

Having eaten at The Smugglers Inn in Milford-on-Sea 9 days ago and thoroughly enjoyed their Burns Night menu, we returned for their Chinese New Year spread yesterday evening.






We arrived early enough for me to photograph inside without invading anyone’s privacy.
“The High Street pub – dating back to the 1700s – served as a customs and excise office before being converted into a tiny bar called The Crown – only changing its name approximately 30 years ago.
The original bar, which included a barbers, was extended 60 years ago using old ship timbers, which along with dimmed lighting, wooden tables, cupboards and plush brown sofas, gives this pub a cosy rustic atmosphere.” https://visitmilfordonsea.co.uk/food_and_drink/the-smugglers-inn/
After a plate of prawn crackers with spicy plum sauce more plates and bowls kept coming so that we couldn’t quite finish it all.
Three chefs who had not cooked Chinese food before did so well that when the head man came into the bar for a drink at the end of his stint he was giving a resounding clap by all the customers.
Service was friendly, efficient, and attentive.
I spent the afternoon on ‘The Brontës’.
This evening we dined at The Britannia Thai in Milford-on-Sea with Becky and Ian. Our daughter and son-in-law had been held up in a traffic incident on the M27 and could not say when they would arrive. We had booked for 6.30. Even though they were otherwise fully booked they offered to keep our table until we arrived, as long as it would be before 9.00 because they closed at 10.00.
In fact we arrived not long after 7.00 and enjoyed a pleasant evening’s conversation with excellent food and friendly, efficient, service.
We shared starters of pink prawn crackers, duck spring rolls, and vegetable tempura; my main choice was sea bass Pad Cha; Jackie and Ian both chose tamarind duck; and Becky, special fried rice. Ian and I drank Singha Beer, while the ladies drank Diet Coke.
A full on foodie day…
Thank you very much, Catherine
Excellent service from The Britannia. You must be a good customer.
We haven’t been that often, Tootlepedal. Thanks very much
You do dine well in your neck of the woods. Wonderful pictures.
Thank you very much, Pat
That looks like a wonderful, cozy place to have dinner, Derrick and Jackie. Quite a history behind it too.
Thank you very much, Lavinia
I am with Lavinia. So cozy. And what a feast you had. Glad Becky and Ian were able to make in good season, despite the traffic delay.
Thank you very much, Laurie
Those photos reminded me of stories by Georgette Heyer.
Thank you very much, Lakshmi
Interesting decor! I’m glad you had a good time. 🙂
Thank you very much, JoAnna
Looks such a wonderful pub
Thank you so much, Gary. Please send me an e-mail: derrickjknight@btinternet.com – I’d like to recommend something to you
IT sounds delicious and looks comfortable–and all enjoyed themselves, I gather!
Thank you very much, Cynthia
The Smugglers Inn is so rich in history. Their Chinese dish looks so tempting.
Thank you very much, Rosaliene
The British pubs are unique, I wish we could reproduce the history, the atmosphere, the architecture, some have tried with more or less success
Thank you very much, Sylvie. Ours are closing quite fast.
I heard. What a shame
A delightful culinary report!
Thank you very much, Anne
Wonderful Derrick. Enjoy. I just say my inherited candle stick holders. Amazing.
Amazing. Thanks very much, Cindy
Sorry. I just saw in your post my candlestick holders.
🙂
Such lovely warm inviting places to dine! The food looks heavenly! 🙂
(((HUGS))) ❤️❤️
Thank you so much, Carolyn XX
Such beautiful restaurant and food photos… wow! It must all have been as enjoyable and tasty as it looks 🙂
Thank you so much, Nicole
Two fab and fulsome meals
Thank you very much, Sheree
Amazing history, yummy food! ❤️🇬🇧
It looks like such a cozy place. That is quite something to go from Burns to Chinese New Year–and to do both well while being so accommodating to their customers.
Exactly. Thanks very much, Merril
Looks like my kind of place, Derrick. Thank you for taking all those pictures.
My goodness, this is like waiting for buses! 😂 Three delightful evenings out.
Due to the long, drawn-out illness, I’ve only been out once since October. I have images from last weekend’s birthday meal and will eventually write about it.
I love places with a cozy decor, and your food sounds delicious!
Thanks very much, Eugi
You’re welcome, Derrick.
This is a wonderful photo of Jackie presenting the menu, and the rest of the images show a great spread. This is the kind of place one can see in Boston, and my son sometimes takes us for drinks when we visit.
Thank you very much, Dolly
My pleasure, Derrick.
A great day for dining in good company!
Thanks very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Sounds like a delicious dinner in a lovely place!
Thank you very much, Riba
You live in a friendly and accommodating village, Derrick. Your pictures are lovely.
Thank you so much, Robbie
The place looks peaceful. The food looks delicious.
Thank you very much, Andy
You’re welcome.
How nice of everyone to applaud the chefs. That must have been a good moment for all. The food looks scrumptious.
Thank you so much, Crystal