BITE user comments - micbinks
Comments by micbinks
They do a real cider here which was lovely, if rather too strong prior to visiting Bodiam Castle and climbing all those narrow spiral stairs! We sat in the garden in the sunshine and watched the distant steam train come and go on the preserved railway - idyllic.
2 Jul 2013 18:15
The King Ethelbert Inn, Reculver
This pub proved the perfect place to stop off for lunch on a short walk along from Herne Bay. We enjoyed some well cooked and tasty food at amazingly cheap prices, such as a large plate of liver & bacon, mash and veg for £4.95 - wow! Only downside perhaps is the décor is rather old fashioned and could do with modernising but we suspect it's that way for the predominately older patrons here.
2 Jul 2013 18:04
We called in for a drink on a hot weekday while walking part of the North Downs Way/Pilgrims Way. Lovely pub with multiple areas to eat/drink, including a large garden. The food being served looked delicious, what a pity we'd already eaten our picnic earlier! The staff and service were fine and nothing like as criticised in certain previous reviews.
2 Jul 2013 17:41
While perusing the menu outside at the pub entrance a staff member appeared and insisted we enter. So we did and got a drink. But we quickly decided against eating here after observing the tiny portions being served and the high prices. Also we felt we were bullied at the door to enter, so a thumbs down from us too.
2 Jul 2013 17:21
The Sugar Leaves, Hollingbourne
Had a drink and ordered the take-away fish and chips (which was tasty) as with no menus out we thought they weren't doing meals. But it seems they were as another couple were shown to a table to be served what looked like a yummy pie dish, oh well.
2 Jul 2013 17:12
The Dirty Habit, Hollingbourne
Staying locally we enjoyed a mid-week evening visit for a meal - the burger, and fish and chips - which were both tasty and with large portions, if a bit pricey. The staff were friendly and attentive, a little over-attentive perhaps and they seemed to want to push their special deals on us despite telling them we're unlikely to return as we're not local. There's a cosy garden area out the back where we sat after our meal with another drink as it was rather warm inside (no air conditioning?) following a hot day.
2 Jul 2013 17:06
The Park Gate Inn, Hollingbourne
Called in on an early Sunday evening after visiting nearby Leeds Castle. Now we weren't expecting too much after reading the last two reviews but all was well with service, drinks and food, including the roast beef. And they now leave the sauces selection on the table so maybe they've listened to the customers. While not outstanding, all in all a perfectly acceptable experience for a chain pub.
2 Jul 2013 16:50
Was overwhelmed by a strong smell of disinfectant when I walked in; was about to walk straight out again but the observant staff had spotted me so I stopped for a half. The bar staff were welcoming and friendly enough, but that disinfectant was overpowering and nauseating and, with no escape anywhere in the pub, I quickly drank up and left. Not a good experience and wouldn't want to eat in that atmosphere. The pub had a dated feel about it and had bare bulbs in the lamps causing some harsh lighting too. So all in all it's a thumbs down from me. Maybe I hit it on an off day.
3 Nov 2012 15:08
Popped in for a drink one random weekday afternoon after finishing early visiting a client. The young staff were friendly and welcoming, even happy to allow me to ditch a lot of small change when paying. D�cor was a rather dark (prefer light and airy) but wouldn't hold that against them. There's both front and rear outside areas, both pretty small. Didn't eat but the food looked just fine and being enjoyed by others. Toilets (gents) need refurbishment though.
26 Oct 2012 16:03
The Shipwrights Arms, London Bridge
Found the traditional ambiance appropriate having just visited the nearby Britain at War Experience. Lunched here (Sat lunchtime), good portions at reasonable prices, same with the drinks. One minor point - was asked by the rather unfriendly bar lady to remove my cap for the CCTV, fair enough, but had already been in the place best part of an hour and was served by her initially and she didn't ask then so why now? Odd.
2 Oct 2012 17:24
Old Polegate Station, Polegate
A coach party had just arrived when I visited on a weekday lunchtime and it was difficult to find an unreserved seat. So I went to the pub opposite and returned later - to find no bar staff serving. Got served presently but didn't eat as pricey - eg. jackets �6.50, sandwiches �5. However, it's spacious, clean and comfortable as well as historic being the old station - the courtyard outside appears to be on the old platform. Pity about the tall fence making it difficult to see any more of the railway or opposite platform. As I left there seemed to be some issue with processing a customer's card and the 'one table, one bill' policy, the young staff member couldn't deal with it and had to get assistance. Surprised there's no WiFi for such an upmarket place.
6 Sep 2012 18:12
Popped in for a swift half while on the nearby leisure trail on a warm and sunny weekday lunchtime to find I was the only customer! Welcome was friendly enough but the place was dead and the loos look straight out of the sixties. The fact the pub over the road was busy says it all really.
6 Sep 2012 17:52
Amazed this hasn't had any recent reviews as it's so popular! Basic pub popular for a pre-show drink at the nearby theatre and all's good here, if VERY busy in an early summer's evening.
21 Aug 2012 19:27
Popped in for a pint while passing this 'famous in an old film' pub on a busy Saturday in Brighton. Staff attentive, beer good but didn't try the food.
21 Aug 2012 19:22
Yes, the portions are small but they're doing a third off promotion at the moment so I got ham egg and chips for less than a fiver, can't be bad! And the ham was quite thick slices and with two eggs too. But the chips were on the limp side and the waitress asked if I wanted any condiments but never returned with the mustard. One other thing - it seems the staff have stifling procedures to follow, woe betide you if you wander into the pub without checking in first!
28 Jun 2012 18:17
This is a really excellent place. Holidaying in the area and on a walk, we stopped by on a late Saturday lunchtime for lunch which was quite excellent, if somewhat on the pricey side. Drinks were fine too and staff very friendly.
21 Jun 2012 16:37
Called in on a Friday night and wished we hadn't, this place is dead. Absolutely no atmosphere, welcome or food on (or customers) on a Friday night. Don't bother, go to the Wooden Spoon just along the road instead.
21 Jun 2012 16:25
This place is huge! Popped in for a drink one anonymous afternoon while on holiday and enjoyed a friendly welcome. We didn't eat so can't comment on the food but the drinks were just fine.
21 Jun 2012 16:19
Called in for a drink and meal one Friday evening while staying in town on holiday and found it to be first rate - a friendly welcome, with good service and food. Excellent!
21 Jun 2012 16:09
The Dorset Street Bar, Brighton
We called in for a pint of excellent (but bit pricey) Sams cider we spotted a cask of on the bar counter (many pubs in the North Laines do this). This place is buzzing, and heaving with a friendly good natured crowd, especially in the evenings. They put extra tables out over the road at weekends when it's closed to traffic; perhaps not the most idyllic spot but very pleasant for a city centre pub.
27 Sep 2011 18:49
Expensive, dated, grubby loos together with surly staff means there's no way this pub can be recommended, but then it was very busy on a hot summer's day thronging with tourists. That shouldn't be an excuse though, other places manage just fine.
18 Aug 2011 15:39
The Waggon and Horses, Brighton
Perfectly acceptable pub to stop by with congenial staff, nothing special but nothing wrong with it either, although the outside drinking area is right alongside the road. Popular with the theatre and pre-clubbing crowd on weekend evenings.
10 Aug 2011 15:36
The John Logie Baird, Hastings
Not a good experience on a weekday lunchtime visit - surly staff, poor beer, ghastly customers... nuff said.
25 Jul 2011 16:25
Somewhat dingy inside and perhaps in need of modernisation, but it has a huge child friendly garden and many stuffed figures in the trees to spot. We can't vouch for the food as we didn't eat but did enjoy a pint of Ale of Wight. It's opposite the large car/coach park for Godshill tourists so expect it to get busy when another coach disgorges its payload!
23 Jun 2011 16:21
We called in for lunch one weekday lunchtime after a holiday walk to Godshill and found the welcome, service and food brilliant. Drinks wise we enjoyed a rather strong Old Rosie cider, so it was just as well we were on foot! Many of the staff seem to be hospitality and catering students but it's none the worse for that as they're keen to impress and please, as they did excellently.
23 Jun 2011 16:17
This pub really is an excellent choice in this popular tourist area. Quick, efficient service from friendly staff and tasty food. A bonus on our visit was the lack of traffic as the road was closed further along, making sitting outside on a sunny lunchtime even more enjoyable.
23 Jun 2011 16:05
While the welcome and service was faultless on our Saturday evening visit while staying in town the food was well below par, especially so considering the prices. Between our two steaks both were done very rare when we requested medium, chips and saut� potatoes were soggy and limp, the onion rings weren't crisp and the mushrooms tasteless. We tried The Worsley up the road later in the week where the food was much better. We didn't risk any beer, just stuck to lager.
23 Jun 2011 15:58
We met friends here by arrangement for a lunchtime meal on the bank holiday and discovered they didn't have any record of our website booking despite having been issued a reference number! Not a good start then, but they agreed to book us in there and then. Then when we asked for our table they had trouble finding it in their bookings book (it was there, only the young guy on duty couldn't see it)! Our meals were OK, and service was OK but nothing special really considering the prices charged. Oh, the drinks were OK too if a bit on the pricey side. One last thing, the uncushioned seats get pretty hard after a while.
31 May 2011 16:55
Met with friends for a lunchtime meal and ended up disappointed. Nothing particularly wrong with the drinks or food, it was just nothing special, service included. The staff did their best but it was clear this was a far from happy ship. And the beautiful barmaids mentioned in the last post must have been elsewhere on our visit! Needs new life injecting...
30 Oct 2010 19:14
A lovely friendly pub in the North Laines area with a little courtyard out at the back. Don't let the frontage put you off; this place is buzzing with a young-ish crowd, efficient staff, a terrific range of Ciders and an interesting Thai food menu.
11 Sep 2010 13:52
We gave up coming here to eat some time ago after bad experiences along the lines of previous reviews, but pop in from time to time for a drink in the lovely garden. However, this time the garden was closed for some reason and NO draught lagers were on, not even one! Had to make do with some tepid old boys type bitter.
6 Sep 2010 16:05
Handy stop off for refreshment while walking the Cuckoo Trail. Not very inspiring converted barn with a sports originated feel. But check-out the HUGE video screen theatre! Has a pebbled beer garden including small kiddie play area. No dryer or towel in gents on our visit. Drinks fine, does food but not tried.
1 Sep 2010 20:27
Well, popped in for a pint one weekday lunchtime while client visiting locally and found it to be perfectly OK - efficient service, reasonable prices - and normal looking customers too! Although I didn't eat the food looked fine and they have some tempting food deals too. All in all not as bad as previous comments would suggest. In view of the improvements noticed on my visit a few months ago to the other JDW pub nearby it looks like JDW have upped their game.
25 Aug 2010 16:04
The Earl Of Burlington, Eastbourne
When we last visited this place a few years back we thought it dreadful � both with its ASBO type dole money customers making you feel on edge together with the couldn't-care-less, curt staff serving dodgy beer and even worse food. Now, popping in for a pint on a weekday lunchtime (as before) we're pleased to say things have greatly improved � the ASBO lot are gone and the efficient, friendly staff now motivated. Although we didn't eat, even the food being served looked edible now! The rear courtyard looks like it's been extended too. Mainly elderly customers and mums with their young offspring but all seem too behave and gel together.
1 Jul 2010 16:10
We previously visited this pub when staying locally in 2005, enjoying three evening visits then. This time we stopped by for a late lunch en-route to Cornwall and were pleased to see the same high standards of hospitality with staff friendliness, drink quality and food quality. A consistently excellent pub!
24 Jun 2010 15:23
A spacious and attractive looking pub in a prime position on the harbour front. Although the staff were friendly and efficient and the drinks (Tinners and Rattler cider) fine, the food was of a low standard and slow to arrive despite it not being a busy time. The food wasn't particularly hot (between us: lukewarm burger, peas, scampi) and soggy chips. The salad garnish was good though.
22 Jun 2010 16:56
Well, we must have got misled by the previous reviews as we made a beeline for this pub on arrival in Porthleven after walking the coast path. The welcome was OK and the landlord helpful in pointing us in the direction of where we could eat (they'd stopped serving lunch), but the place came across as rather dated and in dire need of modernisation, particularly the WCs. The one redeeming feature was the beer � the Doom was superb and the Orchard cider just fine.
22 Jun 2010 16:51
The Welloe Rock Inn / Sand Bar, Praa Sands
Lovely laid back and relaxed sort of pub with good vibes, overlooking the sandy beach.
22 Jun 2010 16:48
We visited on two evenings while staying in Ashton on holiday and enjoyed a warm welcome, helpful and efficient landlord, well kept beer and, above all, some tantalisingly tasty food. A wonderful place, just a shame it's 300 miles from home!
22 Jun 2010 16:40
We called in for a drink one afternoon while visiting St Ives during a holiday. Despite there not being many people at the bar the service was very slow (although they did apologise) and the loos of a poor standard. We wouldn't like to risk eating here, but OK for a drink on a sunny day outside.
22 Jun 2010 16:27
Often a stop off for a swift lunchtime drink when in Brighton on (monthly) business, mostly always friendly staff but unusual to see the same face twice! Menu rather limited, all they seem to do now are pies, pies and more pies! Pub has a small uninspiring outside 'garden' area in an always shaded alleyway. Watch out for the very narrow stairs to the loos.
4 Jun 2010 16:38
Friendly city centre pub in a busy pedestrianised area. It could probably could do with some modernisation but it gets by. The outdoor drinking area is rather tightly packed with lightweight 'tin'tables, most of which wobble on the uneven pavement so be careful your drinks don't spill. We didn't eat on our lunchtime visit but the beer was fine and the service at the bar fast and efficient. Excellent stop off on way to or from the shops! Passed by later and the place was buzzing in the early evening.
25 May 2010 19:17
On our Sunday lunchtime visit we enjoyed attentive service from the friendly and welcoming staff in this inviting pub. We ate in the bar area where the tasty food was served promptly and efficiently; clearly this independent establishment are well versed in providing a first-rate catering service. There is a large comfortable looking restaurant and a garden at the rear, plus a few tables strangely positioned in the large car park. The beers are well kept, perhaps the food is a little on the pricey side, but this can be forgiven when the quality is so high. Some great views to the south downs, but restricted from the garden unfortunately.
17 Aug 2009 14:11
The Crown and Trumpet Inn, Broadway
Staying in Broadway on holiday, we enjoyed a very warm and friendly welcome on the weekday evening of our visit. The food was excellent too � tasty steak and kidney pie and yummy lasagne with garlic bread. The place has a rather old fashioned feel about it and could do with a bit of refurbishment, especially the carpet and toilets, but despite that it's well worth seeking this pub out (just off the high street). No sign of the Tim Taylors though, try the Doom instead.
15 Jul 2009 16:18
We visited one weekday evening while staying in Broadway on holiday. Despite a rather uninspiring interior and (initially) so-so staff and few customers, we both enjoyed an excellently tender Lamb Shank which just fell off the bone followed by an equally tasty profiterole smash, all served by the attentive staff. A bonus was the entertaining local ABSO kids performing their 'nobody's about, let's hide the beer in our backpack and lob the box over the wall' act in the street � right opposite the pub!
15 Jul 2009 16:11
First impressions are so important, and our initial impression was not good at The Swan on our weekday evening visit. The rather unwelcoming bar staff should have been an omen, as although the restaurant staff were much more accommodating, the food was very disappointing. Undercooked gristly steak (ordered as medium done), stringy chips (like those from MacDonalds) and hard, underdone vegetables. The steak and mushroom pie was the only saving grace before being served a well presented, but bland and tasteless cheesecake for desert (which took an age to order and another age to arrive). They're far better places in Broadway (where we were staying on holiday). Give this one a miss, our impression is The Swan has become complacent with the tourist trade.
15 Jul 2009 16:02
Excellent foodie pub with BBQ in the summer months on the three level terrace garden. We ate in the comfortable bar area served by attentive and friendly staff; the high quality food arrived promptly despite the busy restaurant area. We've visited on a number of occasions in previous years and cannot fault this place.
22 Jun 2009 19:43
The Jack and Jill Inn, Clayton
We visited on a weekday lunchtime and ordered roast pork from the extensive menu which was served promptly and on an oversized and full large plate, complete with no less than six veg. Staff were friendly and efficient. Previously we've visited at busier times (sometimes very busy) at weekends and also experienced efficient service. The pub has a large, if unexciting, garden and inside it was clean and comfortable, although agree with previous comments about being in need of modernisation, particularly the toilets.
30 May 2009 16:53
We visited for a family birthday meal and found this pub to be an excellent eating establishment! The food was tasty, well cooked and plentiful and arrived promptly after ordering. The chef greeted us personally, as he did a few months back on another visit.
If we had to criticise anything it would be the wait at the bar, with drinks (eventually) served by an unsmiling bartender. But otherwise, a big thumbs up from us!
16 Oct 2008 18:14
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.
8 Sep 2008 17:18
We visited this pub while staying in the village on holiday and with some trepidation after reading the previous reviews. In fact we visited three times (evenings) during the week. On each occasion we both enjoyed excellent food, splendid service and couldn't really fault anything, except maybe the loos could do with some improvement. We also overheard other customers discussing how good they found the food. We can certainly recommend this place!
7 Aug 2008 20:01
The Mash Tun, Brighton
Good pit-stop for a pre-theatre drink in the early evening but got very busy with clubber types pre-loading later. Nothing wrong with that though, everyone very friendly. Rather tatty inside, but good efficient service for such a heaving place. I should imagine it feels a different place entirely earlier in the day.
29 Aug 2013 15:16