The Woodman, Woodmansterne

If you were to compare this pub from 2 years ago, you would struggle ot recognise that you are in the same pub. I a not sure what they have done, or how they have done it, but at last it is back to somewhere near where it should be, namely a good local village pub with great beer and good food.
We never used to go near the place a few years back and when we did venure to it we found the food was appaling and the beer only mediocre.
Now all that has changed. They have beer festivals occasionly which are well supported. There is a great beer garden and the festival beers are set up outside in the warmer months. The bar staff seem to know their beers as well and sometime the brewers themselves attend to help with the tastings.
We have eaten here as a group a few times now and have not been disappointed, including 2 Christmas meals with a local community group. Very tasty and great value.
Welcome back, The Woodman, you had been gone too long.
Please visit, you will be pleasantly surprised.

8 Feb 2015 19:47

The Ramblers Rest, Chipstead

This pub has changed for the better.
I have to say I had plenty of similar experiences to other reviewers in the past with this pub. Overpriced drinks and food, rude and surly staff and a soulless atmosphere. The only good thing going for it was that it was local and you could walk in there in a muddy state after a good walk.
So how has it changed? The staff now look at you and listen to you when ordering drinks and food. The drinks themsleves have come back down to normal pub prices and whilst still not the cheapest in the area, they are competitive at last.
My wife and I had a nice couple of drinks and some homemade soup for lunch one day over the Christmas break and it was all very pleasant. The beer was well kept (although I can't recall what it was) and the soup was warming and wholesome.
Therefore, if you are in the area and fancy a drink after your walk, give it a try, it is now much better. They are definitely trying to improve so let's see how they get on.

8 Feb 2015 19:37

Red Bar and Lounge, Dorking

What a delightful find this is. We met some friends there on Saturday 7th Feb for a meal and what we found was very different form what I expected. This is to say that it works on all levels. It is clearly a trendy place but this did not make us (slightly) older folks feel uncomfortable or out of place.
The bar is very busy in the way that pubs use to be like a number of years ago. Plenty of friendly banter going on and people drinking and enjoying themselves in a very social environment. There was a band playing in the corner who appeared to be good with an eclectic playlist for all types.
We ate in the lounge area which is divided from the bar and therefore a little quieter and more intimate if that is what you are looking for. The food was excellent and there was a good range of meals to suit all tastes. The prices were ok, for the quality and amount you get.
The beers are provided by Dark Star of Horsham and Surrey Hills Brewery, just round the corner at Denbies wine estate where they are now based. As always with these breweries, they were excellent.
I would also like to compliment the staff here for their attention to detail and for looking after us like we really mattered to them. This was shown when I made a big mistake early on. I had thought I had seen on a web site, earlier in the day, that one of their regular beers was Harvey's best. When asked by the waiter what I wanted to drink I just said a "Harveys". Imagine my surise when he came back with a "nice" glass of Sherry! After much mickey taking from my friends and a joke or 2 with the waiter, he very happily changed this for a pint of Shere Drop. Such dedication is sometimes hard to find but here, the customer is "always right".
I can't recommend this place enough! Enjoy

8 Feb 2015 18:56