The Cove — Restaurant in Rother

I visited The Cove on a warm Friday night in May, and what a great job they’ve done of reinvigorating the pub, it’s impressive inside and out. The staff were welcoming, friendly and accommodating.

There’s a great selection of beers on the bar, always good to see Brewing Brothers, alongside other considered choices. The wine list was decent too.

The menu was slim but inviting, the local venison tartare was a sensation as was the venison burger. The meal was great except for one unexpected issue.

The restaurant is ‘dog friendly’, which needn’t be an issue. However, at one end of the restaurant was some tiny thing with ‘small dog syndrome’ that frequently yapped and barked loudly whenever another dog entered, or moved from their seated place. It was the kind of yap that pierces the soul, never mind the eardrums. This went on for over an hour with neither the dog owners nor the staff doing anything about it (other than staff looking embarrassed).

On top of this, there was a large table in the middle of the restaurant with a few larger dogs. The restaurant floor was clearly giving the dogs sore bottoms, as the owners were allowing them to sit on the restaurant chairs, or on their laps, as they ate. Thankfully I had my back to the general restaurant area so didn’t have to watch in disbelief.

The quality of the Cove food and drink is excellent, and has a price tag to match. However, if I want to have dinner surrounded by dogs sat on chairs, yapping away uncontrollably with their owners not seeming to care, I’ll order a take away to eat in the nearest kennels.

Unfortunately my defining memory of The Cove is of dogs putting a downer what should’ve been a really lovely experience.

Otherwise would’ve been a 4+...

Have been twice and I really want to like the place, as it's a beautiful pub, with some interesting food options, but our experiences have been mixed. Went for lunch, and ordered at the bar and had to take our own cutlery and condiments out (which was a bit tricky as I was taking a couple of drinks out too). Wouldn't have minded so much but was charged a 12.5% service charge at the bar. It just seems a bit much to charge this in advance, without at least showing me the bill first or mentioning that you're adding it. I don't think it's normal for service to be added when paying in advance and when you're doing half the service yourself. However, the food was quite nice, so we went back a second time recently when in the area. This time I paid £7 for a 440ml can of alcohol free IPA. It felt a bit ridiculous to pay more than the standard price of a pint, for a can which is smaller than a pint, and with no alcohol. I appreciate that craft beer is expensive, but this just seemed higher than what I'd pay at similar pubs...

We want to try ‘the Cove’ due to the write ups in a newspaper so booked with 4 of our friends Yes nice looking place, yes staff very friendly But I Chose the veggie dish Cauliflower plus bits @£14.00 a big mistake for two reasons Firstly I felt overcook more like mashed potato Texture no flavour Second I felt the amount of cauliflower equals about.£0.50 of cauliflower I did try quietly to make my point at the Reception desk and asked for a reduction in the cost which was noted Then I presume management person came to take payment at the table with our friends and make it clear that yes she had removed the cost ,but they have never received any complaints About this dish Loud so all could hear.was this Necessary I ask myself Personal I Presume they have different chiefs on different days here I again could be wrong Asked my friends when leaving outside in the car park would they go back as they all lived in the area 🤔 still...