Did you check The House by Hilly Gant reviews?

Terrible experience .. went as a large group and were squashed into a corner … where I sat the were passing plates over my head… food was missing from the menu even though we ordered ahead. Staff lacked training and most were tone deaf as they served with raised voices. This is the second time I have visited the last time was 2023 for Xmas lunch. Same experience… not good value for money.. obviously the regulars love it as they don’t no any better or have not taste. I struggled to open the front door as a was carrying a celebration cake in only to be watched by a young waitress would never offered to help. Seems like southern hospitality has vanished! Price of drinks were extortionate especially the wine.

I'm so sorry to leave a negative review but having spent over £95/pp for Christmas dinner, sadly we just expected so much better. We waited nearly 20 minutes for our 'welcome drink on arrival' but only two of us were actually given a drink for some reason! The young waitress just walked off!! It took another 20 minutes for our starters to arrive...only to be taken away again as they were for a different table 🤷🏼‍♀️ We had to return one of the starters as it was still icy cold in the middle so we think it had been frozen. Again it was ages before it was returned to us, so of course, we had already finished eating ours. The main course was also very slow to arrive. It was ok but the vegetables were literally almost raw and the yorkshire pudding definitely wasn't fresh as it was so dry. Desert was great though. Hallelujah! The venue wasn't christmassy at all...no decorations, no table decorations, just some music in the background and a lot of noise from so many people being jammed in. The other thing I will just mention which I hope the staff take notice of...there was a small table for two right next to the bottom of the stairs...the poor people sitting there were clearly irritated by the constant stream of people coming and going, not to mention the dust etc that must have been landing on their food from the carpet. I'd have asked to be moved personally. The staff seemed to be trying their best, but it was just so muddled and very disorganised - I hope not their usual standard. Such a shame.

Went on Christmas Day afternoon for a three course dinner at £95 per head. Unfortunately the food wasn’t great and not worth the money. The staff clearly did not want to be working Christmas Day. I get that, but it’s not professional to make it so obvious. They didn’t know what the starter canapés were and we were told it was ‘whatever was left’ and the drink expected on arrival wasn’t available with no substitute offered until we asked, even though it was part of what we had paid for upfront. Disappointed sadly. The restaurant itself does have a nice cosy atmosphere though.

Edit: Down from 5 stars. Still lovely food and service but they have removed the Vegan options from the menu to "simplify" it. Vegan choices are still available but not on the menu, not very simple. Poor choice for the planet and health. Have a read of EAT Lancet. Really nice restaurant with friendly attentive staff and lovely food. A good range of vegan options too.

So disappointed!! Our experience wasn’t great at all! Food was poor, and the service was below average! The food quality, prices and service, are much better in any other place in Braintree! It's a rip off! They deserve only half a star!!

A rating with no written review.

Be very careful on what you order as they hide the real price of the meals, the Chateaubriand is actually £70 not £34.50 which they display, why not just display the actual price instead of a shared price. Whoever created that menu for the website needs to be fired, will never return.

Very disappointed as the reviews suggest a very good establishment however our experience wasn’t great. Food was average, however the service was below average. Also the manager was condescending. If I could give half a star I would.

Went in their today at lunchtime waited 10 minutes only 4 other customers so not busy.. Not one person came out.. So we took our custom elsewhere..

Very poor booking system which the staff are unable to use . Resulting in my 60th birthday booking, which I hasten to add was made over a month in advance, being cancelled by another member of staff. Can only give 1 star as I didn't even get through the door. Very disappointing.