Pen & Cob
281 Reviews
- FridayClosed
- SaturdayClosed
- Sunday10 AM–6 PM
- MondayClosed
- TuesdayClosed
- WednesdayClosed
- ThursdayClosed
About the Business
Pen & Cob | A British Brasserie | Dining in Bedfordshire | Pen & Cob, art-deco inspired British Brasserie, exclusive British menu, signature cocktails and inspiring wine and drinks.
Contacts
Website
Call Us
+441234369900
The Embankment, Bedford MK40 1RW
Hours
- FridayClosed
- SaturdayClosed
- Sunday10 AM–6 PM
- MondayClosed
- TuesdayClosed
- WednesdayClosed
- ThursdayClosed
Features
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
- Delivery
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Wi-Fi
- Dine-in
- Takeaway
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Spirits
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Bar on site
- Toilets
- Family friendly
- Groups
- Accepts reservations
- Good for kids
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
- Late-night food
- Lunch
- Casual
- Great tea selection
- Brunch
- Outdoor seating
- Small plates
- Parking
- Free parking lot
Recommended Reviews
Marie-Jo Pace-Maund
26.02.2024
Pen & Cob
A special lunch, food excellent as was the service and the very pleasant surroundings. When the staff found out it was my Birthday they came to my table with a desert topped with a candle and sang Happy Birthday! I was very impressed by the meal but this very kind gesture made it extra special.
Trish Shearsmith
25.02.2024
Pen & Cob
Went for a birthday meal. Ambience was very pleasant. Overlooking the Rowing Club and the river in the heart of Bedford. 4 for service is probably unkind. Most of the service was excellent. They were in a rush on a day of the dragon boat racing. We had a table of 5. One chose not to have a starter, out of the remaining 4, 3 of us had something missing off the plate for it. They brought it out later when we complained, but it really was a busy day. The food was excellent and other than that the service was flawless. Little provision for little ones (we brought crayons and paper). Other places do provide this as normal. We have allergies in the group and great care was taken by staff.
S Lmont
18.02.2024
Pen & Cob
Birthday meal . Very nice food very happy. Even 7 year old daughter was loved it. Will go again soon
Lynda Elliott
12.02.2024
Pen & Cob
The Pen and Cob is a beautiful location with a friendly atmosphere. The wine we chose was excellent but the food was disappointing for the price. I chose the pork which was tasty but on the dry side and didn’t come with any extra gravy. The green beans were undercooked. My husband had the burger and that was also dry. Not very good for £17.
R
01.02.2024
Pen & Cob
Booked a table here for our anniversary. Love that you can park for free. Just make sure you register your vehicle at reception.We ordered the vegetarian sharing platter, which was lovely, could have done with less cheese and more pitta, haha. For mains, we ordered the veggie burger and the chicken with vegetables and cajun wedges. Both were delicious!After reading some of the negative reviews, I was apprehensive, but the service was good, even when a large party sat near us. We were served by Jeanette and Lexie, and they were lovely. Would return.
Amy Newman
04.01.2024
Pen & Cob
When arrived we were ignored by staff. Had to seat ourselves and ask for menus. Also had to order our drinks twice before being served. The manager was awful and her customer service was shockingly bad. If it wasn't for the 2 young waitresses that made up for the prior terrible service and the food being excellent we would of walked out. I will go back but I would advise management being trained in customer service and how to smile.
JR Suarez
29.12.2023
Pen & Cob
We were in the terrace for drinks so we didnt have any food. It is a great place for drinks specially in summer.
A J
23.12.2023
Pen & Cob
I was hoping this would be an easy 5* but I’m being generous with 3.Sat down at 14:30 and left at 17:00. We all only had mains and no starters or desserts. It wasn’t busy just incredibly slow and forgetful service.The staff are lovely and sweet but painstakingly slow, forgetful and almost everything was out of stock from the drinks and food menu. I’m not talking one item or being overly picky here. It was every syrup for sodas etc. (apart from passion fruit and cherry), all bottled ciders apart from one flavour, spicy lamb burgers, no chicken breast items, no trout. You get the picture. Then the Cider was forgotten about as the alternative was selected, the water for the table was forgotten twice and each time was met with an oh yeah and then never brought unless someone went up to ask.The food took FOREVER. I hope it was just an unlucky day for us but obviously we were joking about the lack of items available and everything being forgotten but the food took a good 1.5h to reach the table. Only mains.The food was fine but nothing special. You can get this menu at an average gastropub. They tried to elevate normal food eg with a little with chorizo relish on burgers to give it a little more than Pub meal but I will stick with average gastropub for flavour and quality of food. Out of all the dishes, I will say that the beef roast was the better option. I also liked the bacon crumble on the Mac & Cheese side.Also, slight personal ick but one person ordered from the gluten free menu (fish and chips) and asked whether this was with GF batter, we were told yes and then the fish came out without batter where the same waitress said with batter wouldn’t be gluten free.Having worked front of house myself in the past, she should have checked with the kitchen if unsure when placing the order and if they said no it’s without, come back to make sure it’s okay as opposed to wait the 1.5h and then echo what the kitchen says. Not the end of the world but unprofessional in my opinion.Also, there was a booking made on Friday (3 days prior) upon hotel check in which someone forgot to put into the system so there was a whole ordeal beforehand which I wasn’t present for but might want to call to double check your booking has been put through the next day or so to avoid awkwardness.I didn’t anticipate such a long review but as I’m writing this, I think 3* is very generous. We definitely won’t be back for food, maybe a cocktail to sit outside but that’s all, perhaps with a side of Mac & Cheese.
Lauren Thompson
19.12.2023
Pen & Cob
Lucas was fantastic. He was extremely attentive and did not stop until our table were happy! Atmosphere was fab. I would recommend a Friday night at the swan :) xxx
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Map
The Embankment, Bedford MK40 1RW
Pen & Cob