See Ho, Gravesend

Official site of See Ho - www.theseehogravesend.co.uk

Official site of See Ho - www.theseehogravesend.co.uk

Not sure where the name comes from, but the signage features a hare? It also describes itself as a country pub, which is a slight stretch as it's in the Ridgeway part of Shorne village. Anyway, the reversed J-shaped interior has been refurbished in more of a lighter, semi-modern style than I was expecting. It was also doing very good business on a Sunday lunchtime, with many tables taken by those eating and even the barstools were mostly taken. Just Doom Bar (£4.20) from a trio of handpumps, with reversed Otter Bitter and Tribute clips on the other two.

A Victorian village pub built on the site of an earlier ale house which was associated with hare coursing, hence the name. There is a large car park and modern garden, which predicts the interior. The single large open-plan bar has been gutted and, as described below by John Dent, been left devoid of any charm or character. Sterile laminate flooring, plastic bar stools, laminate tables, and the predominant colour is grey, which, coincidentally, means many of the regulars blend in nicely. The barman was friendly enough, and the beer was good – two ales on, Otter and Tribute, both well kept and in good condition. It’s worth dropping in if passing, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to come here.

Advertises itself as a 'traditional country pub with restaurant and a beer garden' ... well, I guess two out of five isn't bad... Yes, it appears to be a very nice restaurant and it's certainly in the country ... but a pub it's not. On my visit, every table was set for diners with only a few bar stools available for drinkers. Traditional? Well, yes ... the outside looks promising but inside someone let a designer loose on the place and now it's as bland and modern (though very clean) as any up market hotel dining room. As for the beer garden, that's a strip of grass at the back of the car park with a few a-frame tables and benches, not even segregated by a fence from the cars. On the other hand my pint of Doom Bar was excellent though, at £3.80, reflected the restaurant style operation. Staff were friendly, quick and there's plenty of parking for cars.