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Halland Forge Hotel, Halland, Nr Lewes East Sussex BN8 6PW


Halland, Nr Lewes East Sussex BN8 6PW

01825 840 456

Family outing, 12 people: five children and seven adults. We had collected the menu earlier in the day, and reserved a table for 7.30. We arrived on time. Having all seen the menu before, we knew what we wanted, so gave our orders at the bar soon after we arrived. We were surprised to be asked to relinquish a credit card at the outset, but my brother-in-law handed his over, and we ordered a round of drinks.Fortunately, we had pencil and paper with us, and the children entertained us all with fortunes and forfeits for the hour and a half we waited for our food. At 8.45 or so, after we'd waited an hour and a quarter, the children were getting hungry, so we asked for some bread and butter. We were not specific, but I suppose we envisaged some French bread with butter on the side. We were surprised to receive three plates of white sliced bread (the kind generically known as Mothers Pride) already buttered (or marged, couldn't be sure) The whole three plates amounted to no more than nine slices, three on each plate, and we only ate half of them. We only let the children have a half slice each, so as not to ruin their appetites. Several things about this place were pretty vile: the mixed grill - which cost £12 - was mingy and dried out, the steak was ordered rare but was hard as nails (and almost as small; the chips were oven chips; there was no salad bar to select from, as promised on the menu, instead we got made up salad which included raw onion which most children don't like, the salmon was almost cold, no doubt because of the time spent hand carving the accompanying radish garnish. Why? The "cappuccino" was regular coffee with aerosol cream squirted on it. No management was visible, we were served by two terrified school leavers - but my brother-in-law paid and we left.

Only when we got back, did he reveal his anger to the rest of us. "Guess how much they charged for the bread and butter?" he asked. Nobody guessed it right, we were all way too low. "£9" he said. "NINE POUNDS? THAT'S ABOUT A POUND A SLICE! In fact, since we only ate half, it's about £2 a slice. What on earth makes them think they can get away with that?" I asked. I wanted to telephone the Manager immediately, but he said there was no point, since there was none, just the two nervous kids who had "served" us. He was livid, but didn't want to take it any further, because he's a peaceful man, more interested in ensuring the children had a good time than worrying about a rip-off, no matter how blatant. But I remain outraged, and have every intention of telling everyone I know of this iniquitous and cynical example of rip off Britain.

At Savoir Faire (qv) in central London the previous day, my husband and I had a very similar meal, but better cooked, served hot and within a reasonable time - home made soup, salmon, dessert - 3 courses for £6.90 - and the French bread was free. How people can maintain that London is expensive as opposed to "honest country food?" defeats me. I have today written to the Manager of the Halland Forge expressing my outrage. If I get a reply, I will post it here of course. Meanwhile, has anyone else experienced a more outrageous item charged on their menu? Rejected. 11th November 2000 DM

Halland Forge Restaurant

I saw a review of the Halland Forge restaurant on the website and I can only agree with the victim. My partner and I went there for lunch on a Saturday about 3/4 weeks ago and we were really disappointed. We arrived and nobody welcome us, we did not know what to do with ourselves so we asked. The lady behind the bar told us sharply to sit where we wanted and that was it. Then we had to get up and order drinks and bring them back to the table ourselves. Only roast dinner, that is dry pork or overcooked beef, was available with vegetables that looked like they had been sitting there for a week. There was a menu on the wall with other dishes but nothing said how to order them and when we asked, staff told us to go and help ourselves at the carvery. A blank-face man was standing in the middle of the dining room as if he was a bodyguard of the carvery. We found out later that he spoke no English whatsoever. We had our roast dinner for a very expensive £7.95 each excluded puddings. No need to say that we gave them a miss. The dining room was busy, mainly elderly people and I was flabbergasted that they accept paying this type of money for such poor quality of food and disgraceful service. What a rip off! PF

  • By m at 21/05/2008 - 12:58
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Halland Forge carvery

hello. We found this by chance as we were looking for a cheaper option to the expensive restaurant I had booked, which my family felt we really should decline because of the price! so we needed a meal at short notice for the birthday of one of our teenage sons. It was a last family holiday before our daughter gets married (we have had very few due to lack of funds), i.e. just a weekend due to differing univ. and school terms. So we wanted something special but not dear (we had booked into the nearby Blackboys youth hostel). In contrast to the previous reviewer, we found the food ready but still plentiful. Carveries run out, I gather. The chaps behind the carvery served us extremely generous meat portions. We had a lovely meal, and for what we considered an inexpensive deal, and sat round recounting hilarious memories of our family life together. The staff were friendly and helpful. I don't remember having a dessert. I doubt I would have fitted it in. I even kept some of the prime beef in my serviette for my sandwiches next day. We took leaflets for the youth hostel manager so he could recommend it to others.

  • By Anonymous at 05/08/2008 - 15:44
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