Harden's survey result
Summary
“Not yet back to its old self” seems to be the frustrating verdict on this former hunting lodge, scenically located with a large terrace by the lake of the luxurious Brocket Hall estate. In the early 2000s it was a national name under chef Jean-Christophe Novelli, but has since had its ups and downs. After a hiatus, “its re-opening has been long awaited and eagerly anticipated locally with the pop-ups fully booked”. Early feedback suggests “it still seems to be a work in progress. Menu, food and cooking have been very good, suitably refined and up to the standard expected. However, service can be poor, with staff unable to cope and long waits to order. The general decor is also very dated and doesn’t appear to have changed much during the past three years of closure. Hopefully, it will find its feet but it is taking longer than expected!”
Summary
By the lake of the Brocket Hall estate, this former hunting lodge achieved fame in the early noughties but hasn’t since fully capitalised on its characterful style and beautiful location. Originally set to reopen after a major refurb in April 2022, it will now be 2023 before it is officially relaunched, although new chef John Barber will be organising pop-up events from October 2022 as an opportunity to try out some of his new dishes and entice diners to return once the Auberge re-opens.
Summary
Despite a beautiful setting, by the lake of the Brocket Hall estate – this former hunting lodge, made famous by J-C Novelli a couple of decades ago – has sunk into relative obscurity in recent times. That may be about to change though, as it’s closed till April 2022, after which it will be re-launched following a major refurbishment.
Summary
The “beautiful setting” – right on the lake, within an old hunting lodge on Lord Palmerston’s former estate – makes this rural hideaway a natural choice for a “lovely Sunday lunch” or “wonderful afternoon tea”. Its glory days foodwise (under JC Novelli in the early noughties) are long gone, but those who go unburdened by great foodie expectations enjoy its modern French cuisine and say the overall experience is “superb”.
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Auberge du Lac?
Welwyn, AL8 7XG
Restaurant details
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SundayLunch | £65.00 |  |
|
|
| Cost | Availability | Courses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menu1 | 85.00 | Dinner only | 7 |
Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Veggies | Pudding |
|---|---|---|---|
| £18.00 | £28.00 | £4.00 | £14.00 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £28.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £5.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £4.00 |
| Service | 12.50% |
Welwyn, AL8 7XG
| Number of Diners: | |
| Required Time: | |
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | CLOSED |
| Wednesday | CLOSED |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑3:30 pm |
Best British, Modern restaurants nearby
British, Modern restaurant in Harpenden
British, Modern restaurant in St Albans
British, Modern restaurant in St Albans
Best similarly priced restaurants nearby
British, Modern restaurant in Harpenden
restaurant in Chalfont St Peter
Spanish restaurant in King's Cross
