BITE user comments - usually_disappointed
Comments by usually_disappointed
The Foresters Arms, East Hoathly
Under new management again. I know the new guys have a good track record. Will give them a while to get going and see what happens.
4 Nov 2012 10:48
The Foresters Arms, East Hoathly
Things have changed...Now under new management. Tim and Donna took over around mid Feb 2012. Despite having no previous pub experience (everyone has to start somewhere) they are giving it a go. It is early days and they are still finding their way in some areas. But, the beer is good, generally it is busier on the bar side, and the welcome is much warmer.
11 Apr 2012 14:02
The Foresters Arms, East Hoathly
This used to be a great village pub. It has suffered a few ups and downs of recent times. Some at the hands of the tenants/managers (call them what you will) and some problems caused by the ultimate landlords, Harveys.
It is now under the management of a new couple - John and Denise - who have had an established and successful track record with another Harveys house not to far from here. They have a lot of work to do and a lot of problems to unwind.
It would be unfair for me to rate this pub at the moment as they have only just picked up the keys! They have chosen a tough time to step up to the crease, but we wish them well.
12 Nov 2008 21:41
The Horns Lodge, South Chailey
As promised, I returned.Evening meal with freinds.
Beer as reported before. The landlord knows his beer.
The nice thing about this pub is it's layout. Walk in the front door straight into an open area at one end of the bar - plenty of space, gives you time to get your bearings. You can eat in the bar area or in the dining area to the right, or go further to the right into a second small dning area. This means they can probably cater for a good 60 covers but it doesn't feel like you are in a municipal canteen. Keeps it quite cosy and private and the noise level remains low.
Everything was nicely paced and quite leisurely - that's a plus for me and wifey. So many places they seem to rush you through ordering, starters and main that you can be in and out in little over an hour. We were there three hours but felt niether pressured nor abandoned.
Interesting mix of food. Good pub food like Prawn Cocktail (not 70's style but nicely arranged on a plate) to Deep Fried Brie with Apricot Coulis. Burgers and Pizza (made in thier own PIzza oven) right up to Game Casserole or Seabass. Homely deserts like crumble to a perfect little cheesecake which was a work of art and tasted great.
The diversity of the menu makes you wonder whether they can't decide to be a pub or a restaurant. The food was presented as both when it arrived - pub grub for some dishes to carefully presented and decorated plates. This bothered me for a while as the styles seemed to conflict, but actually it doesn't matter. It is either a stoke of genius or a stroke of luck. There is something for everybody and at a price for all. You could treat yourself to a fantastic dinner at the top end of the menu whilst your kids could enjoy a home-cooked Pizza or burger (not a chemical filled frozen procssed one). The Pizzas actually come in two sizes - small and large - even better.
It is easy to critisise, so here it is. Bit more confidence and training for the waitress. She lent across the table a couple of times rather than go round and had trouble stacking plates when clearing the table. It would have been good to clear some empty glasses at the same time if only to declutter the table. Having said all that the lady worked very hard, was nicely spoken, very pleasant cool and calm. Attentive but not intrusive. Some of the portion sizes seem to be a bit on the large size. Having said all that it all tasted great, which is the imortant thing.
Will definitely return and our friends were considering as a new venue for some of their works xmas do's. Can't say better than that.
1 Nov 2008 15:23
What a Pub! If you understand what a british country pub is all about then this will not disappoint. Locals, visitors, walkers, wellies, dogs, log fire, beer and food!
Good beer from the cask; a barman who knows what he is talking about and treats everyone the same; efficient, polite and unobtrusive but attentive staff; friendly locals; properly priced top quality food but not overly fussy - restaurant/gastropub standard without the price tag. (That was the bar food, I expect the seperate dining room wouldn't disappoint either - it looked nicely laid out). They must of changed the menu since Gudgeons report because it certainly wasn't 70's, more pub modern with some local specialities and traditional favorites.
It is a popular place. Get there early for a table even early/mid week on a late Octobers evening.
Pub decked out with photos of past events etc. Cartoons of the pub and other bits 'n' bobs that get donated/left behind through years of life. Only thing missing was a pub cat in front of the fire or tucked away on a bench somewhere (can't give it 10/10 now!).
If you have read Ian Marchants 'The Longest Crawl' you will agree the owner should be made Minister for Pubs.
1 Nov 2008 14:40
The Horns Lodge, South Chailey
Heard the place was under new management so myself and the wife decided to pop in for a quick lunchtime bite.
A good range of food from a simple pork pie & chutney through to a roast dinner and all points in between. Very tempting smells from the kitchen and from the roast dinners being eaten by the couple nearby. Decided to settle for a sarnie - always a good indicator and a test for fresh ingredients. There was a small hiccup with our order, but I am pleased to report it was dealt with swiftly. The people are new to the game and these little things happen - no-one is perfect. They are however polite and cheerful which goes an awful long way.
The bread was fresh and light, a filling of good quality ingredients and a nice fresh green salad garnish with dressing and vegetable crisps (these extra little touches show a bit of care, thought and imagination).
Good quality ales kept well and a beer board showing what is comng next. Heaven!
Will definitely go back and try a more substantial lunch and then try the place again with some friends for a full evening meal.
For once my pseudonym doesn't apply (I chose it because it usually does!) I was pleased I made the effort to try it out and will most definitely return. Hope the new owners keep up the good work.
13 Oct 2008 17:32
Tuesday lunchtime, end of September.
Cold wet day outside, similar inside. Could have done with some heating or a fire.
The young barman was uninterested and only just on the right side of being polite. The couple ahead of us enquired about the lunchtime menu (it was about 12.10 at this point) and were told that lunch starts at 12.30, the board was still being written up and he would bring it out when it was ready. They left unimpressed. The pub wasn't exactly busy - three people having a drink - so shouldn't the board have been completed long before opening time?
We decided to wait. 12.30 came and went, had to ask for the menu board. The three drinkers went leaving myself and wife. My wife ordered Hake & Chips (�8.95), I ordered Burger & Chips (�9.95). You might think I am mad ordering a �10.00 burger, but I do these things deliberately. It has to be a good chef in a good pub to make a burger & chips worth �10.00 - just a litte creativity required. Unfortunately, not in this case. Burger was dry and burnt on the outside (middle was OK) and just stuck inside a seasame seed bun. No salad, sauce or anything inside the bun. Had to ask for some Mayo to moisten it up.
Battered Hake was OK, bit bland and not seasoned. Chips fine and about half a pound of peas - too many really. Tartar sauce was not offered.
Chef (polite and cheery) brought both our meals out as barman was too busy on his mobile. No one else was in the place, we had sat by ourselves for half an hour and the barman couldn't even be bothered to lay the table prior to our food arriving. The barman had also asked us where we were sitting - we were the only people in the place and it isn't that big. He probably could have found us! He was probably just going through his usual routine and couldn't be bothered to think.
There was only Harveys on the pumps. This is an Enterprise Inns pub and they do have a range of beers to choose from including some fine local microbreweries. Just shows a lack of imagination all round. I am sure this is a fine drinking pub in the summer and attracts a lot of walkers. Nice location, lots of seating outside/village green scene and all that. Maybe the summer ploughmans is worth having and I can imagine it buzzing on a summers day.
Food was over-priced for its standard and the off-hand attitude from the barman didn't help. Very dissapointed as I had heard some good reports from friends about this place.
10 Oct 2008 10:42
Sunday Lunchtime. I liked the location - nice to sit by the river. The menu looked interesting and a couple of things looked to be spot on. Pricey for a pub, but then it's not a pub any more though, is it?
I had a feeling they were a bit under staffed. A bit slow, but always polite. Ordered Fillet Steak, peppercorn sauce, chips & veg and a Noodle salad with peanuts, crispy vegetables, honey and soy sauce dressing. Steak - plate nicely presented, well cooked but on a cold plate and the food was none to hot by the time it got to the table.
Noodle salad - looked more like Linguine, only veg were peppers (and lots of them), very strange tasting sauce - too much honey and possibly Dry Roasted nuts. Neither of us could eat it, never tasted anything like it before.
Waitress appologised and said that it didn't normally look like that (guess they ran out of veg so put in extra peppers). We refused deserts and coffee and asked for the bill. I was expecting the owner/manager to appear, but no. We paid and left.
I appreciate peoples taste are different, but this plate of food was not what we expected and clearly neither did the waitress. If a customer says a plate of food is inedible I would expect someone in a senior position to be at my table side immediately.
Didn't try the beer (I normally do). I can't rate this place.
15 Sep 2008 17:19
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The Foresters Arms, East Hoathly
New guys been here a while now. Always a cheery, friendly welcome from Jools behind the bar. Beer (all Harveys) always in excellent condition. Haven't tried the food yet myself, but only positive reports from those who have.
15 Jun 2013 13:48