The Dove, Chingford Hatch, E4

Facebook page of The Dove - www.facebook.com

Official site of The Dove - thedovechingford.co.uk

Facebook page of The Dove - www.facebook.com

Official site of The Dove - thedovechingford.co.uk

So disappointed. We went to The Dovecote expecting a delicious 'HOMEMADE' meal to be so disappointed. We looked at the menu and to us it looked like a frozen food menu. I asked the bar staff if the steak pie was a frozen pie reheated? We were told 'Yes it was'. So I opted for Lincolnshire sausage. Before I ordered our food I asked whether the mash with the sausage was fresh mash? I was assured it was! (Obviously not reading previous review!) So thankfully I ordered chips. My husband ordered scampi and chips. Total disappointment. I went expecting a delicious homemade meal to receiving meals that we could not eat. The peas were stone cold, the sausages were no better than the Richmond sausages which are just full of bread and a few herbs. My husband's scampi was not cooked properly! Peas again freezing cold. All in all terrible. On the fence outside it states the food is 'HOMEMADE'. The definition of homemade is: made or prepared at home, locally or by the makers own efforts.' WELL IT DEFINITELY IS NOT THAT! Trades descriptions? So would not recommend at all and will not be returning. What a shame.

The dovecote has been refurbished well, we were invited by invitation for a free meal. The management were welcoming and friendly but waiting staff need more training in working with the public and definitely need more confidence in their work. The food however wasn't enjoyable, the sausage and mash - the plate looked empty and unfortunately the mash was powdered. Cajun salad - wasn't Cajun just char grilled chicken and the salad I could of picked up a bag from Tesco for a £1. Understandably they are just starting out but if this is a chain, standards should already be in place, and I am all for employing local people. The standard of food needs to be readdressed if they are going to be charging these prices. There are lots of place settings and if this takes off as would hope the waiting staff may struggle with their overall confidence issues and time management of serving all parties at the same time. please don't take this review as an insult, I would like to see this establishment work once again for the area,as a local resident.