BITE user comments - nelly0164
Comments by nelly0164
Found myself on the mailing list for the new owners opening night so popped along. An almost unbelievable transformation - it looks like a proper pub again instead of a bit of a wine bar, décor great, warm and welcoming, new managers friendly, food brilliant quality (they laid on a buffet of food that will be on the full menu in future), and last but not least superbly kept Harveys and Tribute.
Keep this up and they'll romp it!!
9 Oct 2013 13:05
What a very fine pub, lots of good ideas, lots of interest to look at while sampling any of the 10 ales, what a difference from the dump it was a few years ago. I'll certainly be back.
26 Aug 2013 20:17
I wandered in here with some mates recently and it was a mistake. I can understand why some would like it, even love it, but sorry it's just not for me (or my mates). I don't want to be bombarded with umptynine TV screens, jukeboxes blasting and others crashing away on a pool table. Beer was ok but............
26 Aug 2013 20:13
Seems every time I come here, which isn't that often as I'm not local, there's been a change of manager. No worries, the new folks are brilliant, very friendly and already getting in the swing on their first day I think, with a really good quiz night. Oh yes, the beer was damn good too - Harveys, Copperknob, and 2 Thwaites beers. Hope they're still here when I come again!!!
26 Aug 2013 20:05
Haven't been on here for several years but popped in with some mates, we discovered it's between landlords, but the holding manager couldn't have been nicer or friendlier and must say he was keeping a splendid pint of harveys., Looking forward to the new people who I understand are well known in the area and will do a good job.
26 Aug 2013 19:59
The last time I came in here was with mates about 9-10 months ago, didn't post a review out of pity at the time, it was unbelievably horrible, decorated like a tarts boudoir, sticky carpet, landlady drunk on wrong side of bar and someone ordered a Guinness - they got a CAN!!! Then it closed down, no real surprise there - but it opened again a couple of months ago.................
WOW - what a transformation! It gleams, it looks great, and new landlords Jon & Dee are doing a great job. There were 5 real ales on and a cask cider, Harveys, Black Cat, Pedigree, all good - can't remember the others but never mind, they are changing every week and prices sensible. Can't speak highly enough and more power to them
8 Aug 2013 17:00
Called in here after the Catts just up the road. Totally different, moastly food, not welcoming, and Harveys Best £3.80 a pint - that is just a piss take even for an exceptional pint (and it wasn't!!)
8 Aug 2013 16:48
popped in with mates at lunchtime Monday, no food on offer but wood burner was welcoming as was the landlord.A Sheps pub with the good sense to have Harveys on offer, in fact there were no Sheps beers at all which is even better sense
28 Nov 2012 10:37
Met the new owners last week, they held a really nice 'meet the locals night' on theire first day - they're not planning any changes which is great news so Stacey is staying, and they're going to keep Harveys Best and one of the Tonbridge Brewery brews on permanently and rotate the third cask pump. Sounds good to me
12 Oct 2012 17:24
Oh dear, why did I ever go in, I loathe sheps beer and they only had whitstable bay available anyway - and the decor is just grim unless you like cold/spartan/characterless...........UGH
21 Aug 2012 13:38
It's all a bit bare and bleak, telly seems to be on all the time, not my sort of pub at all. Landlady (?) was pleasant enough but I won't be going back
21 Aug 2012 13:34
What a cracking little pub, I've visited just about every pub in town and this is far and away the best with beers in excellent condition and a lively crowd, last week we enjoyed a comedy night and a quiz night and there's live music on Tuesdays and Sundays, all great fun and Stacey is top drawer.
21 Aug 2012 13:26
Probably the cleanest pub I've ever been in, everything just gleams. Well kept Harveys, a very pretty pub, a lovely open fire, really quite nice.
8 May 2012 17:41
The Beacon Hotel, Langton Green
Called in yesterday with friends for lunch, wonderful views, interesting bar area, cask ales much too cold though otherwise in good nick. Food quite horrible, my wife's trout a tiny portion, the rest of us had 'pie' - this seemed to be 2 pie crusts with previous days unidentifiable and very tough (purportedly lamb & beef) meat diced with veg and other barely adequate veg and all really rather expensive. Won't be going back, my advice - nor should you.
8 May 2012 17:37
Had steak here last week, completely uninspiring, and the landlord is cringeingly obsessed with the local USA 'celebs' at the expense of locals who should be his bread and butter since they will still be here when the 'celebs' have cleared off back to the good ole USA.
14 Jun 2011 12:58
The Middle House Hotel, Mayfield
Reluctantly find myself agreeing with Moonkid. First time I've ever eaten here and been disappointed with the quality and choice of meat (butcher is now Leppards, not Smithers - where does Leppard source his meat?) - in a mixed roast we only had lamb and beef, and beef was a little tough. I will come back, but maybe only once more unless this was a blip
28 Oct 2010 20:09
With just 4 reviews this year and nothing otherwise since 2006, ho w has this pub achieved a rating of 8.1 and gone from nowhere to number 1 in the top 40?
I haven't rated it because I've never been there, I just think the system is a load of crap
6 Oct 2010 19:23
The Maypole Inn, High Hurstwood
This has recently been bought and refurbed and is now an out and out gastropub so if you want to hang out and chat around the bar, don't bother with this place, though the food is OK it's quite pricey, even a fairly ordinary chicken dish will set you back �12-13 - Oh, nearly forgot, it's now called THE HURSTWOOD
30 Sep 2010 17:56
Harveys is a fine pint, and generally as good here as anywhere else in their estate, but I did fancy some Fullers Porter, and neither that nor the Southdown Harvest was on when I called in last week on a rare trip to London. Shame.
But what struck me most and caught my eye as soon as I walked in the door was the filthy state of the brass hand pumps and T bars on the counter. SteveinLondon talks of standards being maintained (17/08/10) but these don't look as though they've seen the brasso in years
28 Sep 2010 14:42
Astoundingly busy beer festival a few weeks back, some brilliant beers and ciders and really well organised with everyone working bloody hard. Can't wait for the next one.
Noticed the comment from Pat Bateman that the pub is next to an industrial estate - makes it sound like it's right next door, in fac t it's about 50 yards away and it can't be seen or heard, actually you can only see 2 or 3 houses from the pub which is in a really delightful and quiet backwater
22 Jun 2010 13:22
The Southampton Arms, Gospel Oak
29 comments since October 2009, yet just a few between 2003 and October 2009. Is this passing strange that this pub goes from nowhere to number 1 almost overnight? This has happened to other pubs before and BITE has 'adjusted' their scores. By the way, I haven't rated this pub because I've never been, I'm sure it's a decent pub, but ..........
13 Apr 2010 23:33
One of my 5 most favourite pubs always draws me when in the area, a wonderful range of beers.
16 Mar 2010 14:40
A really excellent pub, though I have a personal preference for the nearby Kingston that in no way detracts from this.
16 Mar 2010 14:37
The Middle House Hotel, Mayfield
Called in again last night because couldn't resist the Monday night carvery, yet again not disappointed, quite simoply verty good indeed and a really good pint of Harveys to wash it down. My only criticism? Having to drive 5 miles to enjoy the best food around, bar none.
9 Mar 2010 13:19
Plough and Horses, Crowborough
Big barn like place, seems a bit London suburban early sixties style with horrible false beams stuck on the walls at funny angles. Food is cheap and you get what you pay for! Beer not great either
6 Mar 2010 14:30
Went in for a carvery luch on Sunday and it was quite good value and well cooked, only criticism is it was all a bit 'brown' - no greenish colours on the plate so, it seemed a bit drab. Decent pint but no drinkers in the bar once the diners had gone.
6 Mar 2010 14:26
Got off the train after trip to a beer festival with a mate and thought we'd give it a try but sorry, just don't like sheps beer, not the publicans fault, it's just a crap product. Pub itself is perfectly ok and clean.
6 Mar 2010 14:22
Decent pub with well kept beer, not quite my stile with locals not really my type but landlord friendly enough, understand hes an ex copper so not likely to be to many problems here with slightly rum crowd
6 Mar 2010 10:12
Called in recently and very pleased to see the new landlords Paul & Gill seem to have settled in and rebuilt some of the proper local atmosphere which had been lacking under Gary. New carpet, very clean, very friendly and a really n ice place to go. If I was to be piicky I'd say the beer was a bit too chilled so not getting the best condition/flavour/aroma, but that's easil;y solved. Don't know about the food but the menu looked ok to me.
2 Mar 2010 08:53
Hadn't realised how much this nice local relied on Craig, but now he's gone sadly, and there are rather too many customers no longer allowed in nearby Crowborough pubs that belong to Pubwatch. I suggets Annie joins Pubwatch which might hit her in the pocket short term, but she'd get a lot of her nicer customers back. Beer's still good though.
23 Feb 2010 13:33
The Crow and Gate, Crowborough
Called in here recenty with SWMBO and unfortunately had to send utterly inedible roast back, though have to say staff were pleasaant enough, and apologetic, and this did follow a happier visit a week or two previously. Nonetheless not good, and beer is kept too cold.
23 Feb 2010 13:25
As promised, we were back and every bit as impressed as last time, packed with people eating and enjoying themselves, very nice atmosphere in a genuine village local, good on you girls.
22 Feb 2010 13:29
First time back for a while, as always a warm welcome and really good beer, had to rub my eyes - is that Fullers London Porter I see there? Damn fine stuff and a scrumptious Bouillabaise to go with it. Why go anywhere else!
17 Feb 2010 10:35
Busy little town pub, no doubt lots of passing trade but has feel of a local, beer in good nick, very nice
16 Feb 2010 14:32
Polite, attentive and hard working landlords/staff. All very pleasant and cosy with decent food at sensible prices (far cry from the Griffin next door which is ripoffsville). We'll be back
12 Feb 2010 11:14
The Middle House Hotel, Mayfield
Wouldn't go here for a cosy chat with mates, it's too food oriented for that, but the building is undeniably splendid and the food is always very good indeed at a good price for the quality knocking every other pretentious foody place in the area into a cocked hat - take note Huntsman/Mark Cross/Griffin/Hare all of which fall well short in every respect.
2 Feb 2010 13:18
Tried to eat here on Sunday to complete a very pleasant weekend and found it closed 'to recharge the batteries' - don't they have staff they can trust?
11 Jan 2010 13:01
lovely pub, wonderful flagstones, Harveys Best in fine fettle, and the only off note was the idiot of a middle aged chinless wonder sitting at the end of the bar who had an opinion on everything including our private conversations.
10 Apr 2009 13:37
a pint of Deuchars and one of Harveys Best, both very good, don't know about food but can vouch for the scratchings, very pleasant and attractive pub.
10 Apr 2009 13:34
Sussex Bitter has never been the same since the H&W takeover, but that apart this is a lovely little gem, spankingly clean
10 Apr 2009 13:32
Friendly staff and just wonderful views with Langhams bitter in good nick.
10 Apr 2009 13:30
Friendly and a really good pint of Ballards Mild. A pleasure
10 Apr 2009 13:26
What a delightful interesting pub, don't know about the food, but charming and peaceful, and a good pint of Flowerpots bitter, which was doubly good news because I thought that microbrewer had gone tits up.
10 Apr 2009 13:24
The Winning Post, Plumpton Green
Always buzzing after racing, came in yesterday to celebrate spectacular 25-1 winner with a group of mates then won at pool, The 2 bars are completely different but both OK and the Harveys was in very good nick, so all round a good day ended well.
24 Mar 2009 15:09
The Fountain Inn, Plumpton Green
Popped in late one night, too full of beer to try the Youngs (not my fave anyway) but thought it was an OK local, and actually, even if the toilets are outrside, if they are smelly it is best that they are not inside, and where are the kids (or anybody else) supposed to smoke these days.
24 Mar 2009 15:04
The Abergavenny Arms Hotel, Frant
A change for the better I think, had Sunday lunch here last week and must say it was really quite good, decor also improved, seems cleaner and will be quite happy to return.
6 Dec 2008 22:43
Missed the beer festival in October but have just popped in to find they now have Deuchars IPA on as a guest beer, courtesy of Harveys no less - the barriers are coming down, time to celebrate! The only beer they don't have on at the moment is Armada, but the Christmas ale is superb - steady, it's just ove 8%!
6 Dec 2008 22:37
I would pay just to cross the threshold, a hundred out of 10!
30 Jun 2008 16:26
I really like this pub, eaten there several times and the food has always been good. It is of course one of my pet hates, a GK pub, but there is always a decent guest beer and they always have a pile of newspapers whic is handy when you've forgotten to buy one.
21 Jun 2008 16:11
Called in here a week or two ago with some mates, didn't eat which seemed not to go down too well with the bar person (landlord?)who perhaps just wants to sell meals. Anyway, lovely location apart, I'm afraid my pint of Harveys was the worst I've ever had, it was so warm I could have bathed in it. Undrinkable.
21 Jun 2008 16:08
I've known this pub for many years, and as far as the refurbishments go I'd say they've been well done on the whole and probably needed to happen. I've certainly seen much worse so just thank your lucky stars. The pub is well run and the beer is kept well, I've just has a pint of Brains Rev James here, and since this is Greene King owned, thank god they do allow guest ales (unlike Harveys! please note ) because the GK own brand is very poor. The only thing that was poor otherwise unfortunately was the food - Lamb curry - I don't think that had been a lamb for some years and my wife left all her meat/gristle. Shame.
21 Jun 2008 16:03
Lunch today - fish pie and salad, this was salmon & smoked haddock, but no haddock, just 4 long bones with tasteless salmon. The salad was one lettuce leaf, an eighth of a tomato, a slice of cucumber and 3 small cubes of pepper. this was �10.95 plus suggested gratuity (after a 30 minute wait, then a further long wait for the inflated bill). They're having a laugh I think. Dreadful.
3 Jun 2008 19:10
It is clean and harsh, and so puts me in mind of a hospital corridor in the good old days. Not welcoming.
15 Feb 2008 21:28
Popped in just before Xmas to catch up with some old mates, clearly still benefitting from inability of the Bear/Bell to get their acts together but nonetheless the food was good (though carvery veg had all but run out) and so was the beer, Gary his usual self and mates in good heart. What more do you need.
8 Jan 2008 17:47
Last week here was the most extraordinary New Year's Day I have ever experienced, with somewhere between 100 and 150 extremely good natured customers and staff belting out a selection of songs from 'The Wheatsheaf Songbook' as diverse as Land of Hope & Glory, American Pie, Delilah and Maggie May (Maggie is the landlady, so that may be significant). This pub absolutely throbbed - quite brilliant, book me in for next year - this is apparently an annual event. By the way, they've just put Bonfire Boy back on, terrific pint!
8 Jan 2008 17:38
The Wheatsheaf Jarvis Brook and the Wheatsheaf Crowborough are one and the same
8 Jan 2008 17:15
The Ragged Trousers, Tunbridge Wells
Been here twice now, and granted I was no doubt the worse for wear both times, nevertheless have been surprised at how much I like this place, because on the face of it , it is not my cup of tea at all, the beer has been very good, and the bar staff friendly.
7 Dec 2007 16:24
The Swan Hotel, Tunbridge Wells
A smelly pub, known worse but not often, unfriendly and too much low-life with very intrusive TV. Bottled beer advised here!
7 Dec 2007 16:19
The Duke of York, Tunbridge Wells
A really good old fashioned pub, been in 3 times now and always had good beer, along with the Grove Tavern these are the 2 best pubs in T Wells.
7 Dec 2007 16:14
The Duke of York, Tunbridge Wells
A really good old fashioned pub, been in 3 times now and always had good beer, along with the Grove Tavern these are the 2 best pubs in T Wells.
7 Dec 2007 16:14
The Grove Tavern, Tunbridge Wells
I really like this pub, it's proper and properly English, good beer and a friendly barman with a nice little real fire, don't know about the food and don't care either - sadly this is the sort of pub that might not survive the smoking ban - what a disastrous piece of legislation that is proving to be.
7 Dec 2007 15:57
The Compasses, Tunbridge Wells
It's OK, there's some reasonable beer but I think it's kept too cold, don't know about the food, only ever been in for a quick one in the evening.
7 Dec 2007 15:52
The Nevill Crest and Gun, Eridge Green
This was a damn good pub 20 years ago, now the beer is in poor nick, and the food (Sunday lunchtime with SWMBO and outlaw) is just nasty. Someone needs to get hold of this geat old building and love it because this is a crying shame.
7 Dec 2007 15:49
Charming cosy pub on the edge of town with the full range of Harvey's beers all in good nick, a proper pub as they say, with a good garden and sensibly priced proper food. There were 21 real ales on here at the October beer festival, but we'll have to wait til May for the next one. Very friendly.
7 Dec 2007 15:35
Gives pubs a bad name, there aren't many pubs in Heathfield, but they'd be better off without this one.
7 Dec 2007 15:24
I read recently that this was one of the top 10 pubs in England (but can't remeber where I read it). I can see why from some points of view - great garden and views, much olde worlde charm etc etc. But hang on, the food is only ordinary although the prices are anything but - they are way too high for this standard of food, and so are the beer prices. I'll probably go back for the gardens when I'm feeling flush, but I won't be eating.
7 Dec 2007 15:19
The Maypole Inn, High Hurstwood
Landlord change doesn't seem to have been for the better, a bit grumpy, mind you, last Saturday night there were only 4 people in the bar, plus the landlord, that's not good news is it, no wonder he's grumpy!
7 Dec 2007 14:57
When you wait for the vegetables only to be told they are 'under the fish' which is in front of you, then I think there's a problem. This was a good place to eat, and to be fair the quality still is good, but prices up and portions down begins to smell of a piss take.
Now off my list of places to go, and of places I am happy to recommend to others.
7 Dec 2007 14:51
The Pig and Butcher, Five Ash Down
Called in with she who must be obeyed on Monday lunchtime, not very busy but iit was a Monday so no great surprise, food was OK and fair price but they really needed the heating on, quite cold in dining room which has cool colours anyway. The barmaid was quite friendly.
9 Oct 2007 10:30
Quite simply a damn fine pub, great beer, good food, very British and proper.
1 Sep 2007 16:16
The Crowborough Cross, Crowborough
Harvey's Best is one of the great beers, but you'd never know it in here. I tried it in the daytime, knowing better than to risk this place out of school hours. I won't be going back.
1 Sep 2007 15:36
Don't know how long this place has been open, bbut it's taken me until now to force myself over the threshold. This sort of place simply does not belong in England, it's awful, close it.
1 Sep 2007 15:32
Much improved since the previous very large and utterly disastrous landlady, was it Lorna? Busy too, though many natural customers of the nearby Bell, and the Bear may return to their more favoured pubs when and if they recover from their own landlordly disasters! The beer is good, the refurb of the bar is very effective, but hate the grim dark camouflage green paint. It is all very dark. Haven't eaten, but know the food in Gary's 2 previous pubs was decent.
1 Sep 2007 15:26
The Maypole Inn, High Hurstwood
Just about to change if it hasn't done so already, last landlord wasn't a natural but was always OK with us. Good young barman, very friendlyt and efficient and decent beer. Gather the new man is goilng to have to employ a chef whereas the Missus cooked here before, can he really afford the rent AND a chef?? Good luck. Will pop in in a month or so to see how it's going.
27 Aug 2007 13:30
The Pig and Butcher, Five Ash Down
Went ther midweek, not specially friendly, beer was in fair nick, don't much care for the decor though and I don't reeally like high ceilings, can't get that warm cosy feel.
27 Aug 2007 13:26
The Crow and Gate, Crowborough
Food? This is microwave city but at least it's not silly money. Beer very ordinary
27 Aug 2007 13:23
this is quite simply a really good pub selling one of the truly great beers (Harveys) in top nick. Hope the smoking ban doesn't bugger it all up for them.
27 Aug 2007 13:11
the decor is certainly a bit od an eye opener, not everyone's taste but I quite like it overall. Can't agree with the comments about the food, very average quality, very above average price - how can you charge �7.50 for sausages, egg & chips?? Beer was OK.
27 Aug 2007 13:08
This ia a good old fashioned pub and I've popped in here quite a bit, the landlady is a big change for the better over previous incumbent, and the beer is good, but for some reawson they are attracting loads of chavvy types that really put me off.
27 Aug 2007 12:55
I thought I'd died and gone to heaven when we found this place, coiuldn't work out what was missing at first, then it dawned on me, no draught lager, and no draught Guinness. Fantastic. Had a pint of Hop Back Entire Stout and died and went to heaven again.
30 Jan 2007 13:17
much improved inside following the refurb, in fact it looks more like a pub now, though it is probably even more of a restaurant than it was previously. the atmosphere is a little strange,so it's certainly not on my list to pop into for a quick pint though the beer is decent enough, it just isn't very jolly and the landlord is a bit wooden. the food is good, certainly not an ordinary menu
19 Jan 2007 22:25
The Abergavenny Arms Hotel, Frant
Had Sunday lunch there recently with wife and outlaw. A very decent carvery and oiutlaws scampi was good portion too - next time will try to sit in main bar because found lighting in side dining room a bit unsympathetic. Good interesting beer selection, but damned if I can remember what I had. Friendly enough staff, all appeared clean.
17 Jan 2007 13:25
The Mark Cross Inn, Mark Cross
went in on a Sunday recently with wife and outlaw for lunch, food was OK, beer was OK, but prices not too clever - outlaws battered cod/home made chips/mushy peas was actually rather a small portion, not that she could have eaten any more anyway but that's not the point - it was �11.50 which is somewhat of a piss take. Otherwise style similar to other Chaser pubs but we won't be going back if I can help it.
17 Jan 2007 12:58
The Crown, Groombridge
A really attractive very old pub, lovely log fire, staff ok, BUT......... Harveys £3.90 a pint - that's seriously out of order
13 Oct 2013 17:32