Reviews of French Hen, Clent
Review by Garry on 13th May, 2012
Add your review Date visited: 11.05.12
Visited the French hen many times befor but tonight the service was rubbish too much attitude the food was rubbish never go again even if it's FREE
Review by Donald Bull on 24th April, 2011
Add your review Date visited: 27-3-2011
Like Ann Britton I cannot understand the negative reviews. I've used this restaurant regularly for a number of years. The staff are helpful and friendly, we're vegetarian and the food has always been excellent in both content and presentation. I've never heard anyone else complain when I've been there. It's quite laid back, something you would expect in a country pub and if that's the ambience you're looking for this is the place for you. I'm a fan.
PS. I think it's Tuesday that there's a Jazz Band in the bar and a meal followed by a drink or two in the bar listening is a lovely way to spend an evening.
Review by Pen on 2nd October, 2010
Add your review Date visited: 01.10.2010
Table was nice, food was good, hot and generous in portion. Felt it was good value for money and plenty of choice. Had a rustic feel, french paraphanalia but not french food so don't go expecting escargot. Young serving staff but service was acceptable. Only complaint would be the phone ringing and close proximity of the bar. Would definitely return for an informal evening out.
Review by Anne Britton on 27th September, 2010
Add your review Date visited: 26 September 2010
I simply cannot believe all these negative reviews! I went with a party of 9 on Sunday 26 Spetember 2010. The staff were so welcoming and fiendly. We hardly had to wait to have our orders taken and the meals were served piping hot. We all chose different items from the menu and every one of us really enjoyed what we had selected. We will certainly visit again. Thank you French Hen!
Review by Jayne on 5th September, 2010
Add your review Date visited: 5th September 2010
What a diaappointment.I booked a table for 5 for Sunday lunch having explained that I may need wheelchair access. We were allocated a table in the corner which could not have accommodated a wheelchair,service was disgusting the quickest attention was to give us the bill.The food was extremely poor the only thing hot were the plates.Totally unimpressive, poor value all round. Needless to say we will not return.
Review by linda williams on 19th August, 2010
Add your review Date visited: 18th Aug 2010
Poor service, poor food, poor everything. Toilets female dirty.
Never again.
Too many indians and no chiefs in sight.
Review by david lucas on 20th July, 2010
Add your review Date visited: 19th July 2010
Would have gone to Frankie and Bennys if I'd wanted frozen peas and chips and meat fit to sole my shoe.
The only good bit was that the portions were so small we didn't have too eat much of it.
This was our 2nd visit as everwhere deserves another chance. Never again.
Review by Mr Chris Dawson on 23rd April, 2010
Add your review Date visited: 23/04/10
Having visited the French Hen before and been appalled at the poor service , it was with great trepidation that I agreed to go again with a group of friends. However due to the lack of flexibility by the staff, they were unable to add one extra person to the table even with seven hours notice. I have already informed my friends that I for one will not be attending on principal and will advise anyone who will listen not ever to use this establishment again
Review by Party of 6 on 19th April, 2010
Add your review Date visited: 18-04-10
I have to say that the lack of 'french' at the French Hen was disappointing as was the 'French' food which I use the term very loosely.
The whole place needs some TLC, the carpets have seen better days, the staff are by no means friendly and the atmosphere is about as French as I am!
The vegetarian Crepe was obviously microwaved to within an inch of its life, so much so that the crepe's dissolved, which left a dish of sauce and slop! The vegetables were bendy, I must say that having seen a carrot that can actually bend 360 degrees rather renders the term 'freshly cooked' null and void. The dauphinoise potatoes which I apprecaite due to the cream can sometimes appear greasy, but for the potatoes to be actually swimming in grease, was rather to much for the stomach to bare. The breast of Chicken was dry and tasteless, the 'fries' were cold and not one bit like a French Fry', and the pepper sauce that came with the rib eye was no more than slightly brown coloured cornflour, with again no taste. The whole experience left rather a bad taste in your mouth, I personally will never return to the French Hen and it does seem such a shame, when the experience could have been quite different. The Manager did refund our money but in turn actually told us that the food is prepared in the morning, and then is basically heated up for the afternoon and evening meals, sad reflection on French food.
Review by MRS N. TAYLOR - Stourbridge on 17th February, 2010
Add your review Date visited: 14.2.10
What a waste of time. Never again will I waste my time at the so called French Hen. The service was awful. The food was even worse. The bar was noisy and there was an unruley crowd in who were slightly worse for wear with no respect for others and the staff did nothing to subdue them.
Bring back the good old black & white
WOODMAN HOTEL!
Review by Mike Boyle on 2nd August, 2009
Add your review Date visited: 1 August 2009
We had been to the French Hen about 18 months ago and enjoyed the experience so decided to go back for a special occasion. We were seated at Table 9, which situated in the walkway at the junction with the main and back parts of the dinning room. We were constantly jostled by staff and other customers. We were unable to be moved despite repeated requests and despite the empty tables for two as other more knowledgeable, dinners had 'specially requested' their respective tables.
Despite feeling uncomfortable, we persevered in the hopes of getting a good meal. Unfortunately, the food was average 'pub grub'at above average prices. Despite the French theme, the menu was disappointing having a 'chips with everything' option. The sardine starter comprised of lots of salad with little sardine and was a pale imitation of similar dishes enjoyed in similar establishments. The duck was tough, the vegetables slightly overcooked and the whole thing needed seasoning. This combined with the atmosphere which akin to a canteen rather than 'gastro-pub' we left rapidly without desert or coffee having spent less than an hour in the place.
Terrible experience will not go back.
Review by Steve Jones on 2nd June, 2009
Add your review Date visited: 1st June 2009
This just has to be one of the best places to eat in Worcestershire. We have eaten here a number of times over the last 3 years and it just gets better and better. This time it was my daughter's 25th birthday, we book for 7pm on a Monday, the resturant was quiet, but the atmosphere was relaxed. Waiting staff were excellent, attentive and friendly. Using our past experence we knew that if we were to appreciate the "puddings" we would have to skip the starters. We had the Rib-eye steak, monk fish, pheasent and vegatable pancakes, all were excellent, chips were great although the vegatables were a little dry, which is unusall as the vegatables are normally beautifully cooked.
With drinks and side orders the bill was under £20 each, so excellent value. We can't wait for the next family birthday so that we can return. Thank you for another great evening.
Review by P Holden on 29th May, 2009
Add your review Date visited: 28th May 2009
After our enjoyable meal in March we decided to return for a family birthday celebration. We booked for 7 p.m. and tried to shift this to 7.30 shortly before arrival and met with inflexbility.
Nonetheless, 6 of us were quickly seated and drinks orders taken. The managing waitress for the evening took our orders (no starters) and almost an HOUR later we enquired about our food (it hadn't arrived; others who'd arrived later had been served first - sound familiar?).
Out of six mains, two were inedible (wild boar like boot leather) and the duck was over-cooked. A second duck was under-cooked (really!) and the third just bearable. The replacements for the boar (chicken and sea bass) were, at best, ordinary (sea bass with strawberries??!).
The staff did not apologise at any stage, preferring to tell us the new chef was giving them a hard time.
The desserts were adequate.
The managing waitress chose (in an act of cowardice?) to send a third waitress to deliver our bill wordlessly to our table (while she enjoyed a drink at the bar with regulars)from which the cost of one meal had been removed. After some discussion she dismissively removed the cost of a second meal at our request. No tip, of course.
We did not receive any apology and were offered the excuse 'we're busy; with people upstairs' (there were none!).
A VERY poor meal, and very poor response.
Won't be going back. I wouldn't recommend it now and would advise to avoid it.
The French Hen needs a serious Gordon Ramsay-style shake-up.
Review by Ali on 12th April, 2009
Add your review Date visited: 31/12/08
i have been to the french hen a few times now, but only ever lunch times where i have had mostly baguettes/snacks. baguette bread is always lovely and fresh, and it's good that there is also a healthier 'brown' option. baguette filling sizes are always a bit hit and miss however-sometimes i get the feeling i'm being ripped off a bit when the filling is a bit sparse. also sometimes big chips are received when you ask for fries (may seem petty but it's the little things that count!). have ordered drinks to accompany our meal before when there were only about 2 other tables in, and we never received them-had to ask for them to be taken off the bill--there never seem to be any staff available to get the attention of.
Anyway, went for lunch here new year's eve and chose from the a la carte menu. admittedly, they were very busy as you'd imagine. only two waitresses on if i remember rightly who were very overworked. i felt a bit sorry for them really, would have been better for staff and customers alike if they had more staff on duty. anyhow, i ordered some baked cheese concoction and my partner ordered soup of the day. 40 minutes passed and there was still no sign of the starters. by this time my partner was very angry. i work in the restaurant trade myself and was trying to be understanding, but even i was starting to become a little peeved, especially as people who had come in much later than us were getting served before us! eventually i managed to get the attention of the young waitress who was rushing about in all directions who said she would go and check on our food. it finally arrived, as well as another table's food which also happened to be the soup, so i think this was the culprit for the delay. i would have appreciated them telling us that the soup was just being made or something instead of waiting over 40 mins! ridiculous!
main courses arrived pretty quickly after and i had a lovely homemade vegetarian bangers and mash. A large portion but i'd rather have too much than not enough so can't complain here.
would visit again. lots of veggie options all clearly marked-hopefully the manager will have employed more staff next time!
Review by Rick Fears on 27th March, 2009
Add your review Date visited: 2008-2009
I've been staying in one of the 3 rooms at the French Hen at various times for the last year and have seen out several menus.
In all that time I have never had a "bad" meal - I agree with others that the mussels are too creamy, and also that the portions are too big. The Franglais that passes for a menu is hilarious though, the specials, which change on a regular basis, are generally inventive concoctions based on really fresh ingredients and the standard menu is sufficent variety to keep a regular customer satisfied but not bored.
The menu clearly highlights gluten free and vegetarian options. Also, when asked to produce a vegan meal at short notice, the chef excelled himself.
To those who commented about the louts in the bar, well, it is a pub after all, still well frequented by locals which is more than most pubs can brag about nowadays.
Also worth a mention is the large paved patio area, the equally large beer garden, the huge car park, the function room, the quirkily OTT decor and furniture, the variety of real ales and other beverages, the very personable staff (most of the time).
And no, Nick hasn't paid me for this review.
Review by P Holden on 24th March, 2009
Add your review Date visited: 12 March 09
Four of us booked a meal at the French Hen with some trepidation, given the pretty awful recent reviews. Actually it proved to be a v pleasant evening and a pub with a busy, lively atmosphere. (The pub/bar side is separate, but v much in use as a local. The restaurant was initially quiet, but became warm and noisier later - a Thursday)
The service was initially smooth and attentive, the food was delicious, though the main-course portions were v large. It wasn't especially French, though the menus were written in French.
We ate for approx £22 per head (two starters between four, four mains, one dessert, three coffees, bottle of red and drinks).
It seems things may have improved since late 08 - new chef? new manager(s)? I would certainly return.
Review by Graham Perry on 16th February, 2009
Add your review Date visited: 15/02/09
Friends of ours came up from Norfolk to stay for a few days and said they had booked a table for six for Sunday Lunch at the French Hen. I looked on the internet to check where it was and any comments. Most of the comments were very negative and I went to have the meal wondering what I was going to walk into. I shouldn't have worried the service was very good and the food was great. You could pay one price for a main course, another for two courses or another for the three courses, the six of us around the table each commented on how nice the meal was.
Review by D H Speckner on 15th August, 2008
Add your review Date visited: 15th August 2008
I can’t comment on the food served by the French Hen because I simply could not get a meal there.
We called in at about 18.30 only to be told that there was no Bar Food available on Friday nights and that the earliest we could book a table in the restaurant was 21.00 hours.
Looking around we noticed that the restaurant was totally empty apart from four people and about 4 staff.
Regretfully I had ordered a drink before asking for the menu and by the time we finished our drink at 19.00 hours to go somewhere else to eat the restaurant was still empty.
So sadly I won’t be going back to the French Hen in the foreseeable future.
Their loss, not mine?
Review by Maxine Dale on 30th June, 2008
Add your review Date visited: 29th June 2008
Although the service was friendly, it was very slow. Sunday lunch menu was limited to a selection of only 4 starters & 6 main courses.We requested a side order of yorkshire pudding & stuffing, both never arrived. The decor was more scruffy than rustic, & the ladies toilets should only be visited in an emergency!
Review by elizabeth phillips on 28th April, 2008
Add your review Date visited: 26th April 2008
When we visited on Saturday 26th we found food and sevice quite good but were apalled at the state of the Ladies toilet, carpet on the floor and old carpet at that, it really needs a good clean up and something washable on the foor.
Review by TimButt on 17th March, 2008
Add your review Date visited: Saturday 15 March 2008
Before heading down to the West Midlands to take my father, step-mother and sister out for a meal to celebrate my father's birthday, I had read a number of websites reviewing restaurants in the locality. There seems to be some concensus that culinary brilliance hasn't yet reached the West Midlands. I've not experienced enough restaurants in the area to be able to pass comment, but have to note that my visit to The French Hen didn't help encourage me.
To be fair, the food, when it arrived, wasn't at all bad. But the key is, 'when it arrived'. It took a full half hour before we were served. Granted, we didn't order starters and good food is worth waiting for, but there wasn't even a courteous note of apology. In fact, my children had to play 'Eye Spy' as a diversion from their comments of feeling hungry.
When the food did arrive, the dishes that were correct (we were served a portion of salad in lieu of a bowl of vegetables and a serving of fries was forgotten and delayed a further few minutes) were quite flavoursome.
Mussels - well cooked and with a tasty, though rather too creamy, sauce. Shame not to have a bowl for the empty shells as the dish was crowded and the eating experience made no easier by this absence.
Belly of Pork - beautifully tender with a rich gravy. Helped turn my sister on to something new.
Chicken breasts - wrapped in bacon and so remaining moist whilst being well cooked. Filling was a touch rich on the cheese, but seemed to be enjoyed.
Ceasar Salad - "the nicest I've had" said my wife.
Fish & Chips - was eaten with smiles by my daughter who ate all the fish.
Chicken burger - disappointing to be told that a menu item (my son had wanted the listed beef burger) on a children's menu wasn't available, but went down well.
The cooked vegetables were significantly over-cooked and I would have sent them back if they'd been served to me but perhaps the chef knew my father and his wife typically eat and enjoy them that way?
The fries weren't too special and could well have come out of a freezer bag and the fact there were so very many of them didn't ease my suspicion.
The portions were enormous. It worries when a chef feels they have to pack a plate full to the edges - isn't the food good enough to speak for itself? Value for money is one thing, but too much starts to look cheap! I had a starter portion of Mussels for a main and was glad not to have ordered the full blown version as the supplier would have to clear a whole beach in order to fulfil the order!
On a positive note, I was glad to see that the chef was cooking fresh food for the children's menu, though there might have been a more interesting option or two aside from Burgers, Fish & Chips, Breaded Chicken, etc.
I had no problem paying for the food we were served, but was not impressed with the overall 'French' thing.
- The menu, though not bland, lacked any marks of creativity or imagination to leave me feeling impressed by the chef. What was served was good, but no more than that.
- Whilst a superficial effort had been made to dress the restaurant, the real authenticity needs to be generated through ambience. The background music lacked any French styling (it was more akin to that which you might expect to hear in a Yates' Pub) and was coupled with the irritance of a CD player that kept getting stuck. After a while, I found it became an intrusive noise instead of a pleasant background note.
- The manager was perfunctory rather than being the warm host. I was disappointed not to receive a visit to the table once we had received all our food to check that all was to our satisfaction - small details of service make all the difference and the sight of waiting staff sat round chatting seemed sloppy. Needless to say, I didn't leave a tip.
If I was rating The French Hen I'd give it six out of ten and probably not go out of my way to go back there. As a complete dining experience it lacked in far too many areas.
Review by kerry on 9th March, 2008
Add your review Date visited: 8.3.08
As frequent customers of The French Hen our visit on Saturday 8th March was surprisingly a huge disappointment. We arrived at the pub and asked the barman if there was a wait on food in the restaurant as we only had limited time before we had to pick up our son from a birthday party. He assured us that food would be out within 20 min. We ordered our food with the manager at 2.50. However at 3.25 no food had arrived and a waitress came over and asked if we'd ordered. We stated we had and after checking with the kitchen she informed us that our cheque had been misplaced and the manager who took our order had gone home. The waitress was apologetic but we couldn't reorder as we had to pick up our son. We left our details and the waitress assured us that the manager would contact us later. After recieving no phone call from the manager I phoned myself and was spoken to rather abrubtly and rudely by the manager. He informed me that he would have compensated us for our ruined afternoon had we stayed on the day but was not prepared to offer anything now. When I reminded him that we had to leave that afternoon to pick up our son and that was why the afternoon had been such a let down he simply said that's not our fault you left of your own accord. Having had many lovely meals and family celebrations at this restaurant I was shocked and disappointed at the attitude of the manager mainly and I am saddened because I now have no desire to return to The French Hen.
Review by Roger Bray on 12th February, 2008
Add your review Date visited: 12 February 2008
The Moules Mariniere weren`t much better and its hard to mess up that.Too much cream masked the delicate mussel juice/seawater/white wine liquer and parsley barely evident.Had to ask for a bowl for the mussel shells.To cap it all:
Asked for a Caeser salad first.Told it all had to come together???
Could eat food from `bar` menu outside but a la carte could only be eaten inside.( Cassoulet on both menus???? )
And I thought I was a customer!Being British I didn`t complain..resolved to warn everyone else.
Review by pete on 1st October, 2007
Add your review Date visited: sat september 29th 2007
visited this splendid french restaurant for the first time with five of my friends , found it to be very relaxing and with a pleasant atmosphere , first started off with the cassoulet which we found to be very appetising , for the main meal i opted for the red snapper special with clams,squid,and red pesto linguini , my fish was cooked to perfection and the dish was beautiful , wow what a great chef and a credit to clent , word has it that shes female! highly reccomended and the best weve eaten in a long while
Review by pete on 1st October, 2007
Add your review Date visited: sat september 29th 2007
visited this splendid french restaurant for the first time with five of my friends , found it to be very relaxing and with a pleasant atmosphere , first started off with the cassoulet which we found to be very appetising , for the main meal i opted for the red snapper special with clams,squid,and red pesto linguini , my fish was cooked to perfection and the dish was beautiful , wow what a great chef and a credit to clent , word has it that shes female! highly reccomended and the best weve eaten in a long while
Review by mrs williamson on 19th September, 2007
Add your review Date visited: 16th August 07
I came for a meal not so long ago with about 6 of family friends. I enjoyed evyery minute of it. My starter was sardines and they were cooked just the way I like them.(yumyum)For my main course i had Sea Bass it was gorgeous it jus melted in my mouth. Unfortunatley I was to full to have a desert but i bet they are jus as yum.
Thanks will be back for Christmas.
Review by Jenny Barrett on 25th July, 2007
Add your review Date visited: 22.7.07
Six of us had a really fabulous meal that evening. There was none of that instant pub grub which appears to be tainting many of the West Midlands pubs and turning them into nasty gastro conveyor belts. I can thoroughly recommend the local lamb and the beef; they were cooked perfectly. We didn't wait that long for the food and so we had time to enjoy some beautiful wine while we waited. Great decor and great chef!
Review by Eric Worth on 20th July, 2007
Add your review Date visited: 19th July 2007
Not the place to eat if you are in a rush, but you dont rush good food. It is the place to chill and enjoy yourself AND the food. I may not have been looking too hard, but I have never seen loutish or anti social behavior, just a good atmosphere and pleasant staff. Have been there several times and will go back again!
Review by Jo Bond on 18th July, 2007
Add your review Date visited: 16/7/07
Just to thank everyone at the Hen for a really great meal in a superb atmosphere. I took all the people in my department from work for a special meal and no one was disappointed. A warm welcome, superb food, attentive service that was not intrusive and a memorable time was had by all. Those artichoke hearts - mmm!
Review by chris venables on 6th July, 2007
Add your review Date visited: june 07
Apart from the louts in the main bar, effing and blinding, and the stroppy waitress, the place was better than it was 10 years ago.
just about.
i wouldnt eat there again, the yokels made leery comments to my husband as he went to buy drinks and whispered inapropriate things to me as i went to the toilet.
My husband has boxed for 22 years, so the locals were lucky he has self control
very poor.
Review by James Hockney on 14th October, 2005
Add your review Date visited: 12/10/05
Recently refurbished, The French Hen now offers an excellent selection of freshly prepared French Style Dishes, for a wednesday evening the restaurant area was busy but we were greeted on arrival and seated after a quick drink in the bar area. I choose to eat sardines to start which were fresh and stuffed with a fennel and pine nut crumb...delicious! followed by the shoulder of Lamb which was piping hot and one of the best tasting dishes i've tried! served with gratin daupinoise and fresh vegetables. My partner had the homemade pate to start followed by 'Coq au Clent'which is their signature chicken dish. All in all the meal was excellent with service to match, we will definately return soon.
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