The Old Bear, Cobham

From the Internet reviews, this seemed to be a pub worth a visit and so we did. I was impressed by its website and the ease of online booking, which is quite rare with pubs, I think.
With a log fire at one end and plenty of wood panelling, beams (watch your head if you're over 1m 80cm tall) and floors, it appeared to be quite welcoming the staff continued that theme with politeness and attentiveness.
The restaurant area is a little dark and cramped but not too unpleasant. The menu was presented on a sheet of A4 paper (although cream-coloured and 120g/sqm) and dated for the particular day which gives the impression that it changes daily. It is not very extensive and lovers of steak and chips would have been disappointed - there was none.
Do take your credit card or negotiate an overdraft in advance, however. I had the cheapest starter, a modest-sized bowl of vegetable soup for �6. A roast eel salad (small portion lost in the middle of a huge plate) was �9. The mains were in the region of �14 - �17 and, again, it is very "nouvelle cuisine" with an island of food surrounded by a sea of white china. For customers who prefer a "square meal" I recommend you go elsewhere. The food is tasty, well cooked and courteously explained upon ordering but it is somewhat minimalist.
As for drinks, there is a small range of real ales plus the usual well-chilled lager suspects. A pint of "Hobgoblin", although a treat, was �3.50 and a small glass of white wine �4.35. Slimline tonic sets you back �1.50 and filter coffee is also �1.50 a cup. There is a bar menu which caters for the burger, bun and chips trade.
As stated above, the "Old Bear" has an excellent website, seems to be very professional and the staff make an effort: but don't go there for a huge meal! We came away joking about some of the portions!

15 Nov 2009 14:32

The Black Swan, Pease Pottage

Having been invited to eat at The Black Swan on Saturday 24 November, I did some research on BITE just as I tend to do for any pub I have not previously eaten/drunk in. I was not at all impressed by what I read and drove there with some apprehension, arriving early before meeting my dining partner so that I could appraise the place from the outside before being committed to entering. I somehow could not believe that I had been invited there if it was that bad.
It's a little tucked away and must have been on quite a major road before the M23 was built, leading to the closure of the Old London Road as a main thoroughfare. Through the windows, however, one could see a good clientel inside and what appeared to be a very warm and welcoming layout.
Having read the word "chavvy" in a previous review, I somehow expected the usual crouds of exiled smokers around the door braving the frosty air to indulge their habit. There was none of that.
When I did go in to eat and drink some 15 minutes later, I was pleasantly surprised and greatly relieved. The recent extension to the right, rear of the bar as one enters had been cleverly designed, in my opinion, offering a range of seating arrangements and table sizes to afford privacy for those who wanted it and conviviality for those who did not.
The menu seemed extensive with a better range of starters, mains and suites than I have seen in several other, more favourably reviewed establishements. The prices were quite competitive as well.
As for the beer, well with King and Barnes and Badger Ales to choose from, plus a whole gamut of chilled and super-chilled lagers etc., I could not see a reason to be disappointed. Of course, we would all like our beer to be cheaper these days but The Black Swan is not excessively priced for its drinks.
I tried the new "Pickled Partridge" from Badger and, if you have too many of those, you'll swap places with the partridge before too long!
Although I was not served by all the staff (a physical impossibility in the time available), those who served us were polite, courteous and seemed to care whether our food and drink was to our liking. I saw neither illicit self-service nor any other untoward behaviour born of over-familiarity with a member of staff. I did observe other customer/staff inter-action as far as I could, and everyone seemed to be enjoying the same friendly service. We certainly had a chat with two of the staff who did not appear in the slightest to be inconvenienced by it.
Diners ranged from a young couple at one table to groups of varying sizes and varying ages at others. No-one seemed to be out of place or ill at ease.
I have to admit that I did not finish my main course - unheard of for me - but the fact that I was not feeling well with what turned out to be the beginnings of a chest infection probably accounted for that. It was delicious and there were no complaints to be levelled at the food.
As for the piped music being too loud - well, all right if you were near to the bar it might have been but it was unnoticed in the extension where we ate. As I am a classical fan, however, however loud or soft common-or-garden piped music is, it is likely not to suit my taste but that's my fault, not the pub's.
My verdict? Go there if you're near (I drove 45 minutes for it) and give it an honest chance and I don't think that you'll be disappointed. I do hope to go back again when the opportunity arises and have no reservations at all now.

26 Nov 2007 20:53