Rose Inn, Maidstone

The hanging pub sign outside the Rose Inn advertises it as an atmospheric pub and Indian restaurant so as I climbed the steps of the front veranda to gain access I wasn’t expecting much. I was surprised to see a few locals standing around the L shaped bar during my recent Friday afternoon visit. The kitchen was closed so there were no customers in the ‘fine dining Indian restaurant’ at the rear or the small dining area to the right of the bar. For this reason a pub atmosphere was retained and it was added to by the Cheltenham Gold Cup on the television. I didn’t spot any Sky Sports advertisements, but the final Six Nations weekend was advertised outside. There are a couple of fruit machines and a quiz machine along with a jukebox that was playing some background music. Some live music that is due to take place in a months time was advertised so it is not a regular occurrence. The bar is stocked with standard draught and the two banks of three hand pumps were drawing Ruddles, Bombardier and London Pride. Facing the car park down the left hand side of the pub are a few picnic tables and I spotted a grass covered area at the rear that looked like it may have some seating in it, but I didn’t wander down there. This is certainly a place that I would revisit on a weekday afternoon as the customers and staff were all friendly and I liked the surroundings. I’m not sure that I would be so keen though when the kitchen is open and the pub is full of diners.

Official site of the Rose Inn, contains menus - www.rose-inn.co.uk

The unusual veranda along the main frontage remains a distinctive feature, but inside it has obviously been substantially refurbished since I last visited (which, I admit, was a long time ago). It has obviously had a reasonable amount of money spent on it, with an updated 'L'-shaped bar, a small raised dining area to one side and the main restaurant area on the other. Three real ales on handpump - Pride, Bombardier and Courage Best (£2.90, and well kept). Overall, a pleasant surprise.

Official site of the Rose Inn, contains menus - www.rose-inn.co.uk