overall though the food was very good and I would especially recommend the Red Snapper.

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