please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Now called the Sergison. Old, rambling building with food orientated operation.
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Iliked coming here for the occ drink, but recently tried a meal there;dire. the pub, historic, has been slighted by the new manager, who has removed the wooden entrance door, replacing with a glass door, horrible. This chain owner m and b vintage inns, ruins every pub it acquires, all previous character is spoilt or lost see also the previously great golden galleon, exceat bridge; so many good pubs are being neuteredby these chains.the drinkers area is minimal food overpriced, horrible/see trip advisor; chaotic service,
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Back in 2009 I left a review of this pub saying that it was OK but suggesting it might not be at lunchtime at the weekend.
I madde the mistake of going there on a Sunday lunchtime. Unless you enjoy having a drink and a bite to eat in a kindergarten among people who think it is reasonable to allow their bored kids to run around shouting, go somewhere else.
It's still OK at other times though.
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This pub is almost a perfect definition of 'missed opportunity'. It's a fantastic and characterful old building, but as it belongs to the M&B chain it has that slightly vacant corporate feel pervading the atmosphere. They do generally have decent beers on sale here but they seem to religiously insist on understaffing the bar, so it can take ages to get served. The food is average and not as good as the pub thinks it is. The seating area outside has a splendid outlook onto a mini-roundabout.
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Trouble getting in as there were people waiting at the (unattended) desk at the front door to be seated for table service meals.
Chose to sit in the bar area to overcome the seating issue as they allow you (how gracious of them) to order at the bar. Could overhear new arrivals asking for a table just being gestured to go down the back to find a table. Fine dining it ain't. Had an indifferent meal. Some of the staff looked scruffy compared to the previous smart turnout a matter of weeks ago.
Adjourned to the Standup in Lindfield for a quality cider and a superb homemade scotch egg as consolation.
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Popped into the pub just for a drink today and to discover they have started a serve at your table system. That is ok as long as you have got enough staff to serve at the tables and today they clearly had not. People were starting to complain that they were waiting too long for someone to take their orders. Even if you want another drink you have to wait!! Time will tell before customers will start to leave because the wait it too long. When you arrive at the main door you have to ring the bell and wait for someone to come to direct you to a table can't wait to see the line of customers standing in the car park because nobody is at the desk. The food is OK but never consistent you could have the same meal three days running and it will never be of the same quality depends very much on which staff are on duty. The basics need to be right before you try new things be warned!!
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Over priced because the area can stand it, it has a corporate feel. That said, I've been going on & off since I was an underage drinker in the 1970s. None of that now though...
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I go quite often as my wife really likes this place.
Generally very friendly, busy with reasonably priced food - not always of high quality but fair value for this part of the world.
It is somewhat better than you might expect considering it's part of a chain and they always have Harveys beer.
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I honestly can't see why this pub has got very average marks overall. It looks fantastic, the bar staff were attentive, professional and friendly and although I didn't eat there I certainly didn't see anyone complaining about their food.
I'd certainly go there again.
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The Dolphin always a good pub to relax and have drinks or eat with friends. reading some of the comments on here,think some people are nit pickking I am Rateing it a 9, always room for improvement.
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we moved to the area last year, staff not very well trained, and i would say about these chain pubs is that a lot of money is thrown at them by the chain owners but the chefs are really probably underpaid as the food is horrible, the waiting staff really dont give a damn (apart from a very small percentage) these are the type of staff they need to really keep and try and get, rather than just employing who ever applies for the job.
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Nice pub. Friendly staff and good food. The menu was varied and tempting, service was good on my visit, which was on a hot summer's day (yes, we did have one!). Ample parking and plenty of table space inside and out.
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We had Xmas lunch there this year 2009 and it was dreadful, veg not prepared properly and undercooked and some food was overcooked, sweet course portions were miniscule and we were not offered drinks on seating, instead we had to go hunting around and did not get them until the starter was served. complaint to waitress went ignored and she refused to give our son a large coke saying she would give him a small one to make room for the sweet course ! Xmas lunch ruined totally...NEVER going again and would not reccommend
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I went here on a Wednesday evening when there was some football match or other dominating things in most other pubs. The Dolphin, I'm delighted to say, does not have a TV and was tranquil and pleasant, ideal for chatting with a friend I hadn't seen for some time. It was busy enough to give it some atmosphere but quiet enough for conversation.
There was a decent selection of ales (Sharp's Doombar, Timothy Taylor's Landlord, Harvey's Sussex Best, Shepherd Neame Spitfire), all reasonably well kept. I didn't eat there but the food that went past looked and smelt good and the portions were a decent size.
The staff were friendly and efficient and the ale prices are cheaper than most too.
I was pleasantly surprised and would certainly go back. I suspect weekend lunchtimes are probably no good unless you like being surrounded by screaming brats but evenings seem to be safe.
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We visited this pub one recent Saturday lunchtime for a drink and meal. Whilst we couldn't fault the service, their food order system could be improved as they couldn't find us, seems we gave the table number when they should have provided a large numbered wooden spoon. The puff pastry pie was mostly all, er, puff pastry; what meat there was inside was tasty but running in a very thin gravy and the veg looked tired. Drinks wise, a pint of cider was unchilled.
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