Wheatsheaf, Crowborough

This pub has a good feel: the layout is interesting, the decor authentic, it's a nice looking pub from the outside too. Endearingly, it's quite isolated and off the beaten track. The food was good enough and promptly served, but as the last reviewer described, nothing to write home about. Is it just me or are Crowborough pubs - or Crowborough itself - uninspiring? I might be mistaken on this last point: there are positives about this pub, and I'm looking forward to a return visit this summer, particularly as the outside space looks good.

1 Jun 2010 09:27

The Foresters Arms, Fairwarp

It's an attractive pub, in front of a charming village green, and pleasantly off the beaten track. But it's quite plain inside and slightly devoid of character. The bar staff are friendly, but struggled a bit during busy periods. The food is average, although the menu seemed to promise more. Lovely spot for a beer on a summer's day out the front (and probably the back too); good selection of beers. But on the whole slightly disappointing, sorry to say.

1 Jun 2010 09:21

The Question, Forest Hill

Everything about this place is odd: the decor, the clientele, the colour scheme, the ambience, even the name. The concept of pizza, quizzes, DJs, bands is not unusual or unreasonable, but here it's all a bit desperate. I can't work out what kind of person would make this their bar of choice. Avoid.

12 May 2010 22:27

The Six Bells, Chiddingly

Oh joy! What a lovely pub. It's everything that's great about British pubs. It looks great from outside - it's a characterful village pub. The food is above average, and the beer varied. The clientele is lively and in good humour; the staff are friendly and efficient. Interesting and varied layout of rooms. Band playing out the back. Reasonable prices. It doesn't get much better than this - I love this place.

4 May 2010 09:15

The Dartmouth Arms, Forest Hill

This pub is pretty cool. In an understated way. The decor is in the well-established 'reclaimed old pub' style, with stripped floors and trendy wallpaper, but it does it well and calmly suits the three areas, plus small outside space. In an area where culinary standards are low, and virtually no alternatives for decent eating and drinking exist, this pub would not need to try very hard to be considered above average. However there's something a bit special happening in the kitchen and the food offer, whilst not cheap, is definitely above average. This makes the pub more gastro than boozer. Friendly young staff, mixed, friendly local clientele, this pub is often busy, but never loud and crowded. The location is poor - you'll seldom hear 'yes we're out in Forest Hill tonight', but all the ingredients are here for having a nice time. It's pleasantly 'what-you-make-of-it': you can take your mother-in-law here for lunch, or have a hot date, or meet your mates, or bring small children. Not sure if the ambience has been masterminded or it's by accident, but either way it works. All things considered, this pub is not so very far off a high score. It deserves to do well, and warrants a 7 to 8 rating.

7 Apr 2010 08:49

The Coastguard Inn, St Margarets Bay

Well, let's put paid to that particular food conversation: on my visit recently there was a thoughtful and impressive selection of meals, including several for the veggies: Kentish Cauliflower, Leek and Mushroom Crumble; or Middle Eastern Warm Vegetable Salad; or soup, or other salads. So, no problems there. Otherwise, whilst it's true that the pub doesn't score highly for appearance, both inside and out, the brilliant location more than makes up for that. The staff are extremely attentive and work really hard - some of them were even to be seen running around with orders! Pubs which can corner the market by virtue of being the only pub or venue at a particular resort don't need to try very hard, and indeed usually don't. But this one does and deserves credit for that, so a decent rating is deserved.

6 Apr 2010 09:33