Reviews of Alec's Restaurant

Return visit to check on mixed last visit It was almost as if the whole ethos had changed! We were welcomed appropriately, we arrived very early for our booking. Utilised the spotless well-appointed toilets, up a spiral staircase, but there is a disabled toilet on the ground floor. Extensive varied menu. I started with an exceptional squid dish beautifully cooked with delicious dressing. Also served with Chorizo "bites" amazingly flavoured with perfectly cooked bread. Main was a very generous roast beef sirloin Sunday lunch. Perfectly cooked beef plus all expected trimmings with well cooked Yorkshire stunningly presented plate. Owner gave us some extra potatoes and some amazing short rib as extras. Staff are brilliantly choreographed to the highest but non fussy michelin standard. Desserts were beyond description I returned to my stunning pavlova, but owner bought us an extra Royal Banoffee profiterole which gave me a huge challenge, the starter and main were very filling then to be presented with three perfect desserts left us devastated that we couldn't finish them!! So so much better than my last visit. Owner had expressed significant concern as to the detail of my last visit. This visit was frankly as good as any restaurant visit gets. Owner has a real passion and it shows in all aspects of the experience. So worth visiting, but **make sure you book**.

Was the first visit, will not be my last. When I've been to any other fish restaurant, I am a little apprehensive as I usually come out still feeling hungry. Not at Alec's. Portions were ample and sides were much larger than we expected. Service was unbelievably good, in fact, exceptional. Couldn't fault anything. A fantastic way to celebrate our 26th wedding anniversary.

Had heard many recommendations about Alec's so when a client suggested we meet there for lunch I was more than happy. Friday lunch looked like they had 25 covers and was offered a seat on veranda? This is covered by a powered roof, which was partially open due to hot weather. In summary it's got the wow factor when you walk in and the food was good but not special or memorable, for me there was no love given to the mains (scallops and prawns) or the 4 sides. Bread and snacks as well as the complimentary prosecco? were delicious Good bits Decor View from table Menu Service, our guy was natural and efficient (see bad bits though) Starters Bad bits Roof kept dripping water onto us and even into drinks Service was simply annoying. While having conversations we were topped up by 3 different servers about 6 times. Some may like this but it was simply too much and we needed to stop talking each time Food seemed unsophisticated and although good wasn't special or memorable Car park gravel. Personal hate, get it covered with tarmacadam Others could easily have given 2 stars for a 2 person £144 lunch but the look. Service (of one waiter) and ambiance puts Alec's in a league of its own in Essex

Very nice restaurant. We sat in conservatory with fabulous views. Food was good. I'm vegetarian so there were only 2 choices for me but what I had, Japanese cauliflower was delicious. The sweets were great too. Raspberry pavlova was huge but really nice. Highly recommend for special occasion. Quite expensive.

Nice place. Very friendly staff. Nice atmosphere. The lobsters are a little small but the food is tasty and fresh. Pricey and the car park is too small compared to the amount of people they ram into the restaurant. Very busy and the tables are too close to each other for my liking as it feels like you are having lunch/dinner with strangers. In all it was a good experience and I recommend it once in a while.