The Peacock Inn, Piltdown

How disappointing! We have been regular users of this pub for a number of years and found their meals and drinks to be of the style that we appreciated. Beer from the local brewery always tasted right and the selection of meals catered for most tastes and were always served piping hot and with a good selection of vegetables. So, for any celebrations, treats for visitors or the odd occasion when we fancied a meal, it was always the Peacock as first choice.
Following an extended closure, we visited last night for a meal. We were presented with a very limited choice from a standard or A La Carte menu and daily specials board. A significant proportion fell in to what I call " pretentious" meals. Trying to be the new style of small portions on a plate with fancy names for the ingredients. Gone were all the old favourites and little or no choice in plain (as in non-spiced, none game) style meals. Even the wife's liqueur coffee was only tepid and not hot. Also noticed that there were no 'regulars' enjoying a drink at the bar - there were only three other couples in the pub at 7:30 on a Saturday evening. All in all very disappointing and sadly one that we will be crossing off our favourites list for quite a while.

18 Nov 2012 09:31

The Old Ship, Ringmer

Visited between Christmas and New Year for lunch with a family friend. Very disappointed with service which has not impoved in speed since our first visit 12 months ago. Most popular choices from menu were sold out within 1 hour of opening. Eventually chose a Nacho platter to share and fillet steaks for my friends. Had to wait nearly 30 minutes for starter and no extra plates or cutlery provided. Steaks looked more like sirloin than fillet, with one being presented as a crispy blob, instead of "well done". Only saving grace were the vegetables which were well cooked. I think that over two hours for a quick, plain meal was exceptionally slow. It appeared that two people were attending to diners and the bar and could not cope with the volume of people. Pity. It should have been much better.

1 Jan 2012 14:50