Griffin Inn, Fletchingback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Personally feel its starting to go downhill...its lost its personal feel, becoming too in with the London set, really sad.
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An lovely pub in a beautiful village. A good range of well kept ales and although we didnt eat, the menu looked tremendous. Very nice interior in keeping with the look of the whole village.
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In an earlier post, I didn't comment on the food because I didn't eat there but now I have and I thought the food was very good. A tad pricey matbe but the quality justified it.
They had Recory Ale, Hepworth's Iron Horse and Harveys on. The Rectory ale wasn't off but it certainly was right, the Harveys on the hand, was fine.
Now the down side. Don't go to this pub on a Sunday lunchtime because, as with so many int he area, the place is heaving with screaming kids and their ill-mannered parents.
A shame because it would otherwise be a good pub.
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too erratic staff and other things mean a delight one night and a disaster the next
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Just to buck the trend, I am not going to comment about the food in this pub, because I didn't go there to eat, I went here to have a couple of drinks with some friends and this is a pub, isn't it?
The Harvey's I tried was well kept and as it should be. They have a couple of guest ales as well, which I gather change quite frequently.
It was a warm day so we went into the garden, which is lovely and has teriffic views and is clearly an attraction of the pub.
All good stuff apart from the service at the bar. Polite enough but so, so slow. There was a queue at the bar while some staff were busying themselves doing anything other than serve customers.
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On recommendation from not 1 but 2 friends, whilst in the vicinity on Saturday I took the opportunity to avail myself of the Griffin's charms - and I have to report that there are many, albeit that I can perfectly understand why it might not suit every pubgoer's preferences, and indeed it is not perhaps a pub for all occasions. Those needing earthy charm, steak 'n' ale pie, pool and darts, a jukebox and a social club atmosphere need not apply.
On arrival, I felt immediately warm and welcome, surrounded by a rather baronial but still cosy and comforting oak-panelled interior, complete with flagstone floor and numerous other character features which I can only trust are authentic. It is plainly "posh" - as much as I hate to use that word it is a convenient catch-all descriptor for the kind of moneyed milieu that a pub offering a restaurant-quality menu and a wine list to match would find magentically attractive. But the difference between the Griffin and its now innumerable gastro-tentious counterparts is that it retains a genuine sense of "pubbiness"; it is not solely the preserve of those with a fine-dining bent, and as a drinker one is made to feel just as comfortable at the bar as one who is lunching, having booked a table in a sequestered corner of the dining room.
The service was jolly; the licensee (the latest in a long line of them from the same family and with a suitably scrumptious residence just across the road) was a very affable cove, as was his young male and female assistants, who were both immacutaly well-heeled but without undue snooty undertones.
The ale selection is competitive, with a range of 4 locally-brewed Sussex beers on offer. The Hepworth Iron Horse was in good nick, and it led to me to wonder why the pub has been omitted from the GBG in recent years. Indeed I asked the landlord, who was similarly perplexed, especially as he is personally acquainted with the good Mr Protz. I rather think it is local branch politics, or merely a surfeit of other pubs filling the local quota, that is precluding its re-entry at present. In any case, I found it to be more worthy in this regard than many entries that did manage a berth in the Big Beery Bible: a lesson worth learning there.
Food-wise, the menu looked very inviting, but alas I was not in need of victualling at that point. I took the liberty of perusing the wine list, and was impressed to find real top-drawer gems available, probably reaching a zenith with Chateau Leoville Las-Cases '82 and Dom Perignon '00, amongst other delights which arguably seemed ill-at-ease in a pub context, even one as lavish as this. Do note however, there was a good 50-80% mark-up to match; the cheapest bottle will start around the �20 level and take you up to �350 for said Bordeaux classic - which ironically represented probably some of the best value, as that would come well into 3 figures at retail.
The company was, perhaps predictably, well-heeled, and traditionally I am a lover of a more mixed bag in my pubs. That said, it seemed to lack the usual air of faux snobbery and superiority complexes one finds in more grandiose hostelries; rather it was an old-fashioned, old money deference and politeness which actually one all too often misses in most eating/drinking establishments nowadays. I was not in any way left feeling a 2nd-rate citizen who didn't really belong. It's not a divisive establishment I think.
I have to say, I really warmed to the Griffin and its people, as it was more a case of pure class than pretence. I would be prepared to go some distance - literally and financially - to enjoy more of what it has to offer, and any class-ist issues will be set aside. I hope it's not too long before I do, and when I do, I am confident they won't disappoint.
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I must be the quintessential Griffin Groupie as I drag my husband there for every birthday, anniversary, Friday lunch as and when I can. To us both it represents all a good pub should be: a lively welcoming (you feel at home as soon as you enter), ridiculously charming interior with big fire place, candles, flowers, sofas, newspapers, handwritten daily blackboard menu (often still being done as we arrive - so spanking fresh) larger than life landlord and I haven't even started on the food! Yes the prices are steepish for a pub (but not as expensive as a previous reviewer makes out to be!) but this ain't just pub food. This is Griffin Food. You gets what you pays for and happily so here. The Gambas with chilli and lime on Rye toast are a dream, the Gnocchi I had recently were so featherlight and creamy I wanted to faint with delight, the linguine with clams are always spanking fresh and hot and the Sticky Toffee Pudding you can smell before it arrives at the table........decent wines by the glass, superlative Italian Olive oil and crusty home baked bread. What more can I say? Cheese Board a teeny weeny bit too unimaginative and too small for the price..........that said, we love the place.
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The restaurant here has to be one of the best I've been to in a long time. We were booked for arguably one of the most busy times on Easter Monday and grabbed the last table. In spite of the fact that the place was heaving, the service was personal, friendly and efficient. The menu changes daily but our starters - Wild Garlic Soup and Seared Scallops were respectively fresh and full of flavour whilst the seafood was fresh and cooked to perfection. The Roast Lamb and Slow Roasted Belly of Pork were both likewise perfect. The pub is always busy mainly with locals or those from the neighbouring villages - surely a good sign. The atmosphere is very friendly, warm and chatty. I would agree that the food is expensive, both in the bar and in the restaurant however with the quality of the cooking, service and presentation you would expect a heavier than normal bill. For food if your taste is basic Ploughmans or Chicken in a Basket then don't go to the Griffin; if you like places with a buzz, good beer, excellent food and professional friendly service then the Griffin's for you
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I'm sorry others weren't too keen on it, but my wife and I stayed there for the night and everything was wonderful. Excellent supper, great wine (try the "Janasse 2006"), beuatifully done up room and fine breakfast. Lovely village with stunning church and good walks. Dinner �128 for 4, including fillet beef, lots of alcohol, three courses. Staff friendly.
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I took my brother here for lunch. He was visiting our country from Austalia and thought the prices were a little steep considering other good pubs we had visited. The food was good but if I order an Eton Mess I think that perhaps raspberries and not strawberries should be served. Not to worry my brother enjoyed the gardens and his beer. He only comes to England every 10-15 years so it is worth overspending. I won't be visiting again at those sorts of prices.
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excellent pub spoilt by being too popular and patchy food, (some days great some times awful). This is the place to go during week after work early summer evenings looking over the fields in the garden, let the kids run around and have a few beers. If you do want to eat book the restaurant for lunch as they are usually better then. Avoid weekends like the plague unless just drinking.
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Positives: -
Good looking pub.
Nice garden.
Nice views.
Negatives: -
Very, very, very, very, very, VERY expensive food.
Small, small, small, small, small, small, minute portions of food.
Stuffy atmosphere.
A bit too pretentious.
Staff are not friendly. Take themselves oh so seriously.
In summary: a place to be seen rather than a place to spend money on good honest food.
You have been warned.
For me the Middle House in Mayfield beats the Griffin HANDS DOWN.
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I read recently that this was one of the top 10 pubs in England (but can't remeber where I read it). I can see why from some points of view - great garden and views, much olde worlde charm etc etc. But hang on, the food is only ordinary although the prices are anything but - they are way too high for this standard of food, and so are the beer prices. I'll probably go back for the gardens when I'm feeling flush, but I won't be eating.
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Very, Very expensive pretentious food. �9 for soup!
Beer was off and wine was sour.
Staff had a �superior� air.
Nice garden and view.
Very small loos. Too small for the size of the pub.
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We went to the Griffin Inn at the weekend and I had been looking forward to our visit. We were not disappointed with the character of the pub, the views from the garden (which were simply stunning) and the service, but the BBQ food was very pricey and the portions... well, "stingy" was the word mostly used around our table, and it wasn't as if they hadn't made enough to go round. I would go again, but not for the BBQ. Puddings were nice, but again very pricey. You need to get there very early, otherwise you run the risk of not getting a table. All in all a great pub, but over-priced food and small portion sizes marred our visit slightly.
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This pub has the lot really. Amazing views from the garden (probably the best I've ever seen from a pub), small cosy old interior, superb food and beer. Unfortunately, as a result it is too popular and may be difficult to get a seat. Also the prices are absolutely ridiclous.
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Overpriced and pretentious although the food was good. Fantastiv views from garden but very cramped indoors
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I disagree with vez. Perhaps I dont mind a few "posh idiots", but then whon else can afoord to live out there? I've just had a great meal there. The view from the massive garden is a beaut. Nice and cosy feel inside too.
anonymous - 9 Oct 2006 14:52 |
Over-rated! Good food & wine list but over priced. Beautiful sunset in the garden. Full of posh idiots! Now its just trading on an old reputation. Service is average. Too many other excellent places out there for me to bother again!
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I totally disagree with the two previous reviews. I have been going to The Griffin for several years and the standard has been consistently high. Excellent food and wine list, especially when enjoyed on the beautiful terrace.
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I have been taken there for lunch 4 times and hope that I am not taken again.
Everyone tells me how great it is, but I have never had a good meal and the staff was rude 3 out of 4 times.
I think all of the good publicity has gone to his head and the 'pub' (?) is suffering because of it.
anonymous - 24 Jul 2006 11:52 |
Terribly upper middle-class. Super food, lovely proprietor. Marvellous, dahling. A pub? Oh hardly! Bet they don't get many blacks or working folk.
anonymous - 14 Mar 2006 23:43 |
I stayed here recently and quite frankly is one of the best pubs/hotels/restuarants I have been to. Highly recommend it.
ems - 3 Nov 2004 16:21 |
Brilliant pub and great garden to loll around in on summer days. Food is excellent but barbies can be expensive. Also do a great Bloody Mary if you are in need.....
Joe B - 18 Dec 2003 13:18 |
A fine combination of restaurant and drinking hole. The food,although a bit expensive, is excellent and innovative. There is also an outside patio area with shades and heaters for dining in good weather. They have a club bar with its own bar and sofas to lounge in. "An up market " public bar.
It often comes out tops with other well known guides and it is quiet understandable that it should
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