The Holly Tree — Restaurant in Arun

Went with my partner who’d been here a good few years before and had fond memories of it. It’s changed! I was told on the phone it was advisable to book, I have no idea why as it was practically empty. We were pretty much ignored when we got there by an older woman behind the bar but hoped it would get better. The elderly woman on another table went off to find her own pepper so I should’ve known then. We ordered drinks and one pint of flat coke later we asked to send it back, I was told it was indeed real Coke by the sullen looking waitress wearing cycling shorts. She then admitted it wasn’t real Coke and did he want a bottle of that. We were waiting so long for our food that dirty glasses were accumulating on the table and at one point we put them up on the window sill. Then noticed a dirty big stain on the table cloth and a candle holder with old wax in but no candle left there on the table. We asked how much longer the food was going to be as we both had work in the morning and it turned up…after 60 minutes and I wish we’d have left 20 minutes earlier when we’d thought of doing so. When it came it was a shock to see the £27 sirloin steak. Over priced and average at best. We had to ask the waitress ‘can you please take all these dirty glasses while we eat?’ The meal was already ruined and our evening out spoiled not by the food but by the shoddy way we were treated from start to finish. Even the lemon had to be sent back! No juice, fell away from the skin into mush so god knows how long that’d been there. Apparently she needed to tell the chef but brought back more of the same. We had to quibble the bill afterwards as the pint of flat cola syrup sent back was still on there. The manageress or whatever her job title is should be embarrassed at how customers are treated but unfortunately it was obvious she didn’t care and no apology given and she treated us exactly the same. If o was on my own I wouldn’t have paid so they’re lucky we did. It was one thing after another. We came home feeling like we’d been taken advantage of and I wish I’d said more at the time. I don’t usually leave bad reviews, I chalk it up to experience and move on so you can imagine how bad it was. If you like fawlty towers you may enjoy this farce but we’ll put this down to one place we’ll never go back to and will NEVER recommend. Joke of a place....

One star simply because I cannot give any less. The meal was a gift so I did not want to complain & ruin our evening out. I am a fair person although it was pretty appalling. I am writing this in hope you make more of an effort with your future customers. I booked here a couple of weeks ago for the Christmas menu as staying in a hotel locally with family. I do always support local business especially after the last few years. I pre ordered the food, on the phone. I told them I had a dog with us. We arrived no booking, no pre- order, not aware we have a dog.

They did try to give us something that resembled Christmas dinner, it was somewhat lacking- No winter greens a mouthful of cabbage which was actually burnt and a lonesome carrot, two potatoes very poor quantity & quality. When I asked about the Yorkshire pudding they said because I was veggie they don't do it, well my two guests had turkey. It was totally a disappointment, you need to step up if you are charging such an amount for Christmas dinner, no crackers, no trimmings nothing. I would have expected a little extra seeing as you are charging a fair amount more. Don't waste your money, this place is fine as a bog standard pub. Overpriced, utterly unacceptable. People need to be aware as most of us are on a tight budget and cannot afford to...

Gave this place a try around 6pm on a Sunday after having no clue where to go and having made my decision by searching the local area and reading previous reviews; and I'm so glad I did. They held on for me before closing the kitchen and it really was a gem of a find in a lovely village. The place was just brilliant and the staff were really friendly and welcoming. I dined in the restaurant area, which was very nicely done and clean.

Being a Sunday and the early evening, I was expecting only roast dinners and for them to be sold out, but in fact they had a wide choice of food and were still able to cater for roast dinners, including specific dietary requirements, which was nice to see.

It was such a nice change to find somewhere that was not only decent, but really exceeded expectations. I decided to have a roast in the end and went with the turkey breast and it was one of the nicest roasts I've had, followed by a chocolate brownie and ice cream, which with the biscuit crumb on the side too, was also really nice.

I would definitely recommend The Holly Tree to anyone and will be back again with friends and family in the near future, hopefully with the sun shining to enjoy the lovely garden and outdoor seating they...