please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
This is such a famous pub as it was the favourite for WWII pilots during the Battle of Britain. Sadly the refurbishment has destroyed any real feeling of a connection to its past - just take a look at the pub's website. It looks like any bar anywhere in the UK with bland and 'bad taste' decor. Go see the original blackout board with the famous pilots' signatures in the Shoreham Aircraft Museum and have a pint in the Crown instead.
|
This isn't a pub in the traditional sense, it's a restaurant with a bar area. My wife and I popped in yesterday on our way back from a nice country walk and all we wanted was a sandwich. Was told they didn't do sandwiches but we could have a drink by the bar if we wanted as long as we didn't sit at a table.
Full of pretentious "I have a range Rover therefore I can park as I like" kind of people.
|
We used to come here for family birthday celebrations but have not been since October 2009. Why did it change hands or have a re fit it lost its charm.
Wish I had not bothered, I work in the restaurant business and I was extremely disappointed with the abrupt service, and food. We came for Sunday lunch we had not even got our coats off nor seated before asking what we wanted to drink, we obviously had not seen the menu at this point food or wine list so felt under pressure, I know you have to get orders in but please give us 5 minutes. Once the drinks came back we were then told various items not available which for a chain pub on a Sunday lunch was disappointing to here, obviously the head chef is not up to speed on his orders. Unfortunately the waitress who lacked in some English just mumbled and pointed at the menu, we then deduced that meant they were not on that day. With the long list of food and the Sunday specials we had a lot to check before deciding our choices, it seemed every few minutes we were being hassled for our order. Some chairs are really hard to sit on and have fake animal fur covers on which omit hair fibers in the air which end up not only on your clothes but in your food, well you hope its from there. Once we had the main course after the entrees 2 of the roast dinners were cold, then came the vegetables, I asked that these went back as these would get cold whilst we waited for the roasts to come back. The waitress (a different one from our order taker) did not understand my request to take it back, so they sat there. When the 2 roasts came back we suffered with tepid vegetables that sat on the table as it was easier. Then 3 of us had finished eating one had not, cutlery was not in the finished position but this did not stop the waitress trying to remove the plates, of which we had to tell her we had not finished. Food portions were very small in comparison to places I have been locally, much more over priced, please look locally and you will get better service and much better food. Bring back the family run and feel of the White Hart the corporate overtake is a shame. Will not go there again after going there since 1981!!
|
First visit since the refurb and was very pleasantly surprised at how well it's turned out. This pub contrasts very well with others in the area now and definitely provides an up market feel. Yes it is a shame that the past is lost but there are numerous country pubs in the immediate area and the white hart now stands out once again.
Perfectly good choice of beers and an excellent cocktail range.
|
This has to go down as one of the worst 'Pubs' in Kent. I spent a few days in Kent revisiting the towns and villages. I remebered this pub as one of the best. What have the renovators done. It is terrible and has lost all it's old world charm. But worse. The food was a disgrace. My steak overcooked and tough. The fruit crumble had no fruit and was all toasted crumble. My partner's food was a dry chicken leg and a bought cheesecake. Beer was just about OK but wine expensive and a poor selection. We were sat in the conservatory that was so cold we kept our coats on. We asked if we could move and were told there was no other table available.
What have they done top a well loved pub. All the history of Biggin Hill pilots has been lost. I wish I had not returned as my memory of a once loved pub has been destroyed. The satff were just not interested in our complaints and the manager was not available..
I will never return and suggest that this pub is given a wide birth. Crockham Hill pub where we wnt the next night has still retained it's charm and the food was great. Restored our faith in Kentish pubs.
|
Ok, you can ignore any comments made prior to 2010. This pub is very much changed and for the better.The menu is more extensive and far better than the rubbish previously served here. The menu is a bit pricey, and perhaps not suited to the Saturday lunch I had there: for celebrations it would would good. Beer is kept well enough and as PBS says, it too is better than before. If you knew the old White Hart, give it a go and be surprised.
|
Not sure what HHGTTG is looking for, but this Pub now serves a very good pint of "Landlord" as well as "Doombar" and that is a lot better than it used to do.
Maybe the menu is the same as The Derby Arms, but Epsom is quite a way away!
We have found the food good but expensive, the staff first rate and the beer (as said) very much better than it was.
|
This place is a shocker and is all bad about "chain" pubs . We came here for a family meal to celebrate a birthday and the poor poor food became the only topic of conversation .
I will not dwell on the beer as this is really only a food pub .
The wine to be fair was OK but the food was really really poor . The portions are very small , everything is microwaved and the results are so unappetising . My sister sent her main course back straight away (Pasta microwaved to death) . The vegetables were a disgrace .... my meal had four of the smallest new potatoes I have ever seen and some uncooked onions .A dessert spoon size portion of soggy cabbage (Selection of steamed vegetables on the menu) was the main side . The chicken was microwaved to a firm rubbery texture as was the garlic bread which when allowed to cool became a test for any dental work .
A quiet word with the manager led to an immediate stricking of the food bill . We went to another nearby establishment for deserts and coffees and had an enjoyable end to a bad evening .
I seriously would not eat here if it was free every night .If you want to know where to go locally e-mail me and I will tell you .
Avoid .......
|
We love this 'place to eat'. Not so much a pub, as has been said, although we've dropped in just for a drink and it's still a great place for that too. Food is excellent, although it does take a while to arrive and that is because it is so very busy, but the atmosphere is comfortable and welcoming and the staff (plenty of them!) are attentive, cheerful, helpful and very busy.
|
Interesting history which is nicely documented but you can't help feeling the restaurant feel of the pub takes you back to 1991 sitting in a Beefeater with your parents.
Harveys on draught was nicely kept. Food is standard nothing special although an extensive menu. Bar service was decent. One waitress was slightly terrifying.
Not a pub more a restaurant I guess....
|
good menu after last year - nice friendly staff - nice wine choice, good parking - cool A1
|
The food has really gone downhill in the last three years. Spend too long waiting, food often either incorrect or still slightly frozen from when it was heated in the micro-wave.
Beer is very limited, with Bass being the only 'ale' (not real ale, as keg beer - needless to say).
Years ago the food used to be outstanding - but pretty poor in comparison today. Success has brought complacency - they need to seriously up their game as the regular clientele will soon tire of this.
|
I'd just like to say thanks for your comments on this place i'm a chef who works at this place.
anonymous - 16 Jun 2007 01:45 |
Sorry, too much beer - I can spell, really I can...
|
Also known as 'The pub of eh Few' because of the World War Two pilots who drunk here, this is a favourite. Interesting photos and memorabilia. Cool, spacious interior on a hot day. Good beer, good wine list, decent food. Posh loos and Sunday papers. A pleasent garden. Damn - no smoking inside
|
Become a regular 'call' when passing.
Happily, now a non-smoking pub in advance of the change in the law.
Launched a new menu last week. Imaginative food well cooked and served. Good selection of reasonably priced wines.
Worth a stop!
|
Much renovated and improved pub. Home from home for many pilots based in squadrons at Bigging Hill during WWII. Replica blackboard in bar with many famous names chalked on, (Original now at Hendon).
Good, honest food served all day. Good selection of beers, real ale & lagers.
Wine list is extensive and not at all 'rip-off'.
Good parking, pleasant setting. Brasted; the village of 1000 antique shops where you can't buy a newspaper or a loaf of bread!
Peter Martin - 25 May 2006 08:04 |
