Edwards Brasserie, Sevenoaks

Went there recently for lunch and sat in the garden at the back which was nice with views across the fields and hills. Inside its been done up in a fairly modern style and quite large. There was Harveys on tap but was driving so had to give it a miss. The staff were friendly.

The menu was tempting with lots of lighter meals, sandwiches, burgers, salads and the usual fayre. The specials board was mainly fish based so I opted for the cod in a lobster sauce with asparagus - cost nearly �14. I asked if I need to order any sides and was told that it would be enough. It came on a large plate but was a very small piece of fish - the sauce was weak and insipid. There were a few chopped up new potatoes and some asparagus - I ate it within minutes and was still hungry. I thought this was a very average meal that was not worth the price.

I opted for the cheese board to quell my hunger and asked if I could have some crusty bread instead of biscuits - was told that they didn't have that kind of bread (??).

My friends meals were ok although they said the burger was average and didn't taste of much.

I think this pub is nicer if you sit outside on a warm day as its rather souless inside in an 80's kind of way. Food was over-priced but service friendly.

30 Jun 2012 17:01

The Plough Inn, Hildenborough

Lovely old pub in a quietish rural setting (busy road noise in the distance). Nice garden out the back and good if you have kids in tow as there is a playground at the back. Rustic with lots of nooks and crannies inside and a range of hand pumped ales (had the Harveys which was good). We were a little dissapointed with the food though - nearly �12 for fish and chips with a very small piece of fish - it was at least half the size of fish you get in other pubs.

The steak sandwich (apparently its famous for this) was ok although the bread was cheap doughy baguette which stuck to the top of my mouth. The steak was a little tough but had fried onions which was nice. A better quality bread would improve this no end (and some rocket - although the owners are clearly trying not to be 'poncey' so that may be a step too far). The condiments are in those nasty cheap little sachets and not very good quality.

The menu is fairly 'bog standard' old fashioned fayre although there is a small range of specials and they were serving curry when we went.

All in all a nice pub which could do with upping the quality of its food a bit (to match the prices they charge). Staff were friendly though.

30 Jun 2012 16:53

Fleur-de-Lis, Leigh

Don't let the shabby exterior and interior put you off - this is a friendly pub with excellent food. Everything I've eaten in the last few months has been great. Its a shame they don't smarten up the interior though - those old fashioned dark wood chairs are not very comfortable and the yard out the back could do with some landscaping. Still, if you want a good meal at a reasonable price its a good location.

There are hand drawn ales and a guest beer of the month - haven't had a bad pint yet.

I'd give the food an 8 and the general ambience/interior a 5.

5 May 2012 17:14

The Leicester Arms, Penshurst

Visited a week ago and won't be going back. We arrived for a late lunch and took ages to process the orders. We were told that the fish on the fish sandwich was breaded but when it came it was battered and very greasy... we couldn't eat it all. My friend ordered a brownie for dessert but after waiting a while I asked at the bar - the kitchen hadn't got the order so we left. It was all very disorganised and I hate to think how they would cope with a rush... it all seemed very grubby, especially en route to the toilets. Such a shame to have a third rate dive in such a lovely village... they must rely on passing trade as they clearly don't care about developing regular custom.

20 Apr 2012 17:19

The Maid of Muswell, Muswell Hill

Went in for Saturday lunch for the first time. In the daytime it has quite a nice ambience and has a real mix of customers, from young couples to families, old gents and larger swilling geezers (annoyingly loud and spending more time shouting into their mobile phones).

We tried the menu but was not impressed. Its nice and cheap and has the kind of things you want on an honest pub menu but I gues s you get what you paid for. The lasagne tasted like it was a cheap ready meal and the burger was over-cooked. Not much evidence of home-cooked fayre I'm afraid. You are probably all right if you stick to sandwiches and chips.

A small selection of real ales but poor industrial wine list.

I really wanted to like this pub but the lack of attention to quality has let it down for me I'm afraid.

7 Mar 2009 14:47

The Clissold Arms, East Finchley

We were so looking forward to Muswell Hill finally getting a gastropub and have been in there several times but am generally disappointed by the place. The interior is bland and characterless (especially the restaurant section). We always struggle to find something on the menu, particularly at lunchtime. They don't do sandwiches or a nice home-made pie which are often the kind of food you want in the middle of the day - the lunch menu can be a bit 'poncey' and overpriced and we often end up walking out.

The beer is ok but the wine list is small and never seems to change. I also find that the food is overpriced for what you get as you have to order side dishes at �3 a pop to fill up the plate.

Maybe I'm a bit old fashioned but to have a pub full of screaming kids at lunchtime is not what I'd expect. We go to a pub to avoid the yummy mummy brigade that you get on the Broadway but I guess they need all the business they can get.

I would suggest that the Clissold revisit the menu, offer something simpler and more reasonably priced at lunchtime and have a changing wine list.

21 Feb 2009 19:01

The Slug and Lettuce, Muswell Hill

I've been in a few times since it changed from Bar Ha Ha and I'm always disappointed and vow never to go in again. Its a dark and characterless place - the only natural light is by the window which is where most people huddle. We went in today for a glass of wine and a burger. The wine list was the usual industrial, unimaginative and overpriced fare. The burger was apparently 8oz but was a small over-cooked dry lump on a very small bun. I'm sure the burgers used to be better than this. I had ordered the Mexican Burger which was supposed to come with sour cream - it didn't and I had to go back to the kitchen to ask for some.

I think they have tried to make the burgers look a bit more 'up market' in order to justify the �10 price tag. Nearly everyone was ordering burgers so you would think that they chef would be able to cook these well - it tasted as if the burger had been sitting around for a while.

We complained and were offered a 15% discount off the bill however on the basis of this disappointing meal we won't be eating there again.

21 Feb 2009 18:51