The Plough Scalby

For a special meal, this is the place. The food is amazing, the drinks are good, and the staff are there for you. It can get a bit too busy, though, and they can struggle when it does.

The cottage is terrific, comfortable, and roomy, with well chosen, quality decor and furnishings. The heating works great. Really good, and recommended. At the Plough, the manager was attentive and helpful, and the bar staff were the same. Service gets a low score, though. The bar dinner was good, but the male waiter’s service was indifferent.

The staff were fantastic and it’s dog friendly, which are real pluses. But the food lets it down. The price is premium, while the quality and flavour don’t feel premium. If the meal had cost £20, I’d be singing its praises, but at this price we expected more. I wish I could give it a better score, but reviewing the food alone, it has to be 3/5.

The pork was tender and full of flavour, with great crackling, properly cooked vegetables in generous portions, and plenty of rich, tasty gravy that let the other flavours come through. I did miss having savoury stuffing. The French onion soup starter was delicious, with sweet caramelised onion, a big crisp crouton covered in Gruyere, and a savoury broth. My partner thought the olive starter could have included more than green olives, though they were good quality. We had two courses for Sunday lunch at The Plough on Mother's Day. Service was efficient and excellent, and we were done within an hour. At £40 per person including a drink, it felt like great value for the quality. 10/10.