The Rosebud, Brightlingsea

After being recommended to me, my family gave The Rosebud a try just before Christmas and we had an amazing time. There were 6 of us in total, 3 adults, 1 fussy teenage daughter and 2 young children and it was FANTASTIC to see the management were in touch with what their guests expected with a menu to suit every single palate. The food was perfectly priced and my god!! WHAT AN AMAZING COFFEE MACHINE!!!

We had family down last week (12th April) and we decided to come back to The Rosebud as we were entertaining my wife's parents. We were surprised to see the sign outside advertising a new chef but eagerly looked forward to yet another amazing meal.

When we got in, it was as if The Rosebud was closed!! With hardly any customers, bare painted walls (What happened to the fantastic pictures of Rosebud history!!??) we reluctantly took our seats...

Kelly (our server) was as bubbly as she was on the last visit and sat us on the table by the fire (table 6?) and handed us the menus. A single page menu that was a grubby single sheet of A4 paper.

Gone was the great menu and we were shocked to be reading a bowl of soup was �5!!!! The main course meals were so over priced and clearly marked up for high profit. �13.95 for Chicken and mash you must be joking!!!

The Chef came out and stood behind the bar for a while and looked tatty, dirty and unkept. This for us was the final straw and we chose not to eat. If the chef looked that dirty, I can only imagine the state of the kitchen!!

We finished our drinks and left highly embarrased. WHAT HAPPENED?? I felt utterly let down after singing the praises to other friends and family. Clear to say I WILL NOT be returning and WILL NOT be recommending.

If the previous comments by "chefm" is anything to go by, the owner (Mark?) seriously needs to re-think his strategy and business head and consider bringing back the last chef and his menu!!

16 Apr 2012 14:38