The Plough at Debden in Uttlesford

Back again, thankfully without potholes spoiling the fun! What can I say that I didn't say last time? The food was fabulous, we like the staff, the beer was good. The prawns were as good as they were before - great big succulent prawns in the crispiest of batter - and the smoked beef rib melted off the bone. Just wish I lived closer as 100+ miles is a bit far to make it a regular haunt!

It might not look that great inside but the food is to die for! I went back twice in a week it was that good! I had a Sunday roast that I could not have cooked better myself ( I am a Chef) Then i went back for a Meatpie with mushrooms that was just incredible!

A friendly and warming welcome and attentive staff were only outdone by super food - seafood linguine, spiced hake and sea bass were all received main courses. Great flavours, well cooked and presented. Pudding of sticky toffee were great size and commended for light and fluffy. The staff made this a lovely place for a family dinner, great food, thank you to all at The Plough.

Our visit got off to a very bad start when we found one of the local potholes, had to change a wheel, and had to phone through that we'd be late. Thankfully a Formula-1-esque wheel change saw us not too late, and besides, potholes are nowt to do with the pub! Two of us shared a starter, and one had their own. The baked camembert, with a couple of sprigs of rosemary, was piping hot and fabulous, and our only wish was that there was a bit more bread as there was cheese left when we finished. However we might not have had room for the main if we had! The other one of us had tempura prawns that were so crispy and light that they should probably have been tied down to stop them floating away. For mains we had the tandoori hake fillet, a "small" fish and chips (I've certainly been served smaller - I'd want to loosen my belt before facing the full-scale one!), and the seafood linguini. The hake-eater was a bit unsure about the flavour, but ate enough to satisfy, and I was happy enough to polish off most of what remained (do not read this as meaning the portions are small, I do a pretty good impression of a conveyor belt where food is concerned). The fish and chips was bang-on, crisp batter, moist fish, and chips just right, while the seafood linguini was just right, rich creamy and tasty. I was expecting something with a bit more smoked haddock but actually I think more would have masked the flavour of the rest, and the prawns were very definitely King prawns in size, while the mussels were veritable Schwarzeneggers (sorry, bad pun there, won't do it again). Dessert-wise, one of us was stuffed and said "no", but the other two had between us raspberry sorbet (fabulous) and treacle tart with ice cream and cream, which was equally good. The service was just right, attentive enough but not in your face, and the finishing touch was the charity fundraising table of knitted and embroidered goodies by the bar, which had one fewer when we left.

First class food, best in region, first class service a must visit for good quality food. Very small focused menu but great cooking and quality produce.

We asked the Plough to put on a buffet lunch for around 30 after laying our Mother's Ashes to rest on Saturday 9 April. They could not have been more helpful, accommodating and put on a superb spread. All remarked at how good lunch was and we were so pleased. Liz looked after us wonderfully and judged things perfectly. It was the best way to celebrate a memory. We have eaten at the Plough before, so expected it to be excellent, and it was. Thank you.

Lovely food, wine list disappointing. Snooty barmaid rather rude and judgemental. Won’t be going back, sadly.

We were taken to this pub by friends for dinner and wow! The food was amazing. I mean, the best food I have ever had in a pub. The scotch egg starter is a must as is the fish platter and Eton mess. And the roasts they serve is the best roast I have ever had in a pub. The staff are really friendly and make you feel welcome. I highly recommend this pub.

Came across this place on-line. Very traditional looking. The service was great. Friendly and informative. Food was amazing. You can tell there is pride in what they do. A group of old patrons certainly kept the team on their toes, but they handled them with efficiency and friendliness. We left there very happy and full. Definitely will be back. I have to have the chips again. Best ever. Oh and the muscles are huge... I loved it. Will be back.

Great country pub in a pretty village in the Essex countryside. The two friendly ladies running the pub had sensible Covid-19 precautions: outside seating only, waitress service at the tables and a queuing system for the loos. Booking recommended to manage the social distancing but we turned up on spec and got seated straight away. Much appreciated - shows we can have a good time at the pub without creating undue risk for anyone. Three local ales on draught - all in good condition - no Greene King! Good home cooked pub food in decent portions, a nice balance between quality and simplicity - nothing overly fancy and that suited us perfectly. Nice area for walking or cycle rides. Well worth a visit if you're in the area.

We went to the Plough, 4 of us, and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The food was piping hot and tasted delicious. The drink selection was great and the Ale was lovely. Great night and we all had a great time.

I can’t rate their supposedly amazing food because I couldn’t get a reply when i tried calling and emailing them to try and book a table. The first time a called, the answer machine kicked in to say no one is available to speak to me but if I leave my details someone will contact me. After 24 hrs , I heard nothing so I called again but this time and subsequent times I wasn’t even able to leave a message! I sent an email and left all my contact numbers and details of when I would like the table, still no reply! I have now booked elsewhere. Very disappointed to say the least.

This is a true country pub where the food is of excellent quality, the service is great and the atmosphere is good. A good selection of wines are available and the beer is good. Have been twice now and on both occasions we have been very satisfied

Just had Sunday lunch here and the food is very good. My husband had the beef and I had the lamb. Presented nicely and was extremely tasty. My husband said his roast potatoes could have been hotter! We shared a desert Eton Mess which was very yummy. The waiting staff are all very friendly and nothing is too much trouble. Will be returning.

I've eaten here several times and had a variety of dishes which have always been way above standard pub fare. The service is friendly and there's a nice garden for summer weather.

My wife and I only went to The Plough at Debden for the first time on Saturday 27/07/2019 as the original place we had booked had to cancel and they recommended The Plough as an alternative. It is a small country pub on a very quiet road with a nice small garden which we sat in to have a drink. The locals were friendly and smiley and it felt very welcoming. The staff, Liz & Meghan, were very friendly, helpful, patient and accommodating. And the food? The food, oh the food, it was simply wonderful (our compliments to the chef). We had, mussels and Tempura prawns as starters and burger and chicken as mains and we both agreed it was the most delicious, tastiest meal we have had out in the last several years and we both felt that it was very good value for money. The menu is limited and I certainly don't mean that as a complaint, quite the contrary. I would say that the menu has enough variety to please everyone without one feeling overwhelmed by choice and it is all the better an experience for that. My impression is that they have chosen to do a limited (again, that is not a complaint but a compliment) menu and do it very very well. And it works. So, if you like very good food at good value prices then then I highly recommend The Plough at Debden. We will certainly be returning and will be recommending it to our friends. Please pass on our compliments to the chef. Thank you

This is a favourite place to eat as nothing is too much trouble, as this booking was for a special birthday celebration I wanted everything to go without any problem.All the food was cooked to perfection and all diners commented how lovely and special the food was thanks again Lizz for a super meal.

There are no frills here - just a hard-working couple who run a good local pub and produce delicious food. The decor is spartan but attractive for that. The service is attentive and every dish I've tried so far has been delicious. Try one of the home-made pies or the Eton Mess and you'll know what I mean.

The Plough is a lovely little village pub that serves excellent and well-priced food, well-kept beer and gives wandering walkers like we were a warm welcome. it's not big, with a bar area at the front that gives onto the small restaurant area at the back, but there was room for the two of us to eat a good lunch: homemade pie of the day - delicious chicken, leek and bacon pie in a golden-brown pastry; and a homemade burger with bacon and halloumi in a brioche bun. It was only the need to press on that stopped us having pudding, but we'll be back. Service was prompt and very friendly too.

We called in for a pint and light lunch after a morning's country walk.This pub virtually selected itself as it is listed in the current edition of the CAMRA Good Beer Guide.We were warmly and cheerfully welcomed and chose a real ale from the limited selection (not a complaint!) available. We each chose a brew from Buntingford that we have not previously tasted and enjoyed it.There was a limited but perfectly adequate choice of lunch time food. There were some main meals but we wanted something lighter and there was a good choice of sandwiches. There were served with salad (included) and lovely fat chips with their skins on (an extra) and we each chose a different filling. The food was nicely presented, the sandwiches were well filled and we all enjoyed our choice. Service was efficient and friendly.Prices were very reasonable.This was a good experience and we are very likely to return when next walking in the locality.

Food better than you gave a right to expect from a little village pub. Yes lighting might be a bit intense and decor somewhat Old school, but taste the food and you have to be impressed. Chef/owner Chris is is a modest star who must be valued. His homemade scotch eggs are a treat. Good beer too and a fab friendly bunch of locals, especially big Pete and good, old George.

First time visit with a group of around 10 friends. Were stared at by locals and made to feel we weren't welcome! Had several large rounds of drinks costing over £30 a round. When asked if they did bar snacks was rudely told by snooty barmaid that they don't do food till after 6! But we could have crisps....

6 of us (3 couples) went for a Sunday lunch birthday celebration. The food was all very good (Starters, Roasts and Desserts) as was the beer and the staff. I would highly recommend this pub for a Sunday lunch and will be returning soon. The pub could do with a little revamp inside. The only thing I could criticise is that there is no milled salt and pepper but that’s it.

First visit to The Plough, meeting friends for lunch. Delightful place and superb menu choice. The food was delicious and obviously freshly cooked. As it is halfway between our respective homes and so good we have decided it will be our regular venue. The starters are huge but hard to resist so be warned! Service was excellent. Very good value for the quality of food and service.

Had a lovely night celebrating my nephews birthday, food was very good and staff very attentive. Great decor , only fault parking quite limited.

We went for a birthday celebration. Great welcome at the bar. Good selection of beers and wines. It was quiz night, so very busy, with lots of people eating. Nevertheless, a good and full menu gave us plenty of choice. Even though it is a small team, order was taken quickly. Food served in good time. Each of the varied meals we chose looked good and tasted great, I'd call it classic cooking - fresh produce, great sauces, cooked to perfection. Each of the seven of us loved what we ate. The deserts were of equal standard. My wife loved the Eton mess for instance. Will be back and recommend highly.

Lovely place great staff wonderful food . The chef must be an angel . Book to ensure you get a table . Not to be missed if you enjoy good home cooked food and not boil in the bag . Good wines good beer good everything

I went to the Plough for Sunday lunch. We had already asked if they could have a pie ready for one of our group, as the pies are simply fantastic. We had roast beef and the pie was to its usual high standard. The beef was Sirloin and was lovely. The vegetables were lovely and there was plenty of them. For desert you cannot beat the Eton Mess............fantastic. The service was excellent. It is little wonder that the Plough received an award from CAMRA, as the beer was excellent.

Have just got back from a wonderful surprise 60th birthday meal with family. The staff were so friendly and efficient. The food was cooked to perfection. I recommend this Pub and will definitely be going again.

Booked a surprise meal for my husband's 60th Birthday. We prebooked our food because there were 11 of us. The food was suburb and cooked to perfection.

Booked a table here as a few friends & family said "it's quite nice there"

Went here tonight after it was recommended by my parents. We were greeted warmly by a lovely lady upon arrival. We ordered pork belly and scotch eggs as a starter and these were delicious. My partner ordered ham, egg and chips and I was pleased to see the ham was from a local pig farm. I ordered the T-bone steak - a warning, this is not a dish for someone who is just a bit peckish! It was huge! I asked for it to be served rare and it arrived exactly as ordered (I hate when restaurants ask how you want steak cooked and then just ignore it and cremate it instead, so I was really pleased with how this steak came out!) The chips were perfect, crunchy on the outside and gorgeously fluffy in the middle, the mushrooms were cooked exactly how I like them, and the curried coleslaw was an unusual and delicious touch. We didn’t have room for dessert unfortunately, but over all, this was a fantastic date night with friendly service. Keep up the great work - we will return!

Me and my boyfriend decided to go there for Sunday lunch based on the good reviews we've read. I understand this may have been a good dining experience for some, however, we arrived to find the front of house management staff rather chaotic, disorganised and not helpful. We won't be returning.

Absolutely amazing food served with love and cooked to perfection service and staff were as good as the food was delicious and to top the experience off it was immaculate everywhere

Recommended by a friend went on quiz night had a really lovely ribeye steak a great piece of meat expertly cooked and beautifully presented on a wooden platter Great beer too and we even won the quiz ! The only thing missing a Michelin star !

Have now been twice and both times the food was excellent. Very friendly staff and pleasant garden with parasols. Going back again tomorrow evening! Always best to book as it is extremely popular.

Have visited on several occasions and have always found good service with a good choice of excellent food, just what a country pub should be .

Visited the pub on a recommendation about the food. Visited with my partner and elderly parent with mobility issues.

Small pub in pretty village. Menu limited but food good and ample portions. Tables not jammed together so offers some privacy for conversation and a pleasant garden area. Two very welcoming and helpful young waitresses - but unfortunately a rather officious landlady.

We were six for diner on a Saturday evening. The Plough is a very pleasant country pub with a good choice of beers and and excellent smallish menu supplemented by a couple of specials. We all enjoyed the starters - the popular choice being a goat's cheese salad - delicious. The main courses range from a chicken breast with a rich mushroom sauce, smoked short rib of beef, seafood & shellfish linguine and a vegetarian green Thai curry. Additional there was a chicken pie which was the real thing! All the dishes were pronounced excellent. There was hardly room for deserts but two chocolate mousses were ordered and enjoyed as well as some local Saffron ice cream.

We only live a few miles away from The Plough and had been meaning to visit here for a meal for a long time. Finally managed to go a couple of Sundays ago for lunch service with my partner and my Mum and we all had a lovely meal. Couldn't fault it in any way. We received a genuinely warm welcome, with a smile, when we arrived and shown straight to our table. Menus were given promptly and a suitable time given for us to decide on our drinks order. The menu was interesting and varied enough - I could easily have chosen a number of dishes from the menu but settled on the Sea Bass with mussels (and prawns I think) and my fellow diners both chose the roast pork. All of the meals were delivered in good time and were cooked to perfection - they tasted great and were beautifully presented. We booked an early table but there were already a few early birds there before us - but the restaurant and pub steadily filled up until there was quite a crowd and the place had a good local/traditional pub 'buzz'. We have since visited just for a drink one afternoon and received an equally pleasant welcome. It is really pleasing to have found a local eating/drinking establishment where the people running it and their staff know what good service is and genuinely seem to enjoy doing it. We recommend The Plough to others and very much look forward to our next visit.

It is so refreshing to see a young British local couple setting up a pub in the area and working so hard to make it the best it can be. From delicious food cooked by the husband to drinks served with a smile by the wife, this pub is a great place for a swift drink or for dinner. The Sunday roast is delicious and the beer garden is perfect for those with kids.

Four of ate here on a Saturday night, all had different dishes and all excellent. My catch of the day fish and chips probably the best i have ever had and i have had a lot! Portion sizes plenty and beautifully presented and great service. Oh and the choice of beers and quality not bad either!

Third time eating here in the last year and it lived up to previous experiences. I met two friends for dinner and a catch up last night. The staff were lovely, as always and the service and food were fantastic! My friend who had the sea bass with mussels and prawns said she never wanted her meal to end it was so delicious. My salad was fresh and tasty with a great balsamic dressing. The desserts were delicious as well and all reasonably priced. I will definitely be back again as my husband was so jealous that I went there without him! Cannot recommend this little pub highly enough and I suggest you book a table, especially if coming at the weekend, so you're not disappointed.

There were 4 real ales on the bar, varying from GK IPA to Mighty Oak Pickled Walnut (which was superb) to go alongside my fish pie from the specials board. It was better than I cook at home - really smooth mashed potato topping, sprinkled with fine dill, large prawns, good selection of fish, served with a separate pot of mussels in their shell in a creamy sauce and a nice fresh salad as garnish. My husband had local ham with eggs and chips. Eggs cooked perfectly, they were so fresh their separate skirts of white were clearly visible. Friendly, efficient and attentive service.

Best chicken butterfly I have ever had, chicken pie (proper pastry I may add) was also cooked and presented to perfection.

Lovely full plates of fresh hot food awaited us, with plenty of sauce. My sea bass mussels and langoustine was sublime and the trio of duck was well balanced, rich and tasty. The king prawn starter was crisp light & juicy. The Elton mess pretty and fruity- perfect ending to delicious meal. Staff are friendly, and the cellar well kept. Lovely to see the Plough thriving once more.

We dropped in for lunch having heard good reports from friends. My initial impressions were that the interior is rather plain and not enticing; however, the service was fine and the food was very good.

I celebrated my mother's birthday here last night with other family members. I've visited before and the same high standards were in evidence. It was a weekday night so not very busy, but what the pub lacked in atmosphere it made up for in service and presentation.

Debden is a small country village in Essex with a church and a small Primary School. The Plough is the...

Un pub engañosa en términos del menú y la calidad de la comida. Las porciones son muy generosas, pero con ingredientes de calidad, no un montón de ensaladas o patatas fritas. deja Puedo recomendar el queso de cabra y aguacate Ensalada de remolacha/arranque, los sabores...

Fui allí con mi familia el domingo de Pascua. Chris había preparado una tarta preciosa amablemente para uno de nosotros, ya que son sencillamente deliciosos. Tuve la carne asado solomillo que estaba delicioso, este venía con patatas y un montón de preciosas asado de verduras...

Limpio y acogedor, y un montón de espacio, personal amable, gran servicio, excelente comida, sin duda, comer allí

We popped in for a drink on Sunday for the first time. The pub was freezing cold with a very inefficient small fire burning. Then we got told off for wearing weeklies by the frosty landlady, she then told another couple off for allowing their kids to approach the bar (they had just walked in and hadn't been given a table), she then ordered one of her staff to get her a coffee. We didn't eat but I bet the food is good because people certainly don't go there for the warm welcome, must have caught her on an off day

I will declare an interest in that I live in Debden and use the Plough regularly for drinks and dining.I was in the Plough at 2045 on the same night as Keithf UK and can tell him that every table was full in the restaurant area and also the 2 large tables in the bar area. Some time ago I asked Chris, the chef and co-owner (with Liz who runs the bar), about a similar thing that happened to me in a large restaurant in London. I arrived at 1900 on a Monday and there were large numbers of tables empty but was told I could not eat for at least 2 to 3 hours. Chris said it is a combination of staff availability and kitchen capacity to ensure the food is well prepared and served correctly. He also said the number of tables was often not the limiting factor. My situation was also exacerbated by it being a Monday when Chris thought the staff levels would probably be low.So back to the Plough and last night. The Plough is a small village pub with a relatively small but seriously modern and well fitted kitchen which limits the amount of food that can be cooked and delivered at any one time. Chris is fiercely passionate about his food and that means he will stretch his kitchen to serve as many as he can but he knows when he will be overstretched which could compromise the quality.The Plough is very popular most of the week but especially so on Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday lunchtimes, so I always book before expecting to eat. Regretfully when you have food of this quality and a pub of the size of the Plough - it gets to capacity very quickly; its the price we pay. So KeithUK I believe your review a little harsh. I can appreciate your disappointment but from my experience over the last year if Liz can squeeze someone in she will and I think you tried on a night when there just was no spare capacity.I strongly recommend you try again and book in advance as the food is not to be missed and Liz is a cellar person (if that is the right term in this PC age) of outstanding ability which means her beers are perfect.I will add another review shortly on the food and menu specifically, not to forget the excellent beers on offer.

Went here at 7.10 on a Saturday evening. Bought some drinks and sat at a small table in the bar area. A short while later, went to the bar to ask for a menu for food. Was told they were fully booked so couldn't serve us food. The place was almost empty. Whilst many tables had 'reserved' notices on them, we had a place to sit and there appeared to be nobody else ordering food at that time.How on earth can it not have been possible to prepare a simple meal for a group of three people?Never, ever, had such a situation before.Shocking customer service. So be warned, if thinking of eating here, make sure you book.Though personally, pigs will fly before I go back.

Thoughtful and clever refurbishment that keeps the pub character but allows a comfortable and discreet dining area. The couple running it really know their stuff too. The menu is reasonably short, a good sign in my opinion, and is excellent with the headline star being the T-bone steak, but you had better be hungry. Slightly less obvious are the fish dishes and specials which everyone thought were superb. Supported by a short but imaginative wine list and well kept real ales this is a gem. Friendly, efficient and unobtrusive staff complete a very satisfying picture

The pub we had intended to visit was now an Indian restaurant. Asked if there was another pub in the village and we were pointed in the direction of the Plough. On entering the pub we feared the worst as it was empty.What we got was the best service, snack lunch and drink we all had had in a long time. How can someone get a Ham Sandwich so right well they did. Excellent.

Super pub. Phoned to see if they did Steak and Ale pie. They made sure they had it on Thursday for us and it was super

Having met a friend here a few weeks ago for a drink and watched the food come out, it was an obvious choice to try to get a table for lunch today. We were lucky managed to get a table and we now know just how lucky we were! The locals were friendly and said hello when we came in which was lovely and unusual in a village pub. The pub was cosy, clean and welcoming. The staff were amazing. Very helpful and attentive but the real treat was the food! I had the beetroot and goat cheese salad and my partner had the scotch egg. My salad was stunningly presented. Beautiful attention to detail and tasted delicious and the scotch egg had a gooey yolk and the sausage meat was full of flavour. For main I had fish and chips with a lovely crisp light batter, not at all greasy and home made skin on chips. Everything was delicious from the dressing on the salad to the succulent garden peas.My partner had the roast beef and all I need to say about that was it was the best roast dinner he had ever had! The potatoes were crispy and fluffy in the middle, the beef cooked to perfection and the gravy was made with red wine and gave the meal a wonderful richness.Dessert didn't disappoint either! My Eton mess was light and creamy and his sticky toffee pudding was moist, fruity and enormous! We will definitely be back for more. We just found our new favourite place to eat.

The Plough was my choice to celebrate my Birthday with friends......I just love this place! There was eight of us and we ordered a wide variety of main and desert courses. All the meals, as usual, were cooked to a very high standard and with excellent service. Lizzy brought out a surprise birthday cake for me, and to my surprise many of the locals joined in with a chorus of "happy birthday".....it made my day!!.....Lizzy and Chris have clearly worked very hard at creating a homely pub that delivers food of excellent quality and quantity. You are given a very warm welcome at The Plough, its my favourite!!!!!

After a cold wet day out I arrived at the plough sat next to the log fire and had a lovely meal we sat next to the log fire, the burger was great, cooked well and the sticky toffee pudding was also lovely, I'd recommend this place to anyone.

Good evening here. New owners are very welcoming and nice. Great steak and a warm atmosphere to enjoy the food and drink in

Perfect .That's all I really need to put .....but ....the food was excellent,Liz was just great ,the place is awsome , everyone around me was happy with service .Lovely place , recommendations to everyone X

Was our first visit tonight every thing was first class menu was lovely liz who waited on us hand and foot and chef Chris our number one man it was a lovely evening

I ate here with my family (seven of us and two babies) and the food was scrumptious! From home made scotch eggs to locally sauced pork I couldn't fault the meal. Home made chips were also enjoyed, as many know there are very few pubs which bother to peel their own spuds these days!

Having been recomended the Plough by our son who had visited twice before with our daughter - in - law we thought we would give it a try we were not disapointed, the service was first class and the meals were exceptional the sea bass was incredible as previously mentioned in other reviews, the starters and ddserts were incredible I could go on and on how perfect this place is to eat and the atmosphere was superb give it a try you won' t be dissapointed.

We are local to the area, and have eaten here many times. The food is amazing and they go out of there way to please us. I'm lactose intolerant and they are always understanding of my needs, even making me a dairy free crumble. Brilliant service and excellent food. Recommend highly to our family and friends all of whom have had a brilliant evening too. Looking forward to our next visit

Stopped off here half way through a walk round the Essex countryside. Good pub food and friendly, helpful staff. The fried fish was particularly good with excellent crispy batter. Watch out though as the kitchen shut at 2.00 pm although this may not be the case at weekends. Also sunny garden

Love going here. Food is delicious, genuinely cooked to order, varied menu and reasonably priced. A super village pub for locals and visitors with lots of different well kept beers/ales. Wish we lived closer.

As someone recently posted, if you can get here make sure you do. We had heard that The Plough was good - our visit in August 2016 proved it. Simply excellent food. I tried all three starters on the table, plus the main courses and could have chosen any of them. Six of us went and there were no dissenting voices about the quality. And the price was reasonable for such a high standard. With tip and wine/drinks we paid £40 a head for three courses. I don't think there is anywhere near that can compete.

The perfect country pub? This is about as close as it gets.The Plough is simply but attractively furnished with a friendly atmosphere, good beers and a well-kept garden with plenty of tables, perfect for our summer evening visit.We booked a table for six plus baby and on arrival were pleased to see a high chair already set up, spotlessly clean.The menu was just right - a real "something for everyone" affair with a good choice of meat, fish, home-made pies and veggie. Most of us went for fish.All of us were delighted by the quality of the cuisine and the touches the chef had added to make good dishes great. My fish pie was a triumph, one of the tastiest and well-filled I've ever had. The bonus here was little bowl of plump mussels in their shells on the side. My son's sea bass wasn't just a strip of fish - it came with a big langoustine. Even a humble piece of salmon came stuffed with a delicious filling.Prices are low-to-average for pub food, but at this level of quality they're a gift. No review of the Plough would be complete without a gushing tribute to the lady front of house. Liz (who I understand owns the pub with her husband, the chef) is an act of pure class. This charming young lady keeps ten balls in the air and never drops one, yet somehow manages to be unfailingly cheerful and friendly. One second she's pulling pints, the next serving meals, the next she's dashing out to the garden with a trayful of drinks, the next she's wiping down the baby's high chair. With at least 20 customers eating and drinking she managed the whole operation by herself without missing a beat or a smile. I've never seen anything like it!They deserve all the support locals can give them.

I visited the Plough with friends for Sunday lunch. Having read the previous reviews I was so looking forward to my lunch.......and lunch was, as my friend said, DELICIOUS. The Plough has a lovely garden where many people were enjoying their drinks and food. The inside of the Plough is quite lovely, bright and it really gives you a homely impression. One of my friends ordered the Sea Bass whilst the remainder ordered roast beef. The Sea Bass was superb it came with mussels and prawns my friend who eat this couldn't stop talking about it all evening!. The roast beef was simply the best I have had for many years. It came with a lovely generous portion of lovely vegetables and the roast potatoes were fabulous. The beef itself was very tasty, as was the gravy. The deserts was delicious and my friends simply fell in love with not only the food but also the pub itself! What really topped the lunch for us all was the excellent service from the staff and you were made so welcome. I have already booked for another visit and my only regret is that I had not visited the Plough sooner!!

We popped into the Plough after reading recommendations here. We were greeted by friendly locals, served quickly at a busy bar and treated like regulars. We asked to look at the menu which was full of family favourites. The specials board was full of fish options. The garden has table tennis and plenty of seating. We asked for future reference whether dogs are allowed and were told they are welcome in the garden and in the bar. Were served by the owner who was extremely welcoming and helpful. We can't wait to return to eat.

We visited The Plough needing an evening meal. The pub is small & quaint. We hadn't booked & the dining section was full, however we were looked after & were eating within 30 mins. The steak was amazing, best I've ever eaten & service was fast and very friendly. Would definitely recommend X

Eleven members of our family enjoyed a delicious Fathers'Day lunch at the Plough on Sunday. The food, service & atmosphere were all excellent.There is a lovely country walk right on the doorstep. Very good either before or after lunch.

The food here is well above average. The plate is superbly presented, I had See Bass with mussels and prawns, my wife had a T bone steak. Both dishes were superb The chef is a craftsman ( I believe the Landlord ) and the Landlady working front of house is charming

We have been here several times now for lunch and dinner; the food and service have always been excellent, the menu choices plenty varied enough, and able to accommodate my g-f diet. Would have no hesitation in recommending.

This is one of those little gems of a pub that you know you have been looking for and yet so rarely find nowadays. Liz is amazingly efficient as a host, whizzing round to make sure no-one is left out and yet more than happy to spend some quality time with her guests, putting everyone at their ease. Chris produces consistently good meals with fresh local ingredients and manages to turn even a simple chicken, leek and bacon pie into something rather special. The beers are well kept with interesting guest bitters. Particularly nice is the fact that it manages to achieve that rare combination of remaining a 'locals' pub where you can still hang around comfortably at the bar or go there to enjoy a first class meal, as you wish. It comes top of the list locally for my wife and myself and is streets ahead of those silly, overpriced, so-called 'gastro' pubs that seem to plague our villages.

Guest Ales and duck on the menu, what is not to like. I especially like a pub, that has a good selection of guest ales and good food. The Plough is definitely worth a visit. I had the duck served with green beans and sauté potatoes, and have absolutely no regrets, it was delicious. I had almost gone for the sea bream fillet, with mussels and prawns. Thankfully, that's what my companion went for. She too, was not disappointed. Reasonably priced too. We will be going back.

This place looks like an ordinary village pub, and my expectations were low when we arrived for our dinner booking. There are only about 6 or 7 tables, which was just as well because the landlady was not only serving behind the bar but also doing all the waitressing. She was brilliant, never left anyone waiting and had an excellent personal style. I don't know who was in the kitchen, but I suspect it was the landlord - whoever it was can cook and cook well. My special other had seabass which she described as the best she had ever had, and I had moules marniere with chips. The moules were great but what was special was the chips. They were crispy on the outside and soft on the inside - probably triple cooked - so rare to find.Will be be back.

Our local offers an excellent Sunday lunch, all freshly cooked with local ingredients. The pub is run by Liss and Chris.

As always the food was excellent.plenty of choice for all tastes.my favorite a goats cheese and beetroot salad followed by seabream.great beer too.

We had a lovely meal at The Plough on Saturday evening. The menu is not huge but along with the 'specials' there were plenty of delicious options. The staff create an atmosphere of relaxed efficiency. We were made very welcome. It was our first visit but we will definitely be back and would recommend the pub highly.

We booked in one evening whilst visiting my parents and were very pleasantly surprised at the very high standard of the food. The menu was simple but executed to good restaurant standards with the presentation particularly good. The service was prompt and friendly and the prices sensible. We will definitely go back when visiting again

The other reviews aren't wrong! Even on a Tuesday evening there was a nice atmosphere, great service as the food was really excellent. Will definitely be back!

An evening meal with my wife and sister and brother in law who are very fussy! The menu is varied enough to satisfy all tastes - including the fussiest of vegetarians! Result! The atmosphere is very friendly and the tables are not on top of each other so easy to have a private or personal conversation, as we did, concerning family issues.

Visited again today for Sunday lunch with 4 adults and 4 children or varying ages.From the welcome to the food we where treated really well. The starters we all had where delicious and the sticky beef i asked for earlier in the week when making the booking was so nice. All of us had roast beef and i would advise that the half portions are more than suitable for the kids.We all cleaned our plates and some even had pudding! The extended family i bought along agree that this is the best roast for miles around.So if your reading this do yourself a favour and get over and enjoy a delisious roast in a great little country pub.Full compliments to the chef and his lovely wife and staff, We will definately be back :o)

Really welcoming and flexible with menu choices for little people. Very attentive and use the best local sausages. Good ale on tap too.

Came for a buffet lunch, Lizz and Chris have done a fantastic job here. Friendly atmosphere and service, great bunch of locals, excellent food and a great selection of local ales which have been Camra Locale certified. I will be back!

The "Secret" of Essex! Friendly 'pub in the middle of the village with ample parking.First class meals and very friendly attention. This is the way to run a 'pub. Keep it up!

Hats off to Chris and Liz for dragging the Plough up off its knees. Its great to see the Plough doing to so well these days taking it from a sleepy little local to a very good restaurant/pub. Cannot fault the food - Chris is an amazing chef and I certainly recommend the Sunday Lunch and the Fish and Chips. Good Value for Money definately worth a visit..

Had the most wonderful food, delicious, if you want a good value pub meal with amazing flavours and inventiveness this is the place to go, relaxing atmosphere, friendly staff and excellent choice of food.

The Menu might be small, but the Quality is Excellent. This is a small English Pub in the Country. We ate at lunchtime, the service was great, the choice of beers was fine, the choice of wines was good for a small pub. The food was of a really good standard. We had Fish Pie, which came with mussels ( these were in a separate pot, with a lovely sauce),and small side salad, a pie with veg, and a gorgeous burger. All these dishes were served at the same time and were piping hot and really tasty. Prices were level with the quality of the food served.

My favourite eatery around saffron walden at the moment,Good menu selection with specials on the chalk board,tasty real ales and superb deserts if you have space left to sample.Hosts are best described as affable beyond the call of duty.

Ate there for the firs time since moving in to our new house the meal & service was fantastic the food had the presentaion

Take away Fish & Chips best I've had in years. Phoned my order in and 20 minutes my order was ready. Gave me time for a quick pint. 4 large portions of FRESH Cod, hot chips all wrapped up in paper and foil and presented in a recyclable paper carrier bag. Well done Chris and Liz I'll be back soon for some more.

We looked up somewhere with great reviews for a nice quiet meal... But couldn't find it so went here instead! We didn't know what to expect and hadn't seen any reviews so went in with an open mind. We were immediately greeted and chose our table. The place had a large party of people loudly chatting at the bar but it didn't make the place feel any less homely. The waitress was there at all the right times. Reasonable prices for the area. Pretty good selection of food choices and specials. The food itself was really great! I had linguine with monkfish, prawn, mussel, chorizo and a cream sauce. Absolutely lovely. Really pleased. The only down side was that the portions weren't big enough! Still, we'd definitely recommend it :-)

Had three fantastic meals here on the trot, food is lovely beer is very well kept, interior is fresh, garden is lovely service great.Roast sirloin of beef and Eton Mess simply lovely.Our little one loves stomping up and down the freshly turfed garden.

We all commented in the car on the way home how wonderful the service and the food was. As a new vegan I am getting used to a certain look when I ask about dairy and egg free items, but there was none of that here. I had an excellent meal as we all did. This is our new favourite place