http://www.essexrestaurants.com/ 36-1321 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/billericay-venues/billericay-pubs/the-white-horse-ramsden-heath-essex.html Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:28:17 +0000 324-1311 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/billericay-venues/billericay-restaurants/the-ivory-rooms-billericay-essex.html I visited the Ivory Rooms on a Thursday Evening having been recommended to take advantage of the 4321 offer. This offer is basically 3 courses plus a bottle of wine for just £40. We usually go to Prezos or Strada in the High Street and spend between £55 & £65 for 2 people every Thursday so was not expecting much from The Ivory Rooms, however we were very surprised 3 courses from the a la carte menu and a bottle of wine plus 1 pint of lager was only £43. The food was amazing, the ambience with the pianist was perfect. If there was a complaint the service was not amazing as we had to wait a long time for our deserts. I would definately recommend anybody going on a Thursday evening. ]]> Fri, 27 Jan 2012 22:35:02 +0000 359-1304 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/billericay-venues/billericay-restaurants/strada-billericay-essex.html Absolutely disgusting. As a regular Strada customer I was totally appalled by the food and the service at the Strada in Billericay. The service was disgraceful, the waitress was rude and arrogant and really couldn't be bothered. Once the food was served we never saw the waitress again, it took ages to get a drink and to pay the bill. I ordered a pasta dish that I have had on several occasions and it was like boiled pasta in dirty dish water. Would not recommend this Strada to anyone. ]]> Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:59:37 +0000 328-1188 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/billericay-venues/billericay-restaurants/la-toscana-billericay-essex.html I recommended La Toscana to a group of colleuges for a business dinner. Upon entering the resturant the head waiter looked down his nose at us like we were something he had stepped in. When asked if they could seat 10 he stated that he would have to ask the kitchen if they could manage a party of ten! Bearing in mind there where 6/8 people in the restuarant at the time I found this very strange considering the level of professionality this resturant proports to have.... He then came back and stated in a rather unhelpful tone that he would have to make a table up and that the kitchen could cope as if he was doing us a favour! He then proceeded to squash us against the wall to such a degree we had to move the table away ourselves in order to gain access to and from the table. Throughout the course of the meal he was less than welcoming and accomodating. Considering the table was large and we were going to spend a good amount of money, and the restuarant was empty this attitude was totally unacceptable! The waitress on the other hand did a marvelous job of making up for his vile behaviour. The food was reasonable the quality has dropped. The decor is tired including the 5cm gash out of the wall above my colleuges head... The ambiance if any was completely ruined by the head waiter who clearly has ideas above his station, the attitude given off was akin to a Parisian although I suspect that French would be beyond his command unlike one of our number who can speak three languages. The restaurant is not Michelin starred, it is not excluesive If you want a good meal go to the Magic Mushroom better quality with less attitude and a high degree of customer care. Would I go back never! I am actually embarresed that I recommended the restuarant. However if like us you can't get into one of the many busy restuarants it is somewhere to eat.... ]]> Thu, 30 Jun 2011 07:59:41 +0100 36-1182 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/billericay-venues/billericay-pubs/the-white-horse-ramsden-heath-essex.html Fri, 10 Jun 2011 15:10:05 +0100 324-1041 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/billericay-venues/billericay-restaurants/the-ivory-rooms-billericay-essex.html myself and husband and frieds had a very nice evening on 2nd november there was singing and the food and service was 1st class i wqill go again and i will recommend it to all ]]> Wed, 11 May 2011 12:54:29 +0100 324-976 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/billericay-venues/billericay-restaurants/the-ivory-rooms-billericay-essex.html We attended the Ivory Rooms yesterday for the wedding of Leah & Ryan and have to say that you made it a perfect day. Everything was done to perfection, the food was excellent (served hot too)and your staff were friendly and efficient. You even managed to change the weather! A wonderful day and we wish you continued success in providing such a good service to your guests. ]]> Sun, 26 Sep 2010 12:42:47 +0100 191-926 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/billericay-venues/billericay-restaurants/the-magic-mushroom-billericay-essex.html I had my 60th birthday celebration here earlier this year in the private room at the restaurant. I can only say that the food, service and attention to detail was superb. We were very well loked after and the set meal, with various choices, was lovely. It was also surprisingly very good value. Highly recommended. ]]> Sat, 07 Aug 2010 10:30:20 +0100 359-925 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/billericay-venues/billericay-restaurants/strada-billericay-essex.html Went with my partner last Wednesday thinking of having a nice quiet night out and did not book. The restaurant was heaving but managed to get a table in a cosy area towards the front of the restaurant. Had to wait a bit for the food but the staff was very friendly and we were well looked after considering the place was packed. When asked for the bill the manager brought us a complimentary limoncello which I thought was a very nice gesture. Will definetely go back but I would recommend to book a table. ]]> Fri, 06 Aug 2010 15:47:46 +0100 191-911 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/billericay-venues/billericay-restaurants/the-magic-mushroom-billericay-essex.html This was our first visit to the restaurant. The service was very good the staff very pleasent and helpful we count not fault it at all. The restaurant was spotless and looked beautiful when we entered. We were greeted as we entered offered our table or a seat outside. We sat outside with the menu were never rushed or left too long. The food was cooked fresh and tasted fantastic as did all the courses we ordered.
All in all a very enjoyable evening out. I recommed this restaurant give it a go you will not be dissapionted. ]]> Tue, 27 Jul 2010 21:38:57 +0100 328-870 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/billericay-venues/billericay-restaurants/la-toscana-billericay-essex.html We used to go to La Toscana for special occasions as it's one of the nicest, pricey, restaurants in Billericay. My husband and I went there recently for our anniversary and didn't really enjoy it. It seriously lacks atmosphere and needs modernising (although I've always felt this about the place). The food isn't as good as it used to be, sloppy presentation, the waiting staff didn't seem as 'polished' as they used to. Lacking a little attention to detail. I would expect more from somewhere that charges as much. I will go elsewhere for the next special occasion I'm afraid. ]]> Tue, 01 Jun 2010 09:20:02 +0100 191-858 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/billericay-venues/billericay-restaurants/the-magic-mushroom-billericay-essex.html Cannot fault this restaurant at all. Me and my friend's always go here for special occasions and have done for the past few years. My Husband and I celebrated our fifth Wedding Anniversary there last night, and as always the staff looked after us really well. The food was great as always. It's a really special place and I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone. ]]> Sat, 22 May 2010 21:06:39 +0100 191-857 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/billericay-venues/billericay-restaurants/the-magic-mushroom-billericay-essex.html Fantastic Restaurant. By far the best in essex. My Wife and I dine out at least twice a week. We regularly dine at the finest restaurants in London and throughout Essex and Cambridge. We recently went to the Magic Mushroom after being recommended by a Business Associate. WOW seriously impressed the Food was Sublime, the Service Attentive and Friendly, the Atmosphere and Ambience Excellent.. We are going back this weekend and Seriously looking forward to it..
5 STAR Excellence 100% recommended. ]]> Sat, 22 May 2010 20:21:52 +0100 191-856 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/billericay-venues/billericay-restaurants/the-magic-mushroom-billericay-essex.html We went to the magic mushromm having been recommeded by a number of people we thought the service was really good the staff were attentive I had the rack of lamb very well cooked good range of wines and the location is different and interesting, very busy although it was a saturday night we had a nice table for 4 people were not rushed and stayed for some time enjoying the evening particularly impressed with who we thought was the manageress who was busy attending to the many guests I would recommend this restaurant as a well run friendly place with great food and service. ]]> Sat, 22 May 2010 16:48:31 +0100 191-843 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/billericay-venues/billericay-restaurants/the-magic-mushroom-billericay-essex.html This was my second visit to the Magic Mushroom, the disappointing visit first being 5 years ago, so I was interested to see if things had improved. I wish I hadn't bothered. We had a table booked for 8.30, and enjoyed a pre-dinner drink before being seated. The service was diabolical. We ordered swiftly, but were then flatly ignored as we waited, and waited. Our starters eventually arrived at 10.15pm, with no apologies or even acknowledgement of our wait. The food was good, but not great, although they do seem to produce an impressive dessert (according to my husband. By 11.45pm, I was not in the mood to do anything but sleep, never mind order dessert!). The ambience is non-existent, with the interior resembling a poor attempt at 70s retro and the accoustics resembling a school dinner hall. On top of this, when we tried to pay, they told us the visa machine was broken, so filled in the slip manually. They called us 2 days later to say the payment hadn't gone through, so could we pay again. Before my husband agreed, I called my card company, and was told the payment had indeed gone through. It's a good job I'm suspicious, or we could have paid for an extremely poor, terribly overpriced meal twice! Awful experience, even worse than the first. If you enjoy good food in Billericay, save yourself the disappointment and give The Orb a try instead. THAT is a truly first rate experience. ]]> Sun, 09 May 2010 10:05:48 +0100 191-782 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/billericay-venues/billericay-restaurants/the-magic-mushroom-billericay-essex.html A very lovely evening spent at the Magic Mushroom. Perfect for a romantic evening or for celebrating a special occasion. Food was superb. Had the Friday night 3 course Set Menu, priced £27.50 a head. Service, on the whole was very good, except for a slightly forgetful waitress. Ambient atmosphere. Would thoroughly recommend it for a special occasion. ]]> Sat, 13 Mar 2010 16:00:00 +0000 324-569 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/billericay-venues/billericay-restaurants/the-ivory-rooms-billericay-essex.html Very poor service and food. ]]> Sun, 02 Aug 2009 16:55:18 +0100 191-543 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/billericay-venues/billericay-restaurants/the-magic-mushroom-billericay-essex.html I recently booked this Restaurant for my dad's birthday (27/06/09) as it is hard to find a decent quality restaurant that isn't a chain.

I had read previous reviews and am glad to say that this has to be one of the best restaurants I have been too in Essex. The service was excellent, the staff were very accomodating and you can have a laugh and a joke with them as well.

The food was excellent, we all had something different and there was no complaints from any of the party.

We sat on one of the side tables which I would recommend as your not in the middle of the floor and it is a bit more private for whatever occassion.

I cannot fault this restaurant at all and would Highly recommend this restaurant to anyone. ]]> Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:51:41 +0100 328-520 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/billericay-venues/billericay-restaurants/la-toscana-billericay-essex.html I have been here many at least half a dozen times on business and with family & friends. Each time the food is second to none, staff friendly and helpful. Although top end in terms of cost very worthwhile. A relaxed place to eat and look forward to my next visit. ]]> Tue, 02 Jun 2009 11:23:59 +0100 283-514 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/billericay-venues/billericay-restaurants/fox-and-hounds-ramsden-heath-essex.html When we visited the Fox & Hounds it was a chilly, wet wednesday afternoon and very quiet, we were the only customers in the restaurent and although the bar was busy we were given first class, speedy and friendly service, the food was exquisite and more than we could consume, and would recomend it to any one. We did'nt visit the toilets. Excellent value. ]]> Wed, 27 May 2009 15:26:53 +0100 191-485 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/billericay-venues/billericay-restaurants/the-magic-mushroom-billericay-essex.html My husband booked a table as a surprise for my 30th. Great choice. Recommend the calves liver and the pork belly although lots of delicious options. Generous portions. Good service. Lovely setting. Would recommend to families and couples. Set menu is great value for money at only £21.50 for 3 courses. Tip: When booking, ask for a table at the side (more privacy) rather than the centre tables. ]]> Fri, 24 Apr 2009 20:03:53 +0100 191-430 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/billericay-venues/billericay-restaurants/the-magic-mushroom-billericay-essex.html Took the wife out, night before vallentines and found food of a high standard & nice romantic decor.
Didn't feel rushed and will certainly look forward going back. ]]> Fri, 20 Feb 2009 17:22:29 +0000 328-403 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/billericay-venues/billericay-restaurants/la-toscana-billericay-essex.html Took my family here for a birthday celebration, food was excellent and staff were helpful with the planning. Would definately visit again ]]> Mon, 09 Feb 2009 12:21:07 +0000 324-399 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/billericay-venues/billericay-restaurants/the-ivory-rooms-billericay-essex.html We have been here on several occasions soon after it opened, Saturday evenings, the 4-3-2-1 offer evenings, Sunday lunch and Thursday lunch deal. On each occasion we have been delighted with our experience. The food is good, we have always had good service and made to feel welcome. I have recommended this to several people and none have been disappointed ]]> Fri, 06 Feb 2009 12:13:18 +0000 328-398 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/billericay-venues/billericay-restaurants/la-toscana-billericay-essex.html We have been here on two occasions and both times we have been made to feel very welcome by the manager. The food has been excellent on both occasions and so has the service. We like to have a break between courses and the staff allowed us to do this without forgetting about us.
I recommend this restaurant to anyone. ]]> Fri, 06 Feb 2009 12:08:26 +0000 328-389 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/billericay-venues/billericay-restaurants/la-toscana-billericay-essex.html Great food, great venue but shame about the atitude of the manager both at lunchlimes and evening. ]]> Wed, 28 Jan 2009 16:55:58 +0000 359-323 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/billericay-venues/billericay-restaurants/strada-billericay-essex.html The restaurant is very lovely and has a good atmosphere and music. the service is very good and dressed smartly. The food is above par but bit pricey. one bad thing was it took ages for the food, with only 2 tables. both with 2 people on each table. it felt like the chef had driven to southend and back for the seafood..
generally very good. ]]> Thu, 04 Sep 2008 11:40:07 +0100 328-320 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/billericay-venues/billericay-restaurants/la-toscana-billericay-essex.html DO NOT GO HERE unless you want to be seriously disappointed !
went there on our wedding aniversary after a few good recommendations. went a la carte and not the mid week set menu becuase it was a special occasion.
had sardines and calmari for starters which were ok but overpriced. i orderd Fillets of red mullet topped with a mixture of breadcrumbs, garlic, chilli, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, walnuts, lemon juice, rosemary and parsley, baked in the oven.
when it arrived in was three peieces of mullet in breadcrumbs, no sign or taste of the above apart from a few flakes of red, this was served with a small pile of rocket. the accompaniment was a non descript mash, i think, butternut squash and some small roasted new potatoes.
i asked the manager if i had understood the fish properly and she said she would check with the chef. she returned to confirm that the breadrumbs included all these ingredients. she could see i looked disappointed and i apologised that it was really not what i felt had been described and she offered to bring me another meal and said she would give me a really good free dessert, which i gratefully accepted. the fish was cooked well but tasted of breaded fish, which is not what i had ordered at the end of the day.

she took my meal and brought me a menu. she returned 3-4 minutes later to take my order. i asked her what she could recommend. it was then she told me that she did not know what was wrong with the food and i would have to pay for both meals anyway. i actually had to get her to clarify that she was saying i would have to pay for the meal she had offered to replace only minutes before. i very politely said that i would have my otehr meal back as i was not prepared to pay for another meal. she basically said if it had been cooked poorly i would have got it free but as it was just not to my liking i had to pay. i personally don't feel i have a dead palate and i would have liked to have tasted some evidence of the listed ingredients but this was obviosuly not a justifiable complaint. it took over five minutes to bring my meal back. when it was returned half was cold and half had been recooked. at this point i asked my husband to get the bill.
of course during this time my poor husband's chicken pasta dish was getting cold. he felt this was a bit mediocre and overpriced but it was a described at the end of the day.
we ended up getting our wine free - but i am now more disgusted with my self that i paid them a penny.
the meal would have been seriously average for the money but the service could have been 100% better.
the decor is dated but that could have easily been excused if the food lived up to the standard they say they offer.
very disappointed of billericay! ]]> Wed, 03 Sep 2008 22:23:56 +0100 283-312 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/billericay-venues/billericay-restaurants/fox-and-hounds-ramsden-heath-essex.html Popped in there for a bite to eat one at the tail end of Sunday lunchtime during the summer. Lacklustre menu meant I ended up choosing scampi & chips whilst my other half had the ham, egg & chips.

What a sorry meal. Cutlery was cheap and nasty; children providing service; and whilst the prices were very reasonable, the food was poor to the extreme and the interior decoration of the pub was shoddy.

I would compare this place to a downmarket greasy spoon only that it would probably insult a good honest working man's cafe! ]]> Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:42:57 +0100 328-177 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/billericay-venues/billericay-restaurants/la-toscana-billericay-essex.html Great restaurant with fabulous food served in a relaxed atmosphere. Have had both lunch and dinner and to food never ceases to please. ]]> Sat, 12 Apr 2008 23:07:07 +0100 324-140 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/billericay-venues/billericay-restaurants/the-ivory-rooms-billericay-essex.html VISITED MIDWEEK FOR THE 4,3,2,1 MENU, VERY PLEASED ALL ROUND, ALTHOUGH THE ONE DOWN SIDE WAS THE SERVICE, AFTER BEING SHOWN TO OUR TABLE, WE ORDERED THE WINE AND ALTHOUGH A FURTHER 3 WAITING STAFF ASKED US WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO DRINK, IT TOOK A FURTHER MENTION TO THE ORGINAL WAITER TO ACTUALY GET THE WINE, (VERY SLOW).

THE PIANO ENTERTAINMENT IS A NICE TOUCH, ALTHOUGH IF YOU SIT TOO NEAR, CAN DROWN OUT ANY CONVERSATION. ]]> Wed, 05 Mar 2008 17:18:08 +0000 191-138 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/billericay-venues/billericay-restaurants/the-magic-mushroom-billericay-essex.html HAD THE MIDWEEK SET MENU, VERY GOOD CHOICES AVAILABLE, GOOD SERVICE , GREAT FOOD , WILL GO AGAIN. ]]> Wed, 05 Mar 2008 16:53:29 +0000 191-133 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/billericay-venues/billericay-restaurants/the-magic-mushroom-billericay-essex.html Celebrated a friends 50th and had a great time. Food was excellent and with a wine list that you would only expect in the most expensive of restaurants. Its great to have a quality place to eat on your doorstep. ]]> Fri, 29 Feb 2008 13:16:52 +0000 359-107 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/billericay-venues/billericay-restaurants/strada-billericay-essex.html A more upmarket chain restaurant serving great pizza and pasta. Food is freshly prepared and consistently good. It's a good value for money evening out. Informal, friendly and relaxed atmosphere. ]]> Sun, 17 Feb 2008 20:25:00 +0000 359-92 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/billericay-venues/billericay-restaurants/strada-billericay-essex.html The latest addition to the string of mediocre Italian chain restaurants already on Billericay High Street. When will the locals demand something other than a menu consisting of garlic bread and caesar salads to start followed by mains of either penne pasta (complete with bland tomato sauce), the standard overly-cooked steak or a lack lustre fish creation!?

To be fair Strada is not a terrible restaurant by any means. The food was perfectly reasonable and the service fairly good. Possibly slightly overpriced but nicely done out inside. All in all it meets the full critera of an uninspired restaurant for a gastronomically uninspired town.

Fingers crossed that if they do enough business perhaps someone can justify opening a Pizza Express to complete the town's 'Italian Collection'. ]]> Mon, 11 Feb 2008 17:18:21 +0000 191-80 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/billericay-venues/billericay-restaurants/the-magic-mushroom-billericay-essex.html Not been to the MM for a few years, as moved out of the area, but when I used to go it was the most fab restaurant around, brilliant atmosphere and the best food ever. If Darren is still the owner/chef can imagine it's even better now. ]]> Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:50:11 +0000 324-53 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/billericay-venues/billericay-restaurants/the-ivory-rooms-billericay-essex.html Visited this restaurant twice now. Once when it first opened and again in Oct. Unfortunately still was not very impressed. The decor is excellent the food a good average. It is the service that lets this restaurant down. On both occassions we have waited a long time for the menu and then the wine to come. I found the whole approach of the staff to be amature, letting otherwise a half decent restaurant down. ]]> Mon, 14 Jan 2008 20:53:10 +0000 359-36 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/billericay-venues/billericay-restaurants/strada-billericay-essex.html Strada joined the increasing number of restaurants on Billericay High Street several months ago. I am glad to say it's a positive addition. I have been to this branch of Strada three times and it has scored consistantly for me. Food is tasty with a good range to choose from and daily specials. The wine list is as you would expect from a chain restaurant but does have some super ones to pick from. I have found that our bill has been very reasonable each time.

The ambiance is good although noisy when busy as there is a real echo problem! I'm sure that after a glass of vino you'll notice this less though.

This is no gastronomic top restaurant but a sure bet for good food, wine and a relaxed nighht out. ]]> Thu, 27 Dec 2007 09:35:27 +0000 324-32 http://www.essexrestaurants.com/billericay-venues/billericay-restaurants/the-ivory-rooms-billericay-essex.html WE VISITED NOT LONG AFTER IT HAD OPENED EXPECTING SOMETHING SPECIAL, AND WE WEREN'T DISAPPOINTED! THE VENUE HAS CHANGED COMPLETELY FROM WHEN IT WAS QUILTERS,(THE COLOUR-CHANGING WALLS ARE IMPRESSIVE!). FORM THE MOMENT WE WALKED IN TO THE POINT WE SAT DOWN WE WERE GREETED BY 4, YES, FOUR!, DIFERENT FRIENDLY STAFF.THE FOOD WAS ABSOLUTELY DEVINE, (AND NOT SERVED IN PORTIONS SO SMALL YOU COULDN'T SEE THEM ON YOUR PLATE).WE WILL DEFINATLEY BE RETURNING AND TELLING ALL OUR FRIENDS TO VISIT. ]]> Wed, 19 Dec 2007 21:56:07 +0000