The Rose & Crown, Ashford

A remote tile hung pub at the bottom of the Greensand Ridge.Double fronted, with newer extensions to either side. To the right of the main door a public bar, to the left, a smaller lounge and fire, with a restaurant leading off. Over the years, this house has had a number of owners, and was shut for a period a couple of years back. Previously, it had a very good reputation for its food: unfortunately we haven’t had the opportunity to eat here recently. I hadn’t really intended to come here on a cold March evening, but my planned stop, the George at Egerton was shut at about ten on a Tuesday evening. The public bar was deserted apart from a courting couple, while the saloon and restaurant were host to a group of people listening, with a religious intensity, to a folksinger.Not my sort of music, unfortunately, the people behind the bar seemed offhand, and the Harveys was dull. I made my excuses and left. The pub has reverted to its original name of The Rose and Crown.

Havng lived within five miles of the place for twenty years, I had no idea it was there until a week ago. Friends who live nearby tell us it's known as "the wrinklies pub" as during the week it's frequesnted by the older diners. Me & "Mrs Badger" were taken there for a meal today by friends to celebrate our wedding anniversary. At the risk of disagreeing with a previous reviewer of the place, I think that today's dinner was the best meal I've ever eaten in a pub. The waitress was polite, attentive and helpful, and teh chef was taking care to swee that all was going well. As a resturant, top marks 11/10. However, I rate on beer, not food. Only two ales, one of which is the ubiquitous MasterBrew which seems to appear in most Kent pubs these days regardless of who owns the pub. Much as it pains me to say anything against this place, as a pub, it's no great shakes and in that regard I can't go higher than 7/10. If you're planning to be in the area and eat, this is THE place to go. But if you want a pint, try somewhere else. It's a top restaurant with a half-way decent bar.