The Gate Inn, Saffron Walden

As you might suspect going out i n the "Country" on Monday night is not usually a nice experience as you might find that no place is open at night hours. We've heard that The Gate is newly open under new management and we've decided to pass through Thaxted road and if they are open to give them a go.
We've came around eightish and they were open with the big sign board outside written on it: "OPEN"
Inside there were a fresh scent of paint emulsion with clean white lines on the walls, and light oak stripped floorboards, tables and the bar. Place had a major internal decoration done recently. We asked for the table for two to eat and were quick pointed to the dinning room.
Dinning room was very clean, nice and fresh oak tables and chairs, with excellently refurbished oak floor herringbone design. However, place felt instantly cold as we were sitting down.
There was a nice, soft Italian music in the background and one more table occupied by the middle aged nice looking couple. Dinning room can take about thirty covers and we did not feel alone in the dinning area.
Menu was short but straight to the point with several good starters, followed by the pasta dishes and finished with five main course choices of steak, chicken or sea-bass.
We've had three course meal of Carpaccio and Mozzarella to start, followed by the Gnocchi and Ravioli (which they appear to be properly home-made), and finished it with the good old Tiramisu and Pane-cotta, which were also home-made, but a bit to sweet for our taste.
Overall, very good Italian food, (only one in Saffron Walden not counting the Pizza Ask and Prezzo chains), with clean walls and floors (surprisingly to see in local pubs), very friendly staff, landlord and landlady appear to be new in this business, but hey< good luck to them, we hope they will make a good impression in Saffron Walden.
Worth a visit, we will be back at some point.

16 Aug 2010 23:36

The Cricketers, Clavering

Over all not bad, but I was expecting better, imaginative starters, not a lot of choice in respect of main courses, very strange mix of English and Italian food, not executed properly, wine list on the other hand is extensive some very good offerings. Everything is very expensive in this pub, but most of all nice smile from staff and polite goodby and thanks, that money can not buy you here. Boring dessert menu, we have been in this pub on couple of occasions desserts menu has not changed. Positive sides are: nice decor, clean, opening hours longer then the most in the area, overall OK maybe worth a visit if you buy in all of that Jamie frenzy or you just need a place to eat late. Could do lot better and stand on its own feet if they can only hire more pleasant staff, who are willing to say thank you for coming.

27 Apr 2010 18:41