please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
We last visited here a couple of years ago, a handy half way point between our home in Kent and our daughter/son-in-laws in Twickenham, and this time we met Joan and Jimmy, our son-in-laws parents. Two out of three real ales on - Doom Bar tasted like sugar water but Harveys was pretty decent. It was Sunday lunchtime and the place was half full, and I'm sure that on previous visits it was far busier. Food was OK, my roast chicken was nothing special but our guests really enjoyed their meals. For what it was, I felt it a bit on the expensive side, and lacked the atmosphere of previous visits. I must lower my previous 9/10 score though.
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When you first enter this looks like a really nice cosy country pub, cushions and comfy chairs around with Harveys and Doombar on pump. Then take a look at the menu - eek!, very upmarket and expensive food, no sandwiches or baguettes available, cheapest snack type think going was a croque madam for £9.50, most main meals around £16.
I think this pub is very nice for a few pints or an expensive meal but there's nothing in between.
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More food in the afternoon rather than beer in the evening I'm afraid, though the doombar was very good. However Sunday lunch of roast lamb and roast beef at £16 a go wasn't. Lamb was all fat and sent back. Beef was so tough I struggled through half of it, some of it I couldn't even cut. Potatoes hard yorkshire soft. Waitress said she would tell the chef and returned to inform me that he says that cut of beef has a good flavour but this means it's not tender like some cuts.... no apology or offer to make amends. Maybe he thinks I'm just trying to get a discount or a freebee dessert- I would much prefer to be able to eat my overpriced meal and enjoy it! At £16 this meal was just not good enough, I really despair of some of the food offered in this area, no wonder people go out of business, this pub was barely half full on a Sunday lunchtime. I also tell the barman of my woes when I pay- he says he'll " have a word" then charges me 40 quid!
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Really comfortable/relaxing feel to this place if you like bohemian cushions and dream catchers. Good food is the focus with very pleasant garden at the back.
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The pub stands up well by comparison to almost all of the country dining pubs that I use regularly throughout Sussex and the Home Counties, frequently blessed with several places that would give many London restaurants a good run for their money. The Hare & Hounds beats most of these hands down.
The current chef and his wife took the premises over some 2 years ago and their influence has been clear from the transformation of the menu from good to something that in my opinion has become uniformly excellent.
Chef Eric has a sound background in clever culinary skills that are highlighted by carefully-prepared, but deceptively simple sauces that compliment a range of changing seasonal dishes, most of which use fresh local ingredients. A two course fixed price menu compliments these and they�re all supported by simple pub classic and salads. This results in a fairly-priced menu where few would find it difficult to choose something appetising. I�ve yet to try anything that failed to live up to its promise and the owners and their helpful, friendly staff are always happy to help anyone torn between several choices.
The pub currently has on tap well-kept Greene King IPA and Harvey�s Best Bitter from Lewes, as well as a range of other lagers, ciders and stouts. There�s a sensible wine list with examples from both new and old world sources, with a number of choices of good wine by the glass at reasonable prices.
There�s plenty of seating space, where there�s a range of eclectic furnishings and sofas as well as more conventional tables and chairs both around the bar area and in the surrounding rooms. Outside space includes a south-facing decking area along the front of the building, with more space behind where shaded decking and trestle tables offer further seating options. Additional outside dining is planned for the future.
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Stopped in after a mornings fishing on a rather drab Tuesday lunch. Loved it! Good beer, friendly staff, interesting decor. The place got really busy with a lot of food being sold (don't know if it's always so). Will go out of my way to drink here!
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Second time visiting for lunch today, we came on my birthday last month too. Food absolutely delicious, my roasted ribe eye was superb and his braised lamb also wonderful. Only pub I know nearby that I can get a Crabbie's in. Decor is certainly eclectic, but I love it and the relaxed, friendly atmosphere.
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Degoider is right about the salt content! And yes, the food can be pricey. It's good for a nice treat, though. It can take a long while to get served, despite it being quite small.
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My partner & I visited this establishment on Saturday night. On the good side, the welcome was warm and the decor rather wonderful and quirky. The menu was intricate but over fussy, leaving nothing at all for those with a simpler palate, children for instance or those just wanting something basic. I appreciate some of the dishes were adventurous and imaginative and the management should be applauded for attempting such things, but should not forget customers who may not enjoy it. The place was busy and service was ok, although the young lad we had did nothing at all when we complained other than shrug his shoulders and say 'it was manic in the kitchen'. Paying around �8 for a starter and �15- �20 for a main is on the high side, especially for a pub, so I expected more. (Not to mention �3.50 for a takeaway loaf of the admittedly delicious bread) My course, which was slow roasted flame grilled beef over mediterraean veg and olive tapenade would have been superb had someone very heavy handed got to it with the coarse sea salt, leaving it incredibly salty- the same treatment was meted out to the peas, ham and chips in my partner's food. Also, the beef was pretty tough. We may have just picked an off night but we won't go back, there are far better places out there.
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Brilliant pub. Nice laid back casual style. Very good roast dinner and decent London pride. Courteous staff. Really really good.
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Have visited the Hare & Hounds a couple of times over the last month on weekday evenings for a pint and a meal. Hugely impressed. Nice size (not to large), good relaxed style and helpful staff. The layout is such that you would be comfortable either just stopping for a beer or for a relaxed meal. A mixture of regular customers and visitors. All were made welcome. The beer was well-kept (Greene King IPA and London Pride). Really good food; the menu was short with one special of the day on a small blackboard. Had the special of the day both times: the first time was steak and the second was venison and bacon pie. The steak was straightforward with good quality meat and the flavour of the pie was to die for. Helpings are substantial.
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Second visit, better than first, The Landlord was out. Previous writers (staff perhaps) say its the best food in surrey.
It certainly is not
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Fantastic pub. Friendly bar staff, excellent service, excellent food, wonderful evening. Will come again.
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Visited the Hare & Hounds for lunch during a 15 mile walk on Good Friday. Yes the outside is not promising, but this place has gone straight into our top ten! The decor is disparate & eclectic, but it works! The staff are young, efficient & really friendly, we were made to feel welcome as if we were locals, even friends! The beer is well kept (London Pride & Abbot I can vouch for) and the food was sensational - imaginative, well presented and good value. Well worth a visit but save a table for us!
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A lovely pub with funky bohemian decor which is completely unexpected from the outside.
Made even better by the friendly staff, chilled lighting, open fires and excellent food.
Testers given out freely on Saturday evenings !!
Highly recommended for both a relaxing drink and some yummy food.
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very good pub with an eclectic and homely decor, and while it does very good food it is also a drinkers place. best food in surrey? no way, surrey's a big place but done with care and that's always appreciated. puddings are outstanding.
perfect to take the other half to.
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Sorry Guys - but ignore those other comments, this is a fantastic pub! Wonderful friendly staff, GREAT beer (and a good range!) and the best food in Surrey. It is not possible to rate it highly enough. If you are looking for a really good night out, and a great meal just go! Remember to book a table first though, it is packed every night.
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5pm BH Monday? Just about when the Edenbridge & Oxted Show starts kicking out - it's a big deal locally!
David - 10 Sep 2004 17:13 |
Punch Taverns (was Pubmaster). Scruffy looking pub on a scrubby stretch of road. Not quite clear why this pub was so busy at 5pm on a Bank Holiday Monday. Interior decor completely random, could do with a spring clean. Poor beer range - GK IPA etc
Nick - 31 Aug 2004 13:09 |
