The Waterside Bistro in Haddington Reviews Summary

Food Quality

Pros:

• "The food was great, we ate at lunch and the menu was sensible in the amount of choices."
• "Best stroganoff we've had for a long time, absolutely delicious sauce and the steak was so tender."
• "The food was to die for. Not one of us had any complaints about any of the courses."
• "Enjoyed our haggis bon bons and wild pigeon and the quiche."
• "The best meal I have ever tasted."
• "Delicious mussels in a bombay cream sauce, ham hock terrine, followed by baked cod with samphire and delicious lamb cooked to perfection."
• "The food was out all together, plated beautifully, and tasted devine."

Cons:

• "Vegetarian risotto was too salty for my taste."
• "Food was preparation was disappointing very oily fish and chips, burger was tasteless desert was fairly unexciting."
• "Jerk cod was somewhat bland but the creamed corn was tasty."
• "Chips were thin fast food type I expected home made chips."
• "Food Very average but overpriced."
• "The fish was fine but not great however the potatoes were barely warm."
• "The peas were actually hard."

Service

Pros:

• "Such kind, caring, considerate and very polite staff."
• "Service was quick. The weather made the outside tables at the front a delight to sit at for lunch."
• "Made very welcome the second we entered. The service was fantastic."
• "Staff are all very welcoming. James that runs the Waterside will look after you and nothing is ever an issue for James."
• "The staff were very attentive and very friendly, really can't fault them at all."
• "Staff were excellent and very attentive."
• "Service was excellent, especially the head waiter."

Cons:

• "Bread and Butter arrived quickly but no bread knife, as it was sunny the Butter melted before any cutlery arrived."
• "After about ten minutes we had to seek out another server and ask where the fourth meal was."
• "The service was very good, although clearly inexperienced at times, eg when bringing main courses without any cutlery."
• "The serving staff are generally lovely but the management leave a lot to be desired with regards their customer service."
• "Lovely location but troublesome finding the bistro and the car park."
• "There was a problem with being charged double for coffee as they charged for the top up!"
• "The level of service was less than good. They were a little busy, but not busy enough to excuse the shoddy service."

Location & Atmosphere

Pros:

• "A wunderfull location that makes your day even it is rainy and windy outside."
• "Beautiful riverside location. Serves excellent beer including local brews."
• "A beautiful pub installed just by the waterfront in a wonderful setting, donned by an old bridge and church across the water, picturesque."
• "In an idyllic riverside setting, this is a historic bistro in line with its best European equivalents."
• "The view of the river was quaint and idyllic."
• "Waterside is a delightfully tranquil pub/restaurant set in idyllic surroundings."
• "The setting is amazing, first and foremost."

Cons:

• "It's ok, nothing special. They have put tables in the bar area now instead of comfy chairs and it just seems they are trying to squeeze as many food orders in as possible."
• "The price of a draft pint of coke. It is £4. That is extortionate."
• "What a waste of a beautiful location."
• "The only downside was a noisy table of 6 beside us that insisted in shouting at one another."
• "Felt like the menu had odd tastes put together like mussels and curry."
• "The cutlery was very small almost like children's knifes and fork."
• "Complacent is the only way to describe the service."

Value

Pros:

• "Fab food..fab service what more could you want."
• "Well worth the money"
• "Food was amazing & good value."
• "Great food,at reasonable prices and with fantastic service."
• "The bill very reasonable, would highly recommend and we will definitely be returning."
• "Always a warm friendly welcome from the owner & team."
• "Delicious Sunday lunch here. Portions were generous and everything was cooked exactly as I liked."

Cons:

• "Asked if they did gluten free food as I have a gluten intolerance. I was told that they would accommodate the requirements. What I received was a burger with no bun, no onion ring but still had to pay the same price."
• "£10.30 for a pint of Real Ale, half a pint of Real Ale and two bags of crisps. Food is expensive but not much more than other places."
• "The fish and chips was excellent however the way we were offered it wasn't. When we asked for fish and chips we were asked if that was the medium? We said yes. To be charged the higher price was a shock."
• "Good meal let down only by thin frozen chips."
• "Once, fish had not been pin boned for the two of our party who ordered said dish."