Charlene Kitchener

Google review

Heidi's has been on my bucket list for a while, and after seeing the hype on social media, I was left feeling underwhelmed. Aesthetically, it is a beautiful venue, smaller than I expected. We were early for our booking, and they kindly let us stand inside out of the cold. Tables were promptly cleared, and we were seated. The table was pretty, although they were two different sizes, which was odd for a table of 5 and my fork was dirty. Our drinks order was taken in good time. There were only 2 members of staff, one taking orders and one making drinks. One of our group order a hot chocolate without marshmallows as she is vegetarian, and it arrived with marshmallows. We sent it back, and the server said that she couldn't read her colleagues' writing and double-checked our drinks order. Drinks took a while to come as one server was making drinks for the 12 customers currently in the venue. Afternoon tea arrived promptly and was beautifully presented. We had normal, vegetarian, and gluten-free. The gluten-free sandwiches were lovely with great variety. The scone was the best I have had at an afternoon tea, great size and warm. The cakes and sweet treats were underwhelming. Flapjacks have no place on an afternoon tea, especially two different varieties. They were bland and boring. The chocolate cake was OK, and the cheesecake was flavourless. I ordered a brownie from the case to make up for it and asked for it to be warmed up. One half was slightly warm whilst the other was cold. It was too big for how sweet it was and needed something to offset the sweetness. The pudding options need elevating for such a nice event. Our booking was for 4-6 at around 5ish. The staff began to clear around us, moving tables and sweeping as they had an event. Although I do not think it was the staffs intention, we did feel like we were in the way, even though we still had time on our booking. At around half 5, we felt it was time to leave, and tha5 we couldn't relax and enjoy ourselves with so much going on around us in a small space. I would suggest if you have an event at 6 that you close afternoon tea at 5.30 so that you have an empty space to get ready. It did not make us feel valued whilst we were there. Doing this could ensure that customers are not made to feel like they are in the way. I do think if we had attended earlier in the day, then our experience would have been different, but that shouldn't be the case at any venue.

Pauline Goldie

Google review

So good I wanted to bring the place home with me! We absolutely loved our lunch here today! My partner got to enjoy his first bagel in years due to his gluten intolerance and vegan alternatives were so easily available. A lovely place to visit with your kids too. Not just because the food is so good, but because all our favourite characters are dotted about the place! My daughter Robin loved having Paddington Bear join her for lunch (she’d have taken him home too given the chance!) Definitely going to be our go to spot whenever we’re near Wickford!

Joanna Bray

Google review

Had a wonderful meal at the hawk! We go yearly as it's a special treat. The entertainment really made it lovely. Staff are great, venue is clean and well looked after. Only issue I could find is the lights were quite low so not only the waitress but I also bumped my head on them. They must have been designed to be low over a table and the tables have been changed I assume? We preferred to be where we could hear the entertainment, so our waitress was kind enough to give us a table in the area next to the entertainment and we really enjoyed ourselves. We usually find desert to be too much, however we loved the option of small desert and warm drink, the desert I think is still sizable on this option too! The entertainment kept us there to drink more and have more than we would usually do so it's very worthwhile 🙂 looking forward to our next visit. Thank you! (Also to add - there's no specific dietary catering although they do offer to work to make a specific meal) I would probably visit once a month as this is local to me and food quality is good if we can be more strongly assured about lactose and gluten free as I visit restaurants regularly with someone who requires the dietary restrictions.

Jacqueline McGeorge

Google review

My Sister has to have Gluten free there was plenty of choose

Raymond Jackson

Google review

It is not Just a Cafe. Have been several times and they know about Gluten Free requirements. I'll be back.