Always very busy which can mean a wait for food etc but staff are always polite and the food is so
Ruth B
First of all I've often been to herbalist and to dantes on many occasions and really enjoyed the atmosphere and the food and always commended them on reviews but on this occasion today I felt really let down and upset mainly by the guard on the door which is a shame because it's such a beautiful place where I took my wife on our first ever date and a place where we went often for anniversaries, birthdays ect. Me, my wife, my sister and 2 kids (6months and 3 years) was walking through town and a man gave us a leaflet for take out cocktails and snacks for the party in the square. We had originally planned to go elsewhere but since getting those menus, we decided to go into the herbalist instead as we've had such great experiences before in a place very special to our hearts. When we entered I did not notice a guard there and we went to the helpful staff and I ended up spending just under £70 on snacks and cocktails (2 alcoholic, 2 mocktails). We had our drinks in takeaway cups and I ordered our food and the restaurant staff said they'd give us a call to collect it. Upon leaving a security guard was rushing us telling my wife to move (who had a juice in her hand) and was rushing us with a pram and a 3 year old (maybe he should have helped instead). My wife was told she couldn't drink her juice outside and we tried to leave as quickly as we could to avoid confrontation with him with 2 young children. We then got the call to go back and I have never in my life been spoken as rude as he spoke to me, I went with my wife and not the kids this time. As soon as I approached the door he said 'ARE YOU 2 ACTUALLY STOPPING OR YOU CANT COME IN'. I said the restaurant rang me as I've spent £70 on food and cocktails/mocktails and I've come to collect it. He said well thats OK then really sarcastically. I have never been spoken to like that in my life it was discusting to the point where I never want to go back. He was very confrontational and it really was not required to 2 ladies. I did tell the bar staff when I arrived back that I didnt think i was going to be allowed back in and no one responded to me. But the herbalist staff did actually help us with our food outside but unfortunately one of our orders was wrong but I darent go back inside to rectify it incase I wasn't allowed back in by the guard. We ordered a salt and pepper chicken, jd chicken, salt and pepper chips, 2 x lamb loaded fries and the sweet chilli chicken and we got 2 lots of the salt and pepper chips instead of the chicken. We only noticed when the staff left us and I just couldn't face another 'telling off' and me having to justify myself yet again for going into a restaurant I loved. I know if I went back they would have rectified it but I just couldn't face him again. I wouldn't usually write a review for a place so close to my heart but I genuinely have been in tears regarding it as I know ill never return to a special place of memories. Please do not give out flyers for take out food and cocktails/mocktails if you are going to employ guards who are rude to your customers. There's no need at all. A very upset and ex regular customer :(
Joanne Mackenzie
Outstanding service, delicious food, beautiful restaurant I highly recommend The Herbalist, the staff go above and beyond and they made our special occasion perfect they couldn't do enough for us. Book a table you won't be disappointed!!!
Caroline Cowell
My partner and I had four happy days and nights staying, eating, drinking and having fun here . The food and service was amazing, great atmosphere, very kind and helpful staff. Our room was clean, comfortable and quaint .Management and staff couldn’t have done more for us .Thank you , we’ll be back soon for another delicious dinner . Nic and Caroline.Vegetarian options: Lovely salads, soups, veggies and delicious dessertsDietary restrictions: No problem adding an item or switching something out .
Bella R
We were in the area so we decided to stay over after our long journey very welcoming would recommend
Martin Thompson
What can I say, we love the herbalist. Thanks so much for being fabulousVegetarian options: You've looked after us, got us herbal teas, and plant milk thank guys
Kirsty Walker
Me and my husband will definitely be returning the food is just out of this world and the Desert was just wow if you want top quality then look no further as this place is amazing!! The staff are fantastic and the wait time for food was very quick too no messing around me and my husband had a fantastic night thank you I highly recommend and if I could have gave more stars I would we will be seeing you on our anniversary thanks again ?
loranb727
Visited last weekend for my Dad's birthday and it is exceptional!! The service we received when booking was fantastic they could not have been more helpful and each member of staff we dealt with on the night was excellent. So helpful and friendly. And the food!!! Wow best Italian we have been too! All 7 guests loved their meal and I would highly recommend the tiramisu. Can't wait to go back!
H9187LTalisonc
Really recommend this excellent accommodation. We felt warmly welcomed and our room was spotless, cosy and really comfortable. The location is utterly central to the town centre with a great array of independent shops. Breakfast isn't served but there is an excellent cafe directly opposite. We visit Retford regularly and will only use The Herbalist going forward. Thankyou Herbalist !!
chris grayson
Having lived in london for the last 10 years and have NEVER experienced this I was astonished that we were turned away by a scruffy Doorman because I was wearing a cap ( NOT A BASEBALL CAP) but at fashionable hat that was a part of my outfit ) I'm a 49 years old professional who would obviously not be out for any kind of trouble, I turn to my wife and said, thats clearly why the place is empty at which point the doorman laughed, if I was part of the management team I would be losing my mind over this decision during an economic crisis as it was a saturday night and there were Ten customers in this establishment at the most. If you can trust this guy to have any impact on your turnover good luck to you but trust me you will ultimately fail.
Very good service, really nice range of food, and the quality is very very good - which really matters. A very good selection of wines, and cocktails. Very nice enviros too, a courtyard as well as separate Restaurant. Quite lovely.
jennie ellis
Beautiful place lovely food staff very friendly
247LiveLife
We were most disappointed with our experience. The Risotto was overcooked and mushy, the Pear and Dolce Latte was tiny, and very expensive. The waitresses had not been trained at all, and piled all the dirty plates on top of each other in front of us, and then still left the bottom dirty plate on the table! Very expensive for tiny portions We were told to sit inside, and not outside in the restaurant, which was a pity
Thomas Raisbeck
Highly recommended restaurant, very pleasing atmosphere with pleasant staff all round. High quality food & drinks.
Always very busy which can mean a wait for food etc but staff are always polite and the food is so
First of all I've often been to herbalist and to dantes on many occasions and really enjoyed the atmosphere and the food and always commended them on reviews but on this occasion today I felt really let down and upset mainly by the guard on the door which is a shame because it's such a beautiful place where I took my wife on our first ever date and a place where we went often for anniversaries, birthdays ect. Me, my wife, my sister and 2 kids (6months and 3 years) was walking through town and a man gave us a leaflet for take out cocktails and snacks for the party in the square. We had originally planned to go elsewhere but since getting those menus, we decided to go into the herbalist instead as we've had such great experiences before in a place very special to our hearts. When we entered I did not notice a guard there and we went to the helpful staff and I ended up spending just under £70 on snacks and cocktails (2 alcoholic, 2 mocktails). We had our drinks in takeaway cups and I ordered our food and the restaurant staff said they'd give us a call to collect it. Upon leaving a security guard was rushing us telling my wife to move (who had a juice in her hand) and was rushing us with a pram and a 3 year old (maybe he should have helped instead). My wife was told she couldn't drink her juice outside and we tried to leave as quickly as we could to avoid confrontation with him with 2 young children. We then got the call to go back and I have never in my life been spoken as rude as he spoke to me, I went with my wife and not the kids this time. As soon as I approached the door he said 'ARE YOU 2 ACTUALLY STOPPING OR YOU CANT COME IN'. I said the restaurant rang me as I've spent £70 on food and cocktails/mocktails and I've come to collect it. He said well thats OK then really sarcastically. I have never been spoken to like that in my life it was discusting to the point where I never want to go back. He was very confrontational and it really was not required to 2 ladies. I did tell the bar staff when I arrived back that I didnt think i was going to be allowed back in and no one responded to me. But the herbalist staff did actually help us with our food outside but unfortunately one of our orders was wrong but I darent go back inside to rectify it incase I wasn't allowed back in by the guard. We ordered a salt and pepper chicken, jd chicken, salt and pepper chips, 2 x lamb loaded fries and the sweet chilli chicken and we got 2 lots of the salt and pepper chips instead of the chicken. We only noticed when the staff left us and I just couldn't face another 'telling off' and me having to justify myself yet again for going into a restaurant I loved. I know if I went back they would have rectified it but I just couldn't face him again. I wouldn't usually write a review for a place so close to my heart but I genuinely have been in tears regarding it as I know ill never return to a special place of memories. Please do not give out flyers for take out food and cocktails/mocktails if you are going to employ guards who are rude to your customers. There's no need at all. A very upset and ex regular customer :(
Outstanding service, delicious food, beautiful restaurant I highly recommend The Herbalist, the staff go above and beyond and they made our special occasion perfect they couldn't do enough for us. Book a table you won't be disappointed!!!
My partner and I had four happy days and nights staying, eating, drinking and having fun here . The food and service was amazing, great atmosphere, very kind and helpful staff. Our room was clean, comfortable and quaint .Management and staff couldn’t have done more for us .Thank you , we’ll be back soon for another delicious dinner . Nic and Caroline.Vegetarian options: Lovely salads, soups, veggies and delicious dessertsDietary restrictions: No problem adding an item or switching something out .
We were in the area so we decided to stay over after our long journey very welcoming would recommend
What can I say, we love the herbalist. Thanks so much for being fabulousVegetarian options: You've looked after us, got us herbal teas, and plant milk thank guys
Me and my husband will definitely be returning the food is just out of this world and the Desert was just wow if you want top quality then look no further as this place is amazing!! The staff are fantastic and the wait time for food was very quick too no messing around me and my husband had a fantastic night thank you I highly recommend and if I could have gave more stars I would we will be seeing you on our anniversary thanks again ?
Visited last weekend for my Dad's birthday and it is exceptional!! The service we received when booking was fantastic they could not have been more helpful and each member of staff we dealt with on the night was excellent. So helpful and friendly. And the food!!! Wow best Italian we have been too! All 7 guests loved their meal and I would highly recommend the tiramisu. Can't wait to go back!
Really recommend this excellent accommodation. We felt warmly welcomed and our room was spotless, cosy and really comfortable. The location is utterly central to the town centre with a great array of independent shops. Breakfast isn't served but there is an excellent cafe directly opposite. We visit Retford regularly and will only use The Herbalist going forward. Thankyou Herbalist !!
Having lived in london for the last 10 years and have NEVER experienced this I was astonished that we were turned away by a scruffy Doorman because I was wearing a cap ( NOT A BASEBALL CAP) but at fashionable hat that was a part of my outfit ) I'm a 49 years old professional who would obviously not be out for any kind of trouble, I turn to my wife and said, thats clearly why the place is empty at which point the doorman laughed, if I was part of the management team I would be losing my mind over this decision during an economic crisis as it was a saturday night and there were Ten customers in this establishment at the most. If you can trust this guy to have any impact on your turnover good luck to you but trust me you will ultimately fail.
Restaurantji Recommends
Very good service, really nice range of food, and the quality is very very good - which really matters. A very good selection of wines, and cocktails. Very nice enviros too, a courtyard as well as separate Restaurant. Quite lovely.
Beautiful place lovely food staff very friendly
We were most disappointed with our experience. The Risotto was overcooked and mushy, the Pear and Dolce Latte was tiny, and very expensive. The waitresses had not been trained at all, and piled all the dirty plates on top of each other in front of us, and then still left the bottom dirty plate on the table! Very expensive for tiny portions We were told to sit inside, and not outside in the restaurant, which was a pity
Highly recommended restaurant, very pleasing atmosphere with pleasant staff all round. High quality food & drinks.
Good bar, great restaurant