Plough Inn Eynsford — Restaurant in Sevenoaks

Visited the Plough Inn, Eynsford, Kent with my wife on Thursday 23/6/22 around the time 1315pm to 1532pm. By this time of visit the atmosphere calmly relaxed at the Inn, also no problems with parking in the disabled bay - remember to record your vehicle registration at the bar inside the Inn on arrival! Disabled entrance, toilet facilities all here too. An historical Inn with period architecture being all part of the historic village of EYNSFORD- certainly one of most famous, picturesque villages not only in Kent / England but the whole of the U.K. The beautiful upper reaches of the River Darent and its well known 'FORD' crossing are always an attraction to many visitors in the heart of the village along RIVERSIDE. The Plough Inn sits comfortably alongside the River bank, and awaits you with kind, friendly, welcoming staff to serve you with a menu to be proud off. A fairly sizeable car park within the premises but do take into account that this Inn in where its located can get very busy due to its popularity. Like most pub, gastro pub restaurants, depending on time of year, day of the week, time of day, it would probably be wise to check beforehand! But of course, you can be lucky just casually turning up without a reservation, especially on a weekday. The general interior very chic. The decor inside is a blend of smooth 'earthy' colours around the walls with attractive presented furniture to match. Table and chair arrangements neatly spaced apart, there is also an upstairs dining area too. Warm modern lighting and lamps, and a good lengthy bar. Very clean and hygenic all round - I found. The food very good indeed, a good choice of British and Mediterranean European dishes on all courses to choose from. Most memorable to me especially is the sweet dessert! My wife and I last visited here some 20 years ago, and I always remembered one of the finest cheesecakes I'd ever savoured. This time round I had the Chocolate Trio Cheesecake, I RECOMMEND! Also on this occasion I had Pan Fried Scallops for starters, and the main a tasty King Prawn/ Crab/Chorizo Linguine...done to perfection in my view!!..Just one slighty little downside, it seemed to lack quantity, but hey, certainly made up for it in 'QUALITY'... I could've easy eaten another main dish....hope this remark complimentary at least to the chef and catering staff! Maybe not the fastest table service, but for me that doesn't matter in a beautiful relaxing Inn where time can wonderfully drift. Perfectly ideal for couples to embrace their time here, ideal for a steady stroll after alongside the river bank and village. Yeah, my wife and I will return at some future date....and 👍 yes, I personally give this wonderful well remembered 👏 Inn my praise with a rating of A1, 10/10. A pleasure to be here, enjoyed the chat with staff members. Good luck with future hospitality and...

Oddly busy today for a quiet Monday in May, we entered and approached the bar person who was friendly enough but when we descended the stairs to the restaurant we were greeted but a flustered lady, who was also polite but made me feel unwelcome as she said in a hurried tone "Have you booked?" I responded "no I didn't think we needed to book to eat on a Monday afternoon!" "Well I will see if I can fit you in" she went off and came back a moment later and explained they only had one small table free in the corner by the window! "Ok" I said "I'll take that" the menu's was vast, suggesting many chilled and pre-prepared items, but we both chose Fillet Steak sandwich with chips! Can't be sure if it really was fillet, but it was passable, I ordered a small glass of pinot and my friend had a pint of Peronni, and some table water (tap) for the table. The food arrived promptly and the restaurant whilst far from full started filling up, I noted as I came in there were signs in the entrance warning people who parked in their car park to enter their registration number to avoid a hefty fine (it appeared that they have sold the rights to park to a third party) I was fortunate to have parked on the verge of the main road, with my Blue Badge! Whilst ordering the lady explained that the kitchen had run out of all the fish but still had lobster tails for the sandwiches! No cod and chips, not that I was hankering after them! I'm assuming they had a very busy weekend! Not the only pub in this pretty little village but one of the best views looking over the babbling brook with its quaint old back horse bridge and ford for tractors 4x4's and coaches taking visitors to Lullingstone Roman Villa just up the road! The total bill came to £41.50 and I added on a 5% tip, as the service to my mind was adequate but not outstanding! As I left I noted the garden (part of the car park) was filling with dog walkers and one person enquired if it was possible to sit outside with their aged mum to avoid them having to make the stairs. It did feel slightly understaffed, and the staff that were there did appear to be rushed off their feet, taking orders and serving behind the bar as well as carrying people to and from tables. I don't think coming as I do from Canterbury I'll be rushing back...

The only good thing was the sun. On arrival my friend had already turned but was asked to leave the table as the outside area was reserved, we had booked an outside table.

We then got started, the seat flung everywhere as there is no morting on the paving slabs so you fall down the middle.

The QR code kept kicking us out so we ended up going inside as the Waiter didn't want to serve us.

The bar lady was good inside and new her drinks.

When the food came out the peas were cold like they just be taken out the freezer. The fish well I mean batter hardly any fish. The waiter to forever to bring cutlery let alone sauces. We then ordered some desserts which one was not what we ordered. We then ordered some drinks only two of the three came out. When we asked about the other the waiter said I will go get that for you. He never did. A nice waitress we then asked 10min later then got our drink.

Once we were done we only had the dessert left to pay for so we asked for the bill. 15mins went by. The manager then came out and told us that we will have to move soon as a new reservation was coming. We informed we had all ready asked for the bill. It came across like he didn't care.

We then got up after a further 10mins to go pay no one wanted out money I was about to leave because it was taking too long when the manager came through asking if we would like to pay. Didn't even ask how the food or service was. He seemed very stressed. Think he may need to get some new staff. Ie cheaf and waiter. The waitresses were bang on I felt sorry for them...