I have passed this pub many times on the way into Braintree and have always meant to give it a…read morevisit. Friday, while we waited for a Chinese takeaway to be cooked we made a visit. Entering we were greeted by the landlord with a cheery welcome. The bar had about eight real ales on offer, my heaven. Above the bar was a sign showing that other guest beers would be arriving in the future. Not knowing any of the ales on offer the landlady offered to give me a sample before buying. I believe that you need a full pint to gain the full flavours so I declined and had a pint, then another of a different ale followed by another LOL. The pub has a mixture of ages and characters in it's clientele. On leaving a friendly 'bye' was given by the landlady and landlord. Be sure, I will be returning to this haven in Braintree. It's nice to see that there still is the hospitality in some pubs, an art many have lost.

Good service good food good portions clean and decorated very well nothing more to addread more

Where do I start? The pub is on the main through road of Gosfield so can't be missed easily. Plenty…read moreof parking space, if one of you is driving. Unlike many pubs today, which thrive to survive using the the restaurant side, this pub has two bars as well as the restaurant. So, if you want just a pint then there is plenty of seating room. Wood beamed ceiling and inglenook fireplace, nice for those colder nights in winter. We were there to celebrate a 30th birthday and on arriving, early, we were welcomed by the bar staff with warm cheery smiles (a pleasant surprise these days). A table for the eight of us was already laid and we decorated it a little. Then down to a few drinks while awaiting the other guests. Nice selection of real ales and, I noticed, a fantastic selection of worldwide whiskies (although my favourite, Laphroaig, was absent). Once seated we perused the fantastic menu. I guarantee that there would be something on it that anyone would choose, even veggies. My problem was that there was so much choice and I wanted to try everything. I started with Cromer crab and avocado with lime dressing. Aberdeen Angus rump steak with a homemade peppercorn dressing (none of the usual bottled sauce), Portabello mushroom and really CHUNKY chips Wow delicious, both courses. Finally, cheese and biscuits. Three unusual local cheeses, with loads of crackers, celery, apple wedges, butter and a pot of home made chutney. A meal in itself. Going on the sounds from our friends and the empty plates around the table I can only assume that the other meals were as delicious as mine. Nice touch for a pub. Cream teas in the afternoon, unusual. Anyway, thanks to all you guys and gals behind the bar and in the kitchen for a wonderful evening. You all have done the English pub/restaurant trade PROUD. We will see you again.

I stayed 2 nights with my daughter at The Onley, it was amazing!!!! The rooms were spotless clean…read moreand decorated beautifully in a farmhouse style. There was a tea kettle in the room, which was great. We had dinner in the pub, it was delicious. I had the fish and chips and my daughter had a burger. They were generous portions and cooked deliciously!! Merle and the team made us feel like family. Offering help with a taxi to be sure we got to our event. We had a wedding at the Hedingham Castle, which was about 25 minutes away. The chef made us a yummy eggs and toast breakfast before the wedding knowing we wouldn't eat for several hours. This place is a gem! I highly recommend and would LOVE to stay again. The countryside is beautiful!! Wonderful stay!!!

I just had an awesome lamb shanks roast with Yorkshire pudding vegetables and roasted potatoes…read more This place is great. It's just been remodeled and the food here is delicious and inexpensive. They have a huge selection of beer on tap and all sorts of other drink

The Compasses is a beautiful pub with a large menu and a tempting specials board. My friend and I…read moreshared the Brie Stuffed Arancini for starter, it came with a nice light salad. Being a Sunday had to have the roast for main. I had the roast beef and my friend had roast pork. Both came with duck fat cooked vegetables, roast potatoes and Yorkshire pudding. The serving was a good size and was stuffed at the end. Always have room for dessert and shared the Sticky Date Pudding with toffee and honeycomb ice cream and a pot of tea. On a Sunday they have a magician walking around the room entertaining the tables which was a nice touch.

Eight old 'uns looking for somewhere to get together for lunch during the week. Checking around we…read moredecided to give The Green Man a try. They did a fantastic lunchtime deal for the over 55s, and as most of us just about remember that era this pub got our vote. We had a room to ourselves which gave us the thought that, maybe, our reputation had preceded us. Joking apart, a great welcome with really friendly service. The food, for its price was brilliant. Starters of crayfish in Marie Rose dressing was in enormous portions with nice chunky, warm, bread. My pate was delicious. The main courses were varied in choice but in every case the empty plates answered the question 'was that OK?' As I have said, lovely pub, great service, good food and, mainly, an extremely reasonable price. Hey, oldies.......check it out.

My favorite pub in the area. Great food, good beer and friendly staff. Good place to start off a…read morenice long walk, circle back and have a fine lunch. Well worth a visit.

A nicely served pint for a Sunday lunchtime. Luckily the weather was warm so we could sit outside…read morebecause inside it was so smokey from the open, wood burning, fire. The chimney needs a good sweep.

What a find!!! Stubbled across The George whilst walking the hounds.. such a wonderful reception…read moreand so accommodating. Normally we would book ahead but the food was fab and so nice to see local ales on tap!! Guessing this pub isa Saffron brewery tap house as their fantastic beers were holding a majority on our visit. Keep up the good work, we will be back!!

Having booked, on line, I was impressed with the ease of usage and the reply received, so was…read morelooking forward to our visit to this 'Gastro' pub. On arrival we are booked in due to covid restrictions but I was surprised, at 1.00 pm on a Saturday, at how empty the large garden was and did I really need to book a table. However, it was noticed that, obviously money had been spent erecting covered areas with heating and, certainly, enough seating in the garden for a huge number of customers to be safely and comfortably seated. Service was friendly and quite speedy. A nice pint, or two, at £6 for two pints of Stella with prosecco for ma'am. There is a limited menu due to covid but there is something on that list for everyone. I did notice that a couple asked, and received, a kids menu. We decided on sharing three starters with fries followed by dessert. The starters were exceptionally tasty. Well prepared and nicely presented. In the fact this experience deserved a four star rating but now to some of the negatives. None of the servers wore masks. I do realise that it is outside but there is some close proximity. Initially service was brilliant but as time went on and more tables filled, with walk-ins and bookings, service seemed to go awry. Food was coming out with no direction to which table. Table numbers seemed to have no effect. That food then went back to the kitchen, likewise cocktails etc etc. Waste of food and income for the pub. Asking for the bill was another problem. After twenty minutes I was getting a little frustrated and asked again. "I'm not your waitress" was the reply I got. Anyway somebody came over, eventually, with the card reader and said "two desserts, was it?". I explained it was for everything. I had to list everything we had had and then she went away to work out our final bill. Luckily, for them, we are honest but I wonder how many people have got away with the odd pint or two. Finally, at the moment forget the Gormet description. It was OK, above average. We may well be back for a drink at a later date. Remember #staysafe

Great food and lovely setting. Always a special treat when…read moredining here and looking forward to the next visit.

Absolutely fantastic evening for my husband's 50th birthday. The food was incredible, the service…read moreoutstanding and the private dining room was perfect. Thank you. P.s. a special mention to Bobby who was so helpful, professional and went over and beyond to ensure the evening was perfect.

I hadn't been into the Bull for many months so, while in town, I thought I would pop in for a…read morelunchtime pint or two. What a shock I got, it was DEAD. Nowhere were the usual crowd of lunchtime drinkers. I was served immediately by a friendly face but on my second pint the server had changed. This one was serving coffee to another client. No problem there but as she walked past me on about three occasions I wondered if I was there or just a mirage in her eyes. I was ignored with not even a 'sorry, I'll be with you in a moment'. Then, when I was served, by a totally sour face. I was in there about an hour and a half and during that time I estimate three people entered. Not the Old Bull that I remembered. Next lunch will be at Wetherspoons or The Horse and Groom.

Great wee spot in Halstead. Was staying here over the weekend and decided to have dinner and a pint…read morein the evening, though was slightly disc

We love family run restaurants that source local produce and The House by Hilly Gant meets all…read morethese requirements. Yes, an odd name but check out the map and look at the lane next to the building. As soon as you enter the warmth of staff and management hits you. So friendly. Shown to a table on their patio because it was during a warm spell. Nice to eat al fresco, normally abroad but not the UK. Drinks order taken and they arrived promptly. Small menu, thank goodness. A hate is large menus that cannot provide the quality. Wine list is of a reasonable range at reasonable pricing. Our first course arrived. Wonderful chilli prawns in garlic butter on toasted sourdough bread. Delicious. The main course was difficult to choose. My partner decided on Essex grass-fed beef, medium rare. That looked to me, a brilliant choice. Cooked to perfection and, she said, tasted exquisite. Was I jealous? No way, as my East coast skate wing covered the plate. Pan-fried with a parsley and parmesan crumb. Skate wing is deceptive as the 'meat' covers both sides of the wing. Too much for me as I gave in after about 75%. After a short break we shared a platter of cheeses. I did like that the biscuits were my favourite of water biscuits. My choice as the minimal flavour doesn't distract the subtleties of the cheese. All in all a wonderful evening. Professional, friendly service. Nice ambience. Thank you everyone. See you again soon.

Best food in Braintree! Our group of 8 had a fantastic lunch here. The service was outstanding and…read morethe food was delicious.