The Spotted Dog, Penshurst

A year or so ago we went to the Bottle House in Penshurst and it was absolutely fantastic. At the time we were told by "locals" to try the Spotted Dog as it too was very good. Today, 5th July 2009, we eventually tried it and none of us (a table of eight) could believe just how bad it is. Both the food and the service were appalling, from the repeated requests for sauces, drinks, desserts and the bill through to the black Yorkshire puddings, the oil-laden cod & chips and the inability to make a floater coffee (although they were happy to charge for it...)

It all arrived at various times - a bit of a gamble depending on whether you were eating deep fried or re-heated and the 2x Cod & Chips were literally floating in oil, the yorkie had to be sent back as it was (out of a packet and) burned to a blackened crisp, the meat (1x beef, 2x lamb) was just okay but used to cover the soggy (?) roast potatoes and the scampi was clearly not "premium" for the �11 it cost. Accorodng to my dad, the mackerel was okay but then again by his own confession - it's food....

Not even going to talk about the clearly out of a packet puddings that cost between �4 and �6 a go........

At the end of the day, taken over or not taken over, the food was simply bad and the service was 2x naive kids who (in the nicest possible way) didn't have a clue. Never once did anyone give me the chance to explain our concerns, even when I waited five minutes at the bar to pay the bill and the lad behind teh nar and (I assume) the Landlord bickered over who was next.

If you want to eat, AVOID THIS PUB !!

5 Jul 2009 19:40