Sutton Staithe Hotel, Sutton

Visited a couple of weeks ago on a Saturday evening. Great pub, friendly staff, good food, however, does get very busy and they do have events, so it's always adviseable to book in advance.

24 Aug 2009 15:32

The Olive Branch, Yapton

Finally re-opened much to the locals relief. However, it's a mile away from what it used to be. It's clear that the new owners had a limited budget and were wishing for a change from having run pubs in London. Unfortunately, there alterations and attracted clientale do reflect the London after work culture. I can't help feeling that they got lost on the way to their dream of a country pub. The internal decor is a touch cold and not homely and welcoming. Originally one end(the larger end) of the pub was for dining and the bar and fire area for drinking, however this has been switched leaving little space for dining. The garden although cleaned up is nothing special, it offers a large shaded seating area, smoking area and several picnic style tables with parasols, this is adjacent to the road and their carpark which offers ample parking.

We'd love to go back to eating there, but after a long wait for them to start serving food, menus very similar to a fast food chain menu with a sea of yellow/brown friend food offered on a special offer for multiple purchases basis, this didn't encourage us to eat there. I am aware there is a blackboard, but when we visited a month or so ago, there were only a couple of specials, and nobody was eating.

Hopefully things will improve in time. It's sink or swim out there now, and unless they take a good look at the competition and what their locals (bread and butter) want i think they're future may be bleak.

24 Aug 2009 15:20

The Swallows Return, Worthing

A group of 8 of us went last Friday. Lights above our table didn't work, but only table of size available. Crispy Lemon Chicken was bland and tastless, both ribeye and rump steaks were chewy, scampy was soggy . The only dish that would be chosen again was the burger which got a rating of 7/10. Staff were friendly and plentiful, about the only plus!

24 Aug 2009 14:51