Pen & Cob Restaurant in Bedford

Reviews

1. Morgan Willo ★★★☆☆

   drinks were good, service was quick and the area was clean and what not. my issue was the food, myself and a family member ordered one of their “flat bread” things only to be given a thick piece of ciabatta panini with a slab of salami ontop with barely any sauce or mozzarella with it. They advertise it on the menu as, “ hand-made Scrocchiarella flat breads (from the Italian “Scrorcchiare” used to describe something crispy)” - don’t think that you can charge £15 for something like this - you can get this exact panini from a starbucks even for £5, and even still the bread is probably less stale. I just think it was quite misleading and low quality. They should just call it a panini and have it under the sandwiches section like the others. The espresso martini i got was tasty however it had barely any liquid and was mostly foam. I think it has potential to be a good restaurant if they make slight tweaks.

   almost 8 months ago
2. Scrappy2k ★★★☆☆

   Now this experience was a mixed bag, we a family of 7 went for lunch which we pre booked and at the time of booking we were asked to pre-order food which I assume was due to the size of group which was not a problem and expected at this time of year to make things run smoothly. We arrived and were quickly seated, the restaurant had a couple of Christmas Tree’s and the tables had crackers and nicely decorated but the whole room felt like it could do with more decorations around as it did feel a bit sparse and not much different looking to what it does the rest of the year. I have given Service only 2 stars but this is no reflection on the young staff members that were trying so hard, its nice to see that young people are being employed by such a renowned hotel/restaurant in Bedford, they were all lovely but on speaking to one of them it was clear that most of them were given a job over Christmas whilst back from Uni which again is great to see but due to this inexperience by the waiters/waitresses the female restaurant manager working that lunchtime should have been giving those young staff much more direction and organising them on what to do and how to do it, for example when we finished our mains our plates sat in front of us for for a long time with staff walking past us so many times with empty hands, don’t get me wrong it’s nice to not be rushed but also nice to feel like you haven’t been forgotten, our empty glasses from our first round sat on our table the entire meal even after ordering more and those new drinks being brought out, the manager should have been leading by example I’m sorry to say. The food choices were plenty, we were told we could pre-order from the Festive menu, Brasserie Menu or the Sunday Lunch menu, of which all the food we had which was mostly the roast options were lovely and well cooked

   almost 8 months ago
3. Robert Hayes ★★★☆☆

   We went here today. Staff are very nice and friendly but the food... All of us HAD to order dessert as the mains left us feeling just as hungry as before we ate, tiny portions over priced and it's a good job you get 4 hours free parking because that's almost how long it takes to eat a 2 course meal due to extremely slow service. On the breakfast you get toast but no butter, by the time you receive the butter (straight from the fridge) your toast is too cold to melt the butter. I believe it is physically possible to die of dehydration in the time between ordering your drinks and getting your drinks served. As I said though all the waiting staff are nice, friendly and polite. I forgot to take pictures of my main meal as I was so hungry by the time it arrived. I did get a photo of the sticky toffee pudding. Probably will not be going back.

   1 year ago

1. Wendy Peskett ★★★★☆

   I thought the food was really nice here. I had a vegetarian brunch. It was served quickly, well cooked and full of flavour. The Cappuccino was ok, but a very small cup. The carrot cake was light, sweet and moist. The halloumi was cooked to perfection. Hash browns, tomatoes, beans, mushroom all cooked well with a great taste. I enjoyed the avocado too. Service was a little off, no butter brought for the toast, no one came to give the bill. But they were friendly enough. I visited on a Monday and the restaurant was quiet. Loved the decor.

   1 year ago
2. Petra Schreier ★☆☆☆☆

   Disappointing Cream Tea Experience – Never Again! We were looking forward to enjoying a traditional cream tea at the Anne tearoom within the Swan Hotel in Bedford. However, upon arrival, we were told that cream tea was only available at the Brasserie Pen & Cob. Fair enough—we thought we’d enjoy the lovely river view from there. Unfortunately, the experience quickly went downhill. All the chairs were stained, and I had to search for the least dirty one to sit on. When we asked for cream tea, we were told there might not be any scones left. It was only 2:00 PM on a Saturday during a bank holiday weekend—how can you run out of scones so early? The waitress never returned, and we were about to leave when another waitress finally brought us scones and asked if we wanted anything else, not even realising that we do not have any tea or coffee. We requested tea—specifically Masala chai—and asked if it was made with milk. We were told YES but when it arrived, it was clearly made with water. When I complained about this, a third waitress serving us now, responded rudely, saying it wasn’t her who gave that information. We then had to ask for milk, which should have been offered or served automatically. I would have chosen another tea and mentioned this, but this was totally and arrogantly ignored. To make matters worse, we were only given one portion of jam and clotted cream—despite being two people —so we had to ask for more. As for the plain scones—they were the worst I’ve ever seen served. I wouldn’t serve them to anyone and I make my own frequently. While the taste was passable, the whole experience, in this lovely location/hotel, was more than disappointing. On top, the tea tasted like washing-up water—absolutely disgusting. Please also take a look at my photos, especially the teapot—it was filthy, inside and out! as if it had never been properly washed. My daughter had to ask for a clean cup because the one she was given was also disgustingly dirty on arrival which the waitress should have spotted and not brought to the table. Unfriendly staff, poor service, filthy chairs and dirty china. A very disappointing cream tea. We definitely won’t be returning.

   1 year ago
3. nick dhillon ★★★★★

   Great place to eat or drink .fantastic atmosphere with pleasant staff to help with food orders or drinks . Menu to suit all pockets . The restaurant and bar set below the Swan Hotel has ample space to accommodate all size parties. To celebrate any occasion. The place overlooks the river and will look beautiful on a summers day .

   almost 3 years ago

1. A J ★★★☆☆

   I was hoping this would be an easy 5* but I’m being generous with 3. Sat down at 14:30 and left at 17:00. We all only had mains and no starters or desserts. It wasn’t busy just incredibly slow and forgetful service. The staff are lovely and sweet but painstakingly slow, forgetful and almost everything was out of stock from the drinks and food menu. I’m not talking one item or being overly picky here. It was every syrup for sodas etc. (apart from passion fruit and cherry), all bottled ciders apart from one flavour, spicy lamb burgers, no chicken breast items, no trout. You get the picture. Then the Cider was forgotten about as the alternative was selected, the water for the table was forgotten twice and each time was met with an oh yeah and then never brought unless someone went up to ask. The food took FOREVER. I hope it was just an unlucky day for us but obviously we were joking about the lack of items available and everything being forgotten but the food took a good 1.5h to reach the table. Only mains. The food was fine but nothing special. You can get this menu at an average gastropub. They tried to elevate normal food eg with a little with chorizo relish on burgers to give it a little more than Pub meal but I will stick with average gastropub for flavour and quality of food. Out of all the dishes, I will say that the beef roast was the better option. I also liked the bacon crumble on the Mac & Cheese side. Also, slight personal ick but one person ordered from the gluten free menu (fish and chips) and asked whether this was with GF batter, we were told yes and then the fish came out without batter where the same waitress said with batter wouldn’t be gluten free. Having worked front of house myself in the past, she should have checked with the kitchen if unsure when placing the order and if they said no it’s without, come back to make sure it’s okay as opposed to wait the 1.5h and then echo what the kitchen says. Not the end of the world but unprofessional in my opinion. Also, there was a booking made on Friday (3 days prior) upon hotel check in which someone forgot to put into the system so there was a whole ordeal beforehand which I wasn’t present for but might want to call to double check your booking has been put through the next day or so to avoid awkwardness. I didn’t anticipate such a long review but as I’m writing this, I think 3* is very generous. We definitely won’t be back for food, maybe a cocktail to sit outside but that’s all, perhaps with a side of Mac & Cheese.

   almost 4 years ago
2. M W ★☆☆☆☆

   Awful & insulting Previously thought the Pen & Cobb restaurant was very nice with its riverside location. However on my visit last week, Friday 12th August, was hugely disappointed. Arrived at about 6.30pm to the terrace beside the restaurant (not the new open bit) for a meal, it was not busy. Asked for menu, told have to order inside, not table service. However a young waitress then did come out and ask if we wanted drinks. My friend ordered a non alcoholic cocktail from menu, I ordered a St Clements (bitter lemon & sparkling orange) not on menu but a common drink. Lots of confusion no one knew what a bitter lemon drink was?? Eventually after much going back and forward to bar someone more senior came out to sort and I could not have that drink. They then informed us my friends cocktail not available, so she had to order something else. Should have given up then! Following that, I ordered a glass of white wine, this was eventually delivered warm. I returned it and asked for a cold wine, was brought the same warm wine back but this time it was in a cold glass. Was totally insulted, that anyone would think this was ok!! Anyway onto menu, we ordered burgers, my friends was lamb, that was ok. Mine was a double beefburger. Both meat patties were totally cremated (see pics) whoever sent that out should be ashamed of themselves, would they eat it!! Needless to say it was returned. As an apology they sent an extra bowl of chips? The young waitress throughout was very sweet and very apologetic about it all, felt sorry for her. I did not ask for any refund as just wanted to leave and put the whole experience behind me, but on receiving bill found they had deducted the cost of the wine and main meal, which was something , however, had gone out for an enjoyable meal and evening and this was anything but that, the whole night was spoilt. Would have preferred good food and service. Sadly despite lovely location it will be my last visit.

   almost 4 years ago
3. Pauline PONCET ★★★★☆

   Nice atmosphere and service Cocktails could be a bit more elaborated but nice! Parking on street not too far! A bit disappointed about meat, but the rest is great ! Terrace is lovely during summer time!

   almost 5 years ago

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