Esquires Coffee in Southend-on-Sea

We visited for my husband‘s birthday. We were a table of five and arrived at 7 pm. On arrival. We were the only diners in the restaurant. Three other tables were occupied by the time that we left 9 pm. This was a sat night. The menu has changed fewer choices or maybe fewer fine dining choices. The signature dish seemed to be the steak either steak on the stone or cooked so we opted for steak. The menu even contains a little joke. “Don’t ask the chef to cook well or medium well “ I opted for medium rare so when it arrived, I struggled to find the pink meat. I also ordered some garlic bread for our daughters, it arrived smothered in cheese but no mention that it would have cheese both daughters don’t eat cheese . The waiting staff require additional training. A female server. Didn’t even apologise when I complained about my steak instead told me it would be a further 15 minutes for a new piece , that wouldn’t work as everyone else had been served. They would’ve been nearly finished when mine arrived. Her solution was to scrap the order all together, but I came to a restaurant to eat. That wasn’t a good solution, the senior server, or maybe the manager later came over and offered to compensate for the steaks and provided a discount, which is really good of him, the chips could’ve been triple cooked for that crispy restaurant feel they suspiciously look like they may have come out of a packet also . After we complained about the steaks, we didn’t receive any additional service. We had to request a desert menu, being gluten-free. I asked what was gluten-free on the menu. I was told nothing it’s not completely unusual but usually you’re offered either ice cream or sorbet. We had the feeling that we were no longer wanted so forfeited the deserts for our table of five, asked for the bill and left, one of our diners was in a wheelchair, no point did anyone offer to open the door so we navigate of the double doors ourselves and left disappointed . Positively the cocktails and the beers were delicious. My recommendation would be hire some staff that smile or are attentive, become a bar and do what you are good at. This used to be one of my husband’s favourite restaurants in Southend. I’m not sure will visit again though. Bad times!

Excellent location on such a beautiful day in early March. Lovely place with really good food. Unfortunately they got our order wrong twice but they soon sorted it out, it’s hard to be perfect. We would certainly visit again and again if we were local.

Nice chinese food lovely, staff friendly, had food a few times always lovely

Food was absolutely disgusting, service wasn't bad but the food was like it was heated up from the night before, restaurant was bland and all we could hear was the staff shouting at each other, avoid like the plague

We opted for pasta and although I know what we ordered, I am not overly sure what we got ! My favourite dish normally comes with a sauce....this was just overcooked pasta. Very very disappointed. Paid and left and will never ever go back.