please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
As noted, predominantly a restaurant that serves a few ales in a smart pub building. The London Pride was fairly average but the Surrey Hills Ranmore Ale was fresh and delightful. The cooking is highly competent without being especially innovative. Some solid standards clearly being set around service and comfort. A visit for food would be unlikely to disappoint and the chances are you would get a pint or two of decent ale to go with it.
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Now called The Inn on the Green/The Grumpy Mole and has completely changed from the original pub no doubt at great expense. It is now an out and out Gastro-Pub with a small seating area in front of the bar. The menu looked varied and attractive. Staff were friendly and on the ball. Gives every indication of being a fairly up-market venue for a decent evening meal (at a price). Can't give a pub rating because it is essentially a restaurant.
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I really don't understand the criticisms levelled by the last reviewer. Yes, it's much more a foody pub than a beer'n'cider pub, but I found both food and service to be truly excellent. Maybe they had staff off ill or something, I don't know, but it certainly does not sound like the same establishment I visited.
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some curry houses serve beer on tap, does that make them a pub?
It's not a pub, its a restaurant who has some beer on. What it is good for is having a glass of wine outside. In fact the wine list is very good and reasonable. The black sheep is also very good but there is nowhere to have a drink inside, all of the tables are for eating. There is a small bar but not really for drinking, you're forever dodging or moving for the waitresses.
However, I have no idea why this place is so popular. I have been twice, once the service was good and the second time it was shocking. Took 10-15 mins for someone to even take our drinks order, then another 10 mins to get a bottle of wine. It wasn't even that busy, there were spare tables. Our waitress apologised for the wait by saying "sorry we're busy". This this really wound me up - they either took on too many bookings for the staff or should have not accepted turn up at the door bookings. Why should the customer suffer for their ineptitude to get enough staff?
On to the food; it's ok but certainly not worth the money. my steak and kidney pudding had two small pieces of kidney in it, the venison wellington had soggy pastry and overall average.
I like the decor and the ambience is good. However, you need a stepladder to see over the menus. They are just ridiculous, especially on the small tables.
no rating as it isnt a pub.
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As stated below now the Inn On The Green. Pride and Black Sheep Bitter (�3.50), decent condition. A food pub emphasising its wines. Family friendly
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As for the 'smart casual' dress code, I turned up wearing an M&S pinstripe shirt, a pink M&S sweater, some battered old jeans and a pair of equally battered builders' boots. No-one batted an eye-lid. As long as you don't tramp mud all over the place, I'm sure walkers would be welcome.
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More of a food pub than a beer pub, but not at all an overpriced pretentious gastropub and the beer wasn't bad at all. Also, a decent selection of ciders and liquors - it's not just Bell's/Teacher's blend whisky and Strongbow sweetened cider, they had about 4 ciders on and three different single malts as well as the usual blended rubbish the English drink...
Went here a couple of weeks back for dinner - it was a late decision, we arrived late and were told we were very lucky they could accomodate us, due to a cancellation. I cannot say definitively whether this was true or not: what certainly was true was that there was only one vacant table in the whole place when we arrived, so it seemed believable. If it was just spiel, it was good spiel given how believable it was! The incredibly full dining room spoke volumes.
The food was absolutely excellent. The menu offered a wide variety of choices (all four of us had a real job choosing what to go for) - everything sounded mouth-watering. When we did get our food, it was highly enjoyable. My only criticism was that my turkey'n'ham pie was one of these topcrust jobs rather than a 'proper' pie.
Service was attentive but never obtrusive. Food took a while to arrive but they were incredibly busy and everything is prepared fresh, no pre-prepared frozen veg or any of that crap.
The building lacks atmosphere to a certain extent - it's not the most characterful building and the decor is a little modern for my tastes, but is certainly pleasant.
There was a bit of quiet piped muzak at one point (James Blunt, anyone?) which irritated a little if one didn't talk over it, but this was soon switched off, without me asking for it to be so (as I sometimes do ask in other establishments).
All the staff were very friendly, approachable and seemed to know what they were doing. I understand that the proprietors are not from the licensed trade, but set up in the recession (redundancy?) and tried to create the kind of pub they liked. The only slip-up was that the young lad who handled the bill for us didn't think to add on a tip and we didn't have any cash on us. He actually seemed surprised that we were going to tip him - which was odd, as his tip was thoroughly deserved. Will tip double next time! The cost of the evening was not low, but the prices were far from astronomical and seemed like conspicuously good value for money.
Now, numbers. I've picked various little holes in the overall package, but somehow to give this place a mere 9 seems churlish. Thanks to all at the Inn on the Green for a thoroughly enjoyable and memorable evening. 10/10.
Incidentally, car-parking is not a problem. There is some parking on the street outside and also a car park down the side of the pub which will hold (in my estimation) over 40 cars. Would suit a classic car gathering or whatever.
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We live locally too, and it's good to have a good option in Brockham. A drinkers' pub down the road, and this one for very good food or just for a glass or two of wine. Atmosphere and people great, and good to sit outside too in the summer. A great eating pub - has saved us taking too many trips away from the village for good food - but also good atmosphere to call in for a lunchtime or early evening drink..
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I live locally and have eaten at the Inn, three times; for lunch (once) and for dinner. Food quality was high, and varied - with an efficient and friendly service.
With the new beer garden and car park, this newly refurbished pub/restaurant is one of the best in the area - as evidenced by the large number of customers. Beer was good and now Brockham has fine pubs, at last.
Both have high standards are are totally different. The Dukes Head had had its day!
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Blah, may as well be on the moon. It has no impact locally.
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The Dukes Head no longer exists; the building now trades as a fine pub and restaurant called the 'Inn on the Green' - where food, beer and service are excellent. A major improvement on the old Duke which, essentially, died.
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Country pub? More like a middle-aged swingers bar!
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Not the Dukes Head any more but a fabulous country pub serving great food Go - it is lovely!
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I hope I'm wrong but - tables all set with wine gasses and a 'smart casual' dress code. This doesn't sound much like a pub for lunches on walks any longer.
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Yes, you can still drink at this pub, but it's more sitting down at the few tables in the bar than standing at the bar. We have been back here since largely abandoning the Duke some time back, and now visit several times a week, sometimes for food, sometimes for drink. More of a restaurant now, but food excellent, staff and service excellent, atmosphere excellent. Now gives choice between a real pub pub (Royal Oak) and gastropub/restaurant on the Green, so you choose what you want when you want it. Very welcome.
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Pubs,bars,drinking... xx
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If they provide beer, why not?
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Are restaurants allowed on this site?
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good point vic.
is there now something wrong with a pub that does food? the duke always did!
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Perhaps alan (last poster) might wait for the place to open before passing judgement - by looking in the window of an empty/closed pub?
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This place is being re-branded as the "Inn on the green" with the "Grumpy mole" restaurant, opening 9th Nov I think.
Walked through Brockham yesterday and took the opportunity to peer in through the windows. The place has been turned into another gastro-nightmare place. One more country pub gone for good.
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Closed - for major refurbishment.
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I was in a party of 10 last night at The Dukes Head where we each individually paid for our meals when we ordered them at the bar. As we were about to leave a chap suddenly appeared saying that one meal hadn't been paid for and that he wouldn't let us leave until we'd paid for it. With that he ran outside and blocked the exit from the car park with his vehicle. There was no way we hadn't paid and must have been a mistake on their part. When someone told him his customer relation skills left a lot to be desired and that we'd call the police, he reluctantly moved his car. Definitely won't be going there again, a pity because the food was good.
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This has become our local since moving into the area and can heartily recommend it (found it a bit friendlier than the other village pub). Does a good pint of London Pride and has suprisingly inventive & decent food for the area which is well worth trying .
Can be a bit quiet but staff are always friendly.
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Great location, friendly staff who always make you feel welcome. Food portions are huge and great value for money (Fabulous burgers!). Will definitley go back.
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Myself and 2 companions ordered a Green Thai Curry which was supposed to be of medium strength. When the food arrived it was unbearably hot and quite inedible. When we pointed this out to the waitress our comments were treated with disbelief and a very unhelpful attitude. When we asked for a meal change this was denied quoting "company policy" and the situation was left unresolved. The lack of customer service and a belligerent attitude made for a truly unenjoyable evening. Would not return.
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Reasonably pleasant village pub facing the green. Comfortable raised seating area with leather sofas to the right of the bar, and an area with tables seemingly for dining to the left. The bar area itself has a couple of tables and a few bar stools. There is a garden plus gazebo to the rear and a scattering of the usual bench tables to the front overlooking the village green.
London Pride and Adnams Bitter, the guest was Joseph Holt's 1849, a Manchester brew. I've not encountered 1849 before, being a Mancunian myself I always liked Holt's Bitter. I found it rather dull, a dark beer at 4.5%, drinkable but not at its peak I suspect, rather lifeless. I doubt the pub has the through trade at this time of year for more unusual guests perhaps?
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Lovely location on Brockham village green. Nice pint of London pride, they also had Speckled hen on. Food was very good and came in large portions.
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Chris has gone and the chef has taken over (Robin) decent guy hopefully get it a bit busier as it only really happens on a friday night or when the sun shines
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I am a disabled, wheelchair-dependent bloke and I was a member of a mixed group of twenty people, we ate a very nicely cooked, well served and very filling meal which was very reasonably priced.
This pub has a large, but rather muddy car park with a good ramped access into the back of the bar. They do have a disabled toilet with grab rails, etc.
The staff were very friendly and helpful. I will probably go back there again.
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Ate there and ordered a bacon & brie panini. When it eventually arrived there was no bacon in it. I told the barmaid, but by the time we realised we had eaten nearly half of it. We were then told that as we had eaten half of it we couldn't have a refund, and neither were we offered a replacement (it actually sounded as though they simply didn't have any bacon). The manager's view was that clearly it was our fault for a) not spotting it immediately, and b) because his kitchen have apparently been making the mistake of serving brie and bacon paninis without any bacon in them on a number of occassions. The entire way we were dealt with by the barmaid and the manager was rude and agressive with no appology whatsoever.
The building itself is nice, its just a shame it was spoiled by the bad attitude towards customers.
anonymous - 27 Dec 2006 18:11 |
Could be anywhere really. Have a quick one so you can say you've been then retire to the Oak.
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The Duke's Head is OK, nothing special but it does have a nice view and nice garden. Sadly it closes and sells over priced canned lager on Bonfire Night. They don't do that in Lewis which is a much better villiage than Brockham as their pubs stay open for the public on Bonfire night!
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