King Ethelbert Inn

Only 2 reviews from 2008 and 2009 for the King Ethelbert Inn… It deserves a little «2014» update right?
Last week, we spent the weekend in GB, in Kent and we discovered a lot of nice places. The one we visited on Sunday is the Reculver Country Park!
After the visit, around noon, we decided to go to the only pub/​restaurant close to the park; the King Ethelbert Inn. We had a drink and lunch here, on the terrasse as the weather permitted it! When it is more than 20° and you have that pretty sun in your face, everything is so easy and pleasant!
Lots of English classics on the menu: cod (fish) and chips, Ploughman’s lunch, burger,… I opted for a mixed fried plate with fresh products from the nearby sea! Not bad at all! Our friends opted for the classic Fish&Chips). My sister took a burger but it was not so great and my mom opted for the «Special Sunday Roasted» and its tasty roastbief, soufflé and steamed vegetables.
Price per person: £8.95 and £5.95 for the «Sunday Roasted». Even if it was basic stuff and not «haute cuisine», I have to admit that we ate very well and for a reasonable price! In addition, the terrace is really nice and sheltered from the wind although we are near the sea! Moreover, I was expecting bad quality food as we are very close from a touristic venue but I was pleasantly surprised!
Remark for tourists and people from abroad: as always in GB and in british pubs, no one will come and take your order, you have to go to the counter and ask what you want!

The King Ethelbert, what a missed opportunity. The end of this little road to the coast serves masses of weekend day-​trippers coming to fish off the sea defences, inspect the ancient ruined tower, walk and cycle along the Viking Way coastal path, as well as longer-​term holidayers in the caravan park. Surely a prime spot for an ambitious landlord, somewhere to build a reputation, a destination along the lines of the Sportsman?
A dozen close-​packed picnic tables sit on decking at the rear, together with a gazebo For Smokers Only. There is a view of the car-​park, and the immobile caravans of the holiday camp, but no trace of the sea.
Food is the dullest pub food imaginable; baked potato with tuna and sweetcorn served with new potatoes in mayo, wet quiche Lorraine, Tesco Value style pizza ten minutes late because «one of the machines broke», and so forth. You would have to be very brave indeed, or singularly well refreshed, to try one of the gourmet dishes off the specials board inside: «braised duck leg with a black cherry & tamarind sauce served with rosti potato & veg of the day», anyone?
Would be one star if it wasn’t for the fact that it serves a decent pint (Greene King IPA, Shepherd Neame Masterbrew and «the whippet strikes back») and is in the perfect spot for a post walk or cycle stop. Don’t touch the food though, stick to crisps, have a picnic up in the shelter of the Tower instead.

I’ve had more than one fun night here, what with the locals and the staff and the people staying in the caravan sites. Good and reasonable prices and usually always a laugh. Also the towers are sometimes lit up which always looks nice.