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I'm kimhollingshead from Sandwich. I've been Qyping since 07-02-2008

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kimhollingshead's Qype profile

pigs nose - East Prawle

East Prawle, Kingsbridge, Devon TQ7 2BY

18-05-2012

This is an amazing little pub. The bar area is cluttered with nick-nacks - including ships in (and out of) bottles, and an eclectic array of ornaments of a largely eccentric nature! There is even a knitting corner. The snug is covered in graffiti and in another area there is a collection of toys.

Dogs and children are welcome.

The food is good - my ham sandwich was top notch and Judi's prawn sandwich was reported as 'excellent'. There is a separate evening menu that has a limited choice, which suggests that the quality is likely to be good.

Don't expect haute cuisine but do expect good pub food, entertaining and welcoming locals, friendly bar staff and a fascinating mooch around the various bits of 'stuff' around the pub.

DON'T expect to pay by card! Take cash!


The Church House Inn - Churchstow

Kingsbridge, Devon TQ7 3QW

18-05-2012

Having tried many of the Devon 'Church Houses' (all very different) and rarely being disappointed, I thought we should give this one a try for lunch. Like the others, it is very old (though not as old as my local in Chillenden!). Unlike most of the others it has not been 'poshed up' (though they have all been tastefully 'poshed' in my experience). 

This Church House is a great, traditional Devon pub where you could take aunty or arrive in your overalls and still feel comfortable. The food is good - the menu was limited but that usually makes sense at lunchtime when customers for food are relatively sparse.

We were impressed by the welcome, by the service and by the food. Not haute cuisine but very good pub fare. We'll go again when we're next in the area.

Wasdale Head Inn - Wasdale Head

Seascale, Cumbria CA20 1EX

05-01-2012

Judi and I have been going there (Ritson’e Bar) for many years – every time we visit Cumbria. When we were fit and healthy fell walkers we were grateful for its warm fire and equally warm welcome. Now we are getting on a bit and have creaky knees, we find that we equally value its lovely warm food. The thing I most look forward to is their Goulash Soup – hardly a soup at all but a warm, spicey dish of braised beef in a sauce – TO DIE FOR. Recently (December 2011) Judi said that their Pea and Ham Soup was the best she had ever tasted!

We have never stayed in the hotel, with its cosey, wood-pannelled dining room, but our friend Philip has and he reckons it is well worth staying there a few nights!

In 2012 Ritson’s Bar is to be refurbished and extended (it’s always crowded and could do with more space) and new loos are to be built (a good idea!). So we are looking forward to our annual August visit to see how it’s going. Why not do the same?

Le Channel - Calais

3 Bd de la Resistance, 62100 Calais Calais

20-12-2011

This restaurant was recommended to us by our dear friend Carole who has spent most of her life running good hotels with her chef husband Rolf (now sadly departed).

The quality of the food is immaculate. The presentation shows superb artistry on the part of the chef(s) and I defy anyone to find fault with any of their dishes.

The wine menu rivals the Encyclopaedia Brittanica in size and, not knowing much about the French wine regions, I was totally fazed by it. Fortunately the owner’s son came to my rescue and brought us a very nice Cabernet Sauvignon and a Sauvignon blanc, which my wife said was excellent.

Whilst portions might seem small, 31 euros brings you 5 amazing courses (including an amuse bouche) and I can guarantee you will have had quite enough by the time you have, very regretfully, finished your meal! There are other set menus costing less or more – all equally appetising.

If I have a criticism it was the disapproving face of one of the waitresses – we clearly didn’t match up to her standards of sartorial elegance – or so I thought until I noticed that she was the same with everyone! Frankly they would be better off without her ‘help’. Nevertheless, I will dress a bit more carefully next time (if she lets me in!) – who knows, I might raise a smile!

Apart from that, the service was excellent and very helpful, if rather too prompt, I do like a long, leisurely lunch when in France! However this can be useful if you have a ferry or tunnel train to catch.

I particularly liked the enormous, silver-plated trolleys the waiter brought round for the cheese and dessert courses. I took only two small slices of cheese: a bleu d’Auvergne and a lovely rich Brie, but I noticed that the French customers were choosing as many as five, so I suggest you follow suit if you have enough appetite left by then. However, don’t forget to leave room for some pudding. Again I had only two of these but I suspect you could have more!

One last thing, whilst they do have a smattering of English, if you are at all concerned about booking by phone, they have a booking system on their website that works very well, and it’s in English if you choose the appropriate flag.

The Church House Inn - Rattery

South Brent, Devon TQ10 9LD

18-12-2011

Daft really – this has been one of my favourite eating pubs for at least 20 years and I have never Qyped it!

This is possibly the oldest inn in England, dating from 1028, however it started as a hostel to house the masons who were building the church next door.

The menu is excellent and the food has never let us down. The menu is suplemented by an enormous daily specials board with the accent on fish and game. There is a good choice of real ales and some of the other fizzy stuff for people who have lost their sense of taste. The wine list is extensive and contains some really good, reasonably-priced stuff.

As can be imagined in view of the age of the building, the inn has a great traditional feel. The latest landlord is a clone of his predecessors in that his welcome is warm and his patience long – well Judi always changes her mind at the last minute!

So – on your next visit to Devon, set your satnav to this lovely old inn. It’s popular, though, so I would recommend that you book.

Danny Minnies - Donegal

Teach Killindarragh, Annagry, Donegal

15-12-2011

It’s wet and the wonderful scenery of Donegal is veiled behind low cloud and drifting rain but we are HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY! Down the road is a wonderful place called Danny Minnies.

Seafood is a speciality, as you might expect in this coastal area of northwest Ireland, but there is plenty more on the menue and it’s all cooked and presented to perfection.

I don’t think any more needs to be said except try to pick a dry period when visiting the area and pay at least one visit to Danny Minnies.

The map is totally inaccurate as Quype’s system doesn’t recognise Annagry.
56.01.07.89 N – 8.18.41.75 W is the best I can offer.

Pepper Box Inn - Harrietsham

Windmill Hill, Maidstone, Kent ME17 1LP

26-04-2011

This is an inn worth trying to find - the atmosphere is terrific and the food is wonderful (honestly). It is important to book a few days ahead if you want a weekend meal and it is well worth the effort.

The bar faces an open fireplace with seating and a low table - just right for a winter's evening. behind the bar is a room housing an old Aga cooker - presumably once the kitchen - but which now has tables for those who want to taste their delectable food. OK his is not an 'haute cuisine' establishment - it doesn't charge silly moey - but the food is really wonderful and the choice is remarkably extensive considering the quality. There are usually many fresh fish 'specials' in addition to their regular menu and all of them sound very good.

The staff are clearly very well trained (or naturally well mannered) as the welcome is genuine. The location is deeply rural - a hamlet on the greensand ridge near(ish) Maidstone - you couldn'twish for a better spot.

Wine? Well if the fabulous, and quite reasonably priced, Primitovo di Manduria we had last week is anything to go by then the wines are excellent.

Judi and I love it so why not give it a go?:

The Pepperbox Inn
Windmill Hill
Fairbourne Heath
Nr. Ulcombe
Kent
ME17 1LP

Tel: 01622 842558
Fax: 01622 844256

Email: enquiries@thepepperboxinn.co.uk

Boots the Chemist - Sandwich

17 Market Street, Sandwich, Kent CT13 9DA

10-02-2011

A good, very busy pharmacy where the staff are very willing to help - indeed they go out of their way to help! My only minor criticism is that there are not enough chairs. Sandwich is a town with a high proportion of older people and older knees, backs and hips need somewhere to sit.

Since boots took over the pharmacy, there is very little in the way of 'gifts' of the sort often found in chemist's shops, in fact only the perfumes remain. A pity as I used to enjoy browsing but as I rarely bought anything I guess it was a sound business decision!

The George Hotel - Cranbrook

Stone Street, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 3HE

19-06-2009 (updated on 14-11-2010)

Our main motivation in staying here was to enable us to eat at the Great House, Gills Green (RECOMMENDED!). This is about an hour from Sandwich, where we live, so too far to drive for dinner.

The room at The George was comfortable and full of character and the service friendly, prompt and helpful. On one of the two nights, we ate in the hotel restaurant and were VERY pleasantly surprised. Excellent menu, beautifully cooked and presented and a good wine list. A good reason to go to Cranleigh in itself!

Judi and I intend to return in the not too distant future - we deserve a treat (and even if we don't we're still going!)

Wheatsheaf At Bough Beech - Bough Beech

Hever Road, Bough Beech, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 7NU

30-10-2010

Fascinating 14th Century Inn with an eclectic collection of artifacts decorating all the walls. Great for a drink, a lunchtime snack/meal or a romantic dinner. Child-free main bar but room for children if you must!

My lunchtime 'snack' was a very tasty chorizzo and bean casserole with garlic bread in place of the crusty roll offered on the menu. Judi had deep-fried Double-Gloucester with a homemade chutney and salad She added a portion of garlic bread.

Judi's Sauvignon was declared to be excellent as I had a pint of the best ale in the world (Harveys Sussex, of course!)

I just wish we could go there every day and anyone living in the area is very fortunate to be able to dine there!

You really should try it!

18-05-2012