BITE user comments - grumpster
Comments by grumpster
We visited the lovely Dolphin recently to be greeted by what can only be described as a rural disneyland...bouncy castles..a dog show..loud music and screaming children! What has happened to the nice country pub frequented by interesting (if somewhat off the card) locals and good cheer (and the occasional joke)? Has it been taken over by Weatherspoon/Chessington?! Never the less, the beer as hoped for was good but the lack of proper village feel was sad. We were considering ordering food but the fact that the fiasco outside limited this to BBQ or an obviously frozen menu was pointless, plus a ever so stressed person behind the bar (presumeably with no prior experience of working..anywhere) made it clear that we should wander off and find somewhere else. And we did...and will until this pub returns to its proper roots. Shame, managers never get it right do they?
30 Aug 2013 19:20
Yup tradervic looks like someone has been removing all of the previous comments...oh dear free speech would appear not to be everyones taste..pointless website then. what extraordinary sensitivity...but still a good pub whatever goes on.
18 May 2012 12:20
Just like to say that there are no 'agency' staff at the Dolphin...sorry to disappoint those reviewers. All of the staff are local and have been trying to do a good job under difficult circumstances for a considerable time! Perhaps if Youngs didnt put incapable managers in charge of a charming local and immensly popular pub then there wouldnt be so many issues. Thankfully at the moment the air is clear, the front bar behaving and the pub is back to it's self again, mainly due to the hard working, responsible chaps working there. Lets hope that the next management people Youngs find whoever they may be will take it seriously and run the pub as it should be. but for now doing a good job Anna!
24 Jan 2012 11:27
Yup...it would seem that the pub is closed for refurbishment, lets hope sincerely that the brewery dont completely ruin this pub, it isnt the Chequers! Also sincerely hope that someone with half a brain from Youngs will read this site and take notice of what everyone is saying and change the management before it re opens. Can you imagine a newly tarted up Dolphin (shiny radiators et all..) and the same old drunken chananigans and duff food as before? Might as well throw the refurb money in the river! Come on Youngs get with it! We all want to enjoy going back to this pub..get it sorted!.
18 Nov 2010 13:26
Kinda surprised that the other night in the Dolphin was akin to a Wild West Quentin Tarantino-esque bar scene...the only problem was that the ultimate fall-guy joker with the dog didn't get shot...it continues to amaze me and other punters how the bar staff and the management (!?) still tolerate such unbelievably bad behaviour. What is it with Youngs that makes them think that this pub can continue to run under its current management and get away with it? Surely such a lovely country pub should be the bastion of civilised people enjoying a combination of good beer, good food (!?) and good company. I have also noticed that the price of drinks seems to be completely out of kilter with other local establishments to the tune of at least 20%. Shame.
11 Apr 2010 21:52
pooying, how refreshing, you have saved me a blood rushing rant about other peoples children! This is indeed a great place to have a quiet meal, do the crosswordd and generally enjoy a well kept, well run, CLEAN pub. Top marks David and Rebecca, we will always come back.
10 Mar 2010 18:37
I just love this place, utterly brilliant food and good service. The right place to be for a plate of duck confit and mash. Will keep coming back to expand my waistline. Well done for getting it so right!
10 Mar 2010 18:33
Well shame about people moaning about the "unfriendly "pub, I always get a great welcome and have been most amused by the locals. I cant understand the comment about children and their parents being upset. Quite frankly pubs should be pubs and not places for tiresome children, I for one am not remotely interested in having to put up with unruly and annoying brats when I go out in the evening, thats why pubs are (and should be) a sanctuary. If you want to take your children to a drinking establishment then accept that they serve alcohol and adults are there to relax not babysit and have to be nice to other peoples alter egos. Why not just go to pizzaland or some such child friendly venue. Humbug!
10 Mar 2010 18:26
Love the dolphin, always someone to talk to, bigot or not, always a laugh, good beer, wildly expensive, just a real shame that the brewery dont seem to have a clue about getting the right people to run the place, the last few years have seen some frightful types attempting to take control, currently run by a reasonable couple one half of which spends too much time on the wrong side of the bar, not a good look, i thought the getting drunk part was for the customers. Shame.
19 Feb 2010 12:18
Plough at Blackbrook, Blackbrook
home from home, I love this pub, fond memories, Robin is excellent, just fed up enough to be marvellously witty and sharp, beer is good, wine list always amusing, pretty garden, good food and dog welcome in public bar, long live the Plough!
9 Aug 2006 14:21
We like going here, cozy in the winter and Cedrics vinyl night rocks, great in the summer for eating outside watching all those squeaky townies doing the country thing, jolly host, ridiculous no smoking in the only room with a fireplace but who cares, we can sit outside and watch the horse on the hill.
9 Aug 2006 14:16
We love you! Fantastic seasonal food, great staff, lovely atmosphere, great wine (daft glasses), and my dog is welcome. Perfect. Long live Sunday lunches.
9 Aug 2006 14:12
This is my spiritual home...what can be better than a a bottle of one of Marcos best and a bowl of pasta with butter and sage..doesnt matter ifthe bill allwyas comes to �45.00!..Its heaven..and I can smell Francos aftershave for a week after...lovely...please stay there forever...and may I drink all of those joke estate agents under the bar every night of the week!
20 Aug 2005 12:29
Top pub...have had many a 'I'll leave the measure up to you'..evenings...flaming sambuka and talking complete cobblers...marvellous..
20 Aug 2005 12:22
It is �5 for a glass of wine...what nonsense..and standing room only..not good.
25 May 2005 16:59
Great place! I go there nearly every Sunday as you can sit outside and watch the world go by...confuse the (very patient) Landlord by moving your table and bar tab! Food is sometimes a bit hit and miss but always a relaxing place to be. Cheap ish wine and decent puddings..top stuff!
25 May 2005 16:15
The Dolphin, Betchworth
What has happened to this pub...rude bar staff...humourless landlady.. indifferent food and loss of the good atmosphere it used to have..it would appear that the good food at the nearby Red Lion is worthy of a visit and the proper pub feel is to be found at the Seven Stars also nearby...no wonder the locals are leaving in droves..
8 Mar 2014 12:47