The Mill Arms, Dunbridge

I have visited the Mill Arms before about 2 years ago with some friends and we had a brilliant time! The atmosphere was warm, welcoming and buzzing, and the staff were very friendly and chatty. The pub was full of locals, and staff that had obviously been working earlier in the day, who were very sociable with us and I have to admit we ended up missing the train home because we were having great fun chatting and drinking with them! We could have quite happily stayed there all night!

I randomly decided to go there again to check out how it had changed with my family in late November 2006, but was however disappointed to see that it had taken over new ownership, although it had needed a lick of paint. There wasn't so much of a warm "country pub" atmosphere anymore - it kind of seemed like it was trying too much to be posh which of course it can't be, being a country pub! And on striking up conversation with one of the waitresses, they were promptly shifted on by I assume the manageress, for chatting too much.
The staff however were still very friendly and great at their jobs, being well attentive and smiley.
The food has got quite a bit better aswell, although the portion sizes are a bit on the small side and meals more expensive than you would expect, especially compared to when I came before. Maybe trying to be a little too 'un-pubby' and more of a restaurant? However, we did still enjoy our meal, but it just didn't push our right buttons.

15 Jan 2007 00:36