please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
I must say i am sad to be writing this comment, as the first time i went there i was so pleased with the whole place, the service, management etc. But now i am so appaled, i must urge the Managing Directors or who ever is responsible to take action, look after your staff and managers, stop them from leaving, as you are damaging the place. I have already posted a letter to Fullers Brewrery for attention of Simon Emeny, i urge other customers who feel strongly and dissapointed by the current changes to do so also.
I am sorry to say that at first the new management changeover seemed to be ok, as they seemed to care, but now they have got there feet under the table they dont care, i am writing an article to the local papers, as my current conversation with managers there i.e the small blonde girl and new manager mr marsh i think, has went no where, they dont seem to care about any of the problems, they are quite happy to neglect it more and more.
I say bring back the old managers, from last year, and you will be back to standards, as they seemed to in my opinion care about the place.
So watch out for the local papers as the reporter said it should be in Mondays or Tuesdays Issue.
|
I have never been to this pub, but the new landlord has just left my local (in Putney) and we are all very sorry to see him go, he turned round a horrific pub into the place we call our local, even though there are about 10 pubs nearer home. I look forward to my first visit to the Duke soon.
|
As a local resident I have watched with dismay at the ruination of this once great pub. We have constantly re-tried this pub in the hope that the new management might have sorted it out, but alas no.
I revisited yesterday with some out of town friends, even though we had previously black-listed this place. They were amazed by the look of the place, and I agreed, saying however that there is always something that ruins the experience. And it was no different again.
We arrived at around 2pm. We were informed that there were 0 roast dinners left by the female staff member. This was amazing, even to her, as the pub was not busy, and she admitted there were only 3 food tickets waiting to be prepared. Also amazing as they proclaim to "serve food all day".
There was also to be over a one hour wait for any other menu item. How this could be so with so few people eating I dont know.
We immediately gave up and went to another establishment. As someone else states in another review, they are clearly not prepared to serve the people that come.
rated this 0, would have given the staff 1 point for being honest, but its just not enough anymore.
do yourself a favour and avoid completely.
|
My friends and i where in the Duke of Kent again for the quiz last night. It was great fun and we felt welcomed thanks to the staff and manager. I don't agree with starski to make personal remarks even the the pub does look lovely. Will be back soon.
Many Thanks.
|
I recently went to the Duke of Kent on Scotch Common, and i must say i was so impressed. It was a very busy evening. Me and my family went there for dinner and a few drinks. On my arrival there i felt so welcomed by the staff. The staff were so freindly and cheerful. The manager on shift, a young guy with dark hair, was cooperative and helpful in providing the right seating arrangemnt for me and my family, also the service was quite prompt and quick. The quality of the food we recieved was on the right times and of exceeding quality. I will definately be returning to this pub and would recomend it.
Regards
Lucy Smith
|
This place is diabolical! My colleagues and I keep giving this place another chance to no avail. It has a lovely looking garden and a slightly less 'Brakes Bros' approach to food so we hope that it will improve, but not once have we been there in 2 years without them...
1. forgetting someones food order
2. not delivering all of the food together (that's if we're left with more than 5 minutes of our lunch hour to eat any of it)
3.Getting 'confused' with what we are charged - they tried to charge me for a £2k tip!!!! Granted this was a mistake.
4. giving the "we're understaffed" "i'm on my own" (rubbish!) excuse for poor service - excuse me, but with that many seats to fill BE PREPARED TO SERVE THE PEOPLE IN THEM!!
5. being rude
The food sound nice, but often comes out frozen in the middle or with something that maybe once resembled salad thrown on a plate. Honestly makes Beafeaters feel like michelin starred restaurants.
I really would avoid this place until someone who knows how to manage a pub steps in - for all it's pretty appearances it's an overpriced shambles.
|
I have to say Starski that I know three people who have all been short changed by at least a tenner in this place. I share your concerns. PS iF YOU PAY WITH A TWENTY, MAKE SURE YOU TELL THEM.Again, I implore someone to explain to me why Fullers pubs are so extortionate.
|
I had a lovely meal and enjoyed myself. The service was good. A little bit pricey but its somewhere where i would recommend.
|
Lovely looking, but nothing worse than biting into a rock hard stale burnt burger then being told we will only refund half your money as your already eaten half the meal(1 bite into burger)!!!!, to top off the bar manager said he will refund onto my card in the end, and gave me a handful of change, murred something then said rest of money has been refunded, NO IT HASNT YOU THIEVING LIAR.But the pub looks lovely.......
|
Fullers are obviously taking the piss big time with this place !!! The only people in during the week are the manager and his boyfriend. They then try and get the money back by charging the earth for microwave food which appears in 2 seconds at weekends. Avoid !!!!
|
uSED TO COME HERE WITH WORK COLLEAGUES BUT THERE IS A BEGRUDGING CONCENSUS AMONG US THAT WE CANNOT AFFORD TO COME ANYMORE; AND IF YOU TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THAT OUR AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY IS ABOUT £40 000 THEN I think that says something about fullers prices in general.A PINT OF KRONENBOURG AND A GLASS OF WINE COSTS OVER EIGHT QUID. SEE YOU ALL AGAIN WHEN I'VE WON THE LOTTERY.
|
Decided to try this pub out for lunch after having it recommended by a work colleague. Haven't been here for years and surprised by the difference, much better than I remembered it. Fairly quiet when we turned up, so no queues at the bar. The food we ordered was served quickly and was excellent quality. Nice family atmosphere, but with plenty of tables for couples out for a quiet meal. Not sure when it was last refurbed but decor was v.good. Seemed quite popular as the spare tables were taken up before we had finished eating. The only draw back to this place is that it is located out of the way, and if you drive there, it has limited parking. Food was reasonably priced, but £4 for 2 soft drinks. Managed to get seats by the window overlooking the garden which looks great for the summer. Will definitely return.
|
I have to say that although i have slated this pub in the past, the current manager is good; still pricy though
|
This is a nice pub in my opinion very nice atmosphere! Good managment and excellent staff make visiting here a truly enjoyable experience...
|
food is perfection - cooked by a chef with a great skill. i have had a chat with the chef. says he has a years training in a gordon ramsey restaurant. he has transformed the pub, before it was only an average pub. but now with mr microwave the super chef at the helm the pub is now quite excellent. in fact it is totally rad!
anonymous - 22 Jan 2007 20:32 |
It is such a shame what has happened to this pub. I dont wanna come across as a reactionary old git butits been turned into a wine bar and the prices are extortionate.Also, if you are gonna pay with a twenty pound note, make sure you tell them it is a twenty pound note;i'll say no more than that.
|
can be summed up really simply: a good pub gone bad. bring back the good old days. not impressed with the service and the christmas crap has already been piled in. NEWS FLASH: its only september!!! on the plus side theres no minimum amount to put on a card and you still sign instead of chipping and pinning but other than that, over priced and only good for the garden, so now that xmas is apparently round the corner il be giving it a wide berth!
anonymous - 19 Sep 2006 22:41 |
The service in this pub is terrible, there are three bars, yet the three members of staff that were serving when we came here squashed themselves into one end of one bar and served there, regardless of who was next, when challenged by everyone else who wasn,t in that bar yet still wanting a drink (duh! we did come to the pub after all) one barman totally ignored everyone and the two barmaids were unbelievebly rude. A regular said that it is the same every evening. We left in the end, I dread to think how long food would take to order and arrive if after being stood at the bar foe 25 minutes you still have not been served. A shame because this pub has the potential to really be something!
|
I came here to see what this pub was like these days but was a bit disappointed. It's not terrible but seemed quite devoid of atmosphere and the bar staff weren't that attentive. I doubt you'll stay for more than a pint if you're after a good, proper pub to relax in.
|
Now more of a restaurant than a pub based on my visit yesterday afternoon - if it's just a pint and a bag of nuts you're after, try somewhere else.
|
I think they're going for a Hitler youth look behind the bar...and a "Cocoon" look outside.
anonymous - 23 Oct 2005 18:07 |
A nice clean pub, with comfortable seating and dark nooks and crannies to have a chat, with a fireplace and a beer garden, which is a nice one. Fairly decent mostly antipodean barstaff. Nice for families and old folk, not really a young person's place.
The food unfortunately sounded better than it tasted. We ordered 3 meals, and the portions were on the small side and okay but hardly a gastrofeast for the price which was expensive.
Okay.
anonymous - 17 Sep 2005 18:56 |
Oh no, this used to be a great pub when i used to go ther regularly a few years back. Why do they insist on doing this to all the grat pubs
anonymous - 13 Sep 2005 14:29 |
This used to be a really good pub with a great atmosphere. About a year or so ago someone had a great idea to give The Kent a refurb and in doing so managed to rip the heart and soul out of it. It's an ok place to drink in now but hasn't got the buzz of the old Kent. The word pub is also used very loosely because it is so desperately trying to be a swanky wine bar that pipes Jazz (yes i did say Jazz) music through the place just to annoy the customers. How can anyone relax with plinky plonky piano music driving you nuts!!!! The winning part of this establishment is the landlord and landlady, they're great and deserve a better pub than this. sorry but i still cant get over the jazz!!!! Why do pub chains insist on wrecking good old fashioned pubs just to get a load more tables in so people can eat food. Pubs are pubs, you want food then go to a restraunt. Together as a people we can rise up and reclaim what is rightfully ours.... THE REAL PUB. ok, rant over!!! All hail to the ale.
|
Excellent Fullers pub. Staff are very friendly and helpful.
Mark - 14 Mar 2004 16:25 |
I've been going The Kent off an on
for as long as I can remember. The
recent refurb has brought me back as the food is great, some new beers e.g. Hoegarden, and an all
round friendly atmosphere.
Tony - 2 Mar 2004 16:38 |
not bad.a bit out of the way.full of peopel 30howver, is relaxed and a good place to go on a sunday-thursday evening.fridays and saturdays might turn out rather dull if u are in the 29 and under band.good pub tho- overall- 6/10
Ali - 22 Feb 2004 18:52 |
Since refurbishment, pub has improved dramatically. Food is excellent and large selection of drinks - altho a little pricey. Very pleasant beer garden for the Summer months.
Craig - 1 Oct 2003 11:13 |
the old kent was by far more interesting,by revamping it up they have now turned it into a swanky wine bar with broadsheet readers and coffee drinkers ,,,,,avoid
anonymous - 6 Aug 2003 19:30 |
Formerly known as the Kent Hotel. It has been there for at least 35 years and is a friendly busy pub. Food is usually excellent and very friendly bar staff throughout. Excellent garden and facilities. Very recently refurbished to a high standard.
Ken Morton - 29 Jul 2003 17:28 |
