Stephan Langton Inn, Abinger Common

Recently been to this pub for dinner on a Friday night. The overall impression was pretty good. It's a pub of two halves - there is the proper bar area which is as authentic an English country pub as you are likely to find, then there is the dining area which is nice, but a little too trendy for my liking. It's a pleasant place to sit and have your dinner, but with fairy lights, lime green trim and R&B gently playing in the background it's not my personal cup of tea. The bar area is great though, the staff are very friendly and the location of the pub is wonderful - tucked away up on Leith Hill in a world of its own.
There were three proper beers on tap, I had the Shere drop which was fine and my meal was really nice. Decent portion size and delicious. My wife's paella was not bad although a touch bland. The puddings were also pretty good - nothing momentous but good, and the coffee was as it should be. Main course, pudding, drink and coffee for two people - 56 quid. Not bad given the standard. Overall I would say this is definitely one of the better pubs I have been to in the last six months, it would just be nice to be a touch more authentic and if they could elevate the food from being very good to excellent, they would have something really fantastic going.

6 Aug 2010 21:16

The Stepping Stones, Westhumble

I was skeptical about this pub as first because although the decor is fine, it doesn't feel tremendously authentic. for example there are leather sofas and a gas fire as opposed to wooden benches and a log fire, and it does feel more like a restaurant than a pub, but there's nothing wrong with it.
My wife and I went there on a weekday evening recently and i have to say the food was great. I had a chicken pie and she had the steak pie, both were really good and I honestly could not fault them. Drinks were a little pricey which is a shame because it means we won't be going that often but I guess that's to be expected in Surrey.

12 Feb 2010 17:30