My wife and I decided to take her parents to the Spanish Galleon on a recommendation that their Sunday lunch was very good. Our usual haunts are The Guildford and The Talbot, both of which offer freshly cooked and well presented food by polite, friendly staff in relaxed, comfortable surroundings.

Perhaps we had been spoilt by what we had come to expect from the above, but have to say that we were hugely disappointed by nearly everything about the Spanish Galleon.

Firstly, when I went to the bar to order food and drinks, the waitress who served me was curt and impatient. I could understand this on a Friday night at a bar in the City, but for a Sunday afternoon with the place not rammed to the brim, I didn't feel welcomed to become a regular. At the point of paying for everything, I asked if the bill could be split between 2 cards, but was informed by the waitress that she had already put it through in one total. She then all but chucked the receipt and pen across the bar to be signed.

When the food did arrive (2 beef and 1 lamb roasts and a fish and chips) the lamb meal was cold and we had to ask for gravy. The beef was overcooked and not very flavoursome and pretty much all veg had all the flavour cooked out of it. About the only thing that seemed OK was the fish and chips.

On the whole, the meal wasn't terrible, but it felt that no effort had been put in and the rude service really put us off (at one point, my mother-in-law was still eating her meal and another waitress asked if she could clear the other plates. She seemed to get quite confused when I had explained that one of our party was still eating!)

On the whole, it felt like the staff knew that due to the pub's location they were guaranteed passing trade by tourists, who might not know that this was mediocre fare at best.

In March I visited this Pub for the first time to attend a private Birthday party at 22.10 and by 22.58 I was kicked out by the manager. I asked for the pint of Guinness to be filled correctly to the top of the pint glass which they refused to do and the Manager told to leave if I did not like it. When I asked the bartender who was that person who was rude to me he said that was the manager Bruno. Immediately Bruno ran out from behind the bar shouting at me with clenched fists to get of out of his house, his place etc.He stood literally a few mm in front of my face shouting but blocked my way to the exit. His behaviour was scary to say the least, By the way I had ONLY one pint all evening.The owning company Shepherd Neame have stated their manager did nothing wrong and they support him and yet a room full of guests saw how he shouted and threatened me, he even shouted at my friend who asked him what was happening and to calm down.

Hugh

The landlord is an unreasonable fellow who likes to shout at people and remind them that "these are my premises"....... maybe he is a frustrated farmer.......Get off my Land......