please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
I find it amazing that people such as Benton can be so vulgar, the comments he made about the landlord in the spotted dog are very untrue and unjust, and while I won't be rude about another pub I find the spotted dog to be the best pub in the area , for food and service and character. Mind you reading his other reviews I would say it's a good thing he won't go in there anyway.
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Attention sirs, steer well clear if you don't like the whites the bottle house is teaming with them
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We picked this place to take my wife's mother for a lunch time treat and I have to say overall it wasn't as good as I'd hoped! Poor beer selection (for me not the MIL) and whilst food was okay it really wasn't anything special for the price. Won't be rushing back anytime soon.
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Went for another visit to see if it had improved yet. SADLY it hasnt still looks like a over priced wine bar but with surly staff. Food menu used to be good but not anymore. Shame we cant say its improved at all.
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Visited weekday lunchtime, greeted by 3 charming ladies two who have lived, worked and managed there for 26 years!
Brilliant service, food definitely not frozen, above average pub food, see they have won best food pub in Kent 2011, well deserved. Good beer and excellent wine list.
Picked up the history, built in 1492 - did they have Harvesters then ?????
Definitely worth a re-visit
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I have found all the staff at the Bottle house and the Spotted dog to be more then friendly and welcoming. Great food and beer as well!!!
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We stopped here at the weekend for a quick pint of Larkins and found the place and service to be wonderful. Isn't it a shame that some people are so ready to criticise?
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The Bottle House has always had a strange attraction for people of a certain age who don't mind eating previously frozen fish and chips ( perhaps the war ! ) and thinking "oh how wonderful, a real country pub"...it's a blonde wooded kit pub or Harvester for god's sake under another guise with no proper management...the bloke who pretends to manage is a wet blanket with a very suspect week handshake...hmmm...must do better...The Spotted Dog around the corner is the real deal...except for the grumpy Aussie manageress....but still miles better.
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Had a lovely meal here. I agree its more gastro then pub, but still great. Staff friendly and atmosphere was good.
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Big place, more gastro than pub, nice country location. Decent pints of Larkins and Harveys on. Foods was all pretty good. Lots of room and a fair size garden as well.
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Country pub perfection! Very good ploughman's and Larkins bitter.
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Good pub, friendly staff. I just wish they still did the spring onion and chilli cheesy garlic bread like they used to in the old days. Nice beer too.
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I think that I or the previous poster must be in a parallel universe. I went yesterday, again, for lunch (a Tuesday after Bank Holiday Monday) and had a very nice, large starter, a bowl of chips followed by a dessert and coffee and truffle. �27/two people.
The all female staff were very chatty and helpful but admittedly the place isn't very 'pubby' now or never really was even when that rather dour Northern gentleman used to be behind the bar, before the alterations.
I know that as a 'starter' only person (as mains are usually too big) the portions can be a bit smaller but they are enough for me.
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Well its been a while since i visited the Bottle House in Penshurst Now the shine has dissapeared from the refurbishment. Id like to say things had inproved but they havent. The waiting staff very slow and it was only tuesday lunchtime after all. The bar person not very helpfull and a little scruffy to look at. Still the weather was nice but thats about all that was.
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The Bottle House has had a refit looks more like a bistro now. No atmosphere staff not attentive anymore. Food was not as good as it used to be must have new chefs. The portions lot smaller. Wont be back anytime soon.
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The Bottle House has really turned itself round, It seems to have been refurbished and developed the garden area, New menus also really good. Would definately reccomend.
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The Bottle House has really turned itself round, It seems to have been refurbished and developed the garden area, New menus also really good. Would definately reccomend.
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Went there today for the first time since opening last week.Wow, what a change but not, necessarily all for the better.
It was apparently bought by a local multi-millionaire who has spend quite a mint on the pubs refurbishment and nothing has been spared, it seems
Everything inside has been stripped down and 'modernised'. No more carpets or old pub flim flam. Beautifully clean and modern toilets - probably the best I've ever seen in a pub/restaurant.
I did miss the red carpet which also helped to absorb noise and the colourways on the walls and in those alcoves are somewhat modern and reminiscent of those seen in the themed pubs belonging to the large pub chains - dare I say vintage Inns and their ilk. However I was personally glad to see that all that cricket paraphernalia has gone along with the retiring previous owner.
Foodwise, menus have been reorganised and shortened but the smoked salmon starter we had was excellent and ample, although the bowl of chips was strange and was not sure how the chips had been prepared as they were very dark and soft with the interior potato looking somewhat wet.
A nice dessert was followed by ample filter coffee and truffles.
The worst aspect the refurbishment is the old fireplace which at the moment looks very odd and naked but plans are afoot to remedy this.
All in all, then I am pleased, although it takes a little getting used to as it has lost its old pub feel in its current state of 'newness' and new paint smell!
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This place has just re-opened after a refurbishment and their new website shows some changes to food available and some simplification of the menus.
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Wide range of food, good value, great beer, friendly staff. SUprised at the negs below, but judging by how busy it gets they must be doing somthing right.
fenix - 23 Feb 2009 22:17 |
Had not been here for years, so wife and I decided to give it a try. It was a midweek evening, so unsurprisingly fairly quiet. An immediate bad omen when the couple next to us sent their mains back (as inedible!), declined to re-order, paid for their starters and left. We ordered from an awfully large menu (must be cooked "fresh from frozen" or microwaved to order...no other way), and it was very ordinary. My wife and I always expect restaurant food to be accomplished, and better than what we can do at home. This was neither. BIG PORTIONS DO NOT IMPRESS!! That said, the desert was good, and the beer was excellent...Larkins.
I guess we will keep looking for exciting pub cuisine in the area (aside from our usual "gastropub", which we were trying to better or equal with this venture).
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Went on a Tuesday evening. Apparently if you order before 6.30 pm you get 25% off. After looking at their menu, 25% off seemed like a good idea as it's a bit on the pricey side for a pub. We arrived at 6.20 and was told in a very blunt fashion by the manager that we'd better get a move on and order.
Now I know it's a poncey pub full of "up their arses" types, but I haven't been spoken to like that even in some of the dossholes I've frequented, so i took an instant dislike to the place and the manager. The food was good and there was plenty of it but I found it a little bland.
These people would do well to realise that the pub trade is in deep trouble at the moment and you cannot speak to people like we were spoken to. I know that the guy probably thinks he has a divine right to act like Basil Fawlty just because a few toffs frequent his pub in the country but time and takings will surely tell if this overpiced hostelry will survive.
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Ate here on a mid-week evening. We asked for a shared garlic bread as a starter since we had read that the portions were huge. I then ordered their fish pie, with salmon, smoked cod and haddock covered with mashed potato. It was excellent. The missus had their fishcakes, which were huge and also excellent.
If you live, as I do, in Tonbridge, it's not worth driving. You can hop on the train to Penshurst since the station is opposite the pub. Ideal.
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In two and a half words......Huuugggeee portions. I was stuffed on my starter and felt embarrassed that i could only manage a few mouthfuls of my monstrously oversized Skate wing BUT seeing who their traditional clientele are, rather than skinny cyclists, the portions probably cater well to their regulars. The pub is in a secluded and beautiful location in the Weald of Kent and, along with most of the pubs round that neck of the woods, they serve Larkin brewery beer which is genuinely very tasty - coming in around the mid-3's for the ABV i suspect i've bagged my last asbo for the time being. My brother and I also cheekily took our hammocks for this little trip and slept over that night in the trees alongside the footpath that goes behind the pub - there'll be more guerila raids of that fashion this summer!
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Took a friend here today for lunch. Found the menu a bit much but once we had decided on our choice the food was first class. Staff were very helpfull and friendly. I would return to this nice old pub with other friends who want to get away from the rat race. Just perfect! Not at all like the Rovers return, it was charming and so were the people.
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The best bit about this pub is the exit!!!! The interior decoration is tired, dated and more Coronation Street than rural country pub.
The service was frankly appalling. After looking at the ridiculously long and overly ambitious menu we finally selected Roast Pork as the Beef was finished, we were then told that that had run out too!!! It was Sunday.....???
When our Roast Chicken arrived it looked like the chef had thrown anything he could find onto an enormous plate. My stomach froze at the prospect, and actually it tasted just as it looked, vile! My OH ordered a burger which was spoookily as described in the previous post!
Needless to say I will not be returning nor recommending The Bottle House, there are so many other alternatives nearby!
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I have visited this pub on many occasions and can only say that i have never had a bad experience. The beer is very good, wine good and value for money.
I can assure all the sceptics that the menu is not break bros. I know for a fact that the food prep is all fresh apart from the odd dessert.
Would reccomend it for food to anyone,nice menu well executed.
Come on guys it pub food dont expect michelin. But you will get great pub food.
Only critacism portions are too big.
mjh61 - 10 Jan 2008 20:30 |
We have read the reviews, and on my partner�s behest, loaded up the postcode on faithful tomtom, et voila we arrived. Location stunning, backdrop equally stunning, interior�well you get the idea. After a large white wine, and a pint of Larkins Coinin settled on the 8oz burger and I, your humble author, decided on the old favourite sausage and mash. Coinin�s burger was decidedly over-cooked & excessively coated with an unusual salsa, mayonnaise and mustard combination. Coinin had extolled the virtues of Speldhurst sausages and when they arrived looked like they�d cooked in the deep fat fryer! They lay sadly lay on a bed of lumpy mashed potatoes. We couldn�t decide if the gravy was from a packet or home made, but by the end of the dish the sickly sweetness let us to believe the former. On the whole a great pub for a drink and move on, eat there again�we think not!
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Well, I think that the food here is first rate and good value for money, especially the wide-ranging starters which are enough for my appetite.
Someone, below, said that, in order to have such a large selection, the food must be frozen, well, so what? Better that, than food poisoning.
Went down last Friday at midday, to find all but one table, reserved.
Food-wise, this pub is miles ahead of the Spotted Dog nearby.
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The food was very good value, the Larkins was a really good pint, and the ambience and friendliness of the pub was first rate.
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Situated a short walk from the Spotted Dog, this is another fine Weald pub in an isolated location on Smart's Hill. The pub is open all day, every day and food available throughout - with a very extensive menu. Lovely drop of Larkins Traditional (the other beer on offer was Harveys, Sussex Best). Well worth seeking out.
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Must agree with campfire, don't understand how the food can be rated by some as superb. Just from the size and variety on the menu it must be bought in frozen and ready prepared. I was disappointed by my lamb chop. Little flavour and tough for lamb. My girlfriend ate crab and said it tasted like plastic. Not much ambience and thought the barman, who seemed to be in charge, was a little unfriendly. Not one to return to.
anonymous - 1 Sep 2006 15:17 |
Things change, and this pub is one of them. We have been eating there about once a month for the past 8 years, and the food has always been superb, as have the beer and the staff. However for our last 4 visits now, there has been a marked deterioration in the quality of the meals. Shame, but they seem to have lost their Bottle.
anonymous - 20 Aug 2006 22:51 |
I am unsure about this place - there is just something that is not quite right. The staff were pc but not genuine in their wish to help and the food was "OK". The beer range - Larkins local ale in v good condition and Harveys from Sussex was also good, but that is not a very ambitious range of real ale for a pub claiming distiction as purveyors of character beer. Worth visiting but not could improveon all fronts - food, beer, ambience and staff attitude.
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Totally disagree with the comment below from campfire the food is excellent certainly not decidedly average like I said before one the best pubs around
juzza - 14 Jul 2006 03:13 |
I went there this weekend with my fiance, and we had a great time. The food was superb, and the beer was great. I would definitely recommend.
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Must admit I can't understand the rave reviews for this pub. It's pretty enough looking on the outside and in a lovely setting, but the interior/decor has a tired look in need of a spruce up.
The beer was good but the food was decidely average.
My suspicions were alerted by the vast choice of dishes on the menu.
No way can these all be cooked fresh, and that was confirmed when our meals arrived. My sausages were appeared pre-cooked then microwave reheated. My wife's meal was not much better.
Big disappointment - won't be returning.
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Consistently high standard of food and service and well worth a visit. In my experience worth booking well in advance, especially on the weekend
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One of if not the best pub in the area great food,beer and service the only thing going against it is where it is unless you're from the area it is a difficult place to find apart from that a fantastic pub.
juzza - 17 May 2006 10:34 |
Nice pub to visit if you are having a fling - no-one will find you! Food is great too.
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Excellent food, staff and restaurant, very busy at weekend, suggest a mid-week visit.
Graham - 24 Oct 2004 09:56 |
We went to the pub to celebrate an engagement, the service was excellent, the atmosphere was great, the staff very friendly. We eat out a lot and I would rate the food in my top at the moment. Cannot wait to go back, may even go this weekend!!
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Very nice pub. Staff are very nice the menu's big and the foods lovely.
jay - 22 Mar 2004 17:56 |
We visit this pub on a regular basis, the food is great and the service excellent. Prices are average. Be sure to book as it can be busy
Sue Beckwith - 10 Mar 2004 11:40 |
absolutely fantastic place, and amazing menu and food.
Melanie Warren - 23 Oct 2003 20:14 |
amazingly well kept ale from Larkins and Burtons with beautiful food as well! approx. 300 years old, friendly staff, open all hours, bit hard to find but well worth it! this is the textbook example of a proper English Pub!
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