Hampton Inn — Restaurant in Canterbury

How do you measure 'value'?

I went with 2 friends to eat here on Tuesday evening, following recommendation from one of them. On balance and taking things overall, I went away 'underwhelmed'.

We had booked a table-just as well as the place was really busy, a lovely sight for a local eaterie on a less-than-balmy Tuesday. We ordered drinks and opted for main course only. Then we waited. And waited, waited some more then had to ask if our food was due soon. I had the beetroot and butternut squash pastry parcel from the 'specials' board @£14, friends had Tuna and the Turkey curry. The food was 'ok' - the parcel was tasty but the accompanying veg were bland and included turnip which I tend to think of in stews and casseroles, along with broccoli and a sprinking of carrots and green beans. The tuna (C£18) was reported by the friend to be lovely but the curry (c£14) was cooler than expected temperature-wise.

We all had desserts, a rare thing for me, and my honeycomb cheesecake was delicious as was the accompanying ice cream (choice of cream or custard if desired). Again, these were keenly priced (C£5), which is welcome in this economic climate.

So why have I marked it down - the service which was slow from start to finish. The people serving at tables were pleasant enough but at times we had to look hard to locate someone (such as for another drink order). I appreciate the 'cooked to order' but I think an idea of the wait times could perhaps have been indicated at the start, especially as we didn't have starters. The wait for desserts to be brought out was puzzling and these would have been prepared ahead of time, unless Chef was on his own in the kitchen with no help perhaps.

In summary, don't write it off, the view is lovely and possible to sit outside on a good day. The menu has a good variety and is keenly priced, so we may have caught them...

Thought we'd try here for Sunday lunch as passed it many times in the past and some recent reviews looked good. It's an interesting lay out with half the pub laid out with restaurant style tables (complete with red / white cheque tablecloths) and the other half feeling more regular pub, large windows mean you get a good sea view which was nice.

Food wise we had soup and pate to start, both well presented and tasty. Could have done with some nice chunks of crusty bread rather than basic quality baggette and white bread toast.

Good choice of roasts, pork, turkey, beef or nut roast at around £15. We had the beef; meat was tender and well cooked, the veg was equally well cooked and nicely seasonal with leeks, cabbage, swede and carrot. The only things to improve upon would be possibly the flatest Yorkshire pud we've had and the gravy which lacked any depth of flavour that often pulls a good roast to a great roast.

Having said that, we cleaned our plates and the staff were very welcoming and friendly. Couple of good cask ales on tap and we left pretty happy. There were quite a few tables that had bookings so if you're planning to visit, would suggest making a reservation.

Would we go back, maybe we'd stop in if we were passing but next time we're in the area, might look to try somewhere new. Overall and friendly and welcoming...

Stopped here for a quick pint after cycling round the Isle of Thanet. Parked outside on the street perfectly legally. Incredibly rude barman (landlord?) then proceeded to parade up and down by our table, not addressing us but ranting loudly (and swearily) to his regulars about people parking on "his" streeet and ruining "his" view (NB we were parked by an empty table at which we sat so the only people's view we were spoiling was our own), moaning on and on about how the council should paint double yellows outside etc. Aggressive and pathetic. Beer badly kept, didn't eat (thank goodness) but could hear other patrons complaining about how bad the food was. Bar full of very drunk and badly behaved regulars who get served first regardless of who was first in the queue, bar staff more interested in inane banter with them than actually doing their job. Only stopped in this pub as it was the only one in the whole Herne Bay/Whistable area that wasn't rammed to the gunwales on a beautiful summer Sunday afternoon - turns out there are obvious reasons for that. Avoid...