The Sussex Arms — Restaurant in London

I have been trying to think of anything that went well during yesterday's evening service and can't:

Drinks - limited selection understandable. . . .but average 20 minute wait for half the drinks (3 different servers eventually delivered a round of 5 twice before we gave up and left). Beers dumped on the table with no explanation of which one was which.

Heating: Beautiful looking flame heaters which manage to remain cold to the touch and dispense heat from the top approx 8ft in the air (pardon my basic grasp of physics here, but energy transference of warm air to an open space requires directional heat radiated or convected at the target audience. . . .maybe if we sat on top of the tent it may work?)

Food: Deep fried chicken wings were called for - however the Sussex arms have managed to perfect a recipe which actually removes the flavour of food. . . .literally the only thing that had any taste was the jalapenos. . .even the cheese had the flavour removed. . .

Service: from walking in to serving drinks and food . . . it was rude. I understand that it's confusing for a lot of people, but if adopt a basic sense of hospitality, it helps. We counted 60 people in total with 4 servers, two more at the bar and likely more in the kitchen. Everyone ordered and paid via apps (the most complicated app imaginable!) I don't understand how they could take so long. Half the food arrives, no plates, utensils or tissues, and when we had the temerity to ask - they gave three plates for 5 people and one napkin each. . . .

We gave up - went to the Alba instead. Served straight away but regretted wasted half the evening especially with...

This pub had alluded me for no reason other than I've just not been arsed to walk to Twickenham. It's an area I'd typically try and avoid any given weekend due to the outpouring of Jean and Sheux, Land Rovers and gilet wearing family entourages spoiling any opportunity for a quiet pint.

So, hit it when there's no rugby on, and when it's forecasted to be a torrential downpour. Prime Twickenham stomping weather. I'd walked over from Surbiton, and at the other end was this pub. Originally an 1837 beer house, significantly renovated in 2011 but kept the good bones you can slap once you walk in. Lovely layout, spacious, accommodating and a large garden too.

Loosely affiliated to Big Smoke I believe, sort of like how Bricklayers, The Lyric and Express Tavern are(?) - but unlike those, the beer selection here is vast, and specifically the cask selection. I counted 18 maybe? Could've been more. Opted for a pint of the Windsor and Eton pale ale which flew down. It's no easy task to maintain that much cask, but the local plaudits seem to keep pouring in for them, regularly in the GBG and voted best pub by the exact-pint chaser CAMRA crew (no foam plz).

Can't wait to come back here tbf. If the food is as good as the other loosely related pubs I'm sure a Sunday Roast session here would be unstoppable. Anyway, if you plan on coming, Strawberry Hill probably the best station, it's sort of equidistant between that, Whitton and Twickenham. Whatever's easiest. Or...

The Sussex Arms has a large garden, and they have recently upgraded the weather proofing from makeshift gazebos to a high quality festival grade circus tent, which fully covers the width of the garden immediately to the rear of the pub. Gas heaters provide respite from the cold.

During enhanced Covid measures, this is a major selling point, and due to the lack of competition from regular restaurants and pubs without adequate outdoor space, the place was packed when we arrived for our 6.30pm sitting.

Aside from adequate outdoor space and cover from the rain, though, the Sussex disappoints in almost every other way.

The e-commerce system for ordering food and drinks from the table is hopelessly complicated.

Prices seem to have increased somewhat, and although it is undoubtedly convenient to be served at the table, the pub was overwhelmed and as an example had run out of wine glasses and resorted to serving £8 wine in tumblers. When we subsequently ordered a bottle of wine, this also arrived sans wine glasses, and we had to go to the bar to procure two wine glasses ourselves.

The food was never a selling point of the Sussex, and this remains true. Unremarkable in every way.

Overall, the Sussex Arms remains a winner as a “Covid Secure” option, however it feels like a missed opportunity to create a much better experience, with just a little more effort and...