The Mark Cross Inn, Mark Cross

Hugely overrated. Food is very expensive and I'm not convinced about the quality - my burger was over �12 and it was overcooked, nowhere near to the standard at the Blue Anchor in Crowborough which is a lot better quality and value.
It seems as though it's very much a place to go to be seen in or to tell others that you've been there - image over substance I suppose. My biggest gripe is that the owners needs to make up their minds as to whether it is a pub or a restaurant - if its a pub then ensure you reduce the price of the beer (�4+ per pint) and food, and make it welcoming for children (I got the distinct impression that kids were not welcome by both the staff AND other customers). If it's a restaurant then improve the quality of the food and say that it's an over 21's only establishment - that will please all of those people who don't want kids around when they go out to eat (short memories - we were all kids once and most of them are actually quite well behaved)

27 Sep 2011 10:44

The White Hart, Crowborough

Best family pub that we've been to. We've regularly visited the White Hart for the last few years and have found that it keeps improving. In terms of what it offers families it's really good - freshly prepared kids menu and each time we go the kids get a colouring book, pencils, stickers etc. They are running a kids eat free at the weekends promotion at the moment which is a great deal, there is a fully enclosed outdoor childrens play area with swing/climbing frame and room enough in the garden for them to run around. Sue is just the best landlady you'll meet - always asking after our 2 boys by name and making a real fuss of them. We like it as the food is freshly prepared and they don't skimp on portion sizes. Beers are good and the restaurant area has been updated and is fresh and modern. The saloon bar has a pool table / darts and widescreen TV where they show lots of sport. Loos are clean and there's a baby changing room. All in all a cracking local, family pub

27 Sep 2011 10:29

Blue Anchor, Crowborough

Surprised to see some of the negative comments about the Blue Anchor here. As locals we regularly use the pub and find that it has the best standard of food in Crowborough. The burgers are first rate, the belly of pork is restaurant quality and the fish and chips superb. Rude staff is inexcusable in any pub and to be honest we did think that when the new tennants arrived that they could be a bit more friendly. However I think the service now is much better and we're warmly greeted whenever we go. There's more of a family feel to the pub now - I feel comfortable bringing my kids in for a weekend lunch and they do now have a kids menu , the quality of which is the best we've seen anywhere (just taste the macaroni cheese!). Good choice of beers and I think the pub deserves to be a success as the food and service is consistently very good.

27 Sep 2011 10:17