Timber Batts @ The Compasses — Restaurant in Ashford

This is the 1st new review I believe for The Compasses Inn under its new management. Really (really) pleased to have a simple, well run and open to walkers/locals watering hole in Crundale/Waltham/Petham... Previous management had a different business model that was not at all welcoming to locals with a bizarre take on bookings and availability (when almost empty on occasions). Relied heavily on bookings coming into the Village... My take on the old menu, tried very (very) hard to be inventive and stand out - aiming for local awards. I ate here many (many) times and the meals were in my opinion too much, too rich, trying way too hard to be stand out... Over managed and over thought... Service was OK, timing of the (small) kitchen was very (very) hit and miss... Sometimes when the dining area was full, the food would take an age to be served (again, a product of an over complex menu)....

Now under new management, what can I say... Exceptional food, welcoming atmosphere. If you're looking for gastro pub portions, not for you - go somewhere else... It's not that kind of vibe so don't read into any negative write ups if they come... Folks that want massive portions, go to a Harvester... but if you're looking for sensational taste, wonderful and simple presentation, a proper old pub vibe and attentive staff... Get yourself down to the latest and impressive addition to the Kent countryside. Took my kids and best half, let me say that my kids have never eaten cauliflower with such zeal (any recipe) not ever... For starters (we had the salmon and the beetroot dishes) superb - stuff you would pay 4x the amount at top 'Big City' restaurants without the flavours... For our mains we had the cod - very well seasoned and excellent presentation with a fulsome taste... And we also had their take on the Sunday Roast (beef) - outstanding cooking... The beers are micro-breweries, none of this forced industry flavoured water pint spill... and the Sunday morning Bloody Mary's were fabulous... The deserts, inventive - and big on flavour, and just the right portions. I've travelled all across the world, I've eaten in more Michelin starred restaurants you could imagine for work and also for pleasure... Something the previous owners wouldn't have known... This place under new management is up there and those that can't see past the new start-up process, the freshly installed ownership feel, the obvious changes that may well happen in the coming months... Can't or won't see this place for what it is... Which is authentic... I'm chuffed they've reopened with such simple style and panache... Doing the basics really well, being part of a community... Well done, keep doing what you're doing and you're going to be a fabulous success, there's nothing like...

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Hidden Gem with Unforgettable Flavors

If you're searching for a truly exceptional dining experience that takes you off the beaten track, look no further than The Timber Batts Ale House. Tucked away in the Kent Countryside, this place is a true hidden gem waiting to be discovered. From the moment you step inside, you'll be transported to a world of culinary delights and quirky charm.

The menu at The Timber Batts Ale House is a testament to their dedication to creating unique and memorable dishes. One standout option that left my taste buds dancing with joy was the Smoked Short Rib with Mac n Cheese, salad, homemade pickles, and rainbow slaw. The succulent short rib was cooked to perfection, tender and packed with smoky flavor. Paired with the mac n cheese and the refreshing crunch of the salad and pickles, every bite was a harmonious symphony of textures and tastes.

Another star of the menu is the B.F.C Bodsham Fried Chicken. Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and bursting with flavor, this dish is a must-try for any fried chicken aficionado. It's comfort food at its finest.

To complement the delicious dishes, The Timber Batts Ale House offers an extensive selection of beverages, including the delightful Lemon Cider. Sipping on this refreshing and zesty cider was the perfect way to cleanse the palate between bites. Its crispness and subtle sweetness made it a refreshing companion to the bold flavors of the food.

One of the things that sets The Timber Batts Ale House apart is its commitment to providing good value. Despite the exceptional quality of the food and the inventive combinations, the prices here are surprisingly reasonable. You'll leave feeling satisfied, both in your stomach and in your wallet.

The atmosphere of the place is undeniably quirky. The walls adorned with an eclectic collection of trinkets creating a unique ambiance that adds to the overall experience. The staff members are friendly, attentive, and passionate about their craft. Their knowledge of the menu and their willingness to offer recommendations make the dining experience even more enjoyable.

In conclusion, The Timber Batts Ale House offers an extraordinary dining experience that excels in every aspect. From the heavenly Smoked Short Rib to the finger-licking B.F.C Bodsham Fried Chicken, the flavors will leave an indelible mark on your taste buds. The Lemon Cider adds a refreshing touch, and the reasonable prices make it even more appealing. Combined with the quirky ambiance and the warm hospitality of the staff, this place is a great destination for food lovers seeking a unique and unforgettable...

Three years ago my wife and I had a superb meal here, another followed by another, a couple of years ago. Last year we brought friends out to lunch but this was truly awful, three courses of simply unpleasant food. Last Sept around the 16th my wife and I tried the Inn again. We had a wretched time. The table could not fit us, it was too small a space for medium sized folk but sitting bolt upright we then had to endure the female manager loudly disparaging another dining party who had complained, this sneering diatribe to the table guests I backed onto was so unwelcome. The complainants in question left. We should have followed. The unpleasantness of the manager pervaded the dining room. Last Sunday my wife and I were invited to a family Sunday lunch for eight but more family booked to join us, five but were told ‘not possible to dine together and only four seats available, meaning a three year old had to sit on dad’s lap! This we accepted or had to. And it was noted that the place seemed unfull. From the moment we arrived the staff, particularly the assumed manger were rude and hostile. We were 15 minutes late but having a menu literally shoved at me and being told ‘order now’ was so unwelcoming. Being guests and British we didn’t complain. An example of awful treatment was when a member of our party ordered a Salmon dish. After starting the meal a waitress came and took the meal away which was well started saying ‘sorry wrong meal’! This meant a long delay and when the meal was finally presented, it was clear that the Salmon was the same half eaten fish plonked on top of something else. Faulty Towers but not funny this time. We all thought our meals were poor and ordinary, even the other family party really disliked the food, tiny children’s portions, and as for the spinage and mushroom lumpy thing, ghastly. Poor food isn’t the end of the world if one is treated with charm and pleasantness. But ordinary, even poor food served horribly means never ever again. Pretentious to a degree, for the record I have never left a poor review for an dining experience ever as I know that any kitchen can have off days but the simply ghastly management and awful treatment of guests comes from the top? Arrogance (unwarranted) to a degree not experienced...