Passing Thyme - Rochford

Called in checking on reduced Christmas decorations but the restaurant seduced us and we entered for a quick coffee. However after checking the menu we decided to eat. The soup, ceasar salad were both very nice however the cod and chips stole the show, lovely! We had quite a wait but it was well worthwhile. Glad we called in, not cheap but a fair price and very nice. Service was also worth a mention, two very pleasant ladies and a chef who appeared to be coping well although on his own. We will return

I made reservations for Breakfast with Santa at Passing Tyme Restaurant in September. My husband and I brought our daughter, her husband, and my 15-month-old grandson. The entire experience was wonderful! The servers, both girls and ladies, were outstanding and the full English breakfast we were served was delicious. We had a choice of tea, coffee, and fresh juices as well. When Santa arrived, my grandson was initially hesitant as he was not used to meeting Santa. However, Santa quickly picked up on this and gave him some space before coming back later, making the encounter not pushy or scary at all. The gifts that all the children received that morning were fantastic and clearly well-thought-out. They were suitable for each child's age and definitely not cheap junk. In fact, all the children seemed very impressed with their presents! We will definitely be booking again for next year. Thank you Passing Tyme for a lovely experience!

We had a fab breakfast this morning, both of us had the full English, it was lovely. The bubble and squeak was gorgeous, as were the sausages. A really good filling start to the day, and good value. All washed down with a pot of tea each. The garden centre is also worth a trip, theres a great choice if garden furniture and the people working there couldn't be more helpful and friendly. We brought a lovely corner suite that was great value, and free delivery on some items. Just need a great summer now to enjoy it ! We will definately be back, they got great gift ideas and we didn't even start on the plant section. Thanks, Steph Tony

We go here quite regularly as the food, drink and service are always excellent. Today was very busy. However, a member of staff quickly took our order and apologised for a longer wait than usual. We had the cod and chips and tea. It is always excellent! The plate arrives with a large battered cod fillet, freshly cooked chips, salad and a pot of tartar sauce. Also you can ask for the lovely Wilkinson Tomato sauce. Overall a lovely meal!

We were surprised to find that there was no menu specifically for children, and when we asked our server about it, we were told that they only offer smaller portions. The server was unfriendly and showed no interest in taking our order. The food itself was basic cafe fare, with wilted salad and frozen chips as a garnish. It was clear that little effort was put into preparing the dishes. To top it off, my black filter coffee was served lukewarm and tasteless. When I mentioned this to a staff member, I was given another lukewarm and tasteless cup. Overall, we were very disappointed with our dining experience and are unlikely to return.