Pearsons Arms, Crab And Oyster House, Whitstableback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The Pearson's Arms is an upmarket pub/restaurant on 3 floors and overlooking the town's beach and a floodgate. 3 real ales were on - Pearson's Arms Whitstable Ale, Gadd's Gyle 1664 & Gale's Seafarers. Whilst the Gyle 1664 wasn't my kind of beer, it was still in good condition and went down fine. It accompanied a very enjoyable Beef Bourguignon, when the friendly staff managed to find us a table in the upstairs dining area. The nicest of 4 pubs we visited in Whitstable yesterday, the main bar area was very busy by the time we departed.
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The locals this time seemed to include a pair of lard-arses, discussing the good old days, when they used to push-and-shove for the Millwall FC-following shambles.
Get back to the Wall.
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When I went there were a few locals who were discussing "Just A Minute", and some tourists mocking them.
I suppose that's OK then, Cpt. Ralph?
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It don't look like the picture any more that's for sure!
Primarily a restaurant nowadays...but it's a good one, with locally sourced food and a varied menu. Friendly staff are efficient. Usually some "foreign" guest beers on- Timmy Taylor when I visited, plus Whitstable Bay and Sharp's Atlantic (at least it wasn't the ubiquitously awful and bland Doom).
Probably the poshest boozer in Whitstable so don't go if you don't like tourists who listen to Just A Minute.
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I visited this pub over the Bank Holiday weekend and it was predictably busy but the staff seemed to be coping well. Enjoyed a good pint of Whitstable Native. It's obviously a food-led pub but it doesn't discourage the casual drinker at all.
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I have now dined here since the refurbishment and can highly recommend it. There were a choice of a couple of decent beers on draught including a Gadds stout. Other bottled beers were also available including desset ales such as Greenwich Meantime. The food was to die for, I had the scallops in their shells and the shoulder of lamb. Service was much improved and it wasn't a complete wallet buster so well done Richard Phillips !! Will return again soon.
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Pub has just had yet another facelift, and was relaunched last week as Are You Being Served theme pub.
Barmaids are all dressed as either Miss Brahams or Mrs Slocombe (depending on age, obviously) while male members of staff are 'done up' as either John Inman's character or Cpt Peacock (depending on age or sexual preferance). Music is a loop of the theme tune from the popular 70s sit-com.
Was greeted at the door by a 'young' Mr Grace lookalike, who fixed me with a steely gaze and said: "YOU'VE ALL DONE VERY WELL."
To drink I had a pint of Gusset Warmer ale while my wife, Imelda, opted for something from the cocktail list, a tall drink called PINK PUSSY.
At one point I went to the bar, cleared my throat and in a bid to get served, proclaimed: "ARE YOU FREE?"
Cracking pub. I will deffo be back.
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Ladhimself, keep up the good work. The world can do with a bit more whimsy.
This site is far too up its own backside for its own good (witness the Beer in The Evening's "Thought Police" in censorious action on The John Snow site recently). Pathetic .
Lighten-up you plonkers.
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The Ladhimself, while I find your reports whimsical, and occasionally vaguely amusing, perhaps it would be better to stick to the facts, therefore enlightening viewers of this forum to the pros and cons of the local inns. I mysef have not yet visited the newly refurbished Pearsons, but I will in due course despite your rather bizarre comments.
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Things have indeed changed since I last reported on this pub. It is now a a theme pub called FISHWIVES. The theme, such as it is, is haggard old women with very few teeth cleaning fish on the quayside. To this end all of the staff, male and female, wear shawls, have teeth blacked out and smell very strongly of fish.
When they are not serving they sit in cages resembling lobster pots and clean fish in an old bucket (mostly dab and bass on my visit).
The manager, meanwhile, patrols the pub dressed in oilskins, occasionally handing out a casual whipping with a cat-o-nine-tails either to a customer or a member of staff, sorry fishwive..
Music-wise they seem very limited. I spent eight hours in the pub and all they played was the overture from Bejamin Britten's 'Peter Grimes' on a constant loop.
Beerwise...I had a foaming pint of Monkfish IPA followed by several halves of Old Whelk wheatbeer, which really did the trick.
Later, in the evening, I produced a little bit of sick. On a bus. Oh, the shame of it!
I will certainly be paying another visit, probably with Lord Gusset of Glamorgan, my parole officer for Michelmas term.
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Has now re-opened and has had a fantastic refurbishment. 4 x real ales, Gadds no5,
St Austell Trubute, TT Landlord and hopdaemon Incubus.
V interesting labelled bottles beers also available. Music was good and how about deep fried pigs ears instead of scratchings?
Still has the charm and character, not tried the restaurant but it was full, good atmosphere, good service and great beer.
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Pub re-opened last weekend as prison theme pub called CONVICTS. All of the staff wear old fashioned prison unfiroms, complete with arrows, and when they are not serving they sit in cages sewing mailbags.
The manager, meanwhile patrols the pub in a prison officer uniform, occasionally handing out a casual beating to either a customer or a membre of staff, sorry convict.
Music-wise they seem very limited. I spent two hours in the pub and all they played was 'I Fought The Law', the Clash version, on a constant loop.
Beerwise...I had a foaming pint of Old Scrote Porter followed by a half ounce of Snout Bitter.
All in all a very arresting experience.
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This place has just closed for renovation and is now owned by some television chef I've never heard of. He has been banging on about using Kent produce and how important the pub is within the community. Hopefully this means we might see a return of Gadd's...or perhaps even some Goacher's. Either way, the jury is out until the pub re-opens.
I will report back then, although obviously this will be subject to my curfew. After all, I don't want to set my security tag off again, do I?
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Foghorn, I'm with you all the way on this one mate. This place has always been up its own backside, but its saving grace was that it served a decent pint of Gadds. I popped in last week to be confronted with London Pride and Old Speckled hen. unlike you I did have a pint of Pride (old habits die hard) but I won't be bothering again.
The real irony, however, is that this place made the 2011 Good Beer Guide on the strength of selling Gadds.
You couldn't make it up!
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A lovely pub in a fantastic spot on Whitstable. Had lunch only in here, so can't comment on the pub part, but can say that the food is absolutely excellent, better than most restaurants to be honest. Well worth a visit, make sure that a window table is booked, as the views are fantastic. Can't wait to go back for that lovely fish pie!
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This is a pub in a great location overlooking the sea at Whitstable.
The pub is attractive throughout and the bar staff were friendly. The drinks were on the pricey side and it seems to be targeted at the wealthier tourist / business lunch trade.
My girlfriend and I ate in the restaurant and ordered Fish and chips. We waited 70 minutes for our food. The waiting staff offered us a glass of wine in order to make up for the delay - but it never arrived. When the food arrived it was cold.
We'll never go back again.
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Although ostensibly a traditional and unaltered exterior, this now flatters to deceive, as the interior of Pearson's is a light, airy and modern affair, with a bar and seating arrangement more akin to a wine bar than a pub. That said, somehow this proved not to be a bad thing, as it would be in so many other Victorian public houses that have been insensitively dragged into the 21st century. The decor is attractive, clean, and notwithstanding its contemporary leaning, not without character, and in Summer would provide a stylish and agreeable backdrop for drinking and dining. Equally, in Winter time, the pub still manages to offer a cosy and comfortable experience, with fire burning and friendly, efficient service from the staff.
Sadly food was not required so I cannot comment on this aspect too deeply, although the menu was undoubtedly alluring, packed with modern dishes using the best of seasonal ingredients. Ale-wise, one finds a good range of Ramsgate beers, which only have to travel a few miles down the coast and are kept in perfect condition. My No 3 was on superb form.
A real surprise, and a pleasant one too. This surely should become the destination du jour for all locals and visitors alike who want a smart, good-quality experience that cleverly balances restaurant ideals with that of a pub.
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Friendly staff and very good oysters. When the Oyster House across the way can't be bothered to keep a cheif on the premises across the afternoon (because after all it is 1957 and everyone's finished luncheon by 3pm sharp haven't they), Pearsons does fine food.
Smart looking bar as well.
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Went for a meal here last night. On arrival we had a drink at the bar where Gadds No7 could be found before going upstairs to the restaurant.
We were cordially greeted by the maitre 'D and led to our table. A wonderful smell of fresh hyacinth pervaded the air. Having read that one of the chefs had worked at The Quatre Saisons (Raymond Blanc's pad) we had high expectations. and were not disappointed. One of the best meals I have had in Whitstable ! To start I had one of the specials, pan fried giant prawns with a delicious dip that I can't recall. Absolutely divine, followed by another special, whole mackerel on a bed of spinach with onion gravy. Again, heaven. My wife and father-in-law also chose fishy meals so we picked a crisp Vin de Pays D'Oc white. Nice mineral finish and recommended by the Maitre 'D. It wasn't busy, it being a tuesday night and I daresay not cheap(I didn't pay the bill!) but what a fabulous dining experience. Just the one ale on though, I think deliveries must be Weds ! Ten out of ten, Pearsons, keep it up. Will return soon.
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Can only agree with Andrew Faber,went in just before Christmas and it seems like the bar staff think they are working for some poncey London gastropub,yet havent grasped the fact that they are on Kent wages!
Not good.
Will not be going back,which is a shame as it used to be a great place to have a pint and some good food.
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In Whitstable again 15 May 2008. Walked in The Pearsons and apart from myself only half a dozen others in BUT what a change from my last visit....
Two Barmen behind the bar and by the time they had negotiated between them which one of them was going to serve me it took 7 mins!
Short drink and away. Grrr!
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On the Whitstable jaunt again and in need of food and drink. Now this is Bank Holiday Sunday ( 4 May 2008 ) 7.30 pm. The Pearsons was packed but served very quickly with a very acceptable two pints of Gadds number 5. Upatairs to the restraunt just in case a table might be available (yes, I know this is Bank Holiday Sunday ). Very well presented, polite and helpful lady appologised that there was no availability for a table. BUT she immediatly gave me a card with details of two other nearby reatraunts, one of which a table was secured for later in the evening.
The Pearsons, Good all round. Must get there again soon when its not so busy. 8/10
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Visited a couple of months ago, desperate for something good but not overpriced to eat, so what a great surprise when we tried the new meze style menu, bloody brilliant! Lovely aubergine salad, flat bread, olives etc. and couldn't be more helpful even though she was the only person behind the bar and serving. The regulars were friendly as well. Will definitely be going back.
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Visited on Monday 13 August 2007 and after my previous visits here had a suprise! The interior has been "re-vamped" and I must admit for the time it took to enjoy a good couple of pints of Gadds my first immpressions of the make over changed from one of " God - what have they done" to "Yes - I like it". Staff smart and on the ball and although The Pearsons now appears to be more of a Lager and Cocktail kind of place for Whitstable, it does it for me!
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Visited "The Pearsons" twice on 27 March Afternoon & Evening. Alas although one gained entry to the Pub I was quickly informed that the Pub was closed as they were having windows replaced. Wil add to my list next time Im in the area.
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Don�t you just love the Whitstable pub names. This partly weather boarded 17th century pub is just a few lobster�s tails from the shingle beach and full of ye olde pub by the sea character. The ground floor is a split level carpeted bar with old boat names and bits of driftwood. Upstairs is the seafood restaurant and although I haven�t tried it personally, I was surprised to learn that it does not have a very good reputation. I certainly had no problems with the beers (Flowers, Pride and Speckled Hen) or the service � the bar staff revealed a rather Carry On style sense of humour during our last visit! It gets particularly busy during the Oyster Festival and you will get plastic glasses if drinking outside, in fact I have probably spent more time drinking outside than in. I haven�t really fully made up my mind about this place. I like it but not as much as I should, maybe because it is always so busy when we are there. We have vowed to come back out of season and it will be interesting to see what it�s like on a dark November evening in the rain.
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