BITE user comments - jeanniejules
Comments by jeanniejules
well the good news is that the pub opened again with new owners. They have taken great care to change everything that was so lovely about the place; the decor is completely out of keeping with the historic building, the welcome is, well, utterly missing. It's been made quite clear that regulars are not welcome...it's a mystery who they do want and why - the owners can be heard rubbishing their customers - it's a puzzle why they are open at all (and not clear as the bar area is usually in darkness). As for being welcomed as a new customer - well, good luck with that.
10 Mar 2013 14:58
find the reviews hard to credit here as have been to this pub often over the years and have always tasted and known others speak of the best beer for miles around.
This local is both homely for locals, and really friendly to passers by - got talking to two Austrians who come to England just to visit this pub as they love it so - apparently there are other 'regulars' from all over the place.
Food is available days and evenings, and there was live music on when we last visited (nights when this is happening are preadvertised). It's harsh to compare to Spoons with their boil in the bag food and beer that is priced deliberately to put small pubs like this out of business.
Come support your local independent pub - or lose them forever!
12 Apr 2012 21:39
we have come here regularly over the last 20 years, and this week we received a very warm welcome as always.
Good choice of beer available and good service. Food wasn't quite as tasty as past years, possibly they had a very busy bank holiday weekend before we got there.
Still recommend this place as one of the loveliest pubs in the forest, and where the ales are well kept and taste their best.
12 Apr 2012 21:31
We have been coming to the forest for over twenty years and this is the only pub that still fails to provide the standard menu all day and evening, and doesn't take credit cards.
Which is exactly why we still travel hundreds of miles, as often as we can get away, to visit this lovely pub, where the locals are friendly and treat us like people and not gruckles :)
The beer choice is always superb, and the welcome warm. If anything, it's a little sad to see how it has modernised (no more old rugs and verderers benches) over time.
Given there are dozens of places that cater for chip eaters, card carriers and fussy kids, why on earth should this last little gem of a pub be homogenised? Long live the mighty little Royal Oak, and its lovely community.
12 Apr 2012 21:26
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The White Horse, Dover
Stu and Jules took the helm of this dear old lady last year, and what a welcome change!
It's back to being a beautiful, warm and welcoming pub, and much more. The food is delicious, lots of interesting gins to try, and the beer is spot on.
This is fast growing in reputation as the jewel in the crown of Dover, you'd be mad to miss out on a visit.
22 Apr 2017 15:47