BITE user comments - nickmarch
Comments by nickmarch
Revisited after a long absence and found this pub has improved with new tenants
Pluses - The friendliest welcome possible! A proper fire burning in the grate. A good mix of locals and visitors. Interesting and varied menu. Good beer.
Garden by river nice in summer
Minuses - food service very slow. Food only average quality for the prices(fried eggs overcooked). A bit cluttered and uncomfortable inside. Lots of wasted space in under-utilised restaurant area.
9 Mar 2010 17:58
Was a nice pub a couple of years ago but has gone downhill fast. Attractive surroundings, good beer and friendly staff let down by poor and overpriced food. Virtually empty when we have visited on Saturday evenings recently with several menu options unavailable. Tried again last week on quiet lunchtime but waited 45 minutes for uninspiring and burnt food. Wasn't worth the wait. Won't bother again.
20 Mar 2008 21:25
Excellent pub with great food. Service is not the quickest but food always worth waiting for.
10 Nov 2007 16:51
The Abinger Hatch, Abinger Common
Came here after the refurb a couple of years ago and hated it, finding it expensive and pretentious. Went back last week and either I've mellowed (not likely)or it's much improved. They got all the basics right - it was warm, comfortable friendly and efficient. Ringwoods beer well kept, white wine chilled and food was superb. Highly recommended.
7 Mar 2007 18:05
The Red Lion, Chipping Campden
Visited the area recently and loved this pub. Much nicer than some its better known local rivals.If I had to design the perfect English country pub it would look pretty much like this. Warm and comfortable with fires (coal effect gas but you can't have everything)which are actually lit when it's cold! Freshly cooked and good quality food from specials board. Friendly and efficient service. Candlelit in the evening. Friendly service. Excellent!
8 Feb 2007 17:47
The Park Lodge Hotel, Teddington
Food not bad and impressive space but let down by hopeless service. Visited 3 times recently, service was slow and on each occasion they managed to muck up, bringing either the wrong dish or, once, nothing at all. Friends have had similar experience. Restaurant always empty when we went.I wonder why?
3 Feb 2007 11:58
The Black Swan, Martyr's Green
Hopeless. Pub first tried to put us off through incompetence and then, when that failed, tried to poison us! Ordered simple burger got beef brisket, sent that back and got correct burger but completely raw in the middle. Sent back again. By this time partner had finished their meal and was ready to go home. Eventually got correct cooked burger but served with original accompanying chips, roll etc which were by this time stone cold. How we laughed!! Maybe some of the money spent on refurb could have gone on training competent staff.
3 Feb 2007 11:43
Used to come regularly but quality tailed off a couple of years ago. Thought we'd give it another try. Shouldn't have bothered, its even worse! A big cold pub, virtually empty on a chilly night. Sat near radiator for warmth but it was turned off. Beer ok, service pleasant but food appallingly bad. Pie burnt outside, dried up inside, vegetables stone cold and semi cooked. Waitress took plate and was heard to exclaim to her colleague "he (chef)shouldn't be allowed near the kitchen". Waitress returned and apologised and there followed this surreal conversation:
waitress - "would you like to try our deserts?"
me - "no thanks"
waitress - "oh,its ok, they're bought in. The chef won't have touched them"!!
At least they had the grace not to charge us.
Deeply depressing experience - avoid.
4 Apr 2006 17:55
The Kings Arms, Fernhurst
One caveat.
Encouraged by good reviews on this site we made a 30 mile detour with the intention of having a couple of drinks and some food Sat pm at 17.00.
We had checked the website first which advertises food available all day and there is also a notice outside which says that food is served from 12.00 to 21.00. However we were told "we don't start serving until 18.00".
0/10 for customer service and communication.
18 Apr 2010 11:08