please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Middle House - following a few unsatisfactory experiences which prompted my mixed review of two years ago, I have fallen back in love with you again. What a relief! Best foody pub for miles around with a warm atmosphere and, as ever, top-notch staff.
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I almost wonder if a pub can become a victim of its own success - this place clearly has a significant reputation and, as such, can become frighteningly crowded at times. Having said that, there's no excuse for not allowing punters to sit down anywhere unless buying a meal - that's no way to convince people who've dropped in for a drink to stay and eat. My advice would be to try and find a time when the place is likely to be quieter and enjoy it then - it won't be terribly cheap, but it still offers pretty good value for money overall. I shall try to return at some point this Easter or over the summer holidays - living fifty miles to the north-west means I can't visit the area all that often.
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I can't find myself recommending this place from purely a drinker's perspective. Finding nowhere to comfortably stand on a Saturday night, the three of us shunted around the floor as we dodged serving staff (and boy didn't we feel like we were spare parts). So moving to a table when it became free "sorry you can't sit there" and then passing to another area with empty leather sofas "sorry this is only for people using the restaurant". The high density seating appeared to indicate they must be doing something good on the grub, as it was full and surely no one would bother otherwise. So the whole experience left me feeling I was on my weekday morning tube journey to Canary Wharf. Call me old fashioned, but despite having many of the right ingredients (OK pint of Harveys, timber beams, that olde worlde feel and visually good looking food). Just because we ain't eating your grub, we are still that rare commodity - discerning customers with cash in the pocket who tell others when they feel let down. Shame really, as I won't be rushing back to sample that high density commuter experience.
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By the way, �31.15 for three people, for starters, main courses and good quality apple juice (Ringden Farm?), comes to under �10.40 a head, which strikes me as very inexpensive for what you get!
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Had an evening meal here about four years ago! Pleased to see that most people's reviews accord with my own experience. Not cheap by a long way, but very high quality food in possibly the most stupendous pub building in the country. Nice friendly place, rooms looked nice, large car park round the back...
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Arriving at 1315hrs on a Saturday for lunch, the pub supplied an excellent and well-presented meal fo all 3 of my party. The starters (fish cakes and sauces) were substantial enough to serve as a main course, and my own gammon, eggs and chips was also very tasty. We had an apple juice, Kent manufactured, which was better than the usual supermarket 1 litre packets, and the rolls and butter was also far better than average pub fare. The bill for 3 diners came to �31,15.
The Middle House is well woth trying for above average pub food, pleasant atmosphere and reasonable velue; no-one would describe the food as "inexpensive" but you are paying for a top-quality meal in very agreeable surroundings.
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Reluctantly find myself agreeing with Moonkid. First time I've ever eaten here and been disappointed with the quality and choice of meat (butcher is now Leppards, not Smithers - where does Leppard source his meat?) - in a mixed roast we only had lamb and beef, and beef was a little tough. I will come back, but maybe only once more unless this was a blip
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This is a very well-run pub that I've been visiting now for over 20 years. I've had many wonderful bar meals, served by friendly staff in comfortable surroundings. My only gripe is that portion sizes have got progressively smaller whilst prices have steadily risen to the point where I no longer feel I'm getting value for money. The standard of the food is excellent but until the management can relax their profit margins a little, I will be going elsewhere.
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Historic building now cut off from the mainstream by the Mayfield bypass just adds to the testament of just how good the Middle House is.
Deservedly busy with well kept ales on pump, polite and pleasant staff and an excellent sunday roast, (Mr & Mrs kisstaker do eat sometimes too ! )
AND sauces etc come in dishes not sachets !
Scores highly on every count.
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Called in again last night because couldn't resist the Monday night carvery, yet again not disappointed, quite simoply verty good indeed and a really good pint of Harveys to wash it down. My only criticism? Having to drive 5 miles to enjoy the best food around, bar none.
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Wouldn't go here for a cosy chat with mates, it's too food oriented for that, but the building is undeniably splendid and the food is always very good indeed at a good price for the quality knocking every other pretentious foody place in the area into a cocked hat - take note Huntsman/Mark Cross/Griffin/Hare all of which fall well short in every respect.
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We hadn't been in here for about 3 years and last time we visited it was very busy. This time it was also busy, but we got there early and got good seats. The pub hadn't changed much and it's still as good as ever although the current rating of 8.1 is perhaps a little generous! This is mainly because the beer on offer wasn't as good as i'd remembered and the food erring on the expensive side. Beer was the usual Harvey's and London Pride, but the beer I had was called Tribute and was well kept and reasonably priced. The food - I had Liver & Bacon and my wife Roast Beef - was generous and tasty, but at �9.95 and �10.95 respectively it needed to be. We would visit again, but there are pubs as good if not slightly better closer to home.
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What a fantastic pub. The best kept pub garden I have ever seen. A lovely building and the most fantastic food. Have the steak and ale pie, it's awesome!
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One of my favourite pubs. Excellent food and service in the restaurant and cosy, buzzing atmosphere with friendly staff in the pub. Hubby and I often pop in for a Saturday lunchtime pint and slightly less often eat in the restaurant. Have never been disapointed.
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Excellent food bar-side (the quail beat the pork, but both were good). Given the quality and quantity, prices are reasonable (~�15/main).
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Very friendly Aussie and Kiwi staff and friendly manager.
Great, great food and not too expensive.
Good atmosphere.
Only thing is it can get very busy.
Has been a consistently high performer for many years.
There are not many pubs in Sussex that can beat it.
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We stayed at the Middle House Hotel last week on our walk from Redhill to Hastings. The beer was good, the food was expensive but worth it, and the people were very friendly. The room had a real 4 poster bed, was warm and clean. We would have preferred a bath not a shower for our tired limbs, but that the only negative.
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Nae a fan of the new over-hall. Trophy cabinet gone and WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH THE PEWS??? All a little too Gastro now and seems to be focussed on maximising food covers. On the plus side, at least you don't stick to the carpet anymore. Would give the R&C at the bottom of the hill a try as well if you're in the village.
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What can i say! Beautiful location, beautiful building,nice staff.Here it ends.
I think tricky has a point in some respects and i dont live in london.
A menu Gordon would have a field day with if he could read it.
House wine very sub standard for what its trying to be.Beer for a free house not very appealing.
The re-vamp is a major plus well done. Nice beer garden also.
Many plus points but a lot of minuses.
Keep the menu simple may be a start. Make it readable. Get some decent wine in,
Overall a lovely pub nice meeting point.
mjh61 - 10 Jan 2008 20:04 |
Lovely pub very consistant always great food and always so busy. The staff are great and i like the new look to the bar, only a couple of negative comments the wines by the glass are terrible and i cant read the blackboards!! writing is not good!!
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I live in London but this is my local from the "country days" and I still go there a fair bit. Excellent beers on tap, Harvey's still my favourite and the garden on a summer evening is superb with excellent views. Recommended. Well done Brian
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Lovely pub, and just because you live in a village does not mean your tosser. From the city are we? Goog selection of beers and lovely beer garden for the kids in summer.
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nice pub and nice beer but full of pretentious tossers talking about life in "the village". avoid unless you have a shotgun, green wellies and a spaniel.
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This is simply the best pub I've eaten in. The menu is so extensive, there's something for everyone. Definitley worth going to if you're in the area.
anonymous - 13 Oct 2006 17:00 |
Excellent food, nice exterior, friendly staff. Only negative is the very hard to read menu board/wall.
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Have eaten here many times. Excellent food, huge portions and a superb choice.
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Live in Hastings and only went to this pub by accident and discovered that the food is so good that, although it is far from where I live, I am now always willing to go out of my way to eat there.
John - 24 Sep 2004 12:13 |
I don't normally do this sorta thing, but the reason I found this site in the first place was to get the contact details for my new company, for a Crimbo doo! I thought it was 10/10, friendly staff (some nice lookers too), quality food and friendly surroundsing, A1. FIN
Bikerchris - 17 Sep 2004 17:22 |
Please take me seriously when I say that this is the most fantastic pub to eat in. The food is simply the amazing. I couldn't recommend it enough.
Sarah - 17 Sep 2004 12:16 |
Not sure what anonymous is on about either. The Middle house is a really excellent pub - couldn't recommend it enough. The Rose and Crown served what was without a doubt the worst meal I have ever had. I guess rank chicken boiled in milk appeals to anonymous - very strange!
Andy - 16 Mar 2004 16:36 |
reece: I said it was good! It was 'anonymous' who slagged it off. I still think it's a fantastic pub: I went there a while back and had a fantastic meal from the bar.
Tom - 15 Mar 2004 14:51 |
Totally disagree with Tom - his experience must have been a most unfortunate one off. Great food, fabulous Harveys and London Pride. A family pub when we popped in early evening.
P.S. Tried the Rose and Crown and it was dreadful.
reece - 15 Mar 2004 09:41 |
Good pub, really old interior, nice garden. Used to pop down their every week or so for a pint with a few people from work.
The food's good (both in the bar and restaurant). All in all, an excellent place to eat, drink and, well, be merry I suppose. And you're right in the middle of the High Street.
Tom - 16 May 2003 00:15 |
