BITE user comments - GourmetKitty
Comments by GourmetKitty
I simply must take issue with the comment posted by Hanck of the Plough being a "poor public house". Is the fact that he had re-heated chicken the one and all criteria by which to judge a pub? we all know that pubs have varying chefs and Hanck obviously hit the wrong chef on the wrong day. Whilst I can't comment on the food he had (and yes, cold and reheating is NOT ON) I have had very decent food there and sometimes even plain delicious - depending on who cooks. But folks - the pub is simply charming, cosy, lively yet relaxing, very welcoming and Simon & Jo are great young licensees who manage to pack the place with an interesting and varied local and afar crowd. The Thai food can be very good indeed and adds an interesting other dimension. So I am afraid Hanck - I suggest you eat your words - if you can digest them!
7 Oct 2010 17:52
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!
7 Oct 2010 17:37
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.
13 Jul 2010 18:59
One of the few remaining true Kentish character pubs, this tiny wee public house is a real gem, made so particularly by the recent arrival of the new young managing couple. Huge fireplace, odd matching chairs and small tables, a large bar area dining table and a small snug next door for dining make it a welcoming place to pop into just for a drink or for some decent and partly quite inventive home cooked pub food. So far we have only had the Fish & Chips (if a pub can't to chips, they are not worth going to!) and the fish was spanking fresh, the batter light and the chips yummy. They do special Wednesday nights (a recent one a Belgian Night with Moules Mariniere, Steak Frites and Belgian Beers) which is a nice touch to an otherwise rather traditional area and their Sunday lunches are said to be fab. Good walks from there and it's a pub where you don't have to take off your muddy boots - good on you and much success!
13 Jul 2010 18:47
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.
13 Jul 2010 18:37
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The Rock, Chiddingstone Hoath
May we, please, put that Oily Fish Debate to rest. The place is the best it has been for donkeys - Laura is lovely & frothy front of house, Matt is charming, and I disagree entirely with the oily fish brigade. Maybe a bad chef day? Our chips were crisp, dry and this side of well done, just right. On a recent (wet) Sunday long Kentish walk we came in with our two dogs, sat down to a blazing fire, welcoming pub, a few locals, and a fab chilled Leffe Blond, a draft cider and then, as they came in bit by bit (just as muddy) enjoyed a bunch of other locals, walkers, lots of dogs, muddy boots and conversation ranging from harvest to shooting to the City and latest FTSie.......tell me one place where you can do that 50 mins outside London..........and have a decent Sunday Roast for under a Tenner?! long may Laura & Matt be there!
15 Oct 2010 22:54