I had a bad experience in this pub in January but decided seeing as I was walking in this area to give them a second chance
8 of us went in for lunch at 13.30 (as forewarned that morning by phone) on 14.07.12 . The 3 having fish and chips and one having club sandwich were served 45 minutes after ordering. The four having smoked mackerel salad waited for 80 minutes to be served (we complained but were told that there were 13 in the back room and we were being fitted in around them) and then it arrived without potatoes and the portions were not even a starter size, more of an amuse bouche (one hard-boiled egg one rocket leaf a bulking of plain lettuce and a tea spoon of mackerel). We asked for the potatoes that were missing and one potato each arrived straight from the fridge after we had finished the rest of the main dish, why did that take 20 minutes?
We complained and asked for a refund but 15 minutes later after the waitress had phoned the manager she returned to say that we had eaten some of the food so they couldn't give us a refund but could have a tea or coffee.
At this stage we were fuming and couldn't wait to get out of there.
In January when I had had a bad experience at the pub I had been told by the barmaid that the pub is owned by a chain but she couldn't tell me who so the waitress having to phone the manager is not surprising.
It would appear that the chain seem to have invested in a cash cow and tough on the people who bother to come in - I have just checked the normal review sites and many have bad things to say but can't work out who owns the pub so have been able to complain to head office.
Don't bother, there are a lot of gastro pubs in Kent that will look after you and serve you decent food without you having to chase the kitchen and then be sorely disappointed.
AVOID
PS I have had to give it one star due to the system but would rather give it minus 5
PPS I feel sorry for the waitress, there is sod all that she can do about it. read more