Very disappointed.The modern twist on traditional French cuisine has gone too far,and does not enhance the flavour of the dishes.
Father Bill Haymaker
There's a lovely ambiance at The Sundial; lovely linen covered tables with silver service in a setting that's conducive to fine dining. Some suggest the Sundial is on the pricier side. This may be, however it's a comparison between having a sumptuous meal at The Ritz in London, -vs- a 'quickie' at a roadside Little Chef.Dishes are ample, presented beautifully, and have a flavour which compliments the pallet. This is not a place for a run-in-run-out fast meal, but a destination where you may enjoy fine food in a convivial atmosphere. I recommend The Sundial when you want to show someone that you care about them. Enjoy!An update: gossip in the Herstmonceux village is that the Sun Dial has been sold and presumably will be closed in the not too distant future. Indeed, the high street real estate, replete with an ample car park made it a prime target for redevelopment. Sadly, the lovely village of Herstmonceux is becoming just another vanishing vista of village life from another era. Quelle horreur!
sandypants73
Very disappointing to find out that most of the previous reviews were either made up or by folk with no taste buds. Food was so average from start to finish. Service was mostly friendly but somewhat awkward.. Pre drinks were mostly undrinkable, bread was was hard as golf balls, good jaw exercises. Halloumi was really average, monk fish was terrible, not fresh and poorly cooked, beef Wellington was passable but it helps if you are starving. Pastry was half cooked, dessert was ok. What a shame, was looking forward to a lovely meal in a quiet Kent village restaurant and ended up at modern day fawlty towers minus the comedy
Antony Meadley
The Sundial is not cheap. But it is excellent value. Everything about this restaurant is done well. The welcome, the pre-dinner appetizers. the service, the quality of food. We will be returning.Parking: There was plenty of space to park when we went. However getting out was a bit tight as a car had parked slightly too close to the exit.
PAUL BAKER
Lovely food amazing ambience and lovely
Rose
Excellent food. The Starters, Dessert and Coffee were especially wonderful! The lady serving us today was very friendly and made us feel welcome. :)
David Gillham
Without doubt the best meal we have eaten in a restaurant in years. A charming cottage feel to the lounge and restaurant and the reasonably priced food was exceptional. Having recently moved to this part of East Sussex we no longer need to look any further for a superb dining experience for special occasions- or the occasional treat! Thoroughly recommend to anyone who enjoys fine food - and a very good wine list too.
Jeremy Parkin
A superb lunch today. Attentive service, excellent menu. Very pleasant dining room. It was nice to enjoy our coffee on a sofa in another area of the restaurant.
William Lacey
Amazing experience. An authentic atmosphere with extremely fine cuisine. Loved every moment, thank you!
What a treat. Traditional French cuisine with a lovely menu in an hotel that values and presents excellent service. We loved it and will return when we can next afford it!
Corvara1983
A delightful, generous restaurant with a large car park and friendly, helpful staff. Three of as enjoyed dinner here and had a most enjoyable evening. £45 for three delicious courses is very reasonable and includes nibbles with pre-dinner drinks, an amuse bouche, and petit fours with coffee. The guinea fowl is especially recommended. Lounge with comfortable sofas for pre-dinner drinks and coffee. Dining room spacious with well spaced tables furnished with beautiful linen, cutlery and crockery. Wonderful
Chris Heath
Relaxed dining with outstanding service and cuisine in an authentic dining space.Vegetarian options: Sufficient choice on the main menu.
Anne Bartlett
Wonderful food in a traditional, French inspired restaurant. A superb menu of 3 excellent courses for £55, with lots of choice including a divine fillet steak! However it is the little treats, all included in the price, that make this restaurant stand out, and make the meal a special experience. Amuse bouche with drinks, and before the meal (a delicious crayfish mousse). Then a calvados granita before the main course and a chocolate coated Berry ice cream lollipop as a predessert.We had a super evening. This restaurant is a lovely place for a special meal, or a business meeting or a gathering of family and friends. We will be back! Thank you.
1KentMan
We had lunch here today and we’re astonished that there was only one other table occupied. This is French cuisine of the highest quality. We chose from the a la carte menu and would have been delighted with anything on the menu. The food is expertly cooked and beautifully presented and the service was charming. At £55 for three courses (plus canapés, an amuse bouche, a sorbet and a pre dessert, it is amazingly good value for food of such quality.
Great food and efficient service.
Very disappointed.The modern twist on traditional French cuisine has gone too far,and does not enhance the flavour of the dishes.
There's a lovely ambiance at The Sundial; lovely linen covered tables with silver service in a setting that's conducive to fine dining. Some suggest the Sundial is on the pricier side. This may be, however it's a comparison between having a sumptuous meal at The Ritz in London, -vs- a 'quickie' at a roadside Little Chef.Dishes are ample, presented beautifully, and have a flavour which compliments the pallet. This is not a place for a run-in-run-out fast meal, but a destination where you may enjoy fine food in a convivial atmosphere. I recommend The Sundial when you want to show someone that you care about them. Enjoy!An update: gossip in the Herstmonceux village is that the Sun Dial has been sold and presumably will be closed in the not too distant future. Indeed, the high street real estate, replete with an ample car park made it a prime target for redevelopment. Sadly, the lovely village of Herstmonceux is becoming just another vanishing vista of village life from another era. Quelle horreur!
Very disappointing to find out that most of the previous reviews were either made up or by folk with no taste buds. Food was so average from start to finish. Service was mostly friendly but somewhat awkward.. Pre drinks were mostly undrinkable, bread was was hard as golf balls, good jaw exercises. Halloumi was really average, monk fish was terrible, not fresh and poorly cooked, beef Wellington was passable but it helps if you are starving. Pastry was half cooked, dessert was ok. What a shame, was looking forward to a lovely meal in a quiet Kent village restaurant and ended up at modern day fawlty towers minus the comedy
The Sundial is not cheap. But it is excellent value. Everything about this restaurant is done well. The welcome, the pre-dinner appetizers. the service, the quality of food. We will be returning.Parking: There was plenty of space to park when we went. However getting out was a bit tight as a car had parked slightly too close to the exit.
Lovely food amazing ambience and lovely
Excellent food. The Starters, Dessert and Coffee were especially wonderful! The lady serving us today was very friendly and made us feel welcome. :)
Without doubt the best meal we have eaten in a restaurant in years. A charming cottage feel to the lounge and restaurant and the reasonably priced food was exceptional. Having recently moved to this part of East Sussex we no longer need to look any further for a superb dining experience for special occasions- or the occasional treat! Thoroughly recommend to anyone who enjoys fine food - and a very good wine list too.
A superb lunch today. Attentive service, excellent menu. Very pleasant dining room. It was nice to enjoy our coffee on a sofa in another area of the restaurant.
Amazing experience. An authentic atmosphere with extremely fine cuisine. Loved every moment, thank you!
Restaurantji Recommends
What a treat. Traditional French cuisine with a lovely menu in an hotel that values and presents excellent service. We loved it and will return when we can next afford it!
A delightful, generous restaurant with a large car park and friendly, helpful staff. Three of as enjoyed dinner here and had a most enjoyable evening. £45 for three delicious courses is very reasonable and includes nibbles with pre-dinner drinks, an amuse bouche, and petit fours with coffee. The guinea fowl is especially recommended. Lounge with comfortable sofas for pre-dinner drinks and coffee. Dining room spacious with well spaced tables furnished with beautiful linen, cutlery and crockery. Wonderful
Relaxed dining with outstanding service and cuisine in an authentic dining space.Vegetarian options: Sufficient choice on the main menu.
Wonderful food in a traditional, French inspired restaurant. A superb menu of 3 excellent courses for £55, with lots of choice including a divine fillet steak! However it is the little treats, all included in the price, that make this restaurant stand out, and make the meal a special experience. Amuse bouche with drinks, and before the meal (a delicious crayfish mousse). Then a calvados granita before the main course and a chocolate coated Berry ice cream lollipop as a predessert.We had a super evening. This restaurant is a lovely place for a special meal, or a business meeting or a gathering of family and friends. We will be back! Thank you.
We had lunch here today and we’re astonished that there was only one other table occupied. This is French cuisine of the highest quality. We chose from the a la carte menu and would have been delighted with anything on the menu. The food is expertly cooked and beautifully presented and the service was charming. At £55 for three courses (plus canapés, an amuse bouche, a sorbet and a pre dessert, it is amazingly good value for food of such quality.