The Duke's Head — Restaurant in Mid Sussex

My daughter brought me here last year for my birthday and the food was amazing. However this year when we came back, again for my birthday, we were very disappointed from start to finish. I had made special notes to say there are 2 birthdays and requesting a quiet area when booking the table. We were brought to the area seating for 4 people . When I asked to be moved to a more comfortable area, we were told these are the tables for 4 guests and that the seating area that I pointed out to with a purple settee could not be accommodated due to not having enough people (even though right next to it there, there were identical seating with a family of 3, therefore their rationale of not having enough people to sit at the table that I wanted, was a lie. 2) the menu had changed, no Lamb on the menu. ( this is just a minor observation), 3) 2 of my guests ordered a drink which should have come along side with a small glass of prosecco. It didn't'. My guests had to point out that that part of the drink was missing. An apology was given and the 2 extra drinks were brought. 4) One of my guests found hair in their food. 5) Myself and one of my guests ordered the pork since no lamb , and the potatoes were burnt on the top and the crackling had a burnt after taste. 6) The waiter did not know what shallots were, 7) I wanted a mojito without alcohol, I was advised to have an alternate which was similar, I asked if it had the brown sugar at the bottom, he said yes, well.... it didn't 7) one of my guests ordered the steak, he was asked which gravy he wanted, after going through the choices with the waiter, he chose peppercorn, Halfway through the meal, we realised the gravy had not arrived. We gave up. There was just too much to complain about so we didn't bother. We were the only people of colour there and can only wonder......... We didn't want to cause a scene so just pad the bill and left. The Staff were polite, the restaurant was clean. We drove nearly an hour to go to this restaurant because last year everything was excellent. I am not sure what happened in the last 12 months but we wont be coming back. You have lost a customer. Would no...

Ordered food at 2pm didn't get starters until 3pm after chasing it up, would understand but it wasn't even busy. Asked for my sons kids meal to come out with the starters which it did but it was wrong so sent it back, we ate our starters and waited then mains was sent out......still no kids meal. Question this and was told it was taking the time because it was wrong so had to be re cooked but I pointed out the fact sent it back when we got our starters and had eaten them then waited for our mains which was fish and chips and still our sons sausage chips and peas wasn't here . To which I replied yes I understand but we have eaten our starters and received our mains and still our sons sausage and chips wasn't here. To make things worse our chips were cold and I made the waitress feel them and she agreed to get them 're done, our mains came out again with the same chips but it 're cooked as they were blatantly double cooked deep brown and dry and lease were cold and still no kids meal........waitress then brought kids meal out after get again questioning where it was to be told ....here is your food extra hot!!! Dig or not came across sarcastic as my reply stated I should hope so as it's been over an hour and after spending 90quid I would hope it's hot!! After all this and speaking to the manager who kindly refunded our food bill which was expected but non the less appreciated left us disappointed and angry as going out for a Valentine's day meal turned into a shamebles. Was told by the waitress there had been done issues with the chef, and seeing numerous families waiting over an hour for food when it was quiet was a definite off put. We have been many times before no problems which was a shame. We are not local and take time to travel, don't think sadly we will make the effort again. Two simple starters and then 2 portions of fish and chips isn't exactly a complicated order and to have twice chase it up to be messed up more than once is disgrace, needless to say I doubt will make the journey back...

I am sorry to report after a visit to the Dukes Head on 31st Jan '17 that this was a letdown from previous visits. On this occasion I did not have time to eat in the restaurant which I have always found very good, but chose instead to order a meal at the bar and eat in the pub side of the building.This turned out to be an unpleasant experience, the fixed bench seating on the back wall was filthy and stained, the carpet was not only threadbare but worn through to the floorboards underneath, many of the stools were dirty and threadbare.The back-wall where posters had previously been pasted then pulled off had also removed some of the wallpaper leaving behind a patchwork.The lemon accompanying my fish-dish when it arrived was green on one side with what I took to be mould, this was replaced on request and I was informed it was not mould but dye from a green napkin! maybe so. However, it was green and looked like mould to me. In any case, it should not have left the kitchen like that. No apology was forthcoming, just a denial that the green was not mould. The whole of the bar seating area had a distinctly seedy run down appearance, and it is clear the dowdy worn furnishings and decor are in dire need of attention. I call in here from time to time when I am passing and will continue to do so for a drink, but I will not eat there again until I notice an improvement. The restaurant part of the establishment looked clean, bright and inviting. UPDATE --- Since leaving this adverse review, I have since returned in 2024 and found a vast difference. The restaurant and bar have had a complete makeover, the staff were welcoming and the food highly recommended. The old...