YUMZ in Southend-on-Sea

Visited on Sunday, 09th February 2025, for brunch. Third visit (2020 & 2022) and nothing had changed really but though its still a nice place to eat (if you manage to secure a place in the enclosed decking/conservatory area at least) its a little pricey for the portion sizes as you appear to be paying for the location rather than what is on offer. No dogs allowed, which is a shame, and you can't book the decking/conservatory area, so you have to take your chances if it's busy as to whether there is space available. If there isn't, I wouldn't bother staying, as the contrast with the interior seating is quite stark as to your view.

DONT GO! FLAT DRINKS...POOR SERVICE!!!

Great Spoons in a lovely traditional pub building. Plenty of space, clean and nicely decked out.

I live 1 mile from this shop but they wanted £5 for delivery what a joke. On top of that they wanted 10p for a bag and £1 for service fee. So £6.10 on top of the cost of the food. They must think people are stupid. Total rip off

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