Saddlery Cafe Osprey Home St Albans

Don’t usually write reviews but felt compelled to report the poor service we received here today. On arrival we were told it was busy and there would be a wait but there were tables available so we were invited to sit where we wanted. There were no reserved tables and we told the waitress where we were going to sit. 2 minutes later the same waitress came over to ask us to move because “her reservation had arrived and wanted to sit in the sun”. No apology but not wanting to make a scene we complied and moved to a different seat. We were told the wait for food was at least 30 minutes but we only wanted a drink so I went inside to order as the waitress was clearly busy. After another 5 minute wait I was told in no uncertain terms (same waitress again) it was table service only and they wouldn’t even serve a bottled drink at the counter. We left. Understand that it was peak time (1pm on a Sunday) but there is no excuse for rudeness and poor service and I don’t think I have ever been asked to move because someone else wanted our unreserved seat anywhere.

We had a delicious brunch consisting of a croque monsieur, tomato soup, cheese toasties, cake, a latte, cappuccino, etc. The food and drinks were piping hot and of a very high standard. The customer service provided by the new manager Saffron was outstanding, who gave us a level of personal service unequalled in other cafes and restaurants we have visited in the St Albans area and far beyond. After our meal we also visited the Osprey shops on site and bought some attractively discounted high quality leather purses and jewellery containers, from knowledgeable, polite and helpful sales staff. An enjoyable couple of hours in a tranquil rural environment.

Everything was lovely except the prices! It’s a lovely place to sit out in the courtyard, it looked beautiful the staff were friendly and helpful. My daughter ordered a smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel which was £12. It seemed a bit steep but we’d come out for a treat so I went ahead. When the food arrived, it was half a bagel!!! I couldn’t believe it half a bagel for £12. It wasn’t enough to fill her up so I bought a side order of crisps which was also small and cost £3!! My scrambled egg smoked salmon on toast was £14!! It was lovely but so overpriced. We had one drink each, the bagel eggs on toast 2 pieces of cake it came to £50!!! I was so shocked it’s a shame because I love going there but I won’t go back I can’t afford to!!

I really wish I could give a good review because the setting and atmosphere for the cafe is lovely. I've stopped here a few times midway through walks in the surrounding countryside but will be limiting my visits from now on. The service is consistently sloppy having to seek out staff to request food and bills even during quiet periods. On my most recent visit my cup clearly hadn't been washed from its last use, pastry and pudding selection was minimal and the food when it arrived was so unexpectedly molten hot (I think they must use some sort of machine to poach their eggs) that I was left with an oral blister the size of a 5p piece. This on top of the reaching prices just doesn't make for a good experience. Leaving this in the hope it might help improve things, as it really is a lovely venue and could be so much better.

We called in for lunch today and were made so welcome by the lovely staff. The lattes we ordered were really good followed by a very tasty brioche bun with eggs and bacon and an excellent toasted sandwich. We rounded it off with a piece of simnel cake which again was really good. It was lovely to sit in the sunshine, in pleasant surroundings and enjoy a great lunch served by such friendly staff.