Review: The Fish & Eels

the fish & eels
(hoddesdon, hertfordshire)
Star Rating:  Food : 3 Stars  Service : 3 Stars

Hygiene rating: 5

Date of visit: 22 December 2012

What a wonderful surprise in the most unlikely of locations.  This is my third Vintage Inn Pub that I have visited recently and I am now a big fan of this chain.  The décor is warm and welcoming, the seats comfortable.  We were a table of six, our drinks were brought promptly, we were made to feel welcome from the start.  

We went of on a very wet December Saturday evening, but will have to return in the summer to enjoy the riverside seating and views.  There is ample parking.

To start with David and I shared a Tasting Platter at £10.95 baked brie and cranberry, coconut crumbed chicken, beer battered mushrooms, oak smoked chicken liver pâté with caramelised onion marmalade, falafel, warm crusty bread and caramelised garlic and parsley dip.  It was lovely and I would recommend it.  We had already started to tuck in before I remembered that I needed to take a photo.

Three of our guests ordered the Oak Smoked Chicken Liver Pâté at £4.95 with onion marmalade and walnut toast.  They all enjoyed it thoroughly.  

A Prawn Cocktail  at £4.95 succulent Atlantic prawns, served on cos lettuce with Marie Rose sauce, multi-seed bread and butter.  The the final starter eaten at our table.  I unfortunately forgot to take a photo, but it looked lovely.

The mains were a combination of the Christmas set menu and other items on the everyday menu.

David had a Lamb Shank Pie  at £13.45 slow-cooked lamb shank with rosemary and root vegetables, topped with shortcrust pastry and served with mash and buttered pea, broad and green bean medley.  This was served in a very novel way still on the bone.  He loved it, and was licking his fingers and enjoying the bone afterwards.

Dee and I had a Beef and Merlot Pie  at £9.95 slow-cooked beef, red onion and shallots in red wine gravy, served with steak cut chips and buttered pea, broad and green bean medley.  You might have gathered by now that I love my pies and this was on my list as one of the nicest ones I have ever eaten in a pub.  The chips were also lovely and chunky.

Paul ordered off their Christmas menu and had Roast Turkey at £12.95.  That to me was a bit on the pricey side.  But he seemed to enjoy it.

Chris and Sue both ordered the Handmade Haddock and Wholegrain Mustard Fishcakes at £8.95 served with dressed tomato, spring onion and watercress salad, seasoned chips and lemon and herb crème fraîche.  Not sure if I like the presentation too much, but they did not complain.

Overall Experience

We had some desserts, coffees, four bottles of wine and beers at the total bill came to £196.60 for six of us.  This is not a Michelin Star restaurant, it does not try to be either.  It is just a good old fashioned pub with lovely décor with clean facilities and great for a meal out with friends or the family.  Worth a try!  

http://www.vintageinn.co.uk/thefishandeelshoddesdon

Dobbs Weir Road, Hoddesdon, EN11 0AY

Tel: 01992 466073

Rating Guide

5 Stars - Perfect

4.5 Stars - Exceptional

4 Stars - Excellent

3.5 Stars - Very good

3 Stars - Good

2.5 Stars - Average

2 Stars - Bad

1.5 Stars - Very bad

1 Star - Dire