The Shepherdess in Chelmsford

Mother’s Day lunch, warm welcome, great food and fantastic service from Hannah who is extremely attentive and helpful. Highly recommended venue for food and beverage. Compliments to all the staff involved for running a smooth operation.

My partner and I crossed wires, we both booked a table at the restaurant for Valentine's day! When we arrived the hostess didn't even greet us or look us in the eye, we tried to explain the mix up just to be told they would have to charge us a cancellation fee for the other table and add it to our bill... despite the restaurant being barely half full that night. My partner had booked the premium table and paid £30 in advance - add that to the cancellation fee of £30 they just told us they would charge and we're already £60 down for nothing... The hostess didn't know where to sit us! She seemed confused and just dumped us on a table. We were just seated on a table for 4... nothing special about it at all - complete con for £30 'Premium' table (which is not even deducted off your bill, by the way). It took a while for someone to take our drinks order. Then it took another long while for someone to take our food order. When we asked for the set menu, we were told it was not available. So we then needed more time to pick other dishes. Attempt number 2, the first dish we asked for we were told was also not available! Guests should be told when they are seated if something is not available to them on the menu - such a waste of time. As sushi does, it comes out whenever it's ready in the kitchen. We had order lots of small plates and the waiting staff would come over, hover over us waiting for my partner and I to move all the plates around on the table to make room while we were trying to eat - so unprofessional. When I asked the waiter what one of the dishes was, he looked confused, nervous and said "umm, I don't know, it's X I think" gave a small laugh and walked away. The sushi was OK, but the pork belly bites were hard and BURNT. The long waits and average food could be forgiven if the service was outstanding. But the staff are in desperate need of training, confidence and personable skills with guests. It's such a shame. It's a lovely venue and used to be great.

Fast improving and lovely pleac

I had cod and chips curry sauce it was £13.10. The fish was terrible. I took the batter off the top of the fish and there wasn’t hardly any fish inside and the bottom of the batter was like rock cake. I will never ever go there again and I have pictures to prove it I reckon in six months Debbie shot, because people won’t stand or pay that sort of money for rubbish meal

Staff were very friendly and helpful. The rooms leaving something to be desired, not a bad size, just not overly clean. Found a few stray hairs in the bathroom. And quite a few marks on the carpets in the corridors. Its worth paying the extra and just going to a Premier Inn.