The Hop Pickers, Hothfield, Ashford, Kent

Kaye Morris is not so impressed with this “hot stone” restaurant

The Hop Pickers
Maidstone Road
Hothfield
Ashford
Kent

Some friends and I were enticed to visit here by an interesting
restaurant review from one of the Kent Messenger group supplements.

We were attracted by the novelty of “hot stone” cooking and the writer’s
enthusiasm for the venue. I take no pleasure in what I am about to say,
but this was the worst restuarant I have ever eaten it. The evening we
had bore no relation to the write up. The service was abysmal – we waited
15 minutes just to receive the wine list and a jug of water. Another 15
minutes before we could place our order for wine and choices from the
menu. One of our party chose the prawn cocktail – beautifully presented,
but the waitress seemed confused when we asked for something suitable to
eat it with. A knife and fork isn’t really suitable, especially when the
starter was served in a schooner type tall glass. One starter didn’t
arrive, despie other tables receiving theirs, and we had to ask for it.
When appeared it had obviously been on the hotplate, and the salad was
“cooked”. Three requests were made for bread and butter.

Having said all that, the hot stone experience was good, and we all
enjoyed our main courses, but the experience of dining there was spoilt.

To finish we were offered desserts but after waiting yet another 15
minutes to place our order, we decided to admit defeat and call it a day.

The perplexing thing is, I find myself wondering who writes these reviews
and whether to believe what is written?