The Sloop Inn, Scaynes Hill

Had been meaning to visit this pub for some while following good reviews from friends. Telephoned before visiting to check what food was available for vegetarians, I was told that there was a good selection and the lady listed 5 different dishes and said that there were more, this pleased me as often there is only one choice - if that. Upon arrival the menu only had 1 vegetarian dish so we asked whether anything else was available only to be told that the vegetarian starter could be made into a main dish if required :( We decided to stay and have the dish listed as we were fairly short of time and it sounded nice (goats cheese and walnut salad served with warm bread) Ordered drinks including a glass of dry white wine. The wine was not very well chilled and was rather sweet but we didn't wish to make a fuss so drank it anyway. The food took rather a long time to arrive but the pub was busy so we waited patiently. A lady at another table had the salad and it looked delicious. Eventually our food arrived but the bread was not with the salad so we enquired about it and was told that it would be sorted and would come straight out. 5 minutes later the bread had still not arrived so we enquired again and was told that it was on its way. 5 more minutes passed and we enquired yet again. 5 minutes later the bread finally arrived by which time the grilled goats cheese was cold and my companions had both finished their meals including cold chips) and I was left eating alone. I was very disappointed in the meal as the walnuts tasted old and fousty but as we were quite time limited and after the length of time to simply bring out the bread I pushed the walnuts aside and ate the salad and cold goats cheese. When the waiter collected our plates he asked whether the meal was ok so we told him of our disappointment and he went to fetch the manager - James. Well, what a rude, obnoxious man he turned out to be. He seemed surprised that I had waited for the bread to arrive before eating the salad, implying it was my fault that the cheese had gone cold and tried to tell us that the bread had arrived after 2 minutes and that we should have mentioned to staff if we were dissatisfied (which we had done twice). He eventually reluctantly refunded the value of the salad but continued to defend the meal and service. I would not recommend this pub to anyone and will certainly not be returning myself.

21 May 2011 21:14