On 28 Aug 2015 at 2:34pm trooper wrote:
With heavy heart I have to say farewell to the John Harvey Tavern, it has been the supreme watering hole in Lewes and for me and others, almost second home alas, no longer, the cost of the drinks is prohibitive and the standard of the food is to say the least mediocre.
I am sure Messrs Harveys will go on as usual ignoring any comments from their customers, so we vote with our feet.Farewell old friend.
On 28 Aug 2015 at 4:46pm Local wrote:
Went in last week. Truly awful music - completely wrong for the punters who were in there; added nothing to the atmosphere / ambiance. Seemed very obvious, but not to the woman behind the bar who was far more interested in bitching about some bonfire woman to a friend standing at the bar.
On 28 Aug 2015 at 5:03pm Lewisian wrote:
Trooper - your not alone as has been quite a few threats here on the forum about the JHT and how its failing, as was said before people will vote with their feet and are doing so !
On 28 Aug 2015 at 8:14pm nevillman wrote:
Can't comment on the above but I've often thought it should build decking up to the river level in the car park, add a fence and have a really nice riverside patio
On 28 Aug 2015 at 10:20pm gonedownhill wrote:
Harveys got someone in there to change the food menu and bring in a few ideas but he was met by the 'we have been here for years' attitude and unfortunately had to give up. Very sad .
On 28 Aug 2015 at 10:24pm Rich wrote:
Yes, it really lets Harvey's down, surely they must realise that it's giving the whole company a bad name.
I know a LOT of people who used to love popping in there. However, it's now on the small Lewes Sxxt pubs list.
A real shame Harvey's
Ps. Always smells of bloody disinfectant in there too
On 29 Aug 2015 at 12:16am Local wrote:
There are plenty of pubs in Lewes, have fun exploring and trying new beers, food, and meeting new people.
On 29 Aug 2015 at 7:05am Squire wrote:
As a rich local squire I shan't go in there
On 29 Aug 2015 at 7:26am Flower wrote:
So true Rich , the smell of disinfectant is awful. Food far too expensive for what it is , used to go regularly but the whole atmosphere has changed.
On 29 Aug 2015 at 9:58am Power wrote:
to the people vote with your feet
On 29 Aug 2015 at 9:59am Lewis the Lewesian wrote:
Who's been making threats?
On 29 Aug 2015 at 10:07am Pearliegirliestar wrote:
Food is dreadful, comically over priced, service ain't great, and no one seems to care if you make constructive comments. Yep it's bye bye JHT I might sit by the river but I will not be partaking in your over priced nonsense anymore.
On 29 Aug 2015 at 10:28am trooper wrote:
Well well my sad post appears to have struck a nerve with a few people,does anybody think that any of Harveys management team will read this forum and perhaps reflect that they got it wrong or are they above such comments.
On 29 Aug 2015 at 10:53am Lewisian wrote:
Dear Lewis - calm down its only a typo everyone knows what i meant *thread* - there is always one that has to comment and thinks it funny !
On 29 Aug 2015 at 2:52pm Pearliegirliestar wrote:
I sincerely doubt it Trooper, I took part in a similar conversation about a month ago, then I read your post which tells me that nothing has changed.
Surely, the prerequisite for a chef is that he/ they can cook to a high standard, particularly if you're going to charge such laughable prices. I had food of a much better standard in. Wetherspoons last week, around £6 including a drink. The food I had at the JHT was £13.00, and whilst the meat was good quality, the rest of it was inedible. Cold, undercooked, just not of the standard one would expect for that price. Don't get me started on the rest of the story, I'll just keep to the basics but you can scroll back to see previous posts. No one asked if I enjoyed my meal or I would have told them I didn't enjoy it at all. this is basic customer service, even in a Wetherspoons they can achieve that one. I don't mind the decor, though it hasn't changed much, I'm thinking they want to attract a different type of customer, however, to do this you need to improve the standard to the point where people realise it is a little more but enjoy it so much they are prepared to pay it. In this case they don't feel ripped off. The pub was almost empty, a few in the front bar, there were some, I think, Asian students in the back bar. It was a nice day, it would have been heaving ordinarily.
It's simple. Good food, good service, and good beer/wine. We are a captive audience in Lewes, there isn't enough competition. Go to a city where there are hundreds of pubs, the standard rises dramatically. I get a bit fed up of being taken for a ride.
On 29 Aug 2015 at 3:54pm trooper wrote:
@Pearliegirliestar. Good post, with you all the way. I am intrigued by your statement of wanting to attract a different type of customer what kind did you think they want ? Bills has allready got the OK Yah and Yummy Mummy brigade so what is left ??? certainly not the locals, perhaps tourists in mid winter ??
On 29 Aug 2015 at 4:04pm Not for me wrote:
For me, it's not just the JHT but I think that Harvey's beers are also far inferior to other local brews (Dark Star, Burning Sky etc). They appear to be stuck way in the past and all their beers have the same taste to me. Also, some bar staff haven't a clue how to serve a good pint of beer. I now stick to either The Bewers, The Black Horse or The Snowdrop - although the latter are starting to charge London prices which does make one wince when paying just about £10 for a pint and a medium glass of wine!
On 29 Aug 2015 at 7:32pm Pearliegirliestar wrote:
There are still a lot of Lewesians who won't eat at Bills. I've been here 8 or 9 years and I won't eat there - it's a little too trendy for my liking. I think they're going for the Sussexonians who enjoy the good things in life but they haven't got the management to back it up, and make sure it all comes together. Trying out another controversial Lewes pub tonight - will let you know how it goes. :-)
On 30 Aug 2015 at 9:52am trooper wrote:
@Pearliegirliestar. "Controversial" Look forward to your post.
On 30 Aug 2015 at 10:29am Food snob wrote:
Have to agree re the Snowdrop bar prices. Nearing £5 for the guest ales - had a Dark Star in London, near Trafalgar Square, for just over £3 recently. Was also a guest ale. I've stopped going to the Snowdrop until I hear better news re the prices. Shame, as it is one of my top three pubs for ambience.
On 30 Aug 2015 at 10:55am Pearliegirliestar wrote:
Okay. After much consideration about the top end of town or the bottom end of town, the prices, the standard of the pubs concerned, the cost of the beer, the beer, the wine, ecetera ecetera decided to give the.........Dorset another go.
The prices were not too bad, the lamb was perfectly cooked with lovely goats cheese etc, the fish and chips - perfect fish( I was impressed with this since it was skinless and boneless something Southerners struggle with as a concept) however, they had the same problem as the the Kingshead.....portion control. Lovely meal, not enough to eat, good place to go if you're not hungry. And apparently the chips were very poor.
The cheesecake was okay. It was a cross between American baked and English cheesecake, which I imagine enables to kitchen to keep it for longer. The hunt for a pub with resonable prices, good food and good beer/wine goes on........
On 30 Aug 2015 at 10:57am Pearliegirliestar wrote:
Oh the staff and resident cat were very attentive and friendly with it.
On 30 Aug 2015 at 11:00am Pearliegirliestar wrote:
What's more they asked us for feed back and listened graciously when we gave it. (They probably did something unspeakable in the cheese cake but they seemed interested :-))
On 30 Aug 2015 at 11:37am Lewisian wrote:
Pearliegirliestar your our new food critic for pubs and restaurants in Lewes..
Always a fair comment on the establishments, thank you 
On 30 Aug 2015 at 12:19pm Horseman7 wrote:
I sometimes pop into the Dorset for a pot of tea and a chat with the cat before making my way back to Malling. Said feline and bar staff are always very welcoming, even though I'm a non-drinker. I look forward to PGS's next venture.
On 30 Aug 2015 at 1:15pm Metatron wrote:
Why is the Dorset controversial PGS? Despite starting negative it may have a positive outcome if the establishments care enough to listen.
PGS It seems you got the job of food and drink critic, I look forward to your next installment.
Would also be interested to hear anyones comments about Sunday Roasts in local pubs and carverys.
On 30 Aug 2015 at 3:55pm trooper wrote:
'PGS. Well done ,most informative, and it appears from other posts you have got the job, congratulations !!! It is not only the food but also the ambience of the establishment.Lewes is a very friendly town and I have had some excellant conversations with total strangers, in our local pubs ,long may it be so, and if there is good food and decent plonk then all is well.
Is this still posible in our little town ???
@Metatron. Oddly enough the carvery at the White Hart on Sunday only is very good, The Green Man at Ringmer excellent, Lewes Arms very good indeed. I do hope this helps.
@PGS Question, have you tried the Chalk Pit ?? I propose to go mid week for lunch, I can give you feed back if wish. Regards
On 30 Aug 2015 at 5:32pm Pearliegirliestar wrote:
Dorset was up for some discussion I believe when they were last taken over and similarly to the JHT changed their menu.
I have tried the Chalkpit but in fairness to the Chalkpit it was quite some time ago, maybe 7 or 8 years ago so any input on that one welcome Trooper. But I can say I did once try the White Hart on a Sunday and it was monstrous. And the chef looked like he has sniffed a little too much sherry (Or worse). This was a good 6 years ago I'd say. I think they may have had a change of management since then, so it may well have improved.
If you want a good Sunday Lunch I would recommend the Black Horse, which is excellent in every respect (except maybe the Roast potatoes which whilst passable, are a little on the large side which makes them powdery.) Possibly the best Sunday lunch I have come across in terms of portion size, value for money and ambiance in Lewes.
But if you can find out when its available(Always a bit of a mystery) the Ellie serves a very good option and you can get 2 for I think, £12 which makes it half the price of trendier hostellries. Correct me if I'm wrong Huw.
I am very much looking forward to trying the Green Man at Ringer, which I have heard so much about.
From what I remember the LA is above average but I have heard tales about heir kitchen which were a bit off putting. I can't say I have been in there myself, so it could be rubbish.
Oh this is the job I was made for - eating and drinking my way around Lewes and sharing my(Unbiased) opinion. :-)
I look forward to sharing.....
On 31 Aug 2015 at 3:48pm trooper wrote:
@ Pearliegirliestar. In ref to the CHALKPIT,I like you went there some years ago, ghastly but I gather much has changed, However watch this space. Ref the White Hart, yes at one time it was abominable, again however it has changed. LA crowded and a bit noisy but good food and a pleasant ambience.
Like you I delight in good food and fine wine, and have lunched and dined in many many many places but I put ambience as a very important part of my dining experience. I also like you, take joy in guiding people to the good places to eat.
@HORSEMAN 7.I do like your ref to the resident cat,I have had many intelligent conversations with felines around the world and found them most stimulating.
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