The Old Kings Head, Stock - Worth a Visit

Four Go to Lunch in Essex stayed fairly close to home today with a visit to The Old Kings Head in Stock. It's under new management and has been very stylishly refurbished throughout, although new owner Joe told us he still has more expansion plans.

We received a very warm welcome and were immediately seated in the lovely restaurant area, The menu, including daily specials,is very extensive and there's a good price range too. Our choices included chicken in a creamy mushroom sauce, succulent duck curry, lamb shank with bubble & squeak, and a very juicy sirloin steak + trimmings. The service was excellent. There is a good selection of desserts although one was exceedingly hot and the supply of custard could be more generous.

All in all we had a really enjoyable lunch - the background music was excellent (just our style) and we felt relaxed and at home. This restaurant deserves more lunchtime custom! We happily award it 4.5 stars.

The Plough in Mountnessing - Wonderful in Every Way

Making up for lost time, Four Go to Lunch in Essex ventured out again on 12th March 2014 this time to The Plough in Mountnessing. And what an inspired choice it turned out to be. The decor is stylish and the welcome very warm. Smiling faces are always a big plus for us!

The lunch time menu is extremely varied and is set at £9 for one course, £10,95 for 2 courses & £15 for 3 courses. All of us have a sweet tooth so opted for a 2 course of mains followed by dessert. Dennis had the superb dish of the day which was a chicken, ham & mushroom pie, with creamy mash & selection of steamed fresh vegetables; Michael went for a succulent belly pork on a bed of apple mash with green beans; Rita had salmon fish cakes with a dressed salad & tartar sauce and Sue had a very tasty ham, cheese & mushroom omlette with a dressed salad & chunky chips. All meals were very well presented and tasted sublime. Desserts included 2 x stick toffee pudding with banana ice cream, 1 x Baileys Irish coffee brulee with chocolate & walnut biscotti and a fabulous blackcurrant cheesecake concoction with a hint of ginger.
 

This must be one of the best value for money venues we have visited - with the bill for 4 including drinks was only £63. We highly recommend this lovely restaurant and would not hesitate to award our highest accolade of 6 stars

Lovely Food at Carpenters Arms, Rayleigh

At last the four DID go to lunch in Essex in 2014

on 5th March - Dennis not at work at the moment as suffering with a very bad back. We managed to get him in the car and we went to The Carpenters Arms. As Sue had enjoyed her visit there with other friends, we thought all four of us should give it a go. Again the service was excellent, food beautifully presented & very tasty and all agreed the previous award of 4.5 stars was spot on. If you go there please try the sticky toffee pudding with clotted cream - totally scrummy!!

A Great Christmas Meal at La Petite Petanque

Our Christmas lunch last Friday at La Petite Petanque was SUPERB! There really is no wonder that this restaurant has remained top of Four Go to Lunch in Essex list throughout the year. The atmosphere, service, presentation and top class cooking, in our opinion, cannot be beaten. Highly recommended!! As you see, Dennis was quite starry eyed posing with restaurant manager, the lovely Louba. Give yourselves a treat and make a reservation asap.

NB. Sadly this lovely restaurant suffered a fire in early 2014 and at time of writing (19th March 2014) is hopeful of reopening soon. 

 

Best Restaurant in Town

Four Go to Lunch in Essex  returned from a very pleasant holiday in Portugal in late September 2013. Our highest praise for food must go to the excellent Miam Miam Glou Glou restaurant in old town Lagos. Superb service too. Definitely worth a visit or two - extensive menu!