Harden's survey result
Summary
“They really understand how to cook fish” (the main event) at this fancified former pub, a local favourite – including with the TOWIE set – since its arrival in 2010, and which benefits from an airy conservatory and spacious rooms.
Summary
This “glitzy and glamorous” smartened-up pub is perhaps a little TOWIE and inspires the odd complaint about its prices, but, nevertheless, it’s fish and seafood cuisine won consistently decent ratings last year, and fans say the place is “excellent for a special occasion”.
Summary
This “glitzy and glamorous” smartened-up pub is perhaps a little TOWIE and inspires the odd complaint about its prices, but, nevertheless, it’s fish and seafood cuisine won consistently decent ratings this year, and fans say the place is “excellent for a special occasion”.
Summary
“There’s plenty of room to park the white Range!”, at this “very smart” (glitzy) smartened-up former pub – all white tablecloths and bright pink chairs – “a magnet for the TOWIE set”. It divided views more this year as ratings declined: fans still applaud its “great seafood” and say “it’s unsurprising that it’s always full”, but others feel “it used to be good but has gone downhill”; and are increasingly “horrified by the prices”.
For 31 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 Alec's?
Restaurant details
Alec's Restaurant Diner Reviews

"I leave the venue with mixed emotions Arriving at the venue not a lot of parking available due to volume f customers.On arrival well received and taken to my corner seat. Comfortable seats and nice views. I decided to have the set lunch as no taster menu (my normal choice). First to arrive was an unannounced and unexplained amuse bouche in the form of a fish. The pastry was dry and quite hard, with little attractive texture and uncertain and unexplained content n the fish. The bread served with butter was pleasant but unexciting. The “pil pil” prawns had a mild sauce, three prawns were a bit lonely on the plate. For main I had hake salmon and with a couple more prawns. The sauce was apparently Vietnamese, one less prawn than the starter. I do think the prawns were a little on the cooked side, lacking texture and a bit solid. The absolute highlight was the HUGE and tasty pavlova. The set price menu is reasonably good value. The a la carte menu is set at prices equivalent to Michelin starred level, sadly I don’t think the cookery is quite there. Staff are efficient and in most cases friendly if a little inconsistent. The venue itself is well decorated and laid out if some tables are a tad close for comfort. Toilets are upstairs and well presented. Would I return? I don’t think so, there really isn’t enough to attract for a return. It’s I guess an ok experience Kudos to the owner, he has just rung and chatted to me about the experience and promised learning from my feedback.I like that!"

"Great place to eat "
Prices
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Wine per bottle | £22.00 |
Filter Coffee | £3.50 |
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Service | 10.00% |
Navestock Side, Brentwood, CM14 5SD
Opening hours
Monday | CLOSED |
Tuesday | 12 pm‑4 pm, 5:30 pm‑12 am |
Wednesday | 12 pm‑4 pm, 5:30 pm‑12 am |
Thursday | 12 pm‑4 pm, 5:30 pm‑12 am |
Friday | 12 pm‑4 pm, 5:30 pm‑12 am |
Saturday | 12 pm‑4 pm, 5:30 pm‑12 am |
Sunday | 12 pm‑7 pm |
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