The service was fast and the waiters/waitresses friendly and attentive, the food was of an excellent standard and the portion sizes good. The resturant itself is indeed a boathouse, but has been converted tastefully and unpretentiously. I was also pleasantly surprised at the low bill. I will definately be returning and would wholeheartedly recommend this restuarant to you.

Lovely location but let down by poor staff attitude.

What a pity. Lost my parties business by being rude.

The quality of the food is excellent, and this is reflected in the prices. The menu has a good range of dishes, and a wide wine list that includes some available by the glass.

Unfortunately the skills of the kitchen are let down by the front of house staff. Certainly, they are polite and reasonably attentive; but it is clear they have little or no idea how to wait and serve in a restaurant that aspires to be more than the usual run of the mill establishment.

Having decided to treat my elderly, mother to lunch whislt in Dedham I chose the Boatyard; what a mistake! When we arrived the patio was full but inside the restaurant it was virtually empty and asked to be seated where there was plenty of light as my Mum has very little sight indeed, she is registered blind. My request was refused and before I could take in what was happening my Mum was being escorted to a very dark area of the restaurant - there is nothing worse than a sudden change of light when you can't see properly - and without any warning that there was a step my Mum fell - hard!



Did the staff run to aid - NO

Did they offer any first aid - NO

Did they offer a drink - NO



We sat for 15 mins before anyone came to take our "order" of sandwiches and drinks. My Mum kept asking me not to make a fuss but I could see she was in pain.



Our sandwiches arrived, if you can call them that! tiny pieces of crusty bread with "plastic" ham on top with a few crisps - they were truly horrible!



I could keep quiet no longer and spoke to the Manger about Mum's treatment. Why is there no warning of a step in a dark place, even I hadn't seen it? Why was Mum not offered an ice pack for the bruising? Why were we kept waiting so long. His response was to provide a napkin wrapped around ice cubes, they had no proper first aid facilities.



Did the manager charge us for our drinks and the inedible food - YES



Did we receive a proper apology - NO



I am now home and about to contact Environmental Health at the council and write an official letter of complaint to the owners of the restaurant



But, the saddest thing of all is my Mum is badly bruised and upset - not much of a treat really is it!!