Can you recommend a good restaurant (or pub with good food) in Herts or south Beds?

[MuffinMclay]

Hitchin, Harpenden, or surrounding villages would be ideal. Willing to travel a bit further to St Albans if need be.

MIL has volunteered to babysit on Saturday so that dh and I can go out for dinner . We haven't been out since we moved to this part of the world and ds was born (both 13 months ago) so don't know where to go.

Anyone?

Hi,
Definitely travel a bit further and go to Devdas (Indian cuisine)in St. Albans. It's an unbelievable how good the food is, we've had a couple of takeaways and the food is brilliant. Allways really busy so I'd book a table. Have a good time!

Thanks mummyeme. Whereabouts in St Albans is it? I used to live there, but don't remember that one.

There was a very good Indian on the London Road, I seem to remember too.

Any other suggestions?

Number 12 on Bridge Street in Hitchin is lovely.

Mumydoit - I've been there once (although some time ago, I think Jan 06) and it was awful. The food was very poor (even I could have cooked it better) and the service dreadful. We'd gone because a friend said it was the best restaurant in Hitchin, and we were thoroughly disappointed. We didn't even stay for pudding. Perhaps we caught them on an off day?

Oh no! What a shame. We've been loads of time and even had our wedding reception there and it's always been brilliant. We haven't been for a few months though so I really hope it hasn't gone downhill. I know it's stopped opening at lunchtimes so maybe it's struggling. I shall be so disappointed if it's not as good as it used to be.

Oooh, I'm not sure. I will wander by tomorrow and have a look.

Number 12 and Bridge Street Bistro are two different places. Been to both and Bistro was okay but I just found the food there a bit predictable and ordinary. Stuff I would cook at home, to be honest. There's a Malaysian/Thai place on Hermitage Road that's pretty good.

Hi,
Devdas used to be the cricketers pub, at the top of Harpenden Rd. and Sandridge Rd.

Number 32 is great-very cosy/intimate and good food-think it is on Sun Street-one of the ones which runs off Bridge st anyway.
We also had a dreadful experience with no 12.
Failing that-travel to Datchworth to the Tilbury and have food by Paul Bloxham (TV chef) 'tis very good but maybe a bit further than you want....

Jean Cristophe Novelli's place in Harpenden?
I think it is a bit pricey and has had mixed reviews but worth a look?

Whoooosh - I've never heard of Datchworth, so I'm assuming it is nowhere with me. Going to go and look at a map.

A number of dh's colleagues were very disappointed with the J-C Novelli place. It may be that they've sharpened their act up though following all those bad reviews in the press.

I know No 32. Haven't been but have walked by a few times. I'll bear that in mind.

Mummyeme - I remember where the Cricketer's was, so would be able to find that. Thank you.

Plenty of food for thought. Keep them coming!

OK, I know its too far, but its only just the other side of St Albans and well worth a visit - The Cat and Fiddle at Radlett. Excellent home cooked pub food, great friendly place for drinking, they love children (OK, I know you won't have yours with you bt for future reference). Can highly recommend a sunny afternoon sitting in their garden for drinks and food. And they've got a fantastic climbing frame .

I used to live half way between St A and Radlett, and never knew of that pub.

I'll bear that one in mind for dayswhen we go back with ds in tow.

From St A to Radlett its on the right hand side, past the big church, opposite the rugby club.

i know the cat and fiddle! what's that nice italian in radlett called?

Sorry, can't remember, it is nice though. THey like children as well

There is a fantastic Italian called "Nolita's" in the kind of Borehamwood/Welham Green area-sorry can't remember exact address but is sister restaurant to Little Italy in Soho-Food and staff wonderful.

Datchworth is South of Stevenage andNorth of Welwyn-small village where Barry Norman lives

Thanks Whoooosh. I checked on a map, and Datchworth is only 15 miles from me. That pub you recommended looks rather promising (found a few mentions when googling).

Borehamwood is too far, I'm afraid. Plus dh isn't keen on Italian food.

You won't be disappointed with the food at the Tilbury-well we never have been.
Sunday lunches (with kids) are fab too.