The Flying Horse, Boughton Lees

My ancestors owned the Flying Horse in the early 19th Century, so I do try and visit occasionally. Last time was some six years ago, packed for lunch, cheery and welcoming landlady, well decorated and excellent food.

Today, went for lunch, was initially surprised that we were the only people apart from a small party having drinks before going elsewhere to eat. Barman, uninterested, but took order twenty minutes before first course arrived, after I had asked where it was. Small portions but adequate. Main courses: a) scampi and chips - chips appeared to be reheated from yesterday, green stuff was probably mushy peas but might have been spinach - or anything else: 2) chilli was off so settled for chicken pasta - big mistake. This was dry unappetising and frankly looked and tasted like last week's leftovers. Bought glass of merlot for friend. When i asked for one had run out! but offered sauvignon and told they had 30 bottles of it. When I asked why the discrepancy, apparently the merlot is popular so sold out! When I tasted the sauvignon, I understood why there was so much.

Having read reviews on another site, I understand why the pub was empty. A two hundred year connection is now broken as unless it changes hands to someone who cares, my next visit will surely find it a chinese restaurant - still at least I shall get good service and good food!

How tragic that English institutions like this are falling into disrepute. Its not the competition, its not the drink driving laws its the sheer incompetence of the managment.

1 Dec 2009 17:10