Harden's survey result
Summary
“Superlative food from an aspiring young chef” draws an appreciative crowd to this community-owned pub in a “lovely Kent village” – Alex Yates sends out “notably creative dishes chosen for flavour not curiosity”, while his wife Grace heads the “friendly, engaged and well-informed” FOH team. It’s very much a family operation: his father David, a former Balls Bros wine merchant, advises on a drinks list which offers “strikingly restrained prices”, while his grandmother provided the name – her family, the Bowleys, ran pubs in Kent. Top Menu Tip – “guinea fowl with an outstanding jus”.
Summary
“Notably creative dishes chosen for flavour not curiosity” are the hallmark of this community-owned village pub operated by a remarkably young team headed by ex-Goring Hotel chef Alex Yates, 25, and his younger sister Grace, who runs the “engaged and well- informed” front of house (their father, David, is an ex-Balls Bros wine merchant). “The room is a traditional old pub bar smartened without changing its character”. This “good neighbourhood community venture deserves to succeed and is trying very hard”; and “well done them for retaining à la carte as well as tasting menus in the evenings”.
Summary
This cute weatherboard-fronted pub in a North Downs village is “well worth finding” for its “beautifully presented food” that “goes beyond local gastropub standards” – “great flavours and marvellous balance provide a real gastronomic experience”. Owned as a community asset by villagers who raised money to save it from developers, the venue is operated by the Yates family: David, an ex-Balls Brothers wine merchant, and his son Alex, a “chef very engaged in his craft who loves to get feedback on his superb dishes”. He and his young kitchen team have high aims for the 26-cover restaurant – whose regulars would “love it to go from strength to strength”.
Summary
“It’s going places!”, according to fans of this village pub – originally two weather-boarded farm cottages from 1483 – which was saved from development six years ago when 120 villagers raised £450,000 to secure its future under community ownership. The Yates family now runs its 26-cover restaurant; David Yates is a wine merchant who worked in a senior role for Balls Brothers in London. But while fans trumpet “sensational” dishes from chef David’s son, Alex (ex-Goring Hotel, London) and his young kitchen team, other reports are more nuanced: “has potential and I want it to succeed as a community venture but they really need to get some input if they aspire to convert the recent Michelin listing to a star, as they do”.
For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Bowley’s at The Plough?
6 Taylors Lane, Trottiscliffe, ME19 5DR
Bowley’s at The Plough Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Another visit another 5 star experience It was quite quiet, but its midweek lunch! Went on a last minute visit. Decided to have the set lunch as I have some majorly expensive meals coming soon. I was greeted very politely and throughout the whole experience. The amuse bouche was a wonderful selection of their home grown vegetables two stunning breads, butter and aioli. Starter was a pea tortellini which was fascinating and delicious. Main was a chicken dish with added miso hispi cabbage. Dessert was a creme fresh mousse with elderflower and strawberry. I then had a couple of chocolates as petition fours. Having been here a few times, this was probably the best meal I have had here. A developing venue with great food and staff. Alex is a very passionate chef, unquestionably will attain greater accolades in the future. "
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £33.00 | £38.00 |  |
|
|
| Cost | Availability | Courses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menu1 | Always available | ||
| Menu2 | Always available |
Traditional European menu
| Main | Pudding |
|---|---|
| £25.00 | £12.00 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £24.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 10.00% |
6 Taylors Lane, Trottiscliffe, ME19 5DR
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | CLOSED |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑4 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑4 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑4 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑4 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑5 pm |
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