Eileen's By Steve Barringer in Central Bedfordshire

To start with, despite my rating I do want to say that the food was absolutely faultless. I would go so far as to say it was the best taster menu I've ever had. Perhaps the best meal I've ever had if I'm honest! Every dish was so expertly put together and each one hit all the right flavour notes. You could tell that Steve has worked hard to ensure everything is perfectly balanced. The dish presentation was elegant and didn't feel pretentious, unlike some other taster menus I've had (costing far more) which seemed more about visual wow factor than actually tasting delicious and leaving you wanting more. The service was also excellent and there was a good atmosphere. The waiter was upbeat and there was a bit of well-judged banter too. Each dish was presented with a brief intro to the ingredients, and a nice touch was that Steve also presented a couple of the dishes himself. If this is all that matters to you, you can stop reading my review now because the rest is nitpicking, but for a premium experience I feel a few tweaks would have made for a knockout evening. The points below are far from dealbreakers, so please do take that into account - they absolutely shouldn't stop you going. - No prices on the drinks menu and no beer on offer. I think the wine list may have had pricing, but we don't drink wine so we were looking at what else was on offer. I assume that people will generally go to Eileen's with a healthy budget, and perhaps not really care what they're going to add on top of the taster menu price (which, for what it is, is very good value). However, it felt really awkward to be asking the waiter for the cost of a G+T - and he didn't come back with an answer so we just ordered anyway, not knowing what we would be billed. We also felt that the drinks menu presentation was poor - it was a set of laminated A4 sheets of paper, which just didn't feel premium. There weren't any beers on the drinks menu either - but given that the sheets were all separate, I just wonder if one was missing as we thought this was odd. - Decor. We were in the downstairs area, and it feels like there's a disparity between the food proposition and the environment. There are some uplighters dotted around which feel quite dated, but the thing that felt very non-premium were the cheap LED rechargeable table lamps. When we were seated, the waiter turned it on and within a few minutes it started flickering which was really distracting so I turned it off, which kind of killed the ambience. I asked for a replacement and that one ran out of power within a couple of minutes. The waiter did spot this, calling them the bane of his life, and replaced with a simple candle which was so much more appropriate anyway. They should honestly throw them all away and stick with candles - keep it simple! I would say that the upstairs area, where the bar is, had a bit more appeal. - Music. While the music choice was absolutely fine (rather upbeat for premium dining, but it worked) the music service was a free one - meaning that every few songs an advert came on, like we were listening to a local radio station. This really cheapened the whole thing, and although it probably went unnoticed by people in deep conversation, once I noticed it once, each time an advert came on it really jarred with me. Like I said, the food was absolutely sensational, the service was great and the things above wouldn't stop us returning. I've only docked a point because at this price point you have certain expectations, and there were a few things about the environment that fell a little short - but so easily fixed.

This is so good! Steve Barringer is a genius. An evening here is a fantastic experience. The food is sublime, the hospitality is lovely and the winepairing was great. This restaurant should get a star for sure.

What an experience. Me and my wife came here expecting dishes with unique flavour combinations and design… was not disappointed! Every dish was so well balanced and had perfect portion sizes. Staff were really attentive, surprisingly Steve even served us every dish and was checking to get feedback on the dishes. Well worth the money for an experience like this, I look forward to the monthly menu changes.

We went for our anniversary dinner and had a fantastic experience from start to finish. They went the extra mile to fit us in, and the food took us on a journey that was simply amazing and everything we wanted from the evening! Thank you to Steve, Chris and all the staff that made it a wonderful evening!

Booked Eileen's for our 1st wedding anniversary. Food and Service was outstanding. 7 course taster menu did not disappoint. You really feel part of everything with Steve delivering and explaining each dish as served. The gin wasn't bad either. 😉

An exceptional meal for our Golden Wedding celebration. The evening was perfect in every way. Food was delicious and every member of the team were amazing. We had the five course tasting menu.

Brilliant 👌🏻 Haddock and Plaice dishes on the May menu were another level. FOH were all great. Really appreciate the standards set whilst also not being at all pretentious.

The food was incredible. We went for the seven courses and we were blown away with each one and ate every last bit! We will definitely be going back.

Upon arrival we ordered two Gin and Tonics, both arrived without garnish and with the wrong Tonics, when I pointed this out later I was told sorry shall I get you some lemon rather than Ill get you fresh drinks ! My first fish course arrived with a bone in it, with a very small piece of filleted fish this is not acceptable, when raised again I was told sorry. We had the wine flight to accompany our 7 courses. On two of the flights my partner and myself had totally different wine glasses. We waited so long to pay our bill that in the end we went to the till paid and left. For a meal costing over £300 this kind of service is simply not acceptable, the staff were all very young and although very friendly clearly inexperienced. Unfortunately the poor service tainted the evening.

Absolutely wonderful food, great service from all the team ! And AMAZING value for the quality of food that was served ! We will be booking to go back again really soon !!! Fabulous

Superb meal (with the wine pairing - well worth it if you're not driving) as a birthday treat. The entire meal was excellent but the John Dory was exceptional. Well worth the money for special occasions.

I said the word "unbelievable" at least 30 times, and there were only 7 courses. The chef, Steve came out to serve us which I thought was lovely - he was so humble considering his food is made of magic. I turned the menu over and only knew what was served when it came - it was so, so good! Sean, Luke and Zoe were absolutely phenomenal and really made the experience!

Fabulous selection of dishes beautifully prepared & presented

Wonderful meal,superlative cooking and presentation,delightful evening with relaxed but attentive sevice.Thankyou!

Fantastic world class food and service, great team work, highly recommended

I enjoyed a wonderful tasting menu here. The food was excellent. The chefs are working very hard to produce great dishes. The decor could be better. We had to endure a table of very rowdy locals making loud noise throughout the whole experience, who I imagine had come in steaming from the local pub. I can't blame the restaurant for this, some people just don't know how to behave in public.

Not been to Eileen’s for a while Had a great evening there last night Food was, as to be expected the star of the show. Enjoyed the wine flight / pairings too Front of house has improved markedly too Highly recommend

Beautiful tasting menu, at a price that makes it a very occasional treat for special occasions.

What an experience. Absolutely fabulous meal.

Absolutely incredible food. Tasted tastes and combinations I didn’t even know were possible. I like good food, but was blown away by this menu. Steve was a really nice guy too, you can tell he just loves what he does.

This was the first time at this venue, and I am surprised that I had not heard of it before. The location could be better particularly in respect of parking but once there the staff are friendly and welcoming, pleased to help and provide any assistance required. It is certainly a place once discovered I will want to visit again. The food is well cooked and presented (although see below) and the choice of either 5 or 7 courses set menu is something you know before you go and the inclusion of matching wine also something usual at this type of restaurant. Overall, we had a great evening in warm surroundings (not knowing we had put on extra layers due to the cold outside but had to shed most whilst there). Food was tasty and time between courses just right. When I have a tasting menu part of the enjoyment for me is of course the taste but also the visual appeal of each course, presented well and made to look even more appetising and this was the only slight downside I felt, here. It was difficult to see the courses, particularly those in bowls as the light was dim to start with and cast shadows which meant that you could not see what you are eating. As the food was tasty it was not too much of a problem, but it would have been more enjoyable, for me, if I could look before and whilst eating, - but not something I thought worth reducing the experience to 4*. Well worth a visit if you are happy to pay the (deserved) price charged and if you can, enjoy the added selection of matching wines.

Our first fine dining experience, and what a fantastic one it was. A relaxed and friendly atmosphere with well-informed, welcoming staff. The food was incredible. We opted for the 7-course taster menu, but without the wine pairing, and every course was just perfect. Couldn't fault a single aspect of the evening. Wonderful!

Never fails to impress. Amazing food every time! Never change the bread!

My boyfriend and I came here last night for dinner. The staff were so friendly and attentive and the food was incredible. Every dish is so carefully thought out - all the different flavours and textures, it was just spectacular. They also gave us a card to say happy anniversary which was a lovely extra touch! Additionally they catered for my nut allergy without any issue (just told them in advance). We had a perfect evening - got the 7 courses (which included the most amazing bread and whipped butter and mince pie muffins to finish) but were absolutely stuffed so would go for the 5 courses next time.

Simply amazing, from start to finish, the food was superb, the wine flight was fantastic and the service brilliant too! Well done Steve and team! Looking forward to our next visit!

We received a voucher for Eileen’s as a gift and I was a little hesitant being a Wetherspoons/carvery girl. I’ve never really experienced the smaller portion type meals and have always been deemed a bit of a bland eater. After a bit of convincing we went for our meal last night. What can I say, I’m a changed woman. What a taste sensation! There is not one bit I didn’t enjoy and if it was socially acceptable I probably would’ve licked my plate. Looking at the menu at first I thought ‘how does anyone make a turnip taste good?’ Turns out Steve can. This was honestly one of the best eating experiences I’ve had in years and I look forward to bringing others here to experience an incredible array of dishes. Thank you to the staff at Eileen’s who were also fabulous with their service and for giving us an all round incredible experience. I didn’t take any photos because the food was in mouth before I could even get the camera out!!!

Had a small intimate wedding reception. Food was amazing, the wine pairing was explained with the food. Lovely experience.

Loved my experience at eileens the food was amazing

Pity you can only give a 5. This place deserves a 10. Absolutely brilliant! I would recommend Eileen’s to anyone who enjoys exquisite food

We took our daughter here tonight for her 16th birthday. It was absolutely epic, I can’t even compare it to other food we have had as it was a totally different and an incredible experience. Steve who runs the kitchen came out to see us and wished my daughter happy birthday. All the staff were wonderful and detailed every course of food. All in all, I can’t see that it gets better than this. Thank you to Steve and all his team for making my daughter’s 16th birthday so memorable.

This is without doubt our favourite restaurant to go to. Absolutely out of this world food, amazing friendly service and a fantastic ambience. 100% recommend.

Very nice evening eating through their 7 course taster menu, which was delicious. Waiters were efficient, friendly & knowledgeable. Food came in interesting combinations with exceptional tastes, textures & flavours.

Second time I’ve been here - fantastic food and service as always!

We dined at Eileen’s restaurant on Thursday. As regular eaters at fine dining and michelin star restaurants we rank this up there with the best. The food was exceptional, the presentation beautiful and Steve’s presents and interest in the guests refreshing. The overall ambience was relaxed but with attention to detail. Staff very friendly. All in all a great evening. We highly recommend this restaurant.

We dined at Eileen’s restaurant on Thursday. As regular eaters at fine dining and michelin star restaurants we rank this up there with the best. The food was exceptional, the presentation beautiful and Steve’s presents and interest in the guests refreshing. The overall ambience was relaxed but with attention to detail. Staff very friendly. All in all a great evening. We highly recommend this restaurant.

We booked Eileen’s well in advance as a birthday treat for my partner and were not disappointed. We do occasionally treat ourselves to fine dining and Eileen’s is by far the best fine dining experience we have had for a while. I was happy to order the 5 course menu as I knew I would struggle with 2 desserts, but the birthday girl wanted the 7 course menu. We ended up taking home one of the desserts..Each dish was delicious and just the right portion size. Attention to detail and presentation was first class. Great service too from all the staff who clearly work hard as a team together. Thank you so much for a great evening and the birthday card too! I am so glad I chose Eileen’s for this birthday meal.

Exceptional food, I ran out of superlatives after course 4... Service was personal, considered and flawless. The menu was inspired- the apple sorbet is the finest thing that I have eaten in a decade. The restaurant was not quite what I was expecting, split into two with only one basic bathroom. It did lack a little opulence; the table was small, plastic, and the central leg with 4 feet made it difficult to get comfortable for the 3hr duration. We will be back!

Loved every morsel of the 7 course tasting menu. Steve, Amy and the team delivered great food, wine and service. I really loved the interaction with the staff who made sure they explained every course and wanted feedback on what we thought. This was also followed up by the chef Steve who was also engaged in what we thought. All I can say is delicious, go and try if you can get a table it is well worth it. Have the wine flight and enjoy.

Outstanding every time. Nothing compares

Simply superb! My sister treated me to dinner at Eileen’s for my 50th birthday whilst I was back in the UK in May, from Australia 🇦🇺 It was divine! Each course was delicious, the service and atmosphere was fabulous and Steve came out and chatted, which was lovely. 🫶🏽 💯 coming back when on my next trip to Blighty!

Truly exceptional food. Lovely atmosphere. Great service by friendly knowledgeable people. This was our first visit and we hope it will not be our last. Great combinations of ingredients used in a very complimentary but different way with well selected paired wines with each course. We had seven courses in sufficient quantity to be satisfied but not over full and the wine quantity was more generous than some tasting menus. The chef brought some of the food out asking for our views on what we liked best and least. The best had the wow factor and the least was better than good based on personal taste rather than quality.

Anyone who give Eileen's less than 5/5 is quite frankly a philistine. I have eaten in restaurants all over the world including a number of Michelin starred ones and Eileen's is one of the best I have been to. I am not a lover of beetroot, but the oven roasted beetroot with feta has me converted. Of note also were the mackerel and lamb dishes. Exquisite. Cannot recommend this place highly enough!!

Fantastic food , every course was amazing and great service

What an explosion in the mouth!! Each course and paired wine were absolutely amazing and delicious. From the fresh baked rolls with whipped buttermilk to the white chocolate and peach pudding each course left me excited for the next course. We opted for the 7 course and was struggling to finish to 2 pudding courses. To have this type of eating experience so close and not have to travel to far is awesome. I can’t wait to come back and taste next months menu. Hats off to Steve and all his staff !!!

What a experience! The food was amazing 7 courses with paired wine. We were absolutely blown away. Each course left us in anticipation for the next. By the time the first pudding course came we were full. But I couldn’t pass on another pudding! I can’t wait to go back and try another menu

Wow !!The food was amazing and the service the same.The sea bream was simply sensational and the wine was not over priced.Thanks Steve and team for a fantastic evening.

I've never experienced anything like it. The staff were attentive, the food was AMAZING, the chef came out to speak to every table - great personal touch, the wine was perfectly paired with the food, there were just the right amount of tables in there....just awesome. I can't wait to go back!

Wow, what an amazing 7 course tasting experience. Food was out of this world. So much work must of gone into making it so tasty. Steve, Amy and the whole team looked after us so well. Wine matched perfectly to each dish. Would highly recommend to anyone needing to tantalise their tastebuds. A wonderful evening thank you all at Eileens, we look forward to our next visit.

The food was special, particularly the beetroot and mackerel dishes. Unfortunately, we were all very disappointed to eat in such low grade surroundings. Mr Barringer’s food is why you are there, but the dining room was poorly lit, poorly decorated and frankly uncomfortable to sit in.

Some very very clever plates of food, the taste and flavours are amazing, also the wine pairing was very well done. All at what we felt was a very reasonable price for such quality.

Had a fantastic experience at Eileen's. All of the team are attentive and professional. The 8 course taster menu is out of this world. Take a visit,you will not be disappointed.

A very special place to visit. Always 5/5, well worth the price as it never disappoints.

What can I say, simply wonderful! Went for my birthday meal and had 7 course meal with a flight of wine. Everything was first class Thanks Steve Barringer

We came in here last minute booking. They were great. I feel we were maybe a little to rowdy for here but none the less were treated so well. The food was fantastic and the courses explained well for the tasting menu. I want to...

Food was amazing, staff were lovely and it's so nice that the Chef actually brings you some of your courses and has a chat. We only had 5 courses but that was plenty. Will definitely go back.

Absolutely fantastic! The service was incredible and the food was absolutely delicious. Could not recommend highly enough!

How lucky we are to have talent like this. The tasting menu experience was just that. The staff were polite and attentive. The love in the food was truly appreciated. We had exclamations of ummy, grrrrrr and as we were soothed by Steve Wonders Very...

Had an amazing evening at Eileen's, food was amazing as usual and the staff were great. We were sat down stairs next to the window and it made a really romantic setting for me and my partner. This will be our last date before our...

Really disappointed, was made to go round the back of the building, there was no lights & all the surrounding buildings were shuttered up, I was on my own & felt unsafe. When I arrived I was meet with “ have you got a reservation …. No welcome, we were sat in what looked like a converted garage, poor lighting & very basic decor. The food was average at best and one course arrived cold on a cold plate, after my husband had finished his food the waiter took mine away & came back 10 minutes later offering to hear it up… We had the wine paring which was so mean each glass about half an inch of wine & the sommelier spoke so quietly, we never heard a word of the description. Maybe if we were in the main restaurant , where there was music & a better atmosphere it would have been a nicer experience.There is only one toilet & people were queuing to use it. Finally when we came to pay they had no change in the till 😵‍💫 & again we were made to leave by the back entrance & walk in an area with no lighting and through a derelict unsafe area.

Bad from start to finish, made to go round the back & seated in what looks like a converted garage, bad lighting, couldn’t see the menu, & the acoustics were so bad we couldn’t hear what the waiter was saying. Food was average & served...

Absolutely superb! The four of us all opted for the seven course tasting menu, and a couple went for the paired wines. All of the courses were beautiful, and interesting. Absolute stand out favourite for me was the salmon poached in olive oil. Steve was so nice and chatted with us towards the end of our meal, and went into detail about some of the dishes. The whole experience was excellent; from the intimate dining room, the brilliant service, and the incredible food. Would 100% recommend, and we will be back!

Amazing tasting menu, absolutely faultless. Will definitely be back.

Utterly brilliant. So good to have a restaurant of this quality around here. Steve and the crew were relaxed but attentive and the food was exceptional.

Food was fantastic and the service was great too. Steve came over to explain 3 of the dishes himself. The overwhelming elephant in the room letting down Steve's otherwise incredible experience is the very drab building/decor. It was a strange experience having to go into...

My wife and I really looked forward to our visit to Eileen’s again. The menu proved to be an adventure and we discovered attractive dishes packed full of flavour. Service was good provided by young servers learning their trade. We really want to encourage and...

Great meal. We had the 8 course tasting menu 😋 loved it.

An amazing experience. Came for a dinner here with my family and everyone has different dietary requirements, we were each presented our own menus to accommodate it. Even the wine pairing for each dishes were changed for the vegans when needed.

This is a dining experience as it should be. Great tastes and flavours - gently challenging the diner to eat something different.

Had the pleasure of having dinner with my wife at Eileen’s this evening. The food was stunning, and the service was excellent, the music was 70/80’s disco which I loved. We shall be returning for our wedding anniversary in Sept.

We visited Eileen’s as a group of 4 and overall thought it was very good. The food itself is absolutely excellent, the flavours were amazing, the presentation was beautiful and they created a vegetarian version of the menu for us. The service was also really...

Having moved from Kent (being spoiled for quality restaurants and knowing the area for 40 years) to Hertfordshire (knowing nothing about the area’s restaurants or where to look) we came across Eileen’s because it was close to us but also have fantastic reviews. Well, to...

Absolutely exquisite. Evert mouthful was divine. Only complaint is that I'm desperate to visit again ASAP because I'm left wanting more!

Firstly, I have already tried to contact the restaurant by leaving comments on their website but never got any response. Ate here last year and the food was great. 7 course menu with paired wines. Would absolutely recommend this place based on the food alone,...

Worth every penny will be going back here again The staff were great, really good to go to a place where everyone seems to want to make your evening enjoyable

Such a lovely dining experience. Well worth treating yourselves.

My husband and I visited Eileen’s for a special pre-Christmas dinner. It goes without saying that the food was delicious with exciting flavour combinations and unlike some taster menus, the portions were generous. However, we couldn’t wait to leave. Our table was the only two-person...

I went to the restaurant last night and whilst the food was good 4 stars the service in my opinion was poor. Here is why I say that: We arrived early for our reservation we sat down and ordered a couple of glasses of wine...

We have visited Eileen’s several times and it is always our first choice for a special occasion meal. We took some friends with us last night, and they were very impressed with their first visit - I suspect they will be back! Steve is always...

We had such a good evening!! The staff were so welcoming from the moment we walked in the door. Chatty but not too full on! I loved the lighting and atmosphere, felt really cosy and comfortable on a cold evening. The food was incredible!!! We...

Incredible. The best tasting menu we've ever had, make sure you go for the 7 courses and the wine pairings! What are you waiting for?! Book here now!!

Stevie and I have been visiting Eileen's monthly for about 1.5 years and we have NEVER had a bad experience. The food is amazing, the service and staff are always happy to answer any question about the food. Steve Barringer has a wonderful way of combining flavours, textures and making every month different. Would recommend anyone to experience the casual fine dinning experience of Eileen's!

Absolute perfection. The taste menu is an incredible experience.

Such a wonderful experience we both had the 8 course taster menu. Food was excellent in both taste and presentation. Staff were so friendly and Steve not only served some of his creations he also took the time to speak to the customers to obtain...

Again, we had a wonderful evening celebrating my birthday with friends. The food was outstanding with incredible flavours while accommodating for an allergy. The staff were professional, helpful and friendly. The whole evening and experience was a special treat. Thank you

We visited on a Thursday evening in October. We had the seven course tasting menu. Every course was outstanding it was impossible to pick a favourite. This was possibly the best food that we have ever eaten. Service was excellent. We will return!

We have had many degustation/tasting menus around the world and unfortunately this didn't hit the spot. We had to ask for our drinks as nobody brought them to us. We weren't shown the bottles of wine that matched each course, drinks came out by the...

The Chef is an ex Masterchef finalist and we were not disappointed with our fantastic 5 course tasting menu at circa £50 . After each course Steve came out to explain the ingredients and the server was very friendly and knowledgable. We visited on a...

We did the 5 course menu with the wine flight with a groups of 8. The food was outstanding, better than some of the starred restaurants we have been to. The real difference was Steve himself. He was so gracious with his time and his...

A MUST!!!! Former Master Chef finalist serves seasonal food at a reasonable price. Wine pairing is available on the 5 or 7 course taster menu. Mid week availability easier than at weekends and parking available to the rear.

Absolutely incredible experience, 7 courses of some of the best food you are likely to eat! The waiting staff were lovely and very attentive and I really enjoyed the chef's explaining each meal as it comes out, an evening you'll be sure to remember!

I had the 7 course tasting menu - vegan option . It was just amazing. And so good to have properly created vegan food . Already thinking when to go again. The service was excellent too - thank you !

We visited this restaurant at the start of the month September was met by the staff who sat us upstairs near kitchen and bar .we opted for the 7 coarse tasting menu stating that the other half is gluten intolerant which was not a issue...

Eileen's restaurant is amazing. I have been twice and the service is spot on, eating food there means travelling to a new dimension at every bite, the change of Menu monthly also means that you can enjoy something completely different but with the same signature of Chef Steve Barringer, which is the star of the show. Young, talented and attentive until the very last course.

I booked this well in advance on the back of a number of great write ups and I'm glad I did. My husband and I had a very special evening. The tasting menu was amazing and the wine pairing (while 7 glasses not for the faint hearted) was absolutely perfect. Small restaurant so very intimate, hidden away in Ampthill. I thought it was good value for the quality.

Wonderful food. Staff could do with a bit of professionalism for a restaurant of this calibre. Sommelier would be brilliant. Plastic list of wines not really in keeping with the wonderful food and wine flight. 37.5 copy and paste to wine list shows no one...

We had a wonderful evening at Eileen's. Booked months ago, but well worth the wait. The staff are very friendly and knowledgeable and have obviously been well trained. The 7 course meal was a delight and I'm glad we changed from our initial 5 course option, as the hake was my favourite! The 3 hours plus we spent in Eileen's just flew by. Looking forward to our next visit.

We visited with some friends on a Saturday evening and had the seven course tasting menu with the wine pairings, and an extra bottle of wine for good measure! We'd waited about three months to get into the restaurant so were very excited to be wined and dined by Steve and his team and it was certainly worth the wait! The food was incredible and was certainly of Michelin star quality, and each course got better and better throughout the evening. The charming, attentive staff were also superb and made us feel very special. We will certainly be back again in the not too distant future. Thanks to Steve and his excellent team!

Michelin star quality food in a relaxed atmosphere. The menu was brilliant and all the staff were incredibly kind, attentive and accommodating. It is my favourite restaurant to go to by far. Look forward to returning soon!

Yet again, a wonderful meal full of interesting flavour combinations- but balanced and tasty to boot! My personal favourite was the mackerel but the hake and broccoli (who’d have imagined!) were in close contention. My husband loved the beef… and the strawberry essence was a...

We went here last week for our anniversary (37years) it was a treat from our kids 😁 it's a set menu with two options 🤔 five course's or seven ! check out the menu before you go 👍 and reserve a table well in advance because it's very popular !