We have been to the Herne many times and have never had a problem. The food is great and to be honest we have never had cause to complain about the service. It is one of the few pubs/eating places where you can take a well behaved dog, which we do. We take our schnauzer. By the way - if anyone wants really excellent local italian food try Le Querce in Brockley rise - i know it is outside of ED but it really is worth the short extra trek.