The Ram Inn, Firle

We ate at the Ram last Friday, with my 3 children in tow! We arrived at 12pm and it was empty but lots of staff milling around so I suspected a rush was expected! We ordered the creamy mushrooms on toast, sausages and fries, hamburger/fries for the children and a steak ciabatta.
It was DELICIOUS! The food was brought to us outside by very helpful staff who also brought out pots of sauce etc. You do have to fetch your own cutlery, found in various areas of the bar and by the back door!. They serve the food on thick wooden boards and the fries were hot, crispy and divine. My children ate ALL and left nothing for me (as I have a habit of polishing their plates!).
The quality of the food is wonderful but soon after we arrived, just after 12pm, the place was suddenly crammed to bursting, so it pays to get here early.
If you go out the back way, through the garden or by the loos, you can get to the cricket pitch in a beautiful setting with fields and a play area. Part of the Firle Estate but open to public. Beautiful setting. After lunch we drove up to Firle Beacon and then on to Charleston House. Such tourists we are!! Lived in Brighton all my life., but just discovered this wonderful chocolate box village!

Finally a mention to Humphrey the bar dog. My boys had such fun throwing sticks to this lovely dog, only a puppy but great with lively children. Even when an out of control greyhound was let loose in the garden, Humprey kept his cool! My boys have talked non stop about Humprey since our visit.

A wonderful visit, so friendly. How a village pub should be!!

23 Aug 2011 23:12

The Blacksmiths Arms, Halland

This was AWFUL! Really Awful. I was passing throught with my son at the weekend, we had been to Charleston house near Firle (having eaten at the Ram Inn in Firle the day before, which was wonderful) and my son using the local map given free in shops, musuems etc spotted this pub.
We were hungry and I left my better judgement far behind and decided to go against my instinct.
We parked round the side, not a problem. The pub was empty at lunchtime, (round 1.30pm ish), should have backed out and ran there and then!!!
Landlord helpful, if not a little vague!
He handed me bar snacks menu, but half the menu was not available.
He said he could russle up an hamburger and fries for my hungy 10 year old son. When it arrived I cut through it (so I could have a bit) and the mince was RAW, not rare, but raw!!.
I took it to the bar and said I am so sorry, don't want to make a fuss but the meat is.... the chef was at the bar chating to the landlord and carried on the sentence with 'rare', he should have let me finish! I said I don't mind if he reheats it but I m afraid to get sick if my son eats it. He said the mince was fresh that day and generally made me feel silly and like I was making a fuss.
15 mins later the new plate arrived. Meat the side of a tennis ball, no seasoning, the bunwas stuffed with under cooked bacon! Imagine biting into uncooked, fatty bacon rind!!! smothered in cheap, sweet BBQ sauce.
Chips, frozen and deep fried, nothing special. No salt, not sauces to accompany. Sorry to go on but I will never go back and this was not a good experience. I would have had a better meal at a Harvester!!!
If you are looking for good, locally sourced food in a stunning location try THE RAMM INN in Firle village, perfect setting and beautiful walled gardens.

23 Aug 2011 22:27