The Ramblers Rest, Chipstead

Having previously enjoyed the food here about a month ago, we arrived last Sunday afternoon after a walk with the family and dogs, tired and hungry. Took a table adjacent to the car park. Attempted to order food, only to be told that they now only serve food to the tables on the patio! Patio area full - not all diners. OK, then, I will collect our food from the bar and take it to our table. No! You cannot do that. This was confirmed by the supercillious manageress on duty. OK then,there are tables in the bar empty, we will sit there. No! They are for drinking only, and no dogs are allowed in this area anyway. On ourway out, we notice a free table in the 'dogs allowed area'. Ordered food. Two Beefburgers with Potato Wedges at �9.95 each and one extra portion of Wedges at �1.95. Also order Beetroot Risotto with warm goats cheese and Peso dressing at �6.95. Food arrived after 35 mins. Both burgers were overcooked and dry, in spite of one being requested as medium to rare! The very small burgers were sandwiched between very skinny buns without a sesame seed in sight- reminiscent of a 99p McDonalds but less tasty. The extra portion of Potato Wedges consisted of just 4 wedges of potato. That's a staggering 50p per wedge!! In addition they were lukewarm and soggy. I took a photo of them and later offered one for sale on E-bay! The Beetroot Rissoto was about a ladle full of slightly crunchy beetroot coloured rice. On the top was marble sized piece of goat's cheese. We will never eat at this place again. They are so pretentious that you cannot even purchase a bag of crisps or nuts with your drink, It's olives or nothing! The establishment behaves like the nouveau riche - all airs, but no breeding or real quality. Whitbreads - please sort it out!!

24 Apr 2006 22:08

The Sportsman 'Time Well Spent', Mogador

I love this pub! The beer is great. The owners and the bar staff are lovely. The food is fantastic! There is a menu that caters for all tastes and pockets. The Sportsman has a lovely rustic charm. Yes, it can be a bit smokey, and the Gents leaves a lot to be desired, and perhaps desserts are a little on the rich side at �4.95. But these gripes are insignificant! It's a great pub for walkers and dog owners and all those who tolerate them!!. For me, it is everything that an English country pub should be.

14 Jan 2006 22:50