The Highdown Reviews Summary

Atmosphere & Setting

Pros:

• "The surroundings were elegant and sophisticated but welcoming and we felt at ease."
• "Lovely hidden venue Well worth the visit."
• "It’s a popular bar with a lovely terrace out front to enjoy a drink in the heart of the South Downs National Park."
• "The building both inside and out is fantastic and for those old enough the last time we visited 'Sterns' as it was then was for a rave."
• "A beautiful setting right next to highdown Gardens, always a pleasure to wander on the downs."
• "The place feels really fresh, and the food really tasty."
• "A strange, magical place, one takes a left turn and drives up a hill and lands in an island of peace and quiet."

Cons:

• "It does appear to have more of a pub emphasis over the hotel side."
• "Not too easy to get to but worth it when you arrive."
• "Not much parking and exiting the road onto the dual carriageway is tricky as you can't see very well."
• "Unfortunately there was a serious issue with the sewage! We had to keep our windows shut (hot summer night) and with no air conditioning this was bad … but better than the sewage smell!"

Service

Pros:

• "We did have dedicated service which was excellent but a little rushed off her feet, she did a great job."
• "The staff were all friendly, helpful, and were working hard to provide a quick service even when busy."
• "Everyone who works there is friendly, accommodating and professional."
• "The staff were very professional and extremely friendly."
• "The staff were all amazingly helpful and seemed genuinely passionate about their hotel and restaurant."
• "The staff were amazing & looked after us and chatted to Brian over a coffee while I was talking to the manager about food mainly !!"
• "The staff were amazing, all happy to be there despite working on Christmas day."

Cons:

• "The service was really slow for an example, it took about 15mins to get the salt & pepper to the table."
• "Arrived and sat in bar area at vacant table today at 1pm... a very rude waiter came over and asked if we had booked and said the table was booked."
• "Within 5 minutes of being seated we wanted to leave."
• "Food let down by service... which was just about enough, but very slow."
• "We waited over half an hour to be asked drinks order."
• "Meals arrived in dribs and drabs."
• "Service was not great but they were very busy had to wait a long time for drinks."

Food Quality

Pros:

• "We will return for more wonderful food and service. Highly recommended."
• "The food was amazing and I was extremely pleased they could squeeze me and my family in on a Sunday to celebrate my mums birthday :)"
• "Fabulous Sunday lunch today! Brilliant service and enormous and delicious meal."
• "The food was amazing quality, cooked to perfection and heaps of it."
• "Beautiful and well decorated venue, the food was hot, tasty and fresh, very well presented and decent portions."
• "The food was delicious and beautifully presented."
• "The food was exceptional, the breakfast was huge and excellent value."

Cons:

• "Very expensive especially as it's a roast dinner not a carvery."
• "Very disappointing indeed - cheap ingredients, chewy beef, cannon ball roast potatoes, dehydrated parsnip and bland gravy."
• "The main meals were tepid, and despite the waiter using a cloth the plates were stone cold."
• "My beef was slightly cooked (the menu said pink...), salty and only TWO slices and thin...."
• "Fish and Chips were meant to be cooked in light batter. It was just deep fried batter with hardly any fish that was dry as overcooked."
• "Roast potatoes were old."
• "Food was awful. Having to ask for cutlery after receiving each dish."