The Bell Aston Clinton

Great atmosphere. Great service, staff were amazing!! Great food...

I had a great time and enjoyed the experience. Next time, I would like to request a table in the main dining area, as that is my only suggestion for improvement.

The service and ambiance were very good. The food was generally excellent with the exception of the triple cooked chips that were neither cooked through nor crispy. However, the response once pointed out to staff was immediate and appropriate.

The service was really bad. Once we had been shown to our table we were forgotten had to go to the bar to order coffee and then to get bill not interested in clearing plates. We ordered extra bread with the Camembert but this failed to arrive before we had eaten the cheese.

Although they could not find our open booking that was not a problem because there were reserve tables and I had the booking on my phone. The food was very pleasant and the wine was more than perfect! But I wasted about it. The “fixed prices” menu was comprehensive, but for the “extra” costs for certain things.

Although they could not find our opentable booking that was not a problem as there were spare tables and I had the booking on my mobile. The food was very enjoyable and the wine was more than passable! But I did slash out on that. The ‘fixed price’ menu was comprehensive but watch out for the ‘extra’ costs for certain things.

Our dining experience at the Bell on Saturday was disappointing. We have dined there several times in the past and the food has always been very good. However, on this occasion, two of our meals had to be sent back and they had run out of Sauvignon Blanc, with only one bottled cider available. The waiting staff were helpful and did their best to make up for the shortcomings.

I booked a table for Sunday lunch, but when I arrived I was shown to a glorified coffee table not in the restaurant but in a an inferior pub like area. If I had not booked I would have accepted this but I had booked for a restaurant and expected this, after complaining I was given a better table, not great but better after all I was paying restaurant prices and expected better. The waitress was unsmiling, no personality, asked me if I wanted her to pour the wine, not did I want taste it, could not wait to get away, so all in all not a good dining experience.

I have dined at The Bell on multiple occasions over the years. It used to be excellent and lived up to its reputation, as we even had a fantastic 21st birthday lunch there. However, it gradually declined over time, prompting me to not return for nearly a decade. I was pleasantly surprised to see how much the restaurant has improved since then, and it has earned its spot back on my list of favorites. The food and style are impressive, surpassing some of the Michelin-starred restaurants in central London. The service staff is friendly, but could benefit from more training, as the casual 'pub' atmosphere doesn't always complement the dining experience. Overall, well done.