RestaurantsHertfordshireWelwynAL8

survey result

Summary

£96
 ££££
2
Average
2
Average
3
Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“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

£96
 ££££
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

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

£96
 ££££
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

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

£88
 ££££
3
Good
2
Average
4
Very Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

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

Highchair,Portions
Yes
4, 6, 12, 18
No jeans
72
12+
Yes

Prices

Availability 2 courses 3 courses coffee included service included
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
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Opening hours
MondayCLOSED
TuesdayCLOSED
WednesdayCLOSED
Thursday12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm
Friday12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm
Saturday12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm
Sunday12 pm‑3:30 pm

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