The Blacksmiths Arms — Restaurant in Ashford

Me and my partner visited this pub Sunday before last and unfortunately we left extremely disappointed. We were seated at the table and then it felt like we were forgotten about. We had to go to the bar to ask for the menus, then again for drinks, then again to exchange the lipstick marked wine glass. Eventually we ordered a large Roast and scampi plus a starter and then ventured outside for a cigarette. Whilst in the garden we noticed the store cupboard door open and to our dismay we noticed loose potatoes sitting on the floor, so alarm bells were starting to ring. Eventually the food arrived and the Scampi dish was missing the Tatar sauce and no lemon wedge so once again we had to visit the bar to rectify. Some of the salad leaves were well beyond there use by date and shriveled up. The apparent large Roast was small with less meat than you be given form a standard (not large) Toby carvery. I then starting to realise that the beer wasn’t right either and had a slight rotten egg smell to it, but to be honest I really didn’t want to get up and visit the bar during our meal and I found if you didn’t breath whilst drinking it, it was just about manageable, although even I only managed to drink half.

At no point throughout the meal where we asked if everything was okay, and even after a good 15 minutes after finishing we had to visit the bar to ask them to clear the table. We explained to the very pleasant young waitress our disappointment who apologised and said she would come back to us. Another 10-15 mins passed and eventually she returns and speaks with the young man behind the bar. This man had zero customer skills, was far from accommodating and we were made to feel as if we were making it all up. He blamed the hot plate for the rotting salad which he seemed to think was acceptable, and even after complaining about the awful beer he was still adamant on charging me for half which just about says it all. He provided a 20% discount which we felt was a complete insult and far form satisfactory, needless to say we will not be returning. So based on our overall experience, 1 star is being...

First, let me say I’ve used them for over 40 yrs and will go back, one bad visit isn’t a write-off, but:- We went there yesterday, 5/8/21, 1.30 pm. 3 of us, not booked but no prob. shown to table. 2 menus for 3, 1 with no pages! Ok, ordered our meals. 3 meals took awhile but arrived, table not set though, nor cutlery. Queried as no slaw. Waiter went to remedy (missing slaw and cutlery). We’re left to stare at 3 plates of food. Waited till food was getting cold, went to bar, can we have cutlery. Oops. Slaw arrived, only for one though, obviously scraped up from what was on the counter - including chilli! a surprise to my daughter (in this day of allergy aware, sloppy prep isn’t acceptable). Table still not set, no serviettes (burger) cutlery arrives! just put on bare table, we assume the table had been cleaned. Food now cool, the worst we’ve eaten there. Clearing tables? well 2 places were, I was left to stare at mine. Put simply, 2 untrained hopeless teens and the reserve chef, sorry, failed traineeship cook. Bill paid in full, explained why no tip : shrug. I’ll never go there on a Thursday again and if I see the two “boys” or the can’t cook on service, I’ll go elsewhere. This at restaurant prices! Pubs feel they can do that now. But give roadside burger bar service? not on. Oh, no toilet paper in the ladies! They claim to be a family business. Needs...

I went with my family last night 11th of December. It was terrible. Waited over an hour for our order to be taken . Then almost another hour for our starter. Calamari soggy and no trims with anything. We had to ask for dips etc. The main meals were so unappetising, sloppy .cous cous.Very badly presented with cremated vegetables. The waiting staff were not the smart usual people we have met before., and couldn't answer any queries we had.We have had meals here before and enjoyed it. Thats why we took our family!! It was embarrassing and very disappointing and to be honest very off putting for a next time. The bill was 240 pounds for just 2 courses, we didnt risk a pudding as we would have been there till midnight. That was for six of us.It was for my 70th birthday so that added to the disappointment. Im not happy giving a bad review, but someone needs to look into this. I dont think the usual manager was there,he always appears very efficient. Perhaps it was...