Manor Farm Barn - Dartford

There was a party of 20 to celebrate a 60th birthday Went to the bar first, very disappointed with the choice of ales on offer, there was only one on the pump,Spitfire, and it didn’t taste nice at all so i opted for a bottle...

I don't know what has happened to this place. We used to eat here regularly as we live nearby. However, since they updated their menu, we have been back twice and both times were a disaster. The first time, our food took a very long time to arrive. We thought it was just a bad day, but we were still disappointed. Today, we returned and after 55 minutes of waiting, we still had not received our two drinks, two sandwiches, and chips. I had to ask the staff about our order, but they didn't seem busy or overwhelmed. It was ridiculous. When I mentioned the long wait to the girl at the bar, she seemed uncomfortable but didn't apologize. When our food finally arrived, it was surprising how long it took to prepare. We won't be returning here again, as it seems impossible to get a quick bite and drink. It's a shame, but there are plenty of other nice pubs in the area to choose from.

I used to eat here fairly often but I won’t be returning, they seem to have over stretched their chef! The food took an age (over 50 mins) to arrive despite having booked a table for late afternoon 4.30. The food arrived very slowly with those served first finishing their meal before the last meal was served there were 10 of us. 4 of the meals were sent back, raw pastry on the base of the chicken pie, medium rare steak that was more than well done, cold grilled halloumi cheese which was like rubber, over cooked burgers that could have been used as hockey pucks. Things were missing from meals, requests to have no salad were ignored. Fish and chips and fish cakes were good. Not sure how a soggy cooked little gem lettuce was a roasted Greek salad !

Having arrived home from holiday abroad we thought we would re-visit a pub for lunch we hadn’t been to for a while and make the most of our time off before going back to work. BIG MISTAKE. Overseas not only do you get a warm sun but also a warm welcome, table service and great food at decent prices. When we arrived we ordered drinks a pint and a glass of wine for £12 something! and told that the tills were not open so they could only take cards. No deal breaker but a bit annoying. We asked for a menu and were told where they were and advised to order at the bar with a table number when ready. I get that this is the British way but it’s rubbish. Tell diners to sit and you’ll be over in a moment to take their order – it’s 2023 and times are hard to these places should be upping their game to look after and retain customers. We chose the fish and chips £17.50! and a “Applewood cheese apple chutney” sandwich £8 . Sounds lovely, I thought. The better half went to the bar to order we were sitting outside enjoying the sunshine and I asked that if there was a choice i’d prefer crusty white doorstop bread or French stick but ok with a decent granary. After all this was “Applewood cheese apple chutney”. The ale I ordered was very cloudy but I couldn’t bothered to moan – I was still on holiday and in a good mood. The wine was apparently quite nice but the price was on par of a half litre of the decent local wine we’d just returned from. The food arrived in a good time but without cutlery, but we were told where it was before the young lady used her initiative and said she would bring us some. At last some kind of “service”! Now to the food. The fish and chips certainly looked impressive. Very large fish and decent looking ships. Thankfully the slimmer end of the fish was good. However, with the thicker parts the batter was undercooked so doughy and the fish a bit watery. Not what you would expect for £17.50. However, this was trumped by the cheese sandwich that came up on a small plate and consisted of two thin slices of supermarket sliced bread cut into quarters with a filling of grated cheese and some gloopy stuff. It did have a few green leaves on the side, to be fair. But for eight quid I and I think most would have expected more. I’m not usually shy of complaining when it’s due but didn’t want to cause trouble for the young girl serving and thought I would contact the company directly. I emailed the Director of Pubs at Shepherd Neame to complain instead and provided a photo of the very offending cheese sandwich. In his reply Director of Pubs who, apprently, i can't name but will know who he is did “wholeheartedly agree” and said it was “well below” their standards. An offer of a meal voucher was offered and, having enjoyed days and nights there before and believing in second chances, accepted the offer. That was on 25th May. Over a month later I am yet to hear anything. Whilst I am happy to give a second chance to a place that makes the effort and genuinely wants to offer an apology and welcome customers back, I think my business here is done. At a time when many businesses are struggling places like this should be going that extra mile to ensure everything is tip top or more so. And when they get something wrong they should be putting it right. Quickly. With so many pubs closing at a fast rate it’s a shame that the Manor Farm Barn is still open when so many other, better places have been forced to close.

We had not returned to this restaurant for sometime and decided to call in on return from a trip. We arrived just after 6pm and while there were quite a few people drinking outside we were the only ones eating. Our drinks arrived quickly and we ordered our meals. After 40 mins we asked where they were and was told that they were just being plated. When the meals arrive, one being fish and chips, we were not impressed by the presentation. It seemed as if the food had been thrown on the plate. However, the taste was ok and one of us ordered a dessert. The young lady serving us was very good and she said we could have a free dessert as we had been kept waiting so long. When the cheesecake arrived it was so tiny and would have cost £8.50! Certainly not worth the money. Unfortunately we will not be returning.