The Carpenters Arms, Pubs In Hadlow

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The Carpenters Arms - Pubs In Hadlow

Recent changes to The Carpenters Arms suggest that it's time we update this review so stay tuned for a more up to date picture.

The pub has retained much original character despite considerable work developing and enlarging the building in recent years. 

Enter from the front and you'll find a traditional bar area with a restaurant at the rear, outside is a good sized patio and garden with an attractive heated terrace.

The pub enjoys a mixture of local and visiting trade and can get very busy at weekends, particularly Friday and Saturday evenings when both the candlelit interior and excellent open air facilities are very popular.

The Carpenters has a friendly atmosphere, service was prompt even though the bar and restaurant were busy. Beers on tap included at the time of our visit; Flowers, Harveys, Boddingtons, Whitbread and Stella. 

This Hadlow pub has a growing reputation for the quality of its food, visitors to the bar can enjoy the same menu as diners in the restaurant. The restaurant is open lunchtimes and evenings seven days a week although the Sandwich Menu (only available in the bar) doesn't run on Sundays. There is some real sophistication about the cooking and it's a place where people care about the food they serve without any air of pretension.

Sandwiches are all served with salad, Kettle Chips with a choice of bread. Prices start at about £6.00 and include Smoked Duck with Homemade Orange Chutney and Crispy Bacon with Melted Brie. The main menu is constantly under development, successful items remain and new ideas are regularly tried out. 

Too many dishes on offer to list here but Homemade Satay and Thai Style Sweet & Sour Crayfish were two of the starters that caught our eye. Braised Beef with Buttered Cabbage and Clotted Cream Mash, Homemade Monkfish Scampi with Hand Cut Chips and Tartar Sauce and Twice Cooked Lamb Shank with a Roasted Salad Niciose just three of the 17 dishes to pick from the main courses.

"Homemade" features frequently in the culinary vocabulary at The Carpenters and includes both the bread and ice cream enjoyed by diners.

The pub doesn't have a pool table, juke box or darts team and caters primarily for the over 30 age group. Although Jamie Brady (The Landlord) sees his role as providing a great place for anyone to come to eat or drink. 

You can find The Carpenters Arms at:

• Three Elm Lane
  Hadlow
  Tonbridge
  TN11 0AD
• 01732 850307

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