please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Panoramic views across the Weald of Kent and 2 Larkins beers on tap.
Nothing not to like. Quality.
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We love this pub! The Spotted Dog is a friendly family run country pub with bags of character, atmosphere and warmth. It's a pub for all seasons - we've enjoyed the hottest of summers and the coldest of winters at the Spotty - the excellent quality of food, service and welcome is always the same. Whether you're looking for a quiet meal for two or celebrating a special occasion for friends or family Chez and Nick will ensure that you get what you need at exactly the right pace. The menu is seasonal and imaginative but with some good old favourites if you're looking for a good traditional pub meal. Both chefs are passionate about their food and create dishes that work. We have never been disappointed and have pretty much tried everything on the menu - but check out the Specials Board for a treat. Congratulations all staff at the Spotted Dog - you just go from strength to strength!
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Visted on a Monday lunchtime recently and had the set menu - all that seemed to be avaialble actually - which was really tasty and the pie we both had was delicious. Impressive selection of beers including Betty Stogs which was very good. Nice pub, not too expensive and also friendly enough. will visit again.
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Visited yesterday at the inbetween time of 4-5pm.
A more traditional old country pub you could not find. Rambling, ancient buildings, but no problem finding the bar from the car park (or the toiles from the bar)
Two real ciders on
Chiddingstone (sp?) 7.5% which is light-coloured, crisp and medium-dry.
Biddenden Bushels (6%) which is medium. Lovely stuff, one of my favourite Kent ciders. We got 4 pints in a take-away container. Pity Biddenden only direct-sell the Bushells in 5 gallon drums.
Such a nice pub. I am deeply envious of locals.
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great pub great food you must try the Chiddingstone cyder
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I previously went to the Spotted dog in May and we loved it. We decided to take our whole family there for a meal on Monday (bank holiday) we did book this time as there was 10 of us. We were again warmly greeted by the staff. We had a lovely long table in the dinning room, we all ordered our food which came out all together nice and hot. I had the Lemon sole which was cooked to perfection, my husband had the fish and chips which he really enjoyed ( his only comment was he wished they had mushy peas).Everyone in our group thorougly enjoyed their meals and day. It was so nice to have the manageress remember us from our last visit, made us feel very welcomed. The Spotted Dog has to be one of our favourite pubs and we will return again!
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We were staying at a new field (campsite) between Fordcombe and Ashurst and had a quick perusal at the tasty looking looking pubs courtesy of B.I.T.E. The Challock Arms did look beautiful but we wanted The Rock which I mistakenly thought was in Penshurst, as it wasn't, we went to The Spotted Dog. It was in a wonderful location, which could have snuggly been nestled in Central France. A welcoming and upmarket covered front terrace led to a dark, low ceilinged pub. On offer was the following, Harveys Best, Black Cat Original and Hopsmack, and lastly a Larkins Traditional - which for 3.4% was a decent enough pint. On this occasion, we had some quite hungry children with us, and with plenty of food still at the campsite, we did not feel it correct to have a meal and had to hurry our drinks. One little down point was that the lady behind the bar appeared to be a little stressful and terse - I am sure it was a very busy time for her (12am on Bank Holiday Monday) and they are the symptoms of a popular pub....
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My family and I turned up at the Spotted Dog for Sunday lunch last week. We hadn't booked, the manageress said they were full, but if we didn't mind having a drink and waiting she would fit us in. The staff were all very friendly & attentive to us, they kept us informed on the progress of when our table was going to be available. When we did get sat, some half an hour later, we ordered our food and we were more than happy with our Sunday roasts, real value for money. The food was hot, good choice of vegetables and the meat was tender. We throughly enjoyed our day out at the spotted dog, we will just have to remember to book next time.
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This is the second time we have been to this pub in the last 6 months. It is just as good as when we went this first time. The owners are still improving the building but keeping the character which is so nice to see. We are really spoilt for choice with the Spotted Dog and the Bottle house up the road. Well done to both.
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Having posted my comments recently I am still happy to stick by them as we continue to go and enjoy the warm & welcoming atmosphere, primarily from Nick behind the bar, and the parents (when around)......my only teeeeeny comment is that personally I miss the gradually disappearing little touches like a bunch of flowers on the bar........candles, flowers on tables and where - please!! - has the wonderful corner throne gone??! It was a fabulously decadent & cosy corner, now alas seating simply some more chairs, and minus the throne, the corner exposes a ghastly old radiator to full view. Used to be our favourite seat - no longer. It is all in the detail, folks! down to you - and please lets have some female touches again (and not just in the garden). Still! we love it and our new landlords!
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My husband and I visited this pub yesterday (Tuesday) I was surprised to see a few in as the weather was raining and cold.The pub itself was lovely and warm, the fires were alight. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal. My husband had the 2 course set menu, which was excellent value. I however am vegetarian and didn't like the vegetarian option they had on. When I explained to the waitress, she went off to talk to the chef and to my delight he offered to cook me something that I did like. I was very impressed by the service and the fact that the chef went out of his way to make sure I had a meal I could enjoy. I don't normally leave comments or feedback, but I was so pleased with our choice of pub, I just wanted to share it. Well done Spotted Dog, we will be back soon.
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Went to this pub today for a Sunday lunch. Can highly recommend. The Food was great and service was excellent. We will be back!
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We are thrilled to have at last some decent landlords back in charge of this wonderful old pub which has been through the mill over the last few years. As foodie locals, my husband and I are constantly on search for the best the area has to offer and the type of landlords we have seen at "The Spottie" over the last few years defies description. We just wondered where they found them. But not now! A family in charge, a real team effort. The Spottie is a heaven of a pub, characterful, welcoming, and the food once more is delicious. Varied daily menu plus some constants, fresh local ingredients. Simple but good pub food. We had Fish and Chips today (always a test for the chef) light batter, crisp and spankingly fresh fish, good chips. There are front and back gardens, the latter colourfully planted up with some great views over the Weald. Perfect for lunch or drink after one of the many local walks - and they allow dogs! We wish the family the best of success - they thoroughly deserve it.
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I have had lunch at this pub a few times in the past few years and have always enjoyed the experience. The summer views are stunning, the roaring fires are cosy in winter, and the staff has been warm and welcoming. Worth returning.
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Having had a great meal and service over the first bank holiday, we decided to go back to The Spotted Dog for a second meal. Very happy to report that the service and meal was just as good as the first time, I would have no hesitation in recommending this pub to anyone. The new owners are doing a great job, just hope it all continues!
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i went for a meal with my husband last friday night and would not hesitate to return.
After quite a stressful drive, i was soon calmed down as we were welcomed politely by the the barman. We were promptly offered to be shown to our pre booked table in the restaurant witch was a quarter full but still held a pleasant atmosphere.
i had the fish that was done to a tee and my husband commented that his steak was very good done to his liking .[m/r].
i was also impressed with the fact that the children are offered the exact same menu with a reduced portion and price so will be returning with my 3 children next month.
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Having had some fairly bad meals in the past we also thought we would try the food again now the pub is under new management once more.
Things have definitely improved. There is a comfy lounge area and at last there are enough bar stools to go round. I had smoked salmon that came with a fresh mixed leaf green salad and bread, and was pretty good. Cheesy chips weren't bad either. The place is clean and warm and friendly with a good atmosphere that could easily make you want to stay there all day.
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There have been a lot of landlords at Spotted Dog over the past few years and the food has been variable to say the least.
However, we decided to throw caution to the wind the other evening and have a full meal. The pub was warm, there was a very friendly atmosphere and the service was excellent (and very speedy).
The food is miles better than a year ago, definitely as good as The Bottle House, maybe not as good as The George & Dragon... but then it is almost half their price!
The Spotted Dog is now definitely back on my list of favourite pubs; maybe I'll catch sight of one of the ghosts next time...
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I visited the Spotted Dog with friends on Sunday 2nd May. Seen as it was not the sort of day, weather wise, to enjoy the splendid views we were all delighted by the roaring open fires which just add to the traditional ambience of this picturesque pub.
The pub was busy when we arrived and we were greeted as we entered the bar and shown directly to our pre booked table where the waiter attentively took our drinks orders. On ordering wine the waiter returned to our table, opened the bottle offering a taste sample, before pouring.
We all choose a traditional roast lunch to which I had the beef I must add it was delicious. The food was delivered promptly, it was hot and our waiter ensured we had everything we needed before leaving us to enjoy our meal. All of our party commented on the quality of the food including the desserts.
I would highly recommend The Spotted Dog and I promptly booked for next week to celebrate my Mothers birthday along with other family members.
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i visited this pub over the bank holiday weekend without having booked a table so we didnt expect to get fed. the pub was very busy and they were fully booked as we thought they might be! even so we were told we could eat within 15 minutes, so we got a drink from the bar and were shown to the lounge area where we could relax and wait for our table to be available. we beleive that the pub had only just been taken over by new people and all of the staff were very welcoming and pleasant! the food was excellent! we would reccomend it to anyone!
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This pub has very friendly management and bar staff. It appears to be family run. Food was good. Will definately go back.
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Heard the pub was under new management so stopped by with three friends for dinner. Busy pub with good atmosphere & staff were attentive. Food was excellent, all of us had a good meal and service was prompt, despite plenty of other diners. Will definitely go again!
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Hmmm...I used to love this pub, haven't been for a few years, didn't read the reviews on this site either before I went to visit last week with friends - It's hard to describe what's particularly wrong with the place, we had an okayish meal (the plum sauce advertised with the duck turned out to be gravy, would have been nice to have been asked if that was ok beforehand), the fish and chips I had was OK, not the worst I've had (coincidentally I did have one of the best cod and chips here probably 8 or 9 years ago that has stuck vividly in my memory ever since).
I guess its the lack of atmosphere, it was cold, rather unappealing in there and was pretty empty which for a Friday before a Bank Holiday should make the owners/managers question why that is?
The evening was topped off by one of the locals letting his dog have a crap and then a wee right by our table, not the dogs fault and the owner seemed sort of embarrassed but if I was the management I'd have been mortified..they weren't and that probably encapsulates where things are not right at this place..
Shame...it could be a really, really good place...my friends and I will always refer to it now as "The Shi**ing Dog" at Penshurst and I guess we won't be going back.
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Have to report that the information I gave below is incorrect. Was told that the Bottle House Inn owner decided not to proceed. It is, however, under new ownership or management - see website.
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Someone told me last week, at the Bottle Hse Inn just around the corner, that The Spotted Dog was now owned by the chap who owns the Bottle House. I do notice some similarity in the menu which may support this information.
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I had a delicious lunch with my 3 friends today at The Spotted Dog. The place was packed, and had a really nice atmosphere. The food was very tasty, and served by pleasant staff. We found out that it has recently been taken over by a lovely family, who made us feel very welcome as soon as we walked through the door. A shame it was windy, it would have been nice to sit on the back terrace to have our coffee and admire the views. We will definitely be coming back!
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I took the advice of phebs and decided to give the pub another try, so booked a table for my family on Mothers day. What a disaster this turned out to be. Firstly no one seemed to know what they were doing, we had to wait just over an hour for our pre-booked table, when a table became free we were seated, then the food was of a poor quality. On complaining we were offered a refund, which I discovered on leaving that we were not the only ones who complained bitterly and were refunded. I will not return, such a shame to a once great pub
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Not Sure what Shadow LBS is trying to get at there, we visited the pub on Sunday 9th March and was outstanded at the improvment and new feeling within the Spotted Dog, something which hasn't been present for well over 2 years. The food was lovely with an amazing figs starter and creamy and fragrant butternut squash soup. follwed by what can only be described as the most delicious and tender roast beef, my wife had the pork and said that the last pork she had here was fatty and horrible, but this pub seems to have had a change of managment, suppliers and by the look of the car park on arrival has never been busier, good luck to the new manager and his team and hope the chefs and all other staff can keep this hard work and quality up, definate must and 9 out of Ten, the only down side was the weather.. thanks for a great day
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What has happened to this fantastic pub, it used to be great with real ales that almost changed daily. Now they are run of the mill with Larkins, Harveys & Youngs, the menu is overpriced with Haddock instead of Cod and very limited. It looks to me since a change of hands this pub once again is on the decline. In my opinion not worth a visit. 0/10
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I believe this pub has made it through to the CAMERA final six Best Real Ale pubs in West Kent. They must be good at keeping real ales and current person running the pub has been invited to join the South East regional board of the BII. It's such a shame he is leaving on the 24th February to be replaced by someone who is incompetent. She was a manage in the past and failed.
The pubs standing will decline yet again. Such a shame it is owned by people who don't care one jot about it.
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5.4/10 is a severe underrating, and presumably relates to past ups and downs.
As of today lunchtime, this is a brilliant pub. Larkins was good, food was interesting and delicious, logfires burning, and the welcome utterly charming. Lunch for two: �30 - and very good value. I rate it 9/10.
It was also full - which for a Thursday lunchtime speaks for itself - and with a nice mixed crowd of locals and the middle classes, young and old, male and female.
Good pub!
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Went along to the Spotted Dog new people now there, made to feel very welcome from entering the door. There was a huge log fire going as it was a little cold outside. Food was good and filling. Will return again for the super atmosphere and the views.
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I recently ate at the spotted dog on the 16th August, my family and i had 4 roast and were more than impressed with the quality of food and the service within the pub. We sat at the rear of the pub with lovely views. The roast beef we has was gorgeous, rare and accompanied by great roast potatoes and yorkshire puddings. The gravy had obviously been fresh that day and made from the meat, it tasted fantastic.
The service was generally great and helpful with a great selection of beer and wine to choose from...
Would recommend to all my friends, and defiantly come back... we came from Eltham South London to the Spotted Dog on recommendation and we were not disappointed. Great Value
Phebs - 16 Aug 2009 21:49 |
I have recently tried this pub and had a very pleasant time. The food was good and the service was nice too.
The view to the rear is still good and it was nice being able to sit outside.
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I have been to this pub several times recently and find my experience of it is nothing like the last two reviews. I have always had a pleasant experience and enjoyed the food. The menu has always had new items on it and the service has been good.
Perhaps people should try the place for themselves rather than judging by one or two comments.
I will be returning to the pub very soon for a meal and to enjoy the surroundings.
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After the experience we have just had, we would NEVER return to the Spotted Dog.
We went there for Sunday lunch - the food was adequate (it used to be great but has been going downhill every time we have been there for the past two years - I'm sure they never used to serve plastic sachets of sauce with the roast lunch). The service however was very disappointing. We were made to feel as if everything was too much effort - even swapping a scoop of strawberry ice cream for a scoop of another flavour in our children's ice cream was, we were told by a very rude and unhelpful Manager, apparently "not possible" and "too difficult to organise with the chef" (Really? We're not talking rocket science here?).
By the time I left I wondered if it was some form of joke and I had actually been an unknowing extra in a Fawlty Towers sketch.
Reading these reviews I have now discovered that it has recently changed hands. That explains a lot - and what a shame.
If you have children (on indeed if you don't) and are thinking of going there, my advice to you is - don't.
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A year or so ago we went to the Bottle House in Penshurst and it was absolutely fantastic. At the time we were told by "locals" to try the Spotted Dog as it too was very good. Today, 5th July 2009, we eventually tried it and none of us (a table of eight) could believe just how bad it is. Both the food and the service were appalling, from the repeated requests for sauces, drinks, desserts and the bill through to the black Yorkshire puddings, the oil-laden cod & chips and the inability to make a floater coffee (although they were happy to charge for it...)
It all arrived at various times - a bit of a gamble depending on whether you were eating deep fried or re-heated and the 2x Cod & Chips were literally floating in oil, the yorkie had to be sent back as it was (out of a packet and) burned to a blackened crisp, the meat (1x beef, 2x lamb) was just okay but used to cover the soggy (?) roast potatoes and the scampi was clearly not "premium" for the �11 it cost. Accorodng to my dad, the mackerel was okay but then again by his own confession - it's food....
Not even going to talk about the clearly out of a packet puddings that cost between �4 and �6 a go........
At the end of the day, taken over or not taken over, the food was simply bad and the service was 2x naive kids who (in the nicest possible way) didn't have a clue. Never once did anyone give me the chance to explain our concerns, even when I waited five minutes at the bar to pay the bill and the lad behind teh nar and (I assume) the Landlord bickered over who was next.
If you want to eat, AVOID THIS PUB !!
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I was really disappointed when I visited The Spotted Dog recently, It used to be a lovely pub serving good quality home made food with fantastic service, but unfortunately it has changed hands again recently and has gone down hill. The bar man would not tell me which wine was the house wine and therefore the cheapest, I was told the difference between the two wines he offered was pennies, yet when I later found a wine list, It turned out the difference was two pounds and I had mistakenly chosen a very expensive glass of wine. The menu was expensive for basic pub food, Luxury Scampi cost near on ten pounds and I did not discover anything luxurious about it! We ordered Ice Cream for pudding as the pub used to serve amazing home made icecream in a variety of flavours, to be told the only flavours they now serve are neopolitan, We still went ahead in the hope it would be the same delicious icecream they used to serve only to be sorely disappointed again, It was cheap artificial flavoured icecream. I would not reccomend the spotted dog to anyone anymore it was a complete rip off and a waste of a lovely evening.
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This pub is continuing to improve on every visit. I notice it has had some decorating done to the bar/restaurant areas and is now looking a lot brighter and cleaner. The staff are friendly and the manager appears to be on the ball. I hope the improvements continue and this pub can return to its previous good reputation. The menu is looking good too.
anonymous - 19 Feb 2009 13:23 |
Went here for Friday lunch, which was really nice home made soup and bread, the landlord was rather friendly and the dog was welcome she even got some bits of meat, so must be good, would definatley visit again.
Only one negative which may be a bit unfair as it was a lunch time! but lots of noisy babies in bar area.
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What a great pub with fantastic food, such a nice change to find a pub with old values.
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On visiting the Spotted Dog last week I felt compelled to write this brief report, especially considering the previous bad comments.
The first thing I noticed on arrival was the welcoming atmosphere. Talking to the barmaid I discovered the pub was under new ownership and on talking to the Landlord all I can say is what a breath of fresh air as he really does care about his customers and the pub.
The meal we had was to a high standard and good value for money, with the Christmas Menus looking exceptional.
I would reccommend to all, pay another visit as this pub is now going places "The Spotted Dog is back"
anonymous - 6 Oct 2008 21:45 |
I was looking for somewhere to eat this weekend but after reading these reviews and my own experience i thought it worthwhile to post my experience of the Spotted Dog.
A few months ago I went there for a quiet drink with a friend and was treated to the rudest service from the manageress who made us feel unwelcome when we arrived and was made to feel a second class citizen because we were unsure we would be eating and then had great pleasure in telling us the kitchen was closed at 9pm when we decided to look at the menu at ten past nine! I grew up in a busy hotel in Hadlow and have worked extensively dealing with customers!
I am not a complainer or moaner but I felt absolutely shocked at my treatment and then reading these reviews could see this establishment deserved my opinion so i took the trouble to write this and sign up - ordinarily a silent voter with my non attendance of sub standard establishments! If you are in the area go to the Rock if you can find it!
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The food here has been a little inconsistent this year, I understand because of staff changes. However, a new chef was installed in August and I am pleased to comment that having eaten there 3 times in the last 3 weeks the food is back to where it was, consistently good. The Halibut with the King Prawn sauce was superb. The last meal was on Friday when myself and my guests had the misfortune to be sitting near a table where one particular individual had clearly had a bad day and having eaten a full meal called the manager over to remonstrate, about the service, (to the severe embarrassment of his guests who kept looking into there laps and other diners trying to look away). He then proceeded to almost knock the managers glasses off with an over enthusiastic demonstration of the alleged service. This is a pub, not Claridge�s and the service on Friday was polite and timely. My self and diners at other tables thought the manager had handled this matter very well and this individual was unreasonable.
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How I wish I had read the current reviews before visiting the pub on Friday night. At the end of the meal I asked who the manager was. When given a name I was also told she was in her office - she had not been in evidence whilst we were eating. When she emerged we complained to her about the quality of service and the poor standard of food. She was so outraged that we dared do so that she ordered us off the premises. We at least left without paying but she and the pub ruined what should have been a special evening. The manager is easily the rudest and least capable inn manager I have encountered.
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The Spotted Dog promised quality local produce, what a colossal disappointment. The ploughman�s lunch was a dismal example of a traditional pub meal, taking over an hour to assemble a small piece of greasy cheddar, half a spring onion, 2 slices of apple, a small slice of celery, a single lettuce leaf, some soft herby bread and mango chutney! Where was the crusty French bread, local chutney, pickles and apology for slow service? Embarrassingly we had invited friends. We won�t be returning.
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It's amazing how much this pub has changed since I used to drink here (about 25 years ago!) The great open vistas from the rear terrace towards Penshurst have vanished. Trees on neighbouring land now seem to be closing in all around. It also seems claustrophobic and dingy inside - it feels as if the pub has been left to slide. Not many beers available, but I didn't try the food so can't comment on that. Maybe my memories were slightly better than the reality, but felt let down somehow.
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I was so underwhelmed by The Spotted Dog, I felt obliged to write a review no sooner after arriving home from there this afternoon !
How difficult is a cheese ploughmans ? would you not expect Branston or maybe a locally made pickle or chutney to be served with the cheese (especially as there is the farm shop next door). Yup, you've guessed it ... mango chutney !!! When we asked for a decent pickle, we were told that there was nothing else (perhaps the waitress couldn't be bothered to go get some for us). The cheese was accompanied by few lettuce leaves, some herb bread and a couple of small slivers of celery. Pathetic.
The service was slow - being given a pretty pathetic excuse for 5 poughmans taking over an hour to create in a not busy pub (it seems that The Bottle has taken their business).
We had been to the Spotted Dog last year and experienced a very poor service/meal and complained. We were told it was due to a change in management. However it seems that our views (as well as the other people complaining) have not been taken on board.
Definitely not visiting again until management/chef changes. There are so many better pubs out there that deserve our custom more.
Bring in Ramsay !!!
All I can say is what a waste of a lovely pub ... it could be fantastic, but instead it is turning away good custom and it is not like the management hasn't been warned !
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Oh dear, oh dear! Such potential and yet nowhere near reaching it. We booked for four people on a saturday night in late March. I can forgive slow service, but what I cannot forgive is downright rudeness. The 'madam' that, presumably, runs the place really has no people skills and seemed more interested in holding court at the bar than helping her overstretched staff. Very mediocre fare, over cooked and luke warm. Will definitely not be returning and wish I had read sarah_g's comments first. 3/10 by dint of the fact it was open!
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This is one of the most beautiful looking pubs, inside and out. Beer is always good. Food is a little overpriced but tastes good. Sunday roast portions a bit stingy. Like a lot of the best pubs it isn't easy to find, but is one of the very best in Kent.
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I don't know why, this is the third time I've tried to make a posting about this pub and they never seem to appear.
Here's the essence of my previous two attempts -
Don't know what anon should be complaining about on 14th April 07
Good location
Decent landlord
Tasty beer
Excellent fish and chips - besy I've had in a few years.
Pip-pip
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Slow service, even though they were only allowing prebooked diners to eat. Main course was adequate, but when we told the waitress about the bits of cling film in 2 different puddings she didn't seem at all suprised or apologise.
anonymous - 14 Apr 2007 11:52 |
A superb hill top establishment with stunning, far reaching views from the back terraces. Only popped in for a drink but was sorely tempted to eat once I saw the food being dished up. Looked very good indeed. Lots of nooks and crannies and other interesting features. Two local Kentish beers on offer and my Larkins Traditional was the best pint of that brew I have ever tasted (the other brew was Westerham's BB). Very impressed - will return!
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Dined here on a Saturday evening. Unlike the Bottle House down the road, it has its own car park. Lots of odd tables and chairs confirm its gastropub status, and the staff are friendly, courteous and efficient. Good bread and olives for �1 if you don't feel like a starter, but if you, the Welsh rarebit and stuffed field mushrooms were delicious.
Less so the main courses, especially the lamb shanks which could have done with at least another hour in the oven. The steak wasn't that great either. But a good wine list which does not try and rip you off.
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A beautiful pub in gorgeous surroundings. Particularly family-friendly now it's non-smoking. Definitely a great place to come for a drink, whether it's out on the terraces in the summer, or by one of the log fires in the winter. As the comments show, the food can be amazing, but it is not always reliable. Definitely worth visiting, and there's now some very nice local produce in the farm shop next door. Maybe not very good for your weekly shop, but great for special locally-made chutneys, jams and biscuits.
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First visit for a Sunday lunch. Beef superb, with a great yorkshire pudding! Good wine list can recommend the Rioja Marues de la Concordia. We were very impressed by our welcome the staff are very friendly. Vegetables could be improved on - how about some cauliflower cheese or braised chicory.
My girlfriend visited the farm shop, lovely produce but was horrified that an aubergine was �2.50 - she did ask if this was by the kilo but guy behind the till did not seem to know......
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Having recently moved to the area we were recommended to eat at The Spotted Dog,and we were not disappointed. We loved the olde world charm of the building with its wonderful views and the food and wine was excellent. We were also able to purchase some of the produce used in the restaurant from their own farm shop next door. A very enjoyable visit.
anonymous - 3 Sep 2006 13:11 |
I recently spent a lovely evening at The Spotted Dog and really enjoyed the occasion. The menu was interesting and imaginative with some great specials on offer as well. The beer was good, offering three local ales and the wine selection was top quality. All in all a great evening was had by all, with excellent food and good, friendly service. This is one I will visit again!!
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food was OK! �12 roast that was nothing great. May come back? not a patch of its former self. Need to look at prices of lager, OVER �3! its not LONDON!
anonymous - 26 Aug 2006 08:46 |
We visited The Spotted Dog last Sunday and ordered mussels and the Roast Beef - described as Hereford Loin. Mussels were excellent but the beef was a big disappointment - can't think why we did not send it back and change it for something else. We should have done so as the beef was tasteless, the side vegetables had no flavour and the plate was swamped in a heavy, over marmited? flavour. As you can get a quite decent Sunday lunch roast beef at most pubs for �7 we really expected something special for �12. Whate we had was very poor quality. I appreciate that we were late in the day, 3pm, but this was well within their food serving times, if it was too late for good beef we should have been told. Before ordering the lunch we had booked for an evening meal in a couple of weeks time but not sure now whether to risk it. It's not cheap!
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Nice enough pub but there are much better pubs in the area.
juzza - 17 May 2006 10:37 |
We've become instant and avid fans of The Spotted Dog, which has gone straight into our top five!. Having been recommended it several times over the years, we incorporated Smarts Hill into one of our walks in February and again in April, both times being on a Saturday (the second time we rang ahead to be sure of a table). I will happily go there again for as long as it maintains its high standards of friendliness, excellent food (as stated elsewhere, the rival of any gastro-pub) and well-kept ales (Larkins and Sussex). We have yet to dine on the terraces although we could have on the last occasion - that added pleasure is yet to come. I can well imagine the experience would be entirely different if the pub were jam-packed, but this is true of any popular hostelry. I can thoroughly recommend the scallops and the excellent, excellent local bread!
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if dry cider is your tipple then you must indulge in the 7.5% Bone Dry Chiddingstone Cider which is pure pleasure. otherwise there are local beers, larkins and harveys as well as the odd guest ale. Food in the dog has always been very good and rivals any gastro-pub in london. Back in the day there was a much wider selection in terms of menus from the exotic to traditional, all on chalkboard but now the kithcen have opted for a slimmed-down traditional menu jam packed with local produce. the 2 log fires and low ceilings give it a homely-olde-worldy feel as does the pile of walking boots at the door (this is a ramblers pub!). for the brave in winter, or when the weather warms up there is a terrace front and back, the rear having excellent views over the massive estate of penshusrt place and the weald. this place is positively a relaxing experience....word of warning tho': sunday lunchtime is absolutely rammed. the roasts are legendary so don't think about going if you haven't booked at least a week in advance or you will rarely find service as the previous reviewer's comments show.
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Wonderful, wonderful country pub - in my eyes, what country pubs should be. Sadly one that you'll need a designated driver for. However, the staff are very friendly and the beer/food is very good. Probably my favourite pub around Tunbridge Wells. Oh that log fire!
Definately worth a visit.
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My favourite pub in the Tunbridge Wells area! Faboulous! The staff are very friendly and the atmosphere is top notch. The food is excellent and with the large coal fire lit in winter - truly magnificent.
Simon U - 21 Oct 2004 11:19 |
I've been going to the spotty dog for.... gees forever and the one thing which always sold it was the view. why on earth are they letting it disapear behind a screen of 50' fir trees?
Simon Russell - 4 Aug 2004 17:28 |
I used to come to the Spotted Dog regularly in the years '96 - '99 and recently returned after a 4 year absence. I was disappointed to see that it has changed from a traditional English pub serving outstanding but affordable pub food in a rather expensive "nouvelle cuisine" restaurant. The food was good but you have to pay extra if you want vegetables or sauce with your �15 steak. The atmosphere is still relaxed and the staff was excellent but the Spotted Dog is now catering for a more affluent public, which leaves me with a sad feeling of loss - yet another piece of English history gone. As is the stunning view from the back patio, which used to be one of the many attractions of the Spotted Dog. Recommended but don't expect traditional pub grub!
Marjon Bakker - 26 Jul 2004 09:15 |
What a little gem!!! Great staff and great food and great ale!!! What more could you want, this inn is from the 15th cenrty and it just is great!! wood panles and open fires in the winter and a good wine list A+ all round
John Pettet - 2 Jul 2004 21:38 |
