Jolly Sportsman

Pub Details

Address: Chapel Lane

East Chiltington

Sussex

BN7 3BA

Telephone: (01273) 890400

Opening Times: Weekdays
12 - 3, 6 - 11
Closed
winter Sun evening

Location

Good Pub Guide Recommended

Excellent modern food in civilised, rather smart place, small bar for drinkers, contemporary furnishings, fine wine list, and huge range of malt whiskies; nice garden This civilised dining pub has a first-class, innovative menu, whether for bar snacks or a three-course meal, and it is a favourite with many of our readers. The bar may be small but it's light and full of character, and has a roaring winter fire, a mixture of furniture on the stripped wood floors and Dark Star Hophead and Harveys Best tapped from the cask. They also have a remarkably good wine list with around a dozen by the glass, over 100 malt whiskies, an extensive list of cognacs, Armagnacs and grappa and quite a choice of bottled Belgian beers. The pub is extremely well-run, the charming staff have had good training. The larger restaurant is smart but cosy and welcoming, with contemporary light wood furniture and modern landscapes on coffee-coloured walls; there's also a new garden room. The cottagey front garden is pretty, with rustic tables and benches under gnarled trees on the terrace and on the front bricked area, and there are more on a large back law. There's a children's play area, and views towards the downs, as well as good walks and cycle rides nearby.

Good Pub Guide Food

Exceptional food includes lunchtime sandwiches, seared king scallops with chorizo and piperade, pigs head and ham hock terrine with piccalilli, calves liver and beef cheek faggot with horseradish mash and savoy cabbage, pigeon breast with pommes anna with chanterelle vinaigrette, roast guinea fowl with parsnip rösti and wild mushrooms, pollock with a bacon and hazelnut crust, confit jerusalem artichokes and cockle beurre noisette, and puddings such as pineapple and coconut sorbet and gypsy tart with frozen yoghurt.