The Snowdrop Inn, Lewes — Restaurant in Lewes

Like most jewels worth finding, you've got to dig deep and be prepared to go off the beaten path. The same principle of reward applies to The Snowdrop. It'd be way too easy to drive into Lewes from the south and ignore their little sign on the roadside before going into the Cuilfail Tunnel; as you tend to be too distracted by the amazing (if not controversial) rust-clad 'Grand Designs' on the riverside. Access from the south is barred. So, although you've come tantalisingly close, you've got to fiddle your way back. Trust me, it's worth the investment. With our 2½ year old son, we traipsed along South Street from the large car park. As we get to know it more and more, attracted like moths to a flame, Lewes has many facets, characters and small, distinct districts. Each with its own identity. The Snowdrop Inn is steeped in its own character too. That of warmth, hospitable, wholesome friendliness. It is rare we crossed the threshold of a small villagey pub to be met with so many smiles. Then there are the smells of freshly-baked pizzas! Hard to form a better first impression of a dwelling than have the aroma of new bread percolating! There's a very much well-used patina to this pub which makes one feel instantly at home. The beaming welcome behind the bar by well-trained personnel who seem to 'get' how important sincerity is in the hospitality industry kind of draws you in. No doubt others won't be so easily seduced by a pub as we. But a quaint, atmospheric, traditional beer-drinkers pub, with hearty fare, steeped in centuries of good-times, equal to The Snowdrop Inn would be...

We booked a Friday night 18:30 for my daughters birthday. She had a really lovely roast dinner a few weeks back. We arrived and it was busy which wasn't an issue but there was only one member of staff on the bar. We did book a table but nothing was reserved so it seemed lucky that there were free tables. We ordered hullumi and nachos for starters. These are around the £8 mark and the nachos were mostly crumbs with minimal mixed cheese. The mains where cumberland sausage and mash which turned up as venison so they were not eaten. The mash sadly wasn't great. The seafood risotto was stodgy and solid which was upsetting as these dishes are £15 each. The quiche seemed ok but it was served with under cooked chips and very dry salad leaves. We asked for salad cream and never got brought any. By about 19:30 we asked for the desert menu and was told the kitchen was closed. Then watched at least four main meals come out up to 20:00. There looked like there was an issue in the kitchen but we were never told what is was. We would have preferred to be told when we arrived or even told before so we could have gone somewhere else. We paid about £100 and sadly will not choose to eat there again which is really sad is its a lovely pub. Even if we were told why there was an issue we would have been happy to...

Very nicely decorated pub ruined by staff, price for portion size and quality of food on the day.

Turned up at 3pm on Sunday. As soon as we walked in we noticed an older lady behind the bar with a bad attitude being rude to customers. We thought we'd still give it a try.

We sat in the front garden for a while, until a young chef comes out swearing and angry (presumably about work conditions) as he cleared tables. So we moved to the back garden as this made us uncomfortable. We then went to order food. However, we were served by the older lady (landlord?) who was visibly 'fed up' and a little rude. She mentioned ''depends on what we've got left'', when we asked what we could order as a lot of things were off the menu. When we ordered there was no 'thank you or take a seat it'll be out soon!''. She just took the payment and walked off rudely. Really bad attitude and is my pet hate. This alone ensures i'll never return.

The quiche was a small pizza slice for £15 with chips, the deep fried (brie?) was totally overcooked and was just deep fried breadcrumb.

Looks like a nice pub but totally let down by staff and food...