please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Youngs pub that has been modernised a little, but not spoilt beyond recognition. It is fairly light and airy inside. Initially I only noticed Youngs Bitter & Special. I failed to spot the Liberation Ale, which I have noticed in a few Youngs pubs at the moment. Service was friendly. But the pub was fairly quiet in general. Didn't try any of the food. The Gardeners nextdoor seemed to be a better choice, if food is what you are looking for.
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this place is terrible, absolutely awful. We've given it chance after chance and it never improves. The staff are rude and know nothing of what they sell, they have no idea about the beers they have on and even question you as to whether they even sell the beer you've asked for when it's clearly on the pumps.
The main problem is their food. The first time I went, on a lunchtime, my scallops were clay cold. The second time, I got a caesar salad with onion in it, and even when I complained about the onion, the same dish was simply returned with a claim that it contained no onion, it clearly tasted of onion and was not what I ordered.
The worst example of their poor service was when we booked a table for eleven people to celebrate a special occasion. We arrived for our booking, were handed menus and took our seats. 20 minutes later when everyone was ready to order we took our list to the bar only to be told there was no food left. We had booked a table 2 weeks in advance and we weren't even told when we walked in that there was no food. The staff were unapologetic and couldn't really seem to care less that this meal we had booked was ruined.
An awful pub with equally awful service. Don't go.
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Nice place, bit over priced but the beer and food are both good. Staff are generally friendly, though given the amount of young couples who seem go there for dinner you can sometimes be left waiting for your pint while tabs are cleared and wine is discussed/tasted....more a complaint about fellow patrons than the staff though to be fair
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Saturday evening before 10pm. No one at the bar. A few people seated finishing their meals. Two blokes behind the bar. Us middle age couple waited and waited and waited whilst the two blokes carefully ignored us. It felt deliberate? Won't be in a hurry to go back!
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Average locals Bar, but pleasant enough....
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Solid above average gastro. Looking a bit tired now but the food is good and varied with price tag to match.
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This is surprisingly average. I ate there a few days ago with my wife.
I the "liver parfait" was rather plain and tasted like something you would get out of a tin. It wasn't bad, but not good either.
I had the roasted duck breast with risotto. The duck was actually rather good, but the risotto was bland and closer to wet white rice than a real risotto.
At that point we decided to pass on dessert.
The descriptions of food on the menu make it sound fantastic, the reality is much further from that thought.
This was my first time at the pub and I would really hesitate to try it again for food. It was sub-par given what it cost.
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The Earl Spencer is a real revelatory find amidst the culinary desert that is Southfields, not least because whoever was responsible for doing it up clearly values 'character' over design, resulting in a resolutely comfy, unpretentious-looking place. Equally, the chef clearly places faith in the time-honoured, oft-neglected virtues of first-class ingredients, properly prepared and cooked.For my visit I had atlantic prawns (I'm a sucker for seafood) and they were excellent, plump, juicy mouthfuls served in decent portions, whilst Ms Hater pronounced on her chicken terrine ajudgement delivered as 'ooh YEAH!'.
I followed up with pig's cheeks (i'm an uneven bigger sucker for unusual cuts) and -glory be! - They were served with sprouts, cooked by quite possibly the only other person in South London, apart from me, who actually both likes these criminally-vilified vegetables and knows how to cook them. Result? Hearty, punchy portion of pig and succulent, satisfying sprouts. Ms Hater, meanwhile - a lady who has been known to threaten legal action and/or diplomatic repercussions over steaks not cooked to her entire satisfaction - chewed and munched in contented near-silence over her Medium Rare one (with chips, carrots and some other veg I think) - and then said at the end, with a big smile "THAT'S how I like my steak".
Throw in friendly, charming staff and a couple of pints of decent Ale (Hooky), and all in all it was one contented, all-is-right-with-the-world couple who tottered back home.
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food is always good and service very fast and efficient!
Yes, it can be pricey sometimes but its clean, the crowds nice and polite and they are dog friendly!
I prefer it to any other chav pub in the area!
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The Earl Spencer is often maligned I think. Personally I think it's head and shoulders above any pub in the local. The menu is excellent, varied and deserves the plaudits it's gathered from Time Out, Charles Campion etc. I've never had problemns with the beers and to say there's a stigma attached to just popping in for a drink rather than eats is quite the dumbest thing I've read for quite some time.
I find the two previous joy stranglers that have posted how rubbish it is rather suspicious - the timing specifically smells very fishy.
Particularly as they seem to be blatant puff pieces for how great the "new and improved" Gardeners Arms along the road. HulaHoops seems to have done a rather unsubtle hatchet job on every pub in Southfields apart from the Gardeners of course.
They must be pretty desperate for customers if they're resorting to this sort of sly & negative tactic. - I guess you can draw your own conclusions from this. I know I shall not be patronising the Gardeners again on the strength of this pretty shameful activity. Well done guys - you've just lost a customer and I'll continue to sit in the Earl to eat good food and sometimes... *gasp* just to have a drink!
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Rubbish pub. This pub is completely devoid of atmosphere. The drinks and the food are over priced, especially due to the lack of anything interesting or entertaining about the place. The customers are mainly mothers with babies, self obsessed adults and couples. The food is not as good as it should be for the price and you are made to feel un-comfortable when only drinking. There is no wonder that this place is never usually busy. I would recommend going to The Gardeners next door for a relaxing and friendly PUB instead of some kind of canteen.
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If you like babies, brats, and stuck up your own ar*e yuppies go there! As a member of CAMRA this pub is the pits for serving real ale. Sometimes there are a couple of ales on tap but they are usually rubbish (often cloudy/sour and bloody expensive). The Governer has no idea how to keep a decent cellar.
Ask for an ordinary whisky and the reply is "we dont stock it". Just the expensive malt brands on show.
I wouldn't dare try their food having seen it prepared on the unclean tables in the bar during the afternoon.
If you don't order food (obviously their main scource of income) staff just don't want to know you.
Go to the brand new re-furbished GARDENERS (next door) for a decent pint and and a friendly welcome.
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Non-one eating, and didn't really strike me as a destination pub. Real ale looked an afterthought, though Hooky was OK. Typically open plan.
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Food is delicious if a little pricy and you can't move for prams on a Sunday lunchtime but overall its a decent 'gastropub' (hate that word)
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It is not bad, but really should be much better - it is a bit up it's own ar*e.
The food is overpriced, but it is better than a lot of pub food.
The bloke that seems to run it has a very supercilious attitude, and sometimes the staff are a bit difficult to attract - there seems to be a high-turnover of people employed behind the bar.
They do have a well-kept, and interesting selection of ales.
DamoC - 29 Feb 2008 18:07 |
Excellent pub in a bit of a void...
Nice beers, one which was replaced when it tasted dead (end of a barrel?)
Good food and decor and dog... will be back.
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went with mr lunch for lunch on monday. Slow roasted lamb joint..yum
food as good as ever.
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OK. So I revisited, and the food is not bad at all, the barman from the previous vist was nowhere in sight, and all in all a better experience was had than on the previous occasion.
However, mr_lunch, I would point out that very rarely is a pub's no-smoking section separated from the rest of the pub by an airlock. Furthermore, if you think that circa 12 quid for a steak without chips is "reasonably priced", good luck to you. I don't; the food here's good, but not that good.
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the best restaurant in the area. Excellent good quality food. Everything is homemade bar the ketchup. Reasonably priced too. Hook Norton is kept well here too.
All of you that don't like it please do go next door. Leaves more room for those of us that like it to sit down.
ps - Burnsy, go and sit in the no smoking section.
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Hmm, ok, and when compared to the next door Gardners Arms clearly very different clientelle, middle class dining couples here compared to the more relaxed pub crowd at the Gardners. Pub food looked fine but not tried (menu was good so I'll have to return), beers was ok and same can be said of the staff, but hey this was a Tuesday evening, not one to go out of way for!
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Can't really see what all the fuss is about. Virtually empty last Friday. Very All Bar One inside, and loud and smokey to boot. Will revisit and sample the food but I do not have high hopes.
The barman who served me was an arrogant tool as well. The choice in the area may be limited, matey, but on this showing there are at least two other pubs on this street where I can go without fear of being treated like a tramp.
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justified reputation - and what a local to have. food excellent, helpful staff, great wine selection, and some good juices on tap. lovely old job.
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If you like generic, overpriced Gastropubs....
anonymous - 13 May 2006 14:41 |
�3.00 for a pint of ( nice) Landlord. Little people everywhere. Go next door.
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This is by far and away one of my favourite pubs of the moment. I know without a doubt that the beer will be good and, having eaten here a dozen or so times over the years, can say that the food is always of the highest standard. Admittedly it is not the cheapest in the area - but then you get what you pay for. I'm obviously not the only one who thinks this way as if you want a table you really have to arrive before service starts - and it is inadvisable to be standing at the bar at 12:30 on Sunday as you are likely to be crushed in the stampede ordering lunches.
As others have noticed, occaisonally the staff can be a little inattentive but normally bar service is prompt and efficient.
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Formerly known as the Earl Spencer, Spencers, the Merton Inn, Bofs & the Earl of Spencer. This could be the Cher of pubs in Southfields. Spencers was a delinquents hangout while Bofs was the only decent incarnation of this place. Recent press reviews wouldn't entice me to go there now.
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Another fantastic pub on Merton Road - Great place for a meal and unsurprising it is so busy.
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I wish I could agree with 'Oswas' below, however both our visits have been very disappointing. A beautiful place don't get me wrong, but spoilt by disinterested staff & above average (but not spectacular especially considering how much you are paying) food. We much prefer The Kings Arms on Wandsworth High Street...massive beer garden, fabulous food, friendly management & staff & lovely well kept beer. Here we are never made to feel like we were putting everyone out by simply being in the pub!! Try it!!
anonymous - 7 Sep 2005 18:28 |
Wow! The food is oustanding - easily better than many restaurants I've been too. And I had no problems with the staff at all, they were friendly, helpful, happy to discuss the dishes and make suggestions with the wine. The only thing they wouldn't budge on was revealing their secret marinade for the ridiculously gorgeous steak dish my other half ordered. But fair enough really, seeing as it is their signature dish. The portions were really big too, making it easily good value. I had pork marinaded in maderia, cloves, garlic and shallots which was just mouthwateringly tender and so tasty I wouldn't have insulted it with extra seasoning. I didn't have starter, and looking back that was a wide decision as I was really full by the time I'd finished my main course. In fact, so full, that we had to waddle back up the road to our home, tummies bloated. If you're in the Wandsworth/Southfields area, you have to try this place out. It has my heartfelt recommendation, and I can't wait to go back.
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Have been a few times now as I live in the area. Once again disappointed by the lack of seats (especially outside) and what I felt was fairly good but overpriced food. Personally I prefer the Park Tavern just down the road - cracking beer garden and friendly staff. Will definately be back there in the near future.
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This is a cracking pub. Didn't have any problems (described by some of the posters below) with the staff who all seemed quite capable and friendly. Exceptionally well kept beers - unfortunately the Hook Norton was off but the Adnams Best and London Pride were both superb, a description I do not use lightly! This place was the Evening Standard Pub of the Year 2004 and the quality of the food alone makes this understandable. Not the world's longest menu but very well balanced, and the sea bass, lamb and chicken that we had were of a quality that would put many restaurants to shame. Main courses are at around a tenner - perfectly reasonable, if you want cheaper than that then off to Wetherspoons with you! Waitresses were attentive and service prompt. No you can't book tables (this is a pub for god's sake) and yes it does get busy (successful places do..). Couldn't fault this place.
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I'm very keen on this gastropub. Excellent food - far above the average pub (or gastropub), but prices are also more suited to a restaurant. Sometimes have to wait a while for a table as it now has a very good reputation for food and gets pretty busy. And they have a set number of each dish so they tend to run out of the popular items early on.
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I was really looking forward to visiting this pub. We arrived early on a Sunday evening as we had been told it got busy for supper.. which it did.
The staff were helpful and the menu seemed very good - although they ran out of dishes quite quickly. The food was good - however I feel that for the price it should have been far better. The wine was a little bit disappointing - esp the house wine.
anonymous - 26 Apr 2005 15:47 |
Food is pretty damn fine, however I suggest you get there early, the best dishes get rubbed off the chalk board quickly.
Changing the menu between lunch and dinner adds veriety within a day, but all to often I've been frustrated by lack of choice because they've run out.
It is a crying shame the don't change the bar staff as regularly as the menu. They couldn't be more disinterested in the customer if they tried to be.
Fussy - 21 Apr 2005 19:00 |
I have now visited this pub twice. On the 1st visit I was not impressed by the attitude / service of the bar staff, but I thought I would give it a 2nd go and I can definitely say I will not be going back there again. Although the food was lovely it was totally spoiled by the rude and arrogant behaviour of the bar staff. I was not made to feel welcome at all and was spoken down to as if I was a bit of dirt on the bottom of their shoes!
Will go somewhere else in future.
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Food is great although more like restaurant prices than pub prices. Unfortunately the snobby/arrogant attitude of some of the staff let it down. I would recommend Olive on Replingham Road as a friendly, reasonably priced alternative. Always happy to serve you in there at least!
wicks - 11 Apr 2005 16:40 |
Having been to this pub a couple of times now as it is just around the corner from where I live, although the food is good the service completely ruins the whole eating out experience. The bar staff are so far up their own backsides that it's put me off eating there again. I'll be sticking to the Indian and Thai places around the corner from now on where both the food and service are great. The Earl Spencer staff should learn some manners.
Mozza - 11 Apr 2005 16:33 |
What a great find in Southfields. The area as a whole is pretty desolute as far as having a decent boozer goes. You have The Garage which is normally rammed full of drunk South Africans and Aussies. Or anyone of about 20 Youngs pubs scattered about. Previous comments about the beer price, if you want to drink in a civilised enviroment (so, not the garage then!) you can easily pay �3.10 (the brewers inn) for a pint of Stella. So the Earl Spencer is hardly the most expensive place available. Now further plus points, an open fire during winter, Broadsheets on the bar, no non-smoking areas, bread is baked freshly on the premise twice daily, dog and child friendly. The food is fantastic, with old fashioned food alongside modern ideas using seasonal ingredients and there are also around 40 wines on the wine list, so that you can find a glass to suit your meal. And last but not least the staff are very friendly and helpful, they are able to recommend good food on the menu (that changes twice a day apparently) and help you with your wine choice. As long as I live in this area I doubt I will drink anywhere else.
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Drinks a bit pricey and the beer not great but had a lovely dinner so might be tempted back.Isabella.
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liked it
blaz - 31 Oct 2004 22:55 |
I live just round the corner from this place and managed to avoid entering it untill yesterday(forced by girlfriend).I had to be picked off the deck when the bar person wanted �7.10 for a pint and a glass of wine. Totally agree with previous comments. I reckon the Evening Standard is losing it a bit!
gazzard - 14 Aug 2004 11:11 |
A great place to chill out with a paper and a coffee if you're lucky enough to go in there when it's quiet, and the food is a treat. The locals by the bar make sure that it doesn't become too pretentious and so it's not a bad place to have a few beers as well. Overall, good stuff.
William - 9 Jun 2004 11:26 |
I disagree with the previous reviewer. You do not need to be Gordon Ramsay to know whether something is good or not and this pub is not. There is nothing to distinguish this pub from any other gastro-pub effort and as a result is both mediocre and chainy. Besides, as the other reviewers have rightly pointed out, it is both smokey, noisy and for a supposed lover of chicken and chip, somewhat pretentious. Pub of the year, give me a break.
David - 24 May 2004 17:13 |
Apart from very good Indian and Thai places Southfields is a bit of a culinary desert so the Earl of Spencer is a very welcome addition. The food at the EoS is imaginative, well cooked and generously portioned, there is a good choice of proper beer and the wine list is extensive. Most of the criticisms below seem to be from people who object to pubs that serve anything more adventurous than chicken in a basket. If people prefer dingy old pubs, or chain mediocrities that serve steaming gristle with a pastry lid, there are plenty to choose from.
Kevin - 21 May 2004 17:23 |
Meat dishes are always well cooked, however the Earl of Spencer is loud, smoky and quite often the food is way too salty. On the up side they have just got a new aussie barman who is very friendly which makes a nice change for this place.
Cris - 12 May 2004 11:25 |
Utterly pretentious. How this pub won the pub of the year i don't know. This is not a pub. You do not have to fight your way through prams, screaming kids and mums discussing which 4X4 they have in a pub . You don't have polenta cakes as a side dish in pubs. A pub somewhere to socialise, drink with friends and pick up a snack. Not somewhere to be seen. get rid of the 'crusty loaves' on the counter, bring back the bar-stools and get some sawdust on the floor.
wilksy - 11 May 2004 16:25 |
Earl of Spencer.... How did it win the pub of the year? God only knows! I have now given them a go twice and both times the food was rubbish. They insist that you can only order chips accompanied by a main meal, which is not on. Advertise child friendly but when kids are there they don�t do kids meals and their chip law of only serving with main meal comes into play. Note: Staff turnover seems quite big and they are now advertising for new chef - which is classily posted on the front door. A nice example of a venue being poorly managed. I don�t see this pub keeping its false status for too long.
Brad - 6 May 2004 11:40 |
It�s laughable that such a bland, middle of the road and unoriginal pub as the Earl of Spencer can be selected as Pub of the Year. Have the Evening Standard reviewers ever set foot in the place? If not then a visit to any All Bar One would have provided much the same experience. Open plan, wood floors, and blackboard menus featurng food whch is served up on over-sized white plates. Sounds like any other newly refurbished pub, bar, caf�, restaurant etc in London, doesn�t it and harldy deserving of any award.
Yes it�s nice to find a pub where you can get good food along with a nice beer but as with many of these other so-called gastro-pubs, value for money is poor and a noisy smokey atmosphere doesn�t provide the sort of environment I want to have a meal in. Besides, not everyone looks to their local for a cutting edge eating experience. The Earl of Spencer isn�t a place for a quiet pint � and don�t mistake loud chat for a great atmosphere � nor is it especially welcoming as it�s one huge room with lots of uncomfortable chairs rounds tables which are too close together to enable much conversation.
I�d rather drink at any of the other nearby pubs � the cheap and cheerful Park Tavern is better for atmosphere as it the unfortunately named GJs which also has really nice staff.
The Earl of Spencer is neither pub of the year or restaurant of the year in my opinion.
Jill, Wandsworth - 1 Apr 2004 19:58 |
What a concept! Now this is a true gastro pub... they always say never eat on an empty stomach, perfect place for dining on your own or with a group of friends, have a few beers or wicked selection of wines then let the eating commence... meat eaters are going to love this place, they do a steak which is cooked medium rare (as recommended) and i like my meat charred, sacrificed to the advice and was pleasently suprised... Something i did notice about this place is the vibe, its great! no music, but an amazing atmosphere. and hat off to the staff, these guys work hard and look sooooo busy but are always on hand for a chat.
Aaron - 11 Mar 2004 13:08 |
Unlike the other reviewers, I'm not at all keen on this place despite being my local. Expensive, smokey, and full of slightly trendy wine quaffing 30 somethings. One for the dinner party brigade only.
Dave - 10 Mar 2004 10:36 |
The Earl Spencer is a real gem of a pub in Southfields. Recently
refurbished it has a cosy pub feel - the raging log-fire and
friendly staff make it feel very homely. This best part however
is the food. I've been there a number of times now and each time the innovative menu was completely different from the previous occasion. It's a
real gastro delight and I have to say the steak was fantastic and is as good as anything I've tasted in the UK (and as an Aussie it hurts to admit that). There's even a good selection of wines available to go with it.
The management have genuinely attempted to stem away from the cliche pub that tries its best to serve average pub grub and have created a local pub that serves great food and wine in a relaxed atmosphere. Try it - but get there early for Sunday lunch.
Tony - 3 Nov 2003 13:26 |
I was extremely pleased to see that at long last we have a decent pub selling decent food in Southfields, however as someone that eats out a lot and is also a keen chief, I can also add there is plenty room for improvement.
Some of the dishes are just over complex and just do not work. My last meal was both too salty and too sweet, telling me that either the chief has a spoiled pallet (perhaps through smoking, a common problem) or they used poor ingredients; I think it is probably the former.
I have made negative comments on their food on two occasions and the response has been, 'well no one else has complained', not the response that I would expect from a Pub that promotes itself as a gastro pub.
I also find that although the wine list is very good it can also be very expensive; they have to remember they are still a pub and not part of the Conran chain.
Although the staff seems friendly they are dismissive when complaints are made about the food and as for getting served at the bar, this can be a nightmare. When I recently asked them to turn up the lights (I literally couldn't see my food), I was told, ' this is how the owner likes it'.
Also, to have a radio playing loud dance music in the kitchen is not the kind of environment that I would expect from a place that is trying to give the impression that it is special and different to most pubs. Finally, I also believe that in a pub that is billing itself as a �gastro pub�, the staff should wear an apron or some form of casual uniform, even if it is was just a pub branded t-shirt.
I do not want to seem negative about The Earl of Spencer as it is a marked improvement from its previous state but as mentioned they need to look at the detail. Southfields is a great catchment area and there is little competition but this could soon change.
Despite my comments I will still go there about once a week, mainly due to the good beer/wine selection plus they are dog friendly and I live with the hope that improvements will be made.
I apologise for my ramblings but I hope that they come across as intended and are constructive.
Worth a try but consistency and a better service is required.
ocean12 - 9 Sep 2003 19:44 |
Went there last night - not bad. Food menu looks good and not too expensive (although not Sizzling Steak House cheap - thank God). Pride, Bombardier and Hook Norton Best on Draught. Pretty good Gary - good recommendation.
anonymous - 7 Aug 2003 09:26 |
Agree with everything below. A little gem in Earlsfield/Southfields.
Gary McQuarrie - 25 Jul 2003 13:41 |
It used to be a rough dive but was done up 3 or 4 mths ago (Feb 2003). It's now a "Gastro" pub. Honestly, it serves the best food in any pub south of the river. Log fires in winter and good beer selection. Its the only decent oasis around Southfields. Most of the staff are slow in serving but nice with it. All apart from one tall bloke with a bad attitude who almost throws stuff at you. The word is out though, and is now busy every night from Thursday to Sunday. Difficult to describe but its modern traditional; dark wood floors and furniture with simple traditional style.
Will - 11 Jun 2003 09:54 |
