Plough, Cock Marlingback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
This could be a Great Pub. It has a great location, fantastic views a nice atmospheric interior, an accessible car park, young friendly staff and great local beers.
But the food, based upon our experience at lunch yesterday, sorely needs improvement.
The Sunday Roast at �12.95 (Beef or Lamb) came disconcertingly quickly each plate contained some slices of meat a couple of badly cooked vegetables ( carrots, parsnips, potatoes) and something resembling a sort of flat Yorkshire Pudding, a kind of outline or template for the 3d version that should have been in its place.
The contents of each plate had then been smothered with a black salty tar like substance - Gravy - that made rendered everything it touched inedible.
Should have sent it back and left there and then but as I was out with my elderly parents didnt want to stress them out.
Really unpleasant culinary experience and the final bill for 4 adults and a kid with ice cream for afters a whoppingly over the top �83.00 !
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Called in here recently, it was quiet but was impressed with the pub and the attractive wee garden outside, offering fine views across the Brede levels. Only tried one ber (Harveys Hadlow) but it was well-kept, actually I thougth in better condition than what i had in the two (good) pubs in Icklesham on the same day.
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Hello. My name's Richard and I am a part time barman at The Plough, and I thought I would quickly answer a couple of negative comments about the pub.
First and foremost, Dick the Landlord has been extremely ill on and off for the last few years, so you might have had to forgive him the occasional off-moment. Dick tends not to do so much front of house work these days as his health often won't allow it, but deep down he is rumoured to have a heart of gold...! Nice to hear that Robert The Rambler would go back in spite of his slightly unsavoury greeting from the �older chap with a beard, (I think Father of the landlady)� � that would be Dick!
I am surprised and disappointed by arrabellalupin's comments though. Yes, the tables are all in the bar, as this is a pub, not a restaurant. There is a quieter area to one end near one of the two woodburners, should you choose to be a bit further from the bar.
As for the menu, it is unfortunate that you visited the pub only days before a new website was launched, complete with an up-to-date menu. As such, I am sorry you were disappointed that the menu on the website did not match the actual menu on the night. I am afraid we don't have individual menus but instead the menu is written clearly on a blackboard for all to see. I've worked at The Plough for three years now and not once has anyone been unable to read what is "scrawled" on the board.
The food is ALL fresh, and cooked to order, as it always has been (there isn't even a microwave in the kitchen) so it is perhaps a bit more expensive than other pubs in the area. It is definitely not "drastically overpriced", and there are several items on the menu priced at well under �10.00. Similarly, none of the bottles of wine on offer are "inferior", indeed I think you would struggle to find any wine for under �12.00 in a pub or restaurant today so in reality �13.95 for a decent South African Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot or a good Rioja Crianza 2007 (the two house reds) is excessive.
I have not rated the pub because I work here, but I also drink and eat here regularly as a customer and have yet to be disappointed. My favourite � the 12oz ribeye steak washed down with a pint of Harveys Best. Try it. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
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Having looked at the web site, 4 of us decided to go to The Plough for supper. When we arrived, we were gestured quite rudely to a table, (all the tables appear to be in the bar) and then told "before you go over there, all the foods are on the board, go and see what you want." There was no menu as such, so we were forced to stand over the only other couple there, trying to read from a scrawled blackboard. The menu and especially the prices bore no resemblance to the web site at all, and many of the items on the board were unavailable anyway. The food, when it finally arrived was acceptable but drastically overpriced, as was the wine. There was no wine list, so we asked for the house red and were charged �13.95 for an inferior bottle.
We will certainly never go there again, and have only given the pub a rating as high as 3 because the young man who served us was obviously doing his best to salvage our evening. We left just after 9pm and the pub was quite empty - no surprise there.
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When I and a rambling friend arrived hot and sticky (but not in any way dishevelled or rough in appearance) after a good 5 mile walk in 28 degree heat to meet 3 others already there, there was no one behind the bar for 10 minutes or so and I was rather disconcerted when an older chap with a beard, (I think Father of the landlady) finally arrived to serve us.
Reason being was that he arrived at the same time as two locals appeared from the garden and proceeded to ignore me and serve them first without asking who WAS first, a small point but when you are rather needy of refreshment, one that is rather poingnant.
I was then asked "Yes? What do YOU want?"
This was NOT a very welcoming start!
I bit my tongue and ordered 2 pints of (Wadsworth) Henry's IPA at �2.70 a pint (not bad these days) Please!
Other beers on hand pump were Harvey's and Ringwood Brewery's 49'er ( I ssume after the alcohol content of 4.9%)
During our brief visit I sampled all and they seemed well kept.
The only reason I gave this pub 7 out of 10 was that the pub was clean and pleasant and the food although expensive was ample in quantity, restaurant quality and mostly excellent.
We WERE rather pushed to order by the chap with the beard, he told us that a party of 10 was due and that it would take a while to serve them (Goodness I thought, we had better order, if they are locals they will get served before US anyway if they get within a 100 yards of the place)
So to the food.............
Two of us had Wild Boar Sausages (3 off and lovely tasty spicy and a wonderful light texture they were too) mash, swede and lovey thick gravy for �10.50 a portion.
One of our company had Soft Cod's Roe's on toast (this was normally a starter but friend had a double portion for around �13.00)
he liked them well enough but they were not not MY cup of tea, I tried a piece, (they were small pieces in batter) and thought they were very soft and tender but also very rich and rather too much for me)
Another friend had Sea Bass Fillets for �13.95 with roast potatoes, and spinach which went down well enough and another had a Ham Ploughmans at �6.50, this was lovely home cooked Ham, Salad and Branston pickle but my friend said the bread was rather stale and thought that perhaps it had been reheated to try to disguise this.
Sevice was not snappy but then I think everything was cooked to order from fresh so fair enough.
All in all we were fairly satisfied, it is very difficult to earn a living from a small country pub in the middle of no-where without "going gastro"
The Plough is trying hard, I have had far worse fare (although not I would say at a HIGHER price)
I speak as I find, I hope fairly, warts and all.......
Would we go back?
Yes I think we would, next time we walk that way, maybe the chap who served us was having a bad day, we all have those, so 7 out of 10 from me.
Try it yourself it is worth seeking out!
Robert The Rambler
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Only been here twice, and never eaten here - but on both visits the beer's been very good and the atmosphere pleasant and relaxed. I agree with the last comment about the pub's appearance; inside it's clean, attractive and well kept.
I don't know who's running the place - Dick and Babs, Martin and Peter, or someone else entirely; but on the strength of my limited experience, I'd say they're doing a pretty good job.
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Good food - great sunday lunch. Beer kept well. Can be a bit tatty outside - untidy and gives a false impression.
have had a a good number meals here
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I think some of the previous remarks have been made by people visiting the wrong Pub. I have never heard a complaint about the food. The beer is very well kept,the staff are great plus some very good bands in the garden.
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Not sure who's running it now, think he used to run the Ypres in Rye, but the food is excellent and the beer's OK. Great place for a Sunday lunch but I cannot comment on what it's like during the week given how out of the way it is. They could make a lot more of the beer garden.
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I didn't realise that this site had turned into a chat room. I wrote my comments not because I am the landlord/landlady or a member of staff as I'm not, nor because I'm a friend of any of them because I'm not but because they are TRUE.
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Definitely a recurrence of the multiple personality disorder that afflicts some of the users of this site from time to time, when will the owners of these businesses or their well intentioned friends learn? self praise is worthless, if the pub is rubbish then better it. I have not been here since it was reopened by Martin and Peter, I will visit at the weekend and see for myself, I always try to give an honest unbiased opinion but if it's below par then I say so.
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Agreed, three new comments on the 15th timed at 11.08, 12.02 and 13.35 by new registrants and an anonymous, all saying how wonderful/marvelous this pub is, in response to a few criticisms, definitely suspicious to say the least. Looks like somebody is trying to manipulate this site, maybe it would be better to see if the points made are true and try to rectify them. Personally I find the dining at the Plough to be middleish, not outstanding, I drink wine mostly now and the house red is acceptable at lunchtime. I would say the pub rates 6/10.
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It never ceases to amaze me that when a negative comment or two is published about a pub it suddenly attracts a flurry of new registrations from "people" or person who make their one and only post to say how wonderful the pub is, they also just happen to know the owners/managers, whatever. I dine out regularly, at least 3 times a week, I eat all sorts of food in pubs, The Plough at Udimore as it is known is OK, just that, it is not a dive nor is it spot on, the food is moderate the ales are mostly OK and I have had a bad pint in therte which was cheerfully exchanged, overall it rates a 6-7 out of 10 in my opinion.
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I have been visiting this pub for many years and have always found Dick and Babs excellent 'mine hosts'. In addition the food has always been up to the mark with a reguarly changing menu thereby making each visit a new experience.
The bar staff are great and pleasant to all - a service with a smile. Lastly but not least the beer is kept well and have never had a bad pint yet!
anonymous - 15 Nov 2006 13:35 |
Even though my friend is one of the best cooks in the world, when I visit (regularly) from London I hope that we are going to the Plough instead as the food, atmosphere and service are excellent. A real family pub which sometimes has fun music gigs. Sunday lunches are excellent and even with a roast you are asked how you would like it cooked - and that is how it is served. Highly recommended.
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I simply cannot agree with the last comment that was made. The Plough is everyones idea of a PERFECT country pub. The food is adsolutley delicious, very friendly and fast service. We eat there alot and always have a 5 star meal. Home cooked local produce, It is making my mouth water thinking about it. Dick and his wife Babs who own it have got it spot on. Well done. Everyone we know thinks its brilliant. All of the staff are brilliant and go to create a lovely atmosphere. *****
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I must agree, rubbish food is the best I can say about this pub, which is a shame because it is beautiful from the outside.
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Absolute dive, food is awful, ales and lagers are not looked after, why travel to the middle of nowhere to sample such crap?
anonymous - 10 Nov 2006 05:51 |
Dick, famous previous landlord of The Ypres Castle in Rye, has taken over the Plough and turned into a brilliant boozer. Relaxed atmosphere, excellent food, and friendly regulars. Give it a try!
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Recently reopened after being private house for four years,although had been a pub for previous 350 years.good beers all homemade food from blackboard which changes,great atmosphere.
ali hudson - 23 Sep 2004 17:25 |
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