The Manor - Ashford

Just had very disappointing afternoon tea experience at Eastwell Manor. Reservation could not be found or explained. Waited over an hour to eventually be seated. Chipped cup, no spoons. Not enough milk and no one to ask. Below average sandwiches and cakes. But scones were tasty. Called reservations on return home and was put through to EM desk and they could only apologise.

Dining at The Manor was once a real treat. It had beautiful surroundings, well dressed tables with tablecloths, the full works, even a pianist in the evenings. It now looks like it is crammed to the maximum with small square tables no cloths lined up like a school canteen or a large Nando’s. A whole fleet of them. A service bar at the side taking up unnecessary room. The beautiful wood paneling is still there, but now hidden and trashed by the massed tables, its whole atmosphere ripped away. BUT, we thought, perhaps the food and service would recompense. I had scallops with pork belly. The ubiquitous small squares of pork with slightly warm scallops, no flavour at all. My husband had pressed foie gras about the size of a 50p and unrecognizable as foie gras , wrapped in ‘pulled’ duck. Dry and tasteless. I didn’t dare risk lamb or beef as I guessed it would be below par for the prices and nothing I saw appealed, so for the first time in my decades of dining out, I tried the Wagyu beef burger – I know – I almost hid under the table when it arrived. But we had Wagyu steaks so… It was dreadful. No flavour to the burger and so thick and hard in places, it was difficult to cut it be interested to know just how much of the burger was Wagyu . Skinny chips were mediocre and went stale within minutes. My husband thankfully, had something decent for his main the hake, but again, nothing special and exorbitant at £28, but I accept fish is booming in price. The only decent thing was the 250cl glass of wine, an Australian chardonnay but then it should be, costing £15. £9.99 a bottle at Drink Supermarket – so is that at least a £35 plus profit on each bottle? Couldn’t find anything on the dessert menu which was worth risking another disappointment. Service was, to say the best, sketchy, slow and confused, but most were young and obviously still learning the trade so some room for understanding. We were charged for three tomato juices instead of two, corrected when pointed out, and we seemed to wait an age for plates to be taken away. A peculiar portion of three small pieces of bread for a table of two and the usual meagre portions of butter – in foil. I see no hope for this place except for people getting a DB&B deal who have no interest in good food or have more money than taste. The last time we visited before this latest incarnation of poor Eastwell was around 8 years ago. Unless a new owner takes over, we won’t be back.

Arrived at 7.30pm sat down no offer of a drink, given menu asked what we wanted to eat, to which I said could we order drinks first, got a gin n tonic each ordered food which was good on main course I asked server of food if we could order more drinks told she would send someone over to take our drinks order no one came, Mains plates after we had finished we’re left in front of us for over half n hour still with no more drinks, asked the lady if the plates could be cleared away in the end to which she rudely said I’m on my way to do it, asked again if we could order more drinks still no one took order got desert and by this time I had given up hope of receiving another drink ate deserts paid up n left gave coffees a miss as it wS now 10.30pm The place has so gone down hill since being taken over got married here and use to be my favourite place to eat on our anniversary won’t be going back again

Just returned from a birthday celebration for my son, who is a Chef and has a fondness for fine dining . Beautiful setting but that is it . The staff were unfriendly and distracted ! In 2 hours we had two courses and one drink ! Not once asked how the food was or if we would like another drink. Our half eaten mains were left in front of us for 45 minutes !! Out of sheer exasperation we asked for the bill and left . Really wish I had read the reviews first terrible is an understatement. So disappointed

I was totally disappointed and appalled by the service I received from eastwell manor. I booked an afternoon tea for 4 for my friends 30th birthday. Booked a month in advance. The morning and 3 hours before our table I called to check all was ok and was told that the reservation had been cancelled earlier in the week!! I had not been advised of this, no call or email absolutely nothing!! I had friends travelling down from London and I was totally disappointed due to the fact our event was cancelled (which I understand was due to lack of staff) with absolutely no advance notice of warning! Thank goodness I called before we travelled down. I called Chilston park who were more than accommodating even though they were fully booked the squeezed us in! Their service was impeccable and I will be returning to Chilston not eastwell, really did not expect that from a reputable hotel.