BITE user comments - nickrocks74
Comments by nickrocks74
The Old House at Home, Maidstone
It's an odd one.
Massive screens showing Sky Sports = shouty lager types.
3 decently kept ales, comfy seats and live music means I would and sometimes do go back.
18 Jul 2011 16:29
the closest pub to my brother's house and he would rather walk elsewhere. I don't know why, I thought it was OK, but no more than that
18 Jul 2011 16:20
I have yet to find a better selection of quality ales in the Maidstone area. That alone makes it worth a visit.
The pub itself is in a terrible location, next to a petrol station and a busy major road, and is unremarkable in its architecture, decor and ambiance.
It's all about the beer, and that is excellent. Perrys too
18 Jul 2011 16:17
Was very suprised when I finally decided to pop in here having always driven on by over the years.
As mentioned below, the pastel blue outside belies the interior which is comfortable and welcoming. Lots of interesting bits to look at. A selection of 5 ales, one of which, an Adnams, is the house ale at �2.50 a pint.
They do show Sky sports, but on a very small screen, avoiding the negatives often associated with sports on display.
I was very impressed and will be back.
4 Mar 2011 11:18
The Cock Inn, Boughton Monchelsea
Lovely big pub with a good comfy bar area that is separate from the dining area. I would definitely recommend this as a place to eat, food is very good and the portions generous, but it also works as a boozer with a massive fireplace and well kept ales (sadly all Sheps).
Lots of comments here about the landlady. I understand why she draws these comments, but personally I like a strong willed person who takes pride in their work and interest in their customers. Each to their own.
18 Feb 2011 15:00
Shut, knocked down, new houses built on the site.
Always a shame when a pub closes, but this one was no great loss
18 Feb 2011 14:51
A recent refit has given this pub a bright clean interior. Trouble is I prefer a dark and dingy interior if I'm to get comfortable.
I suspect the bright lights are in place to ensure the multiple security cameras covering each and every part of the pub can pick up every possible activity the patrons could imagine getting up to. I'm not going to speculate as to what that might be, but it's hardly condusive to a relaxed atmosphere.
And neither is the unnecessarily loud music or the unnecessarily rude service.
Suprisingly, they do have two ales on but I won't be rushing back to try them.
18 Feb 2011 14:49
The Walnut Tree, East Farleigh
The teenage me used to spend long summer afternoons here playing bat and trap in the massive beer garden and drinking lager.
These days with my ale head on i appreciate the finer points of decent ale (Sheps ales only, but all well kept) and decent ambiance.
It's good, but as I have yet to sample the food or turn up for any of the live music events I will hold off rating.
18 Feb 2011 14:35
Definately in the Gastro bracket.
Have eaten here a few times and found it excellent. Each visit has been a weekend daytime so not well qualified to judge more than that.
Looking forward to this being my local soon, so will report on the evenings and weekdays in due course.
29 Jun 2010 11:00
This place is just like a million other pubs, except those pubs are all in Ireland!
I have Irish familly and I get a little nostalgic when I call in here and as such am prepared to forgive some of the faults.
Have called in here the last couple of Paddy's nights and the place was rocking.
Guiness is excellent as you would expect.
29 Jun 2010 10:48
Visited on Sunday afternoon after a trip to the Imperial War museum. This place obviously does a great trade in Sunday roasts as many of the tables were reserved.
Food was very good but overpriced (�13 roast beef). 3 Ales on tap only had time to try the Ruddles County which was fine.
A decent place to meet friends for afternoon beers and food, but not very cozy for the solo vivitor, no bar stools for example.
25 Jan 2010 13:12
Suprisingly decent pub considering it's location right on the High Street, recently started serving guest ales which are decently kept.
The bar area is very crowded and gets overloaded, particulary when showing a football match as this is the only pub nearby showing games.
Much quieter at other times and the Landlords work hard to keep it respectable. Decent local boozer
22 Jan 2010 17:43
This has been my dad's local for 20 years. It's changed alot over the years but has always had the trump card of it's pretty waterside setting in the village.
Recently, I have found the ale to be of a decent standard and perhaps I get very good service because of the old man.
Food is good if a bit expensive.
Would be my regular pub if I lived in the area.
19 Jan 2010 16:58
Ahh the 'Bin, what a pub in it's heyday. Bikers, greasers, rockers, goths, pool table, tablefootball, loud jukebox, live bands.
It 'aint like that anymore. Personally, I can't go in there, it makes me sad for my lost youth.
I'm sure it's just fine
23 Dec 2009 13:47
This place feels like 2 pubs.
At the front a fairly cozy boozer with big leather seats in the window. At the back, lots of seating in a light wood and brass style not to my taste.
This is the pub of choice for my after work brigade. However, come late Fridays it warps into a bizzarre disco type establishment at odds with it's external appearence.
Fine if you go early. Avoid in the evenings.
7 Dec 2009 16:31
Been here on a few Fridays after work and lived to tell the tale.
Usual 'spoons mix of cheap and decent ale and a whole host of lager, shots and alcopops catering for a very mixed crowd.
It's not pretty, the service is not great, there is an undercurrent of impending doom.
But the ale is cheap. Worth a risk.
7 Dec 2009 16:09
Visited on Sunday afternoon on the strength of the reviews here.
Lovely pub, smaller than the photos suggest but with a very cozy feel.
Roast Pork was excellent, Beer was better. I'm not a cider fan, but there was a bewildering array on offer.
Would make the effort to come here again.
7 Dec 2009 11:48
The Old Mill represents all that a local should be to me. A constantly changing (and often running out!) selection of interesting ales, well kept.
A massive bar, ideal for pulling up a stool and chatting to any or all that are in but big enough to hide and quietly read the daily rags.
The friendliest landlord in England who somehow manages to remember the names of all the punters and always has a pearl of wisdom to share.
Occassional beer festivals and other jollities, Jazz on the first Sunday of the month seems a real hit.
Yes, it is tatty in places but I suspect most of the regulars don't care and would hate to see a dramatic makeover occur.
I have sampled most of the pubs in the area over the last few years. This is where my money goes. Cheers Andy.
7 Dec 2009 11:44
The Pilot, Maidstone
So far, my second favourite in Maidstone after the Flower Pot.
A nice vibe, decent ales and live music on occasion are all popular with me.
26 Jul 2011 11:50