The Cavendish Restaurant in Hertsmere

Went for dinner on my wife's birthday. One of the worst dining experiences I've ever had. Firstly after some time and having ordered a not cheap white wine, it was delivered to table by someone who'd never seen a non screw top bottle. When it came back opened, the foil was still around its neck and was warm. Waiter's response was it'll get chilled in the ice bucket !! Secondly don't ever order the rack of ribs. Overcooked, smothered in not very edible sauce and far too big for the plate it was served on. Had to ask for a serrated knife to help uncover the meat !!

Bought a Groupon for afternoon tea for partner's birthday The two stars are for the food which I couldn't fault Such a shame such a beautiful building in an idyllic setting is in such a shabby state of disrepair chipped paintwork dirty carpets tired furnishings We arrived just before three o'clock. There was a larger party plus a couple who were about to leave. When we left over an hour later the couples table was still not cleared.. the china was thick white canteen style not the dainty bone china one would have expected. We were served by a completely disinterested gentleman. At no time were we asked if everything was okay and I had to search for someone to ask for tea refill absolutely no atmosphere and nobody interested in making the tea a pleasant experience. No wonder the place was virtually empty. Such a lot of potential at this hotel and such a shame there's no TLC

Had a bad steak experience. Steak was over cooked. Dry and gummy. (Rib eye) Vegetables was served after steak was eaten.

I have dined here on 2 previous occasions and really enjoyed the food, wine and service, however last nights experience was completely different! It was apparent when we arrived that there was a wedding function going on there but we were escorted to an empty dining room. Water was served however the server did not even ask if we would like anything to drink. The menu choice was ok, not very much but it was at least 20 minutes before our order was even taken and again we were not asked what we wanted to drink! I asked for a glass of the sparkling rose wine and my husband asked for a non alcoholic beer, the server said 'oh I'm not sure we do that!' About 10-15 minutes later a server appeared with my husbands beer but no mention as to where my wine was! We still had to wait a good more 10 minutes before our starters arrived and my glass of wine. By then there were diners at 3 more tables, we had seen 3 different waiting staff but none of them remained in the restaurant at all. We were then bought a bottle of red wine which we hadn't ordered, I said so but asked for another glass of wine, the server took the bottle away but the table next to us called out that they had ordered the red wine, but the server continued out of the restaurant with the bottle! It took about another 45 minutes after our starters had been cleared for my friend to ask one of the servers if we were actually going to eat that evening, they responded saying they were busy serving the wedding party!! Absolutely outrageous! We left after our mains and refused to pay the service charge on the bill as there had been no service at all, will never return!!

An overall poor meal from start to finish. Only 4 mains, one of which was out for the evening. Similarly lacking choice of starters, I went for the crab which was fresh yet drowning in a strange, astringent green oil. Three of our party went for the venison main and received roughly a mouthful sized portion of meat each. The accompanying sides were flavourless and lacked seasoning. Our beers were served warm, we repeatedly had to get up to grab our wine from the ice bucket located at the side of the room as no staff were present. Not a problem but just stick it on our table if you don’t want to pour it! Once each bottle ran empty, we had to wait for a staff member to appear and ask for another to be opened - a savvy restaurant manager may have realised we were enjoying the wine and kept it flowing given the size of our party. The final disappointment was the dessert, the parfait was similar to eating wax. We were also given the bill before we had even finished our final course. To give some credit, one member of our part had sirloin steak from the bar menu which presented better value and came with well cooked chips. The chocolate fondant was gooey and warm too. If visiting, perhaps stick to the bar menu!

The restaurant is situated in a lovely country style hotel with stunning views. The maitre d who showed us to our table was very friendly and chatty. Although a small menu the food was superb. Unfortunately, the service let it down and also their waiting staff (please smile!). We were waiting over an hour for our main courses with no explanations other than “I’ll check”. We didn’t stay for dessert. Would we return ....... who knows, maybe!

My review is slightly bias as we were guests of the hotel. My wife and friends had a disastrous afternoon tea experience and the hotel wanted to “right” the situation and that they did. Would I we go back and pay full price for the food and service - absolutely. The food was absolutely 100% and first class. Starters of Fois Gras, crab and ham hock all were hits. The quality and presentation was exemplary. We then had 2 fillet steaks, halibut and a cod, with extra sides and again the presentation was amazing and the food was sublime. Desert options, we asked the waiter regarding cheese selections and he brought out Perry the Chef who gave us a cheese board for 3 that probably was the best ever. We were not expecting complimentary wine but they provided 2 bottles and water and then waived the entire bill. They very generously rectified the issues the ladies had and are rightfully awarded a review like this because it was all over and above any expectations we had. All 10/10 oh and where do you get a quenelle of butter, here it was just out of this world. The service matches the high quality food!’ Be happy to return and pay full price, and we will!’

We had the three courses which for me was enough but my husband has a bigger appetite. We had the ham hock and crab to start - both delicious - and the pork belly for mains. Cheese and biscuits provided a good selection. If you have a bigger appetite then do order a few sides, the minted potatoes were really good.

This is the best food we have tasted for some time. We stayed overnight on Friday and booked a table at The Cavendish. As overnight guests I had the included set menu, and my wife ordered from the a la carte. The ham hock was delicious (and a good portion, unlike what other reviewers have said). The pork was cooked in an Asian style, again superb. Both courses were just a totally different taste sensation. Dessert, again, was mouth-watering. This is Masterchef quality, and to those that have commented on portion sizes - we did not agree. If you want a plate piled high with food, go elsewhere - this is about a fantastic chef creating incredible flavours and artwork on the plate. I noted the set menu was £25 for 3 courses - if we were not staying overnight (and included in our package) this is what we would have paid, which is amazing value considering the level of cuisine this restaurant offers. If we lived locally we would dine here every month, without fail.

The Manor is beautiful! Like something out of a fairy tale, I would be back to spend a night as we only visited for Dinner. We ordered from the set menu. The bread for the table was wonderful, the bread was light, no large air pockets visible, the crust was well seasoned and crisp. The butter had a sprinkle of salt and was annoyingly like many restaurants, hard, which tore the bread. Between a part of 8 we had around 2 pieces of bread. I ordered the Ham Hock croquette, which was wonderful, but extremely small. Other guests ordered the goats cheese, which was a mere mouthful. Mains, i ordered the venison belly, which was around an inch thick and rolled into a circle, about the size of a teacake. Served with a lovely sauce, a pump of mashed potato, which was not seasoned at all, had a gummy texture from most likely being overworked, and two pieces of kale, and a quarter of a pear. Myself and my partner found the portion sizes, again quite funny, you could have finished the venison in one bite. Other quests who ordered skate, mentioned the fish had little flavour. For the money, I'd say the venue is up to par, but not the food. I've had of food equal calibre for half the price and treble the portion sizes in many gastro pubs in the country side of Hertfordshire. the starter took around 35 minutes to arrive from point of order then main took 42 minutes to arrive after the starters. Why they took so long to prepare such little food, when there was only 4 other tables of parties no more than 4 from what we could see, is concerning. The waiters were lovely, we felt very welcome and they kept us topped up on table water and wine.

Wasn't sure what to expect as the reviews where mixed but I was pleasantly surprised. We were greeted by Tom who was our waiter for the evening & shown into the Cavendish restaurant & given an option of tables. He was very polite & helpful. After 2 courses I commented jokingly that my choices had not come with a reveal (a lid) and I was waiting for my dah dah moment. Tom arranged for Bennie, who was the bartender to come to our table & perform some magic so I wasn't too disappointed. Which was lovely. We then went to the bar and conversed with Bennie before heading outside to take in the air & observe the stunning view. We bumped into Will who was ensuring the outside & smoking area were clean and tidy. Back in the bar Bennie entertained us further with one last trick. Giving each of us a card with a message thanking us for being great customers. The evening was wonderful, the company & staff all added to a lovely night. We will return. Thank you Will, Bennie & Tom.

Living locally this isn't somewhere I've thought about coming before despite having visited and stayed at the hotel several times before as a guest for functions. It's now definitely on the list of restaurants I'll be visiting again. I came here with two friends just for an evening out. Our waiter, Tom, knew who we were when we arrived (having looked at the bookings) and sat us at our table. The restaurant itself it very well maintained, tastefully decorated and has fantastic views over London. It was quiet when we visited, but not so that it made you uncomfortable as there was background music being played. We all ordered from the set menu. I enjoyed the pork cheek with lentils to start and the herb gnocchi for main. We ordered a side of roast potatoes and a side of broccoli and peas to share between the three of us, which was plenty to go with the veg already with the dishes. Dessert was the chocolate tart. The wine menu offered a good selection. All three courses for all three of us not only looked good, but tasted great. As other reviewers have said, the portions are smaller than you would get at other restaurants, but they are large enough that you feel comfortably satisfied at the end of your meal. The service we received from Tom was outstanding - he was on hand to get us everything we needed, but did not hang around the table or push us into ordering or finishing quickly. He even managed to arrange some entertainment for us! One of us happened to mention magic, so Bennie (who was looking after the bar next door) came through and performed some rather impressive card tricks at the table. We had drinks in the bar after dinner and took the time to take in the night view from the terrace. We had the opportunity to talk to Will, the duty manager, who made sure we had enjoyed our evening and recommended that we come back for afternoon tea, which we intend to do soon. Tom, Bennie and Will made sure we had a great evening. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend The Manor and The Cavendish to family and friends.

Celebrating our 30th Anniversary here and treated ourselves to an excellent meal. Super food , comfortable with excellent views over London and a surprise desert gift from the chef 😍. Thoroughly recommended !!

Tasty Bruschetta with Avocado Salsa for stater. Lovely Seabass with seasonal vegetables. Nice wine selection. Bright airy room looking out to rear of hotel.

Beautiful place, great staff and service, really sad food. Went here for a 'celebration dinner' in a private room. The room was beautiful, clean and the staff were great, very kind and attentive. The building itself and the ambience was attractive and relaxed. But the food was really poor. Starter was a haddock soup which was a bit congealed on top. Which is kind of unpleasant. Next course was Sea Bass on samphire which had a slight fishy note. It wasn't the freshest piece of fish in the world. Also the skin was sliding off the fillet. Which is what happens when I cook it at home but its not something I would accept from a professional. The desert, a chocolate fondant tasted salty and was served in a ramekin and the inside wasn't melted. I don't know what it was but I wouldn't call it a chocolate fondant - perhaps 'savoury unpleasant joke' would do. Other guests had the meat and from a distance that looked OK. Oh my partner had a risotto that was dry. It wasn't risotto. It was a small plate of dry rice. It was one of the saddest and most pathetic main courses I have ever seen.

Our family booked the restaurant festive meal. Mixed reviews from the family. Food generally okay, wine options poor. Would I book it again , not for what the charge, I thought the service was poor and rushed and the food okay, I would expect more than okay for what it costs. In fact I was disappointed.

Attended two family occasions where we have rented out a room. Several gluten free options ordered and each guest was served half a scone for tea. They kept saying more were coming and after an hour the manager said they had run out. This has happened twice so felt it imperative to post for those who have food intolerances. My brother in law spent a lot of money and was quite disappointed. When he called to complain, they informed him that a member of the family had already complained! Unprofessional beyond belief ! Will NOT be going back !

I am a regular visitor to the Laura Ashley Hotel but every time they deliver, from just a quick coffee, afternoon tea to dinner in the Cavendish. My wife and I enjoyed a really pleasant dinner a couple of weeks ago, I would say the price range is fairly flexible but of course it can be expensive if like us you like a bottle of good wine with your dinner but the food is very good and the service is always excellent.

I had heard great reviews of the afternoon tea here so booked it for a special occasion. It was a cold February day and we were looking forward to warming up and enjoying a scrumptious tea. Unfortunately it was far from it. It was colder in the dining room than the freezing temperatures outside and the sandwiches were even colder. The cakes looked like they had been bought in and not hand made. They were tasteless and the chocolate eclairs were stale. The only saving grace were the lovely scones and the yummy blackberry jam. Our waiter was lovely and friendly, although he didn’t notice we kept our coats on for most of the time. However this didn’t make up for the fact that the overall experience lacked lustre and the food was bland and not the standard that one should expect at this hotel. Sadly I would not recommend the hotel for afternoon tea.

We've had afternoon tea here a few times and it's been fine, albeit the service is patchy. This time, I was here for a semi-formal dinner with two friends. Suffice to say, after three, expensive courses, I felt forced to offer to take them somewhere else because they were still hungry. The starter and dessert portions are shockingly small, the main courses merely stingy. To the extent that, when served his dessert, one of the party actually asked the server "Where's the rest of it?". She declined to respond.

We met friends for the afternoon tea.

I first must say I am a trained chef so let’s begin , I brought my partner and daughter to have a birthday evening dinner, now before we came I sent a Lillie note to say that we do not eat shellfish , had a couple of drinks in the bar went to have dinner and this is where it went wrong, first we ordered starters , my daughter ordered smoked salmon and asked no shellfish when it finally came it had shellfish on it the same plate came back with out the shellfish, ok if she had a problem with shell fish it might of killed her , second both my partner and myself fish dish was something from the I can’t cook school of cooking , I making this short, so 45 mins to get starter two hours for mains now back to basil , the manager was a nice guy but not someone who could control the chefs timings , they blamed everything under the sun, the computer in the kitchen other tables even the Holy Ghost, the main course was a fish dish , they must of gone out to catch the fish as it took nearly two hours to come to our table, in the meantime no food no nothing only story’s from basil and his crew,finally finally Manuel brought something the kitchens surprise it was well it looked like fish ,they told me it was plaice, really they sure because to me it looked like someone had been sick and served it on a plate cold and said enjoy, it was burnt cold and looked like it was reheated, the taste was like taking of your gym wear and cooking it then serving it on a plate, ok in the meantime the lady’s were drinking wine which was far better then the service or so-called food, more stories from basil and to finish I got up from my seat and finally went to complain to basil, by this time I had enough the lady’s were very upset with the dinner waiting so long that my partner played candy crush, just to say even she couldn’t eat that food so we had enough dinner or slops and finally told them that I would not be paying at all, in fact they understood finally , so to end super slow service serious mistakes on food ordering staff confused basil listening but not acting and the worse meal ever, in fact we had food on the way home as we needed to recover from the holiday camp dinner ,

Come here for my mothers birthday today. I would give less than one star but that’s not possible. We came into the restaurant at 7pm waited half an hour for our starters and than almost two hours for our mains.

Excellent a la carte food, and great service. Wine a little on the expensive side but overall a great evening.

Although the food tasted good the portions were far too small especially the desserts. The service was poor and we waited a long time for the food to arrive. Wouldn't recomend it.

The food was poor, the service was beyond awful and drinks didn't arrive for an hour and then were wrong. We have written to general manager and no response. Makes Fawlty Towers seem Michelin Starred. Ruined my Mothers 70th birthday, don't touch it!

My wife and I stayed in the Hotel for the second time in 2 months and on this occasion we used the restaurant instead of eating in the Bar. That proved to be a very good decision as the meal and service were first class

Visited here for an Anniversary meal with the wife, the have a fixed price menu that is great value for food this good. All the courses were amazing, the presentation was fantastic, the taste was sensational, all the plates were sent back almost licked clean. We shared a bottle of wine to drink.

This is my second visit to The Cavendish so I knew would get excellent food and I was not disappointed.

Wow! Had an amazing three course meal. I could not fault anything. Good portion size, great presentation and amazing flavours. My husband and I both enjoyed our meal and were very satisfied at the end. The steak was tender and the cheesecake was a must. Would highly recommend dinner and breakfast was also good. Once again, staff very friendly.

Great views towards London over the stunning g gardens. The food was superb and staff are friendly and helpful.

Great food and excellent service in a very stunning location. Tucked away on the boarder of Elstree and Boremwood. I was pleasantly surprised at how reasonably priced the meal was. Even though there was three of us.The staff were extremely polite and efficient. Well worth another visit.

This was quite an expensive restaurant, but we were really impressed by the quality of the food. We had the rack of lamb, and would recommend it.

Really helpful and knowledgeable waiters, make you feel really welcome and comfortable. Delicious food and nicely presented. Great cocktails. Beautifully decorated restaurant, white table cloths, amazing view from the window. I would recommend for special occasions or date nights!

We had two evening meals at this restaurant whilst staying in the hotel. The food options were great, and it was hard to make a choice. Everything was beautifully presented, and service was efficient and unobtrusive. Gluten free bread was provided but surprisingly no gluten free cheese biscuits or oatcakes.

Last weekend we visited and had high expectations after previously visiting for afternoon tea.It was a Friday and at 7pm it was eerily quiet. I appreciate they have peaks and troughs in the restaurant but with one other couple and one single diner the atmosphere was quite stilted. Despite the low numbers service was patchy. A table that arrived 20 mins after us happened to Order the same starters and yet they got served first so we waited 40 mins from sitting down to starting to eat.It didn't get much better and the food was a bit disappointing, some good some really poor.I wanted to have this as a handy little local for a dinner but there are so many better options I doubt we will be back in a hurry.

Let's start with the positives. The staff were friendly and welcoming. The ambience was lovely and we had a large and comfortable table. The restaurant was cold. Granted it was winter but there was a draft coming from the window. The blind was drawn to shut out the draft. The menu was limited and uninspiring. It is a fixed price, £27.50 for two courses and £35.00 for three. Starters were small. I had marinated salmon. Three small pieces and some tired salad. I had the duo of lamb. A two bite cutlet and chopped up shoulder. It was so small it could have been a child's portion. And it was cold. I sent it back. Not a lot better. We were given drinks by way of apology. I would prefer it to be right first time. Bakewell tart for dessert was very nice, but again small. I feel sorry for the staff. We can't have been the first customers to complain and we won't be the last. It is not acceptable to put your staff in this position. Not sure I will be going back unless the reviews on TA show an improvement.

I visited this restaurant with a prior reservation as it was close to a hotel I was staying in and liked the look of the modern menu. On arrival we were impressed with a beautiful country manor with a long drive up to the reception, upon entry we were greeted by a host who took us to our table in a somewhat empty dining room (by somewhat empty I mean only 1 other couple present). Once seated we browsed the food and wine menu and made our selections (3 courses for £35), unfortunately service was slow and our orders weren't taken for another 20 minutes. The starters arrived (marinated salmon and poached duck egg) and we were pleasantly surprised by the vibrant presentation but slightly disheartened with portion size, both dishes tasty but nothing to write home about, the main and desert followed in a similar fashion, looked nice but too small and no wow factor. The overall service was below average as for an empty restaurant the wait in between plate clearances was far too long. Overall a nice setting but underwhelming food and poor service lets this place down. I personally wouldn't come back due to the value for money factor.

We used a red letter day voucher for afternoon tea. The range of teas is good. Sandwiches were fine. We had a small cheese and broccoli tart which was excellent. The scones were nicely cooked and still warm. However the highlight of afternoon tea should be the cakes. There was a bland and tasteless mini Victoria sponge (we think), an acceptable chocolate brownie, an unusual but edible shortbread with lemon posset and coconut. Macaroons were tasty. The final cake was filo pastry with some possible creme patisserie - awful. Maybe the chef had a bad day but would not go again for tea. Service was also mediocre it took 20 minutes before our order was taken. Tea arrived 10 minutes afterwards. We had to ask for fresh tea and we felt the staff were not very attentive. We needed more milk and then had to remind the staff to get it. New cups came from an adjoining table.

Excellent service right from the reception unto the dinning table. The interior is so beautiful stylish and elegant and we had our dinner by the window overlooking London at night. We will definitely come back.

The Christmas party meal was very average for this standard of hotel, service was fine but the and the food was sparse.

Very tasty food; lots of choice and well presented. Plus the staff were extremely helpful and friendly. Great time had by all.

We stayed at the hotel so decided to eat at the restaurant as it had an AA rosette.As a vegetarian the menu was very restricted and I didn't really have much of a choice. My boyfriend, who eats meat, also wasn't too thrilled by the food choice. We decided to have mains and desserts. We both had the mushroom risotto which I thought was totally tasteless but my boyfriend enjoyed. We also had triple cooked chips which, I must say, were delicious. For dessert my boyfriend had a 'deconstructed' cheesecake, and I had a chocolate mousse type dessert with sorbet, which was lovely.My wine was also really nice.However, I wouldn't say it was worth the money paid. Service was good but the food just wasn't worth it. Not enough choice and when I asked for something to be changed in my food, the waiter was polite but didn't give me much else of an option. Next time we would go elsewhere for dinner.

We had a meal there on Friday evening as part of our stay in the associated hotel. We had a 3 course meal discounted from £35 to £25 pp as part of the dinner b+b. I ordered the wrapped rabbit starter and lamb duet main and a lemon sourbet desert. When my starter arrived.. I said to the waiter..."Is that a mouse?" The tiny piece of meat was the size of half a sausage. My partner and I both had the lamb main..... one very small lamb cutlet and some shredded lamb mixed with something else. My Mrs. said to me...where is the sweet potato?... I said I think that tiny bit of orange colouring underneath is it! there were two ladies at the next table to us and I overheard that the larger lady had also ordered the rabbit starter when she was saying she recently had a rabbit starter in Malta and it was huge. I interrupted her conversation and advised her that I thought she made a big mistake ordering the rabbit starter. When her starter arrived it was just as small as mine... she broke out laughing in front of the waiter. When it came to sign for the bill I told the waiter / junior manager that I was very unimpressed with the rabbit starter, that I had been to 17 countries around the world and that was the smallest portion of starter that I was ever served in my life. He noted my comments and said he would be reporting back my comments. I then had to go to the bar and order a chicken burger and fries as I was still starving. When we checked out the management had deducted my meal from the bill. That was nice of them and to be fair the staff were very good throughout our stay. However I still feel the need to share my experience here. I won't be having dinner at the Cavendish again regardless if we stay at the hotel again or not. (The breakfast was fine - no problems with that - thankfully!)

Good tasting food but such tiny portions, but was not told it did not come with vegtables, and should order a side to go with the meal.

the food is quite good quality but the portions are miniscule and not worth the money been here twice and have to comment. i had a dessert and they gave me a teaspoon of ice cream. i think thats mean so will not be returning

we went last night for my mums birthday, great ambience and service while the food was good. We loved the starters and desserts but the main i ordered was dry, the salmon. saying that when i said that they quickly made a sauce to go with our meals so cant complain. The lounge area was cosy and we waited here for one delayed couple. They even took our orders from here. very very professional staff.

レストランの雰囲気はとても良いのですがお料理がパーフェクトでなかったのが残念。前菜のシーフードマリネはレモンがキツすぎて素材の味が台なし。お肉は硬く、デザートは美味しかったけど多かったです。

I went to this lovely manor with a friend for lunch and hoped to be pleasantly surprised after the reviews on these pages. Alas, no! There was no ostensible reason why we could not be shown into the dining room at the time of opening (the time for which we had booked), but instead we were ordered to sit on the dingy sofa of the ante-room and wait. This was not possible, as a family was occupying the said sofa, but we found some nearby armchairs. After a while the family vacated the sofa, while we continued to wait. I began to wonder if by not sitting within full view of the dining room we had in fact been forgotten, so we removed ourselves to the sofa and waited patiently. Getting up and leaving was not an option, as we had paid in advance with a coupon. When we were finally admitted to the comparatively deserted dining room, we were resigned to having to wait throughout our meal. We were offered small rolls from a basket and mine was surprisingly good, but by the time the first course came I had consumed it entirely -- and the basket was pointedly not offered again as it went past. The food was interesting enough and the vegetables were beautifully cooked to the right degree of crunchiness. My desert was disappointing -- the Pimms jelly with Chantilly cream was more like a trifle and was bizarrely served with the kind of hefty spoon and fork one uses for substantial puddings on a plate. Using such eating irons in a small sundae dish is no easy feat. We decided to skip any coffee which might eventually have been offered and followed others to the desk to pay the bill which in most restaurants would have been brought to the table. Here we found confusion, which was not the fault of the restaurant, as it was a matter of another customer getting in a mess with her card. We were pleasantly surprised to be assured that we owed nothing further, but were then called back to pay for the dessert plus a service charge. It seemed ironic that this place should bear the name of a designer famous for her painstaking attention to detail. I never felt any sense of occasion, of being a valued customer. This was the missing ingredient.

Eat here as part of our package was in the Resturant for 2 hours for our evening meal which is a record for me breakfast was good also.

The Cavendish could be so much more than it is at the moment, it's a shame.The venue (The Manor, Elstree) is a fabulous building, in a great position with views over London and pleasant gardens. Sadly the first impression is that of a badly battered front door in need of a coat of paint. On entering the hallway is welcoming and elegant.Our evening in the restaurant was a little odd as they had two corporate parties staying and dining separately, so the restaurant diners consisted of my wife and me and one other lone diner. A little lacking in atmosphere but peaceful.The servers were very good, attentive and pleasant so no issues there at all (remember we were almost alone). The food sadly is a little boring. The menu left us with a difficult choice and not in a good way. It was a matter of looking for something that read interestingly enough to choose. The meals delivered were perfectly acceptable but nothing that could be considered memorable. Overall underwhelming.If the food were taken up a couple of notches and the slightly tired feel refreshed, this would be a lovely place to dine.

Cavendish restaurant is within the Laura Ashley Hotel which stands in it's own grounds with beautiful views over London, hence no problem parking. We went for the afternoon tea, of which there was a vast choice with waiters encouraging you to try different kinds. Our tea came with smoked salmon and cream cheese bagels, quiche, tuna and sweetcorn, cream cheese and cucumber, and egg mayo finger sandwiches, a choice of small pastries ( all light and tasty ), freshly made scones with thick cream and jam. Service was friendly and helpful and decor relaxing. Altogether a delightful experience and well worth the set charge including service of £27.50 per person, not cheap but good value.

We dined at the Cavendish restaurant last Friday and the atmosphere was great. All the staff were attentive, but not in your face , and nothing was too much trouble, which is very unusual in this day and age, seeing as the staff were all young.The food was good, but not outstanding, and for us, the portions were a little on the small side .It was nice to see a varied age group of diners .All in all a nice experience. Thank you all concerned

As the day drew to an end and London lit up splendidly below us the view from our window table was a lovely bonus on top of a pretty fine meal. The staff were attentive but not intrusive and the dining room very comfortable - understated Laura Ashley in style which complemented the 16th Century building easily.Starters, I thought were a bit mean in portion size but full of flavour. The quail Caesar salad tasty, the onion soup comforting and the salads fresh and vibrant.Mains were better (leek stuffed chicken - a bit dry but flavoursome, lamb - rich and tender, pearl barley risotto rich and mushroomy and the rainbow trout flaky and fresh. I'd have the lamb next time. Desserts were equally sound. The 'not quite banoffee pie was satisfying, the sorbets packed with massive flavour, the bruleé crisp on top and creamy inside and the strawberry tarts fresh and creamy. Be prepared to pay over the top for G&T in the bar. The wine list was well curated with something for everyone and organised logically and according to body and price. Worth a visit. Approx £60pp for pre-dinner drinks, 3 courses, wine and post meal coffees (including 2 irish coffees).

hello all well i like to write reviews if the place is worth it and this place is pushing way up there, the place is in a old country hotel which over the years became a bit of a joke to visit, well not any more the drinks first the bar had the normal range of bar drinks nice service good bar tender and as you wait for a meal its nice to watch him work and the people coming in, well dinner time came and from the start the service was a 1 in fact it was even better the staff knew what they were doing and there was a air of a private dining which was nice as there was just the right number of tables so it was not to noisy .the food from starter to coffee was better then most big restaurants in london in fact cooked well great range if your a vegi and all cooked fresh as the times between course was timed just right, the meal was like it was cooked by angles it was the best fish pie i ever have eaten, the veg was like god himself was cooking that night, this place is so good infact better then the ritz in london and the night we went the head chef a lady was off so if she was there i wonder how much better it could of been, well done all we will be back very soon

The service and ambience in the bar and restaurant were great however I was disappointed to see the menu isn't the same as that on their website. As a vegetarian, options are somewhat limited, with only one starter option. There was no beetroot in the goats cheese & beetroot salad, and the cheese tasted like a savoury dessert. It wasn't regular goats cheese, it was more like panna cotta and tasted awful to be honest. The gnocchi was nice, but presentation and portion size was disappointing. I wouldn't return here as I thought it was overpriced for what it was and we left feeling as though we could have had another course!

Booked a table for 3 in the evening for my wife's birthday but changed to 4 at the last minute and the staff were very accommodating. Food was delicious, service was of high quality, the venue and views made it a special night.Would definitely recommend and book again.

Good:* Excellent Service* Great selection of wines* Cozy ambienceBad:* Expensive* Not a good value for money [Good food but not worth the money]

We had not heard of the Laura Ashley Manor Hotel and it was recommended to us as a good place to meet friends for lunch. This is exactly what we did on our visit. iI's location is a good halfway point between us in Buckinghamshire and our friends in Kent.We thought the food was excellent. We chose from the Sunday Lunch menu so didn't see what the a la carte menu had to offer. The six of us were all happy with our food, five of us choosing roast beef. The beef was perfectly cooked and medium rare. The roast potatoes were excellent and the food was hot.The staff were friendly and accommodating but we felt they were too busy to give everyone their best attention. They did not seem knowledgable about the food they were serving. One of us has a beetroot allergy and asked about the sauce on her starter plate. It took a long while for the waiter to find out that it didn't contain beetroot. Two of us wanted a dessert wine with pudding. There were only two offered on the wine list. The one they ordered was like a dry sherry so was returned. The other on offer was not available.In the bar prior to lunch we had to wait far too long for attention as the barman was so busy. We wanted to order a bottle of Prosecco but they had run out the day before. They offered a more expensive rose which was very nice.Overall, although we had a lovely lunch and enjoyed the ambience of our surroundings, we all felt that there was a lack of direction and attention to detail here. The Laura Ashley name suggests a high standard and I don't think the public part of the hotel quite reaches this. Perhaps better training, higher staffing levels and seeing what their rivals are doing would help.Even so I would recommend the restaurant to friends.

Oh dear, booked for 4 people for lunch.Food was poor, starters - tiny. The roast was ok but potatoes were just cooked all the veg was tasteless. The manager just agreed with us and didn't charge for anything with the exception of the wine. Gave big tip as felt sorry for the waiters. Will not be returning.Hate what they have done the such a magnificent old house, they have painted all the lovely old wood off white. Looks like it was done overnight by some underpaid odd job man.

I can't quite figure out why there is such an awful picture of a brown sad looking plate of food shown along side The Cavendish heading? It's a stylish comfortable restaurant and that photo really does it no justice whatsoever!We had the tasting menu and the food was beautifully presented and delicious in equal measure. The staff are very nice and the service was faultless.The bar serves a good range of cocktails for a before or after dinner drink

We chose this restaurant for a family celebratory meal. We booked a week night. I'm glad we chose here as we had a beautiful meal! The food and service was fantastic. We couldn't fault the meal and the service was spot on. The staff were so accommodating. One of our group noticed scallops on the online menu which wasn't on the menu we were given. Our waiter politely explained that the online menu is a sample menu and that scallops were not on the menu for the evening however in no time at all we had two plates of scallops rustled up for two people in our party. We had a fantastic evening and highly recommend it!

We stayed at the Laura Ashley hotel and dined in the restaurant on the Friday evening. Staff were very good and always remembered to use our names and very nice touch. All three courses were delicious and cooked to a high standard. Our glasses never were allowed to go empty. When staff found out it was my birthday there brought out a beautifully decorated plate with a cake and candles again another touch. Would highly recommend dinning here if staying in hotel or in local area

The restaurant is so stylish and all the staff were attentive and sp polite and helpful and kind.We had 3 courses and there was an amazing choice.The food came out ,hot, beautifully presented and so tasty.Our drinks were always kept topped up and we never felt rushed, the whole dining experience was 5*. Wonderful Meal !

I took my mum here for her birthday to have afternoon tea. It's off the main road so lovely and quiet. The building itself is gorgeous with lovely interior. It has retained some old wood features but still kept it nice a bright. The service was seconds to none; smiling, polite, kind, helpful, everything you would want! The afternoon tea goodies were perfect! The scones were amazing! The staff remained attentive and helpful, ensuring we had enough tea! The cakes were delicious and though we wish we could finish it we were beaten! All in all a really lovely afternoon treat; would recommend for a special little occasion

We dined at the Cavendish Restaurant with friends whilst staying at the Laura Ashley Hotel and all 4 of us had 3 courses and we all enjoyed the food. Very good quality food and well presented. Only thing I can say about the meal is the service seemed to get slower as the meal progressed. Wine was poured when we first ordered the bottle but afterwards was just left. After we received our desserts the waiter seemed to disappear so we ended up going to the bar to get more drinks and coffees.

Fabulous meal. Wife and I I had the sea bass and thoroughly enjoyed it. The setting and the atmosphere is fantastic!

Excellent food as part of a Dinner, Bed and Breakfast package. Lovely food served by excellent staff. Would recommend and would visit again.

the food quality along with the service was excellent. The wine list was comprehensive and reasonably priced

I visited The Manor for afternoon tea and couldn't have been more disappointed for what is being billed as a premier experience. Staff are inattentive and immature. The cleanliness of the establishment is poor and I had to send both cutlery and drinking cups back because they had not been cleaned properly.The paint and decor is very dated and very much in need of a refresh when being compared to the local competition.The gardens whilst pretty are unsafe for older and younger visitors as most areas are accessed by very steep stairs, some of which are covered in pea shingle. I also noted a very foul smell in the garden grounds that smelt like sewage.Save your money and visit The Grove instead.

Head waiter was excellent, attentive and polite. Food varied. Soup was particularly good and overall the mains were tasty but, the portions were just far too small like a child's portion and I'm not a big eater. Not value for money sadly.We were staying in the hotel so had breakfast too. This was very average with over-cooked poached eggs, cold toast, no service once the food had been served and worst of all, some guests were wearing dressing gowns in the restaurant and the staff said nothing. Standards ! What standards ?

Good menu, not overly expensive for the choice and service, food was quick, hot and beautifully plated.

The staff are lovely and extremely attentive. Food is very well presented and tastes amazing. Lovely period dining room. Would highly recommend.

We had booked a table for 7pm, and accordingly went to the desk for 7, and one couple were in front of us, being attended to. We were standing back, and everything seemed fine when suddenly, for reasons that I cannot possibly imagine, the barman came up to us and told us to take a seat in the lounge and said we will be attended to shortly. While sitting there we watched other couples go to the desk and enter the restaurant. While we sat there waiting my wife wanted to leave and go back home, but instead we asked to see the "manager". Eventually the manager came out and smoothed things over, though we never did find out why we were being treated as "second class guests". One thought is that Travelzoo people are considered second class? After a reasonable meal, already spoilt by the barman, the waiter brought us a bill and told us that we had been given complimentary sweets because of all the trouble - WE WERE ON A DINNER B&B DEAL SO WHERE THE BENIFIT OF FREE SWEETS WAS I DON'T KNOW! As to the condition of the room, I did notice that the carpet could do with a good clean, or even replacemant.

great food beautifully presented - good choice - wine rather expensive but we had a really good pinot grigio

Thoroughly enjoyed afternoon tea here. Special praise for the scones (could be bigger!) and the macaroons. Definitely the macaroons.Coffee and tea refills were much appreciated.Thank you to Travelzoo for the voucher!

Brought my mother here for a birthday treat of afternoon tea for a party of five. Lovely selection - nothing to fault. Would visit again!

This was my second visit to the restaurant and it is definitely a hotel to visit on a sunny day as not only are the views lovely but the garden is a great place to have a pre-meal drink (excellent cocktail menu). Saying that however the lounge is extremely comfortable so don't let rain or a winters evening put you off! This time we booked for Sunday lunch and had 3 very tasty courses - portion sizes were right - not so large that you felt over full but plenty to eat. The service was friendly and Evelyn our waitress was excellent. It seems that afternoon tea is more popular on a Sunday as we ate in the smaller of the 2 restaurant rooms - but still bright and airy and with those lovely views out of the windows. Oh and the outside chess board is a great way to burn off a few calories after you have eaten! (Nice garden to walk in too).

We had the three course meal here and was wonderful. Not the biggest portions but plenty filling!! The service was excellant and the tables were very clean, beautiful old restaurant with plenty of history! Anice choice of dishes on the menu and would be perfect for a romantic meal or special celebration

VERY Poor service. Food was average, but chef took his time. Had pork and fish, starters ok. Dessert good. Really only about 8 tables, but kitchen seemed overwhelmed?

A lovely place for a cosy evening and a very nice meal. The food is beautifully cooked, and they have a good wine list. Give it a try.

The Laura Ashley Manor is a beautiful building situated in acres of landscaped gardens. The afternoon tea was an absolute delight, with a selection of delicious sandwiches, scones (with clotted cream and home made jam) and a variety of cakes.The staff were extremely attentive and went out of their way to make our visit memorable.

First may I start by saying I’m not a high tea kind of person, personally I’d take a burger and a pint over all of this. But seeing as we ended up with a voucher for afternoon tea at Laura Ashley the Manor in Elstree after buying it for a family member’s birthday only for it to be an unwanted gift, my wife and I thought it would be nice to treat ourselves to something different.Upon arrival we were greeted by a friendly young man behind reception to took us through to the dining area where we were met by a waiter , a middle aged foreign gentleman who’s charming demeanour turned a little bit sour upon learning we were using a voucher.We were seated and he asked to see the voucher, we hadn’t printed it off, I had it on email and screen shot on my phone. He walked off with my phone and started publicly discussing the matter with his colleagues. He sent a younger waiter back over with my phone and a business card, the chap informed me that I had to forward the email to the email address on the card. Having not at any point prior to arriving had this been mentioned, and we were having problems with the internet signal at the manor it was running on G and I couldn’t operate the internet on my phone.By now the tea and sandwiches/cakes had arrived, so I put the phone down and decided to do it later. No sooner had I done that then the original waiter was back over asking why we hadn’t sent It yet (seemed a bit rude) I explained that we were having issues with internet signal , he informed me that they had free Wi-Fi and I should use that .By now I was feeling cross the first 10 minutes of what was supposed to be a treat had been stressful and aggravated , eventually after passing the phone to my wife (as I was getting in a huff trying to operate it) she had managed to send it .The waiter in question came over and thanked us, but 15 minutes had now passed and I felt we had been treated differently and a little bit unfairly because of this voucher. Everybody else was tucking into their sandwiches and tea whilst myself and my wife were messing around with our phones trying to send emails.This waiter’s attitude toward us although professional felt condescending throughout, we were using a voucher because we fancied doing something different not because we are poor or common, and that is how my wife and I felt he viewed us throughout. That being said the house is stunning and the grounds are beautiful and very well maintained, made for a very nice afternoon walk and the food was very tasty, we were offered a variety of sandwiches from cream cheese and cucumber to egg mayonnaise and roasted vegetable they were all very fresh and enjoyable, the cake selection was varied too from small sponges to fruit and custard pastries and as for the fresh cream and scones …. well they really hit the spot.In a nutshell beautiful place with nice food just felt let down by one person’s demeanour towards us and for that alone I wouldn’t go back .

Arrived at about 3.30pm on a Sunday afternoon, looking forward to some tea. First impressions are that this hotel has been refurbished quite well. When we enquired about some tea it took a while to find someone who knew if we could partake of this unusual request. Eventually seated in a room overlooking the grounds( very pretty) we were served tea. Scones... Perfectly acceptable. Pot of tea arrived after we reminded them we should have some! Waiter said it costs more to have your sandwiches served in 'fingers'! Actually it was all quite tasty, just a bit shambolic on the service side. In the main dining room a small party was being held, but where we were there were two other couples! Hardly over run! My conclusion is that this place could be a real treat on a Sunday afternoon. Just a bit Fawlty Towers at the moment! Oh yes ... And when I asked about cakes, I was told that there was quite a good selection but none available!By the way head waiter said we didn't have to pay extra for cut up sandwiches!

We had a delicious tea for my Mothers 99th birthday. I am gluten free and they provided a wonderful selection for me. Two wheelchairs were part of the group and a ramp had been set up before we arrived so we could access a fairly small step at the entrance. Also the disabled loo was large and really near reception.The hotel was eay to find and is set in lovely grounds.All in all I would thoroughly recommend the Laura Ashley Hotel for afternoon tea.

Had to write a review to say thanks to all for making our afternoon at your hotel such a lovely experience.We started with drink on the terrace and then ended up with afternoon tea in the Cavendish restaurant. Staff were great, food, drinks and all the finishings were fantastic. (Good choice on all the cutlery, crockery, glassware front by the way whoever chose them !!)Will be back

I should have taken the hint when I called the hotel three weeks prior to Mothers' Day to enquire about the Mothers' Day lunch. At that point I was told that they had not made any final arrangements, but would take down my details and contact me once they had finalised their offer. After a week I called again to be told that they were fully booked and that they could put me on their waiting list. At this juncture I asked to speak to the manager and explained that I had given my details the previous week. I was assured that I would be given a table for eight people on the said Sunday. I gave my credit card details to secure the booking. During the week leading to Mothers' Day I received an email informing me that I was on the waiting list. I was most annoyed with this communication. Once again I called the hotel to be told by a lady that she had pressed the wrong button hence the errant email, she was very apologetic.This whole series of events did not give me much confidence, but as I had been recommended the hotel by a friend I decided to give them a final chance.When we arrived on the Sunday there was no Happy Mothers' Day greeting from the staff. They guided us to a room which had three round tables set for eight people. It seemed that they had just stuffed us in to an ante room as the main dining room was full.. There was no ambience, no flowers and the table had not been set correctly. We had to ask for bread and water. the staff were not very attentive and the service was slow. The food when it finally came was of average quality. The menu had not been well thought through as half the dishes were fish and most had an orange sauce or a variation on that theme i.e. satsuma or mandarin sauce. I did comment on this to the waiter which went over his head. Anyone with an allergy to citrus would have been doomed. When I asked the assistant manager if we could order tea and coffee at the end of the meal he said "Wait a minute" disappeared and never came back! When someone finally came to take our order we had waited long enough so just asked for the bill. On our way out I decided to use the WC and to be frank the loos in my daughter's school were better than these. I do not know how they have the audacity to charge £200 per night for a standard room.The entire experience was shambolic from my initial call to leaving.I had high hopes , but was very disappointed. I will not be returning!

I have been here a couple of times, food is excellent, service hit and miss as already mentioned by other reviewersCertainly will return, lovely setting and ambienceIf possible make sure you reserve a table by the window with fabulous views over the gardens and across LondonBetter still visit on a warm sunny day and dine on the terrace

We went for dinner with some friends. As you drive into the grounds the anticipation is excellent. We went straight into the restaurant. We booked a table with the view of London but didn't get it. Only 2 of our party of 4 were given menus as they ran out. We ordered drinks which took an awful long time to arrive. We asked for variations to the side dishes of the main courses but either it wasn't possible or the waiter didn't know. Even though only 1 of us was drinking a glass of wine, the rest of the wine glasses, and the side plates were left on our table throughout the meal. The food was very good but what this restaurant lacks is a very good maître'd who can train the staff to give real service.

We had difficulty booking a table only to find that there was no one else at the restaurant when we arrived. The person who showed us to the table was stiff and not very friendly. A smile would have been nice. He did get better though.We had a lovely table by the window with night views of London. Great building and grounds.The meal was very tasty and pipping hot. We both ordered the beef which was very well presented and served. I had the crime brûlée which was really yummy. We got this two course deal for two with prosecco from travel zoo and it was worth the money. No criticism about the quality, quantity and presentation of the meal but the staff let the place down somewhat.

Ate here on 31st January. You just need to look at my attached photos to see how good the food was. We booked the table near the window which has a great view across London. All of the food was perfectly cooked and tasted divine. A three course meal for £35 is great value in my opinion. Will be coming back.

Going by the only other reviews I must have struck lucky. We had a very enjoyable meal and what I would call very very good service. Nice table by the window , 2 glasses of proscecco to start, she had a ham hash and I the salmon ans we both had the featherloin of beef, vrey very tasty.I chose the fluere but the waiter suggested it may not be at the right temperture, could be be he was out of stuck and did a good bluff but he suggested a nice french red £4 cheaper,that took me by surprise a waiter downgrading a great opportunity but i was a very good wine selection, shared a delicious dessert. nice calypso coffee, a very nice enjoyable meal and excellent service all in at about £80 very pleased we chose not to leave the hotel.

This hotel holds a special place in my heart giving that this is where myself and my husband had our wedding reception in November 2013. As such, I decided to take my husband back to the hotel for dinner on his birthday in July 2014.We were truly gutted by the service we received for our dinner.Firstly, we were given different menus and when we decided to order our food we pointed this out to the waitress. She shrugged and said it would be ok to order from either. When we did this however, about 20 minutes later she returned to tell us that there was another menu we had to order from instead. Our food arrived a further 25 minutes after this.It was a very hot day and we asked for some water and felt awkward when we had to remind her that we were still waiting about 15 minutes later. (There was only us and another couple having dinner at this time). As the food was taking so long to arrive we decided to cancel our desert. Even more so, we were gobsmacked at the price for our 2 course dinner (with no drinks) which came to £90.I understand that someone from Eastenders was having what I believe was some sort of party, but I still don't feel that other clients should feel that they are a hindrance.We both really love this hotel and hope that this was a one off.

I'm not one to complain but I can honestly say this was the worst experience I've ever had. I took my family here for my 70th birthday celebration. A table had been booked well in advance. When we arrived we found there was also a booking for a large wedding party which presumably accounted for the fact that we were unable to find anyone who could show us our table. We eventually found someone, had to step over a Hoover cleaner to get to our table. We waited and waited for someone to take a drinks and meal order until one of my sons left to find someone. When someone did arrive it was clear she had no experience in waiting on table. The meal arrived - there was no duck in the duck salad, no Yorkshire puddings and the beef was inedible. My son asked on 2 occasions to see the manager but he refused!

Been trying for a couple of months now to get a table for Sunday lunch at this hotel. I live local to it and have wanted to try it out since the refurbishments. Every time I have tried to book,I'm told the hotel has a function so no Sunday lunch available. Last Wednesday I called and was very happy to hear the hotel had no weddings or parties this Sunday,So a table for 2 is noProblem at all. The lady I spoke too even clarified lunch will be in the mainDining area with views over London. This sounded perfect for my wife and I. We were both looking forward to it. We arrived a little early so asked if we could have a drink in the bar. Although a little quiet with no atmosphere we ordered a bottle of wine and sat down. I asked if we could have some nibbles with our wine which I was happy to pay for. After a 20 minute wait our waitress returned to tell us No bar nibbles available. I thought she was joking. A hotel bar with no olives,nuts ,Crisps surely this cannot be right. A luxury hotel in 2013 come on you'd get the basics in a bloody Ibis low budget place. So now my Sunday was starting to look a little negative. We asked to be shown to our table which was to our horror In a small room next to the kitchen. Had minimal tables and the atmosphere of a shabby old age home. I asked why are we not in the main dining area which is what I booked. The reply was we have a private party. I was now a little angry and explained that when I booked I was told we'd be in the main room over looking London. I was obviously lied too and fobbed off on the phone just to get my booking. As you can imagine by now I was getting a little p....d Off. Although angry and frustrated We sat at out table which was right next to the kitchen. A view of behind the scenes catering equipment shabby walls and doors was my view every time the staff walked through. The waiter stood on guard next to our table creating the feel more like a prison visit than a luxury Sunday lunch. We were constantly stared atSo much so I told him to walk away. Let's get to the food. Smoked Salmon Gravalax was Not Gravalax. Merely a couple of slices of non herbed smoked salmon not what it's described as. The bread Rolls were cold and still semi frozen inside. Awful!!Our main roast beef was okApart from over cooked veg and rock hard cold potatoes,They were more like golf balls. My wife asked for some French mustard to try and make the best of a bad meal and guess what...,,They didn't have any French mustard. Great!!!I'd love to tell you about our dessert but hey!!It never arrived. So readers this is probably the worst hotel dining experience we have ever had. Do yourselves a favour swerve this place big time. Laura Ashley stick with decorating and home furnishings. Leave the catering to the professionals. Bubalah.

We came here for lunch. The building is beautiful, surrounded by gardens and with a stunning view of London. The service was pretty good, despite the fact they were holding a wedding at the restaurant. One of our waitress struggled a little bit to explain the dishes in their Malaysian menu but she tried to help, and was nice and friendly. They were also kind enough to show us one of the bedrooms. Unfortunately we were impressed with the food.

My family took me for dinner for my birthday and it was absolutely disgraceful. There was no menu online, so I popped in beforehand to check out pricing and variety. There was an insanely expensive, extremely limited and uninteresting menu on display which I queried with a member of staff. She said something about menus being changed, went to the Food & Beverages Manager and came back with a copy of a different menu which looked much nicer, at reasonable prices. But when we turned up for dinner a few days later, we were given the menu that I'd seen displayed! They also have a Malaysian menu so we ordered off that for the main course. The food was absolutely awful. My son's chicken dish was a disgrace - literally just a few small lumps of plain chicken (some of which was horrible fatty skin) served with a small portion of plain boiled rice. My husband's beef dish was totally tasteless too. The desserts were also shocking. I had a tiny tart which you could have broken a window with. It was meant to be pear and chocolate but the filling was neglible and again, totally tasteless. The rest of my family had a white chocolate trifle which was revolting - a load of cream on top of sponge drenched in some unpleasant and unidentifiable alcohol.Like the people who have posted about the hotel itself, the service in the restaurant was unbelievably amateur.The worst thing is that my aunt had exactly the same experience. She went for dinner immediately it opened and had a good meal, and then returned to treat some friends and found the menu had changed to this ghastly, expensive one. The service was so lousy the restaurant made a small discount on her (humungous) bill.