Russells, Great Baddow Chelmsford

September 26th 2010.

Lounge drink before meal. Staff very attentive and knowledgable.

I selected sea bass but it was accompanied by shell fish which I don't eat. This was easily altered by the chef. The cheese board was also variable.

Very impressed with decor, service and quality of food. Limited vegetarian range.

Gormet mark

We ate with friends at Russells on a Saturday evening. We were all looking forward to it having repeatedly heard good reports. Not really a welcome on arrival. When we were taken through from the bar to our table we had to ask for our coats to be taken.

The tables were squeezed in with regular crashes with occupied seat behind both sides. One end of the table was against a wall so it was musical chairs when someone that end wanted to get up.

The staff seemed inexperienced for the type of restaurant Russells would like to be. Service had to be from one end of the table which necessitated us having to manoeuvre hot plates because it was too far for the staff to lean over. It forced the waiting to be intrusive.

The food was fairly good but not exceptional. We all ate three courses and extra vegetables but could have eaten more. Our main course was served before the cutlery was brought with which to eat it. A large spoon and fork was supplied to eat a dessert from a deep goblet. When this was queried an ordinary teaspoon was supplied.

A ten percent discretionary gratuity had been automatically included in the bill.

When we asked for our coats the wrong coats were brought out. It took two further trips to the cloakroom for all four to be retrieved.

Sadly we found Russells to be a considerable disappointment. Back to Grahams on the Green, Writtle where we have so far never been let down.

Over all good and friendly service and award winning food.

I dined at Russells for the first time and the staff were all friendly and welcoming. I was settled into the lounge area before dinner for a pre dinner drink which was very good. However, at the table I was not offered to try the wine before it was poured. Also, I ordered king scallops wrapped in parma ham with a butternut squash puree. I could not find the puree and the scallops were wrapped in thick salty bacon. My main course was better but the food was quite bland. I was expecting the food to be a little more grand for the money.