The Flying Dutchman — Restaurant in Borough of Swale

Quite disappointed with this place. The overall atmosphere is not very welcoming when you come in - with you having to hunt a place to sit, and hunt down a menu for yourself.

We ordered our food at the bar - a pretty usual thing for getting some pub grub. The staff taking our orders were quite blunt and made it feel as they were trying to get rid of as as quickly as they could.

Starters came quite promptly which was good. We had prawn cocktail and battered mushrooms. Nothing special. Nothing bad.

Then came our mains. The food was decent once again nothing special. I had ordered for myself an 8oz rump steak with white wine and mushroom sauce. My partner ordered the gammon egg and chips.

So my issues - upon hunting down a menu we picked what we wanted with me originally wishing to try the asparagus wrapped in parma ham as my starter to be informed it was not available. Fair enough but also slightly disappointing.

When my main came out it came out without the sauce we had ordered and paid for. I then had to hunt down a member of staff to query for them to come out and say that the sauce I ordered is no longer available and has been for some time, which we should have been told of when ordering. When I asked about the other sauces I was informed it was the same situation. So instead the only one they could do for me was the traditional peppercorn sauce.

Now I understand the odd mistakes happen here and there and it can not be helped. But the lack of service in regards to informing us of the correct information, the attitude the waitress had in regards to informing us it wasn't available. There was no offer of what could be offered instead I had to name each sauce on the menu until she agreed that the peppercorn sauce could be done. It was also the fact that we paid for our food in advance. So this add on I ordered with my food had already been paid for. Yet they made is seem as though at first that they were hoping I had forgotten about it. It then meant waiting whilst my partner ate his meal because I didn't want to eat the majority of my dinner and then be given a jug of sauce afterwards. When asking for peppercorn sauce a replacement they didn't tell me how long it would take or anything like that so I just had to sit there and wait. When the sauce had been made the gentleman who brought it to us literally dumped it on the table and ran away. No apologies for the misunderstanding - and no check up to see if everything was OK.

Let me add that I understand the place was busy but there was no information about how to get a table whether you just claim it yourselves or have to book in advance with no staff helping us. We got the jist that is was order at the bar when we sat down - however I still have to take into account that we wasn't provided a menu my partner had to grab a wet one from an empty table. Once we received our food there was no cutlery which we then figured we had to grab for ourselves however the waitress who served our starters could have a least informed us of this when she saw we didn't have any and where to get them from.

Once again I appreciate that it was a busy day however service is supposd to be maintained. I gave two stars one for the food tasting good the other for the timely fashion the food was served to us. The loss of the other three was due to overall atmosphere we did not feel welcomed or even acknowledged. A loss for the quality of service, busy or not we could still receive smiles and be asked how they can help - not just blunt and to the point. And lastly a loss for value for money. For the type of food we paid for I don't believe it was great value for money when you can spend the same price or less at a different restaurant that fills the other criteria.

This place had little to no service which if there was would have least made up for the mishap. The food was just typical pub food you could order anywhere which is disappointing because that could have made up for the lack of service. All I can say is I tried this place and was not impressed. We will not be...

Food: 4.5 Drink: 5 Staff: 5 Atmosphere: 5

Due to work, I don’t often get out but last night my partner and I decided to go grab some food at The Flying Dutchmen.

I haven’t been here for a while and I was quite looking forward to see the refurbishment. The front bar has been transformed to what I think is perfection—I’ve never seen the place look so well. It truly feels like a local beach pub. They’ve opened it up so the energy really flows and no one feels secluded.

Staff were so friendly and accommodating, as was the chef and the owner. It is truly refreshing to receive this intimate attention as a customer—a mistake most public houses make.

The food was good. My partner and I both had the fillet steak with chips, mushroom, tomato and peas. I had extras—the garlic bread was made just how I requested and melted in the mouth, had that chargrilled flavor and was so tender. I could have eaten two. There was a slight problem with one steak: mine was cut and cooked so well I couldn’t fault it. However, my partners was not. The first he received was two separate pieces and quite gristly, and so he wanted to try something else but the owner came over and insisted he have another. A great response, and as he said, why have a burger when you want steak? But then he was offered to have the steak butterflied so it could be cooked quicker, so that he could eat with me, which I do understand but I’ve never heard of a fillet steak being butterflied before. After tasting it, I was glad the chef still managed to cook it Medium-Rare, how we requested, and while it was cooked on par, it didn’t taste the same as mine—there was no chargrilled flavor. The fatty flavor of the mushrooms lingered on the steak, though it was still edible. I rate the food 4.5 star and would definitely eat there again. I think it was just bad luck on my partners behalf and the pub was busy, so I do understand.

After eating, there was a live band in the main bar, something my partner and I both enjoy. And so we stayed for a while to enjoy the entertainment. I like that the owner has gone all out in refurbishing the pub, adding entertainment and also having a real chef. The atmosphere was fantastic, the staff were truly friendly and made us feel very welcome, and I can’t wait to go back and eat some more great food, to hopefully listen to some great music after.

4.5 stars overall and would definitely recommend The...

Great discovery on the Isle of Sheppey. We visited Queenborough by car, but there is a railway station which would allow you to walk to the venue.

This area is full of history and surprising historical background, which includes Lord Nelson, who once was living here in one of the houses.

We really enjoyed the interior decor, which is very nautical and a tribute to the past.

Entertaining noises by the parrot in the cage kept us amused.

. There are many items around with a connection to the past, such as the collection of clay pipes.

A good selection of food is available with various drinks to quench your thirst. A very good attentative and polite service There is also a garden seating area with tables outside.

We enjoyed a walk through the formal garden area which was close to the pub, there is parking available around but it is limited near the pub.

We had a relaxing marine walk along the sea wall, watching a beautiful sunset developing which finished our...