The Bell Public House - Southend-on-Sea

Came in for a few drinks. Price was reasonable but there was never any staff there to get served. A member of staff walled past 3 times while I was waiting but didn't inform a member of bar staff or even acknowledge me. Walked out in the end.

Dreadful experience the carvery area was a mess I wish I had taken photographs. Very poor choice most dishes were virtually empty and this was 5.30 int he evening Yorkshires were as flat as a pancake. There seemed to be a serious lack of management. Very disappointing experience would not use again.

The kitchen staff at the restaurant were quite busy, but the food was delicious. The service was a bit slow, as we ended up spending 3 hours there, but I suppose that's to be expected on Boxing Day. Overall, all the staff were very helpful.

I only recently discovered that Toby offers breakfast. I have visited various Toby restaurants around the country and have found their quality to be inconsistent. Luckily, this particular experience was a positive one. There was some confusion about where to start the buffet – some people followed the ropes while others simply jumped in. It was a self-service buffet, so I helped myself to sausages and bacon, which were great. Drinks were extra. After piling up my plate, I found a table. Despite it being a very cold day, the restaurant was quite busy. The food was delicious, although there were no eggs due to bird flu concerns. Don't forget to validate your parking ticket. The toilets were clean. I would definitely visit again.

It’s a Toby it’s always great ! I do especially like this one though as the staff are always friendly and the food is always top notch.