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The Black Pig, 18 Grove Hill Rd Tunbridge Wells Kent TN1 1RZ

The Black Pig, 18 Grove Hill Rd Tunbridge Wells Kent TN1 1RZ

18 Grove Hill Rd Tunbridge Wells Kent TN1 1RZ

The Kentish Yeoman / Orson Welles has re-opened (just yesterday, in fact) - and although I can't speak for the quality of the food (but £28.50 for a T-Bone Steak and "Pommes Allumettes", anyone?), I'm afraid it's going to have to be REJECTED force majeure, all down to the nonsensical prices and particularly the following little ditty taken from the foot of the menu:

"10% service charge will be added to all bills, Thank you"

I really love the "Thank you".

This vile practice has now finally, inexorably and with grinding inevitability, made its way to our fair burgh.

Dear Sweet Holy Lamb of God on a Moped, this place has got me riled. "Pommes Allumettes"??! Just call them French Fries, Matchstick Fries, String Fries, or even better - how about "Chips"? How stupid do the owners think the dining-outers of Tunbridge Wells really are? £28.50 (sorry - shouldn't that actually be £31.35?) for Steak & Chips?

And just what sort person do they think will shell out £140.00 (sorry, £154.00) for a bottle of Sassicaia? ESPECIALLY when they can't even be bothered to spell the name of the blimming stuff correctly on the Wine List: it's "Tenuta San Guido", people - not "Temta". Fair enough, it's fabulous wine - albeit fabulously over-priced at the best of times - but come on, chaps. In a pub?! And one last word on this subject, the 2003 ain't even remotely ready to drink. Needs about, oooh, another 10-15 years to come into its own - so whoever does actually buy a bottle of this is just posing, plain and simple.

I think I can safely speak for all residents of - as well as regular visitors to - the Village and Grove Hill area, that we had high hopes for a decent, proper, honest, pub to rise phoenix-like from the ashes of the Yeoman / Orson. This ain't it. Truffle Pig

By Truffle Pig at 23/08/2007 - 17:20 | 2007 | £££££/$$$$$ | Kent | Pub | Rejected | Review | add new comment | 699 reads

The Black Pig

Sorry you can't be arsed to do a proper review of the Black Pig... Where else do you get decent pub food in Tunbridge Wells.. so what if it's a bit pricey you get what you pay for, so no doubt you're condemned to a life time of mediocrity. I just tried to book a Friday night on a Wednesday and can't get near the place... ho hum guess the public are voting with their feet...as for moaning on about a feeble printers typo (that old m for a u and an n) PLEASE! I obviously need to go elsewhere for a decent review rather than read a load of tight fisted b******s.

Charles Stevens

By m at Fri, 14/12/2007 - 22:02 | reply

The Black Pig, Tunbridge Wells

Have to agree with the first report here. We were so looking forward to this place opening, after hearing it has links with the superb George & Dragon in Speldhurst. We tried it a month or so after it first opened. The sadly lacking and overpriced 'Sunday Roast' was actually served with chips hidden under a limp overcooked piece of roast beef and a VERY small dish of veg on the side. A chef that serves chips with a roast dinner has clearly no respect for the food they are dishing out or for their customers. The waitress looked embarrassed to be serving it. And it doesn’t sound as though things have improved, judging by the lack of custom. We are not exactly spoilt for choice when it comes to quality food in the pubs in town but we are not fools. Rejected. kbhr

By m at Sun, 23/12/2007 - 17:03 | reply

The Black Pig

Been here a couple of times but last night was really disappointing. Food was quite good but the service was sloppy, the toilets were dirty (no lock on the door either) and the place was pretty chaotic. But what really annoys me is the price - I just feel as though I was ripped off. The food wasn't THAT good so as to merit the very large bill and I resent being expected to pay for having bread with my meal. Also the wine is pretty rough for the prices they charge. It's a shame as the place is really nice and it could be great. I fear this is going to fall into the usual trap of making an early success, getting too comfortable and taking customers for granted and going rapidly downhill. Shame. Ali

By m at Wed, 06/02/2008 - 10:54 | reply

The Black Pig, Tunbridge Wells

I was really looking forward to eating at the Black Pig and on entering I wasn’t disappointed. The decor was great and it was busy without being too crowded as you could still reach the bar. We took our seats in the dining area and filled the last remaining table, good job we booked! We were given menus and the choices looked good, accommodating vegetarians.

From here on in it went downhill. It took over 20 mins for anyone to take our order by which time one of our group had returned to the bar to order more drinks. After waiting over an hour! Our starters arrived. My soup was good but some ordered the smoked salmon and the portion size bordered on the ridiculous. £6 for a postage stamp size amount of salmon is just daylight robbery. The house red is the worst I have ever tasted and a wait of over 20 mins for more drinks to arrive is excessive. When the mains arrived (over one and a half hours after ordering) I was some what disappointed. My sea bream was cold, the steak looked small and undercooked and once again the portion size was on the small side. We passed on desert and we had to be back for the sitter at midnight! Certainly not worth the price. The service was polite but VERY slow and I am not sure the kitchen can cope on a busy Saturday night. Avoid and go elsewhere. Rejected. Bill007.

By m at Mon, 18/02/2008 - 12:47 | reply

Follow M around Tunbridge Wells & - everything she says is bad!

Just trying to choose a restaurant & having looked through all the listings if you take m's advice you'd better go to a Supermarket cafe instead.

However good on you Black Pig , i've eaten at the Black Pig and have no quarms about it. DianeB

By DianeB at Fri, 14/03/2008 - 19:35 | reply