written by suprich on 21/02/2022
when I booked I was told that the table would be let go if I was late by more than a certain amount of time and that I would be charged per head also. However when I brought my guests here we were invited to wait for our table until such time as it suited them as it was not ready for us when we arrived at the time for which it had been booked. Very heavy handed way of doing things and as I have visited before and never been late it seemed as if my custom was not appreciated or remembered! Big-headed egos in charge I think
written by on 16/01/2014
We are regulars at the Blue Strawberry. Staff are so helpful and professional. Food is delicious and there is so much choice especially for a vegetarian. Meat eaters have a huge range too! I have been with large groups and as a couple and have been very pleased each time. Highly recommend it. The car park is small but there's plenty of space across the road in the free car park.
written by janesmith1975 on 18/10/2013
Heard so many good things about this restaurant so couldn't wait to book a table. I was surprised how disappointed I felt with the whole place. The worst part was when I asked the barman for a glass of lemonade at the bar, and he proceeded to pour me a glass straight from a bottle. One that looked like it had been bashed around and was half empty and cost me £2.50! If you want to impress your guests make their first impressions count!
written by on 19/01/2011
Visited in December for my birthday with my other half. On arrival we were left to wait in the bar/cloakroom area for 10 mins before being told what was going on with our table. The restaurant was very busy but we should have been told that all their bookings were running late rather than leave us standing in a crowded entrance not knowing what was going on.
When we were seated we were pleased with the food that we ate, the chefs are clearly some of the better ones in the area. The main problem was the stuffy atmosphere and narcky waiting staff. This seems to be a common theme in reviews and we found it no different. It's not that staff are won't help, but that they don't seem particularly willing or happy to and at times come across sarcastic and arrogant which is a real atmosphere killer. This restaurant needs to understand that their are plenty of places to get good food in the Chelmsford area now (Grahams, Blue Bridge, Alma etc) so they cannot rely solely on their food, which was admittedly very tasty, and should get some friendlier staff!
written by on 15/10/2010
I visited the blue strawberry for the first time for my mums 60th birthday, and thought that the food was lovely, and the service pleasent, it is a bit on the small side though, and dont think you should have to pay to reserve a table, but a lovely setting and would suggest to anyone to try the blue strawberry.
written by on 06/09/2010
I have eaten here twice and both times it has been great. The staff were very friendly and attentive (but not in an intrusive way).
The 2nd time I visited was for a birthday treat, and was on a Monday, was busy and all the tables were full, but the service was spot on.
We have been here for work, a party of 12, and they were very professional. There were no complaints about the food, and were willing to change a couple of the menu items of people who didn't want something on the dish.
We are going to book our Christmas meal here.
written by on 06/08/2010
I had a celebration dinner and chose to book this restaurant as had heard excellent things. However, when I called well in advance of the meal date to make reservations the staff were very snotty and made me feel they were doing me a favour by allowing me to book and eat there! They were unaccomodating and unhelpful in my view. As a direct result of their attitude I decided not to make the reservation. I went to another quality restaurant who I felt actually appreciated my custom. Avoid unless you like being patronised!
written by badgeressex on 21/07/2010
We ate here midweek and immediately felt that their midweek offer of 2 courses for £19.95 was not exactly a bargain, especially when a starter of oriental spring roll (single!) carried a £2 supplement, The seafood tower was just Ok, crispy pork belly was chewy and fatty and the seafood fricasee had such an overpowering sauce that you could taste nothing else. Veg were boiled and uninspiring.
Service very ordinary and uninterested.
10% service charge added insult to injury so probably won't bother going there again.
written by on 31/03/2010
Yum! The Blue Strawberry gets better with each visit. Suitable for family lunch or dinner with friends.
written by on 10/08/2009
Saturday night at the Blue Strawberry was a complete disaster - our first and last visit. On arrival we (husband and I) stood hanging around at the bar for about 10 minutes before anyone greeted us. When they did, they couldn't find the booking in our surname but instead said the bookings were in first names - the "waiter" was quite rude to my husband as if he should have told him his first name. They took us to a dark table located at the back of the restaurant next to a large air conditioning unit so we asked to be moved straight away. We were then moved to a small conservatory-type area that was next to an outdoor area that was packed with screaming babies and noisy children - akin to a certain chain pub but with London prices. Food was shockingly bad. Starters passable - for main my husband had steak that was served with crisps - yes, crisps - not chips - crisps! I had duck breast that was too tough to cut let alone eat. I told the waiter it was tough but that I did not want a replacement - we couldn't wait to leave. They did remove the duck from the bill and said that they had had other complaints and had changed suppliers but you really think that a chef would know if a piece of meat/game/poultry etc was edible or not.
Not one waiter poured any wine for us during the whole meal (bottle of wine arived at our table already opened).
On top of all that we had to listen to Phil Collins and other hideous music that was being piped through speakers that were located everywhere.
We were back home by 8.30pm - it had taken me longer to get ready to go out than the time we spent at the restaurant.
How on earth anybody would think that place is of a high standard just beggars belief. We will not be returning.
written by BAJ on 06/07/2009
We visited the Blue Strawberry for my birthday meal (just after Christmas). We were shown to our table straight away (without being asked if we wanted drinks at the bar first).
The portion sizes were generous but the food itself was not wonderful. I ordered the pigeon to start which was so overcooked that it tasted like kidneys and my dessert of jam sponge was microwaved to death. Our waitress spent the whole of our starter and main course asking if our food was alright but by the time the pudding arrived (and was inedible) she was nowhere to be seen. When asking for the bill, she finally asked about the pudding (whilst taking away a bowl full of sponge) so we explained what was wrong. She told us that we should have told her and she would have replaced it - easily said when we're about to leave. We went to the bar to pay for the meal and commented that the pudding had been overcooked in the microwave so much that it made a knocking sound when you tapped it with a spoon. The bar staff didn ' t seem to care but said that they would pass the comments to the chef. He disappeared but didn ' t go near the kitchen.
I will never recommend the Blue Strawberry and will never return.
written by Wendywoo23 on 11/03/2009
Although we had been told that our 7.00 table would be needed again by 9.00, we did feel rushed to the point when the waiter waited over us while we were still choosing from the menu. Don't like the 10% charge added to bill, which included drinks ordered from the bar.
Overall excellent. We have been to Blue Strawberry Bistro many times. Sometimes it is unfortunate if you are next to a rowdy table. Have also been at lunch time which is quite good value, and far more relaxed and unrushed.
written by MazM on 08/07/2008
We probably eat at the Blue Strawberry around 3 times a year (birthdays, anniversaries etc). If we lived nearer we would eat here more often. We have never had a bad meal. The quality of food, portion sizes and choice are all excellent. I also think that the midweek set menus are very good value.
written by TwoJims on 05/07/2008
I visit Witham every fortnight see my father and we always make a point of eating at the Blue Strawberry which must make us amongst their most regular customers. Never yet had anything other than very good food which I guess must be obvious otherwise we wouldn't keep going back there. I just wish I had such a consistent and sensibly priced restaurant in Surrey where I live.
written by smile4moi on 18/05/2008
My husband and I were disappointed, having been recommended this restaurant by friends. It was very busy, meaning we were waiting for a bit too long for our meal. Quality of food not brilliant considering what was charged and then were expected to pay a compulsory service charge of 10% - which was well over the top looking at the service received. Will not be returning to this overpriced restaurant and would only recommend if you do not mind waiting for hours and paying for the privilege.
written by Clare Ferris on 28/03/2008
I have to say all the hype I had heard and read about this restaurant didn't live up to mine or my husbands expectations. We arrived and were asked if we wanted a drink before we sat down, which we did. No problems here. However once seated it went downhill. Our order was taken and because we didn't want wine straight away - we'd only managed a couple of sips from our first drinks before being asked to sit. Our wine glasses were then taken from the table along with the wine list - thought this was odd but we carried on. Starters arrived and they weren't too bad but the mains came and my husbands was practically inedible - far too much salt on what was meant to be a winter salad and no sign really of anything resembling a salad leaf - lots of chewy bacon and pine nuts though. I had ordered duck but I wasn't asked how I wanted it cooked. It arrived and it was oozing blood, a bit too rare for my taste. No one came to check our meals were ok nor did anyone offer us further drinks. As this was for my birthday I was quite disappointed and it's not a place we'll be going back to or recommending. The staff seemed more interested in clearing the table ready for the next sitting.
written by gill48 on 12/07/2006
I have personally eaten there for two Sunday lunches and one Saturday evening and each time the food was excellent. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone and indeed I have.
written by David Rackham on 04/02/2006
We arrived at the Blue Strawberry Bistro in Essex on time, and we were taken, at our request, directly to our table in a nice warm location. Responsive staff answered our queries and offered to make changes to the menu to suit our needs. The 3 course meal was excellent and well served with adequate time between courses. Good Rioja wine by the glass. Entertained ourselves by reading quietly but aloud extracts from Samuel Pepy's Diary which was on hand. The meal was finished in good time but unrushed. Not the first time we have dined at the Blue Strawberry. Standard has always been consistent. Would recommend it to anyone. We use it for personal occasions, business lunches and for our annual staff Christmas dinner.
Written on: 16/05/2006
This is an excellent restaurant and the service is always great. I have been visiting it since it opened in the 1980's. The Blue Strawberry salad is outstanding ...but my one regret is they don't serve it at lunchtimes.
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As rated by our community of reviewers
Hartbex's Comment
Written on: 20/10/2010
I found this review not helpful because...I have eaten at the BS on many many occasions. This review is incorect as:
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<br/>1. You do not have to pay to reserve a table. They take deposits for tables booked for 8 people or over. If there are 7 of you eating, then no deposit is payable. The deposit they take is £10 per person, and you will get a credit for your payment even if 5 of you turn up at the table, as long as you tell them in advance that there will only be 5 of you. Very fair in my mind.
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<br/>2. The Bistrot has 3 eating sections and caters for anywhere between 110 - 130 persons at any one time. How this reviewer can say the place is on the small side is beyond me.
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<br/>3. Agreed - the food is generally lovely - and fresh every day.
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