The Kings Head — Restaurant in Wealden

So rewind to over a year ago, we attended the king’s head for a family gathering, New Year’s Day. We placed our orders, over an hour later food started coming out, my order was forgotten, and my kids ordered chicken nuggets and was informed only at this point they had run out. So placed an order for a dessert instead for my children instead of the meals. They did offer to make my dinner I said it’s ok cancel mine as everyone else had nearly finished their food and had moved onto drinks / desserts.20 mins later they sent out the meal that was missing. I explained I asked for it to be cancelled after it was missed, and was still charged for it. I queried the bill as I didn’t receive it and asked for it to be cancelled. The waitress was rude and a drip. Overall the food that day was old, reheated and disappointing and the venue is dirty. Rewind to the weekend just gone my mum wanted to go to the king’s head for her birthday - not my choice after the last visit! We ordered food the chips came out clearly 2 batches were made, one batch cold, dry and needed throwing away. And the other batch cold undercooked covered in grease and even the cheese wasn’t melting as they weren’t cooked or hot enough. My mum informed the waitress about the quality of the chips, to be confronted rudely by this member of staff. Who told us she doesn’t have time to speak with her and if you don’t like it don’t come back. My mum asked for management to have a chat with her… well rude is an understatement, she clearly doesn’t know how to handle customers or take critical comments about the food when it’s awful and again she told us to leave and don’t come back, whilst the other owner proceeded to shout at my mum telling her to shut up. All because you inform them the food isn’t up to standard nor the staff, their answer is to chuck you out. I would rather eat a ready meal, it will be warmer and more freshly cooked than their reheated food without the disgusting behaviour of the management. You don’t treat or speak to people that way. AVOID - save your money you will be...

What a let down. Came here for dinner with my boyfriend on our weekend away. Pork belly was a good size and very filling. My boyfriend had the lamb shank though which had clearly just been heated up - very dry and tasteless. We would have been fine to pay and leave but then the bill came. We both don’t drink, and the 2 cordials we had came to nearly £7! £3.50 each for a squirt of cordial and soda water from the tap?? The most I’ve paid for lime cordial in London is £2. We asked the barman why it was so much, and then he bought the manager over. Instead of politely explaining how pubs are sadly closing and therefore prices are high for drinks, he made it out like it was our fault. He said “well I hate it when people order cordial. It’s a bloody hassle to have cordial, because we have to go all the way downstairs just to get the bottle of cordial.” Sorry, what!? If you don’t like people ordering it, don’t serve it! He then said he actually undercharged us, and my boyfriend said “so how much is it for a pint then?” And the owner said £3.80. So our cordial is the same price? I don’t think so. Anyway he got very aggressive and eventually resorted saying that we should stay in London and never come back. Safe to say I would NEVER recommend this place to any poor soul who just wanted a simple explanation for something so minor. Ruined our last night away, and we couldn’t wait to get back to normal...

We visited on a Friday evening, arriving after 7pm hoping to be able to find a table for four. Thankfully, we were not disappointed and were seated promptly. Even though there was clearly a staffing shortage that night, with only two people serving throughout the pub and restaurant, we received prompt, friendly and efficient service. The beer selection was good - Harvey's Best, Harvey's Old Ale (an excellent pint) and a seasonal guest that I can't recall. The menu was traditional pub food with substantial portions and all very tasty indeed! I chose the steak suet pudding, which was enormous with a good crust and filled with big, tender chunks of steak. We also had the open chicken burger (both sides of a bun with a chicken breast on each), rack of ribs and hunter's chicken. All went down very well, and the sides of veg were well cooked, not overdone. Chips were fresh and hot, and sadly we were too full to order dessert as I'd heard that the bread and butter pudding here is superb. The bar area was nice and quiet with a friendly local crowd and a wood fire burning merrily away. We'll definitely revisit next time we're in the area, but maybe I'll have to have a salad just so that I can fit in the bread and...