BITE user comments - Mercurial
Comments by Mercurial
Visited on a Thursday lunchtime. I've read the last few reviews, and there's little to add. A lovely, traditional looking pub. I don't know if its ever had a makeover, but its easy to imagine that its looked more or less as it does for many years.
Staff were very friendly and quick, although the place wasn't busy. I didn't try the food.
The only slight disappointment was the beer options. The selection - Pride, Adnams, Youngs, Spitfire, and Greene King IPA - are common all over town. I was on the last one and must say it was the best pint of GK IPA I've had for quite some time. So, well kept beer, just a shame about the choice.
I imagine this place is already on real ale drinkers' lists. I'd give it an 8.5.
23 May 2008 14:26
Stopped by on a Thurs lunchtime for my first ever visit to the 'Glad'. The word used by both my co-drinker, and a couple of articles on the wall, was 'bohemian'. And that's probably as good as any to describe the feel.
Its a small pub, which clearly prides itself on live music - in fact it has a folky/R&B house band who play most Sundays and, whilst not entirely clear to me, they may have something to do with ownership of the pub. I imagine it would get full very quickly. Similarly, the music/jukebox (whichever it was) wasn't blaring, and clearly its choice is influenced by the band's style rather than simply being the latest 'Now Thats What I Dont Call Music 93'.
I was pleasantly surprised to see Black Sheep & Deuchars on offer. That said, I could only stay for one, and the pint of Sheep I had was average. So, 'could do better' on the quality front. Service was quick and friendly, albeit that the pub wasn't very busy anyway. I didn't try any of the pies mentioned in previous posts.
I will try to make it back for a Sunday music sesh at some point. Overall, whilst decent enough and a little different, there are 2 or 3 better pubs in the area.
23 May 2008 13:08
Stopped by on a Thurs lunchtime for my first ever visit to the 'Glad'. The word used by both my co-drinker, and a couple of articles on the wall, was 'bohemian'. And that's probably as good as any to describe the feel.
Its a small pub, which clearly prides itself on live music - in fact it has a folky/R&B house band who play most Sundays and, whilst not entirely clear to me, they may have something to do with ownership of the pub. I imagine it would get full very quickly. Similarly, the music/jukebox (whichever it was) wasn't blaring, and clearly its choice is influenced by the band's style rather than simply being the latest 'Now Thats What I Dont Call Music 93'.
I was pleasantly surprised to see Black Sheep & Deuchars on offer. That said, I could only stay for one, and the pint of Sheep I had was average. So, 'could do better' on the quality front. Service was quick and friendly, albeit that the pub wasn't very busy anyway. I didn't try any of the pies mentioned in previous posts.
I will try to make it back for a Sunday music sesh at some point. Overall, whilst decent enough and a little different, there are 2 or 3 better pubs in the area.
23 May 2008 13:08
The Charles Dickens, Southwark
Visited on a sunny Thursday lunchtime. Wasn't quite sure what to expect following recent reviews.
The dark mild was off, but 5 other real ales on. I had a pint of the Sharps' Eden (top notch, Cornish brewery), and a pint of Slaters Premium (errr, Staffs somewhere I think) which wasn't bad. Pub wasn't busy, and two staff behind the bar who were friendly enough and quick.
Smallish pub with a backroom and, as pointed out previously, a sort of open plan kitchen thing where you can watch yer liver and bacon being prepared. Tayto crisps for anyone who needs to know. Adverised as a freehouse, although lots of Adnams stuff (glasses, noticeboards, etc) around, without any Adnams beer being on offer.
I was pleasntly surprised by this place. I imagine it can get full easily though. Based on this visit, I would say its well worth adding to a crawl if yer doing one in the area. Probably a 7.5, but I've given it a 7 on the basis that the beautiful lunchtime sun might have interfered with my judgement.
22 May 2008 16:10
Wetherspoons City branch. I'm told its the largest pub in the City. Whether that's true or not I don't know, but it must be up there. Another old bank conversion with a huge interior.
Visited on a Tuesday lunchtime. Unusually, they had a selection of beers from two little known breweries - Weltons (now in Horsham), and Archers (Swindon, I think). I always like to try different beers, but the quality of all three pints I had was fair, but not great. One had what I always think of as a 'wetherspoons' taste to it, but I can never describe the taste, or know what causes it. Service was adequate, without standing out, and the clientele were fine.
This is actually a decent Wetherspoons, and I wouldn't want to put people off visiting. Worth a 6.5-7 I think.
21 May 2008 09:23
Ok, well first things first. If you're going for the draft Golden Pride, its gone. On the other hand, they have London Porter on draft though.
Visited on a Tues evening. Nice old building and, as the menu tells us, this was a NatWest Bank until 1996 when it became the Jugged Hare. There is even jugged hare pie on offer, although quite why the pub was given that name was not clear.
The pub istelf has retained the impressive high ceilinged regency/georgian feel interior that you see with quite a few Fullers pubs in Central London. I'd had a few drinks at lunchtime prior to my visit, so didn't want to go too mad. Sadly, I chose to forgo the Porter for a couple of pints of Discovery interspersed with a Honey Dew. I know there's something of a debate whether beer should be served that cold because of what it does to the taste, but, other than a slight vinegary scent, it was OK. The Honey Dew was fine. For anyone's who is interested in wineintheevening, my companion had a couple of glasses of pinot grigio which was 'acceptable' apparently. Services was quick and freindly.
As for the food, well I had a steak and ale pie which was fine, perhaps not as good as some, although the veg and mash were a little disappointing. My friend had the steak burger, which looked huge.
My overall impression is of a decent Fullers joint. The building itself adds something of a gloss to the pub, but as far as beer and atmosphere are concerned, its a decent Fullers joint. Not the best in town, but certainly worth visiting. I'd probably give it a 7 or 7.5 if I could.
21 May 2008 09:10
The Pride of Spitalfields, Shoreditch
Visited on a damp Thurs evening. The description of this place that always sticks in my mind is that its like someone's front room - particularly the net curtains on the windows (there are even nets on the small windows in the gents). Its a small pub, but I think its become more popular in the last year or two, as there were certainly a few trendies around.
The beer was the same as previous posts - Brewer's Gold, Doom Bar, ESB & Pride. I was on the BG which was in very good condition. So high marks for the beer. Sizeable whisky selection too.
Quality Brick Lane boozer. Has the feel of an east end pub, but is friendly unlike some of the dives you get not a million miles away. If you're in the area, well worth a visit.
20 May 2008 12:36
Cosy enough old-fashioned looking Toby joint. Must admit, didn't check whether is now M&B or freehouse. Visited on a rainy Thursday lunchtime.
RAs on were Pride (could be better), and Flowers IPA (not bad). Service was reasonable. Better than a couple of the other pubs around, but wouldnt rave about it. 6/10 I think.
16 May 2008 12:39
Visited after work on a sunny Friday evening. Busy, but the weather pulled most of the punters out onto the street, so wasn't too crowded inside. Reasonable sized, open interior, and the building istelf dates back several hundred years.
Only intended to stay for one, but was so impressed that I had to stay on for a second. 8 real ales on I think, and the two I had were very well kept. Service quick and efficient, and the barman was friendly and knowledgeable. They even had pork scratching along with the crisps, not something you see so much these days.
Like the Castle a few minutes walk away, a huge selection of beer, but nothing over 5%. I rate both pubs quite highly, but on the evening, I preferred the Wallace.
Recommended, and will certainly pay a return visit.
14 May 2008 13:01
The Horniman at Hays, Southwark
Disappointing. Generally I'm a fan of Nicholson's pubs - a better chain than most. This place has a lovely location on the south side of the Thames alongside HMS Belfast.
So I expect it to be busy. And touristy. And on a sunny May Saturday evening it was both, although hardly full to bursting. But as previous posters mention, long on bar, short on staff. Fortunately, someone else was doing the waiting for me, so I left them to it., and joined my co-alcoholics outside. And given the length of time before the drinks-wallah reappeared outside, the service was obviously slow.
And then there was the beer. 'What do you want?', my friend asked. 'Surprise me.' I replied. And they did.
'Name that beer.' they said. Very pale, watery, with a taste of ginger. 'Hmmm, not sure' I said.
'Bombadier' came the answer. I DON'T think so. But it definitely came off the Bombadier tap. And I won't even go into what happened when they returned the drinks to complain.
Disappointing for a Nicholsons. I would like to think its a one off, but previous posters suggest otherwise.
13 May 2008 09:28
Visited for a couple on a sunny Saturday lunchtime in May. Top quality beer and very friendly bar/landlady. Cracking range of real ale(I didn't count, but it wouldn't surprise me if it was the 10 mentioned in previous posts), and a nicely stocked lager-y & cold drinks fridge with real variety.
Another pub with a distinctly woodeny inside, and the collection of old bottles around the place is probably getting larger. Didn't notice the sullen locals mentioned before - and, given the reputation of the place as something approaching a beer Mecca - I would have thought they're used to being on the beer tourist trail by now. I take the point about the distinct lack of food, but then the Wellington is clearly not a food pub. Perhaps some basic bar food (chips, sarnies, God forbid maybe even a burger, that sort of stuff) wouldn't go amiss, but its not a major criticism.
A lovely pub for the real ale fan. Top marks for beer and service quality, perhaps not quite so high for atmosphere.
13 May 2008 09:13
Not a lot to add to the last few recent posts really. Only a few minute walk from Chancery Lane tube. Visited early evening on a sunny Friday in May. Not to busy when I arrived, but beginning to heave when I left an hour or so later. Good selection of real ales, though don't recall the specifics. I am impressed that they have the current choice on a blackboard (so you don't have to go peering at the individual taps), along with a 'coming soon' list.
Beer was well kept, and didn't have a complaint about any of my 3 pints. Realtively small inside and, whilst it has the oldy-worldy-woody feel inside, it is, perhaps, a little characterless.
That aside, no complaints, and thoroughly recommend on the visiting list of any passing real ale head.
12 May 2008 11:32
Turned up on a Saturday evening. Place has been done up since my last visit, and not bad either. Largish pub, although could only stay for the one - a decent enough pint of Cornish Knocker. There were another 3 RAs on I think, although can't remember the selection.
I'd describe the place as a good-average.
7 May 2008 13:52
Popped in on a weekday lunchtime. Lovely old riverside warehouse building with a decent view.
Sam Smiths, so you know what to expect from the beer. I'm not the biggest fan of their bitter, but I'm usually kept quiet by a couple of pints of the wheat beer. As ever, decent prices. Also has a reasonable restaurant upstairs.
Definitely worth a visit.
7 May 2008 13:39
Passed this place on a sunny bank holiday Monday afternoon, so had to stop once I'd seen the sign saying 'Kent CAMRA Pub of the Year 2006' (at the same time as wondering whether such shameless advertising should be allowed).
A lovely old pub inside with slightly eccentric design and arrangement of furniture and rooms inside. Doesn't look like its always been a pub, and someone at the bar did say it was once a morgue. I was getting worried that there didn't appear to be any RAs until I realised that they come straight from the barrels on the wall behind the bar. I only stayed for one - and that was in the large-ish garden outside - so didn't get time to properly savour the full atmosphere. The pint I did have - Highgate Beezone - is a low strength honey beer that was well kept, and there were at least 8 ales on.
The garden has a kiddies play area, and an 'adults only' area. I'm not sure if the latter is to give the unecumbered drinker a bit of p & q, or for the benefit of the pub pet. Unusually, rather than a cat or dog, the Halfway House has seems to have a pub hawk.
Sadly there as no food served after about 3ish which is disappointing, and a not uncommon feature in country pubs. That's why I didn't stay long. This aside, I would certainly recommend the HH, and would love to give it a second go at some point.
7 May 2008 13:31
The Old Tea Warehouse, Aldgate
Visited Friday lunchtime. Looks like Greene King, although, fortunately, the pub sign hasn't been forsaken in place of the GK bloke. The pool tables seem to have vanished in favour of a few tables and sofas downstairs. IPA, Abbott & Specky Hen on + usual range of lagers. Reasonable condition.
Not a bad pub, I've got to say, but wouldn't put it any better than high-middling.
2 May 2008 15:51
Ah well, as a newbie to this site, this is my first Fullers' review. And of the regular local (meaning wot you see a lot of in London - inc Shepherd Neame) brewers, is probably my favourite. So with that admission out of the way...
A decent sized pub under the rail bridge and on the river behind Cannon Street Station. Have not eaten here, but I notice the menu (which always sounds good) has the day's date on it, so presumably changes regularly (?). Or else its just to make the place sound pretty gastro-y.
Th usual range of Fullers' brews on + additionally - which I haven't seen anywhere - their IPA. So I duly had 3 pints' worth. It is a classic IPA - extra hoppy, so extra bitter in taste - well worth a try if you like that in a beer. Pretty well kept too.
Staff were attentive, and no problems getting served. Lunchtime crowd generally office workers, and not quite as dingy as the 'underneath the arches' position might make you think. A decent Fullers house.
2 May 2008 15:45
Popped in on a mid-week lunchtime, and stayed for just the one (pt of Redcar). Selection the same as per danrkelly's post, and prices sat �3 or �3.15/pint.
I don't know Red Car's full workings and, whilst my understanding is that this is one of theirs, there is a very recent (Apr 08) notice of planning application from Enterprise Inns on the outside. It includes a first floor bar, new kitchen, extended dining area, and a new ladies'. So keep yer eyes open.
The Red Car pint was Ok, but nothing great. A decent enough city boozer, but wouldn't feature as one of my favourites.
2 May 2008 15:28
As previous posters say, a decent, traditional looking village pub, on the green, with an old church inthe background. Visited on an early Sunday evening in April. The lunch crowd had obviously moved on, so wasn't too busy. Didn't eat myself, so can't comment on the food.
Noticed children and a dog floating around inside, which I have no objection to of an afternoon providing they're behaving themselves.
Availed myself of the hoppy Dark Star Hophead, which went down a treat. Certainly worth a visit.
30 Apr 2008 15:29
The Crutched Friar, Tower Hill
Well it was St George's Day. So that explains the free jellied eels and strawberries (not in the same pot), the deckchairs, and town crier-complete-with-bell in the entrance passage. I even got a small free glass of Bombadier. I would have preferred free shepherd's pie or yorkie pud to the eels though.
But leaving aside the saint's day jingoism, and sticking to the traditional-pub-wot-makes-Britain-truly-Great ratings jingoism, this is a Nicholsons. Which to me means an above average chain. The pub has an odd entrance passageway, and looks like it will be dark and dingy, but then opens into a fairly light and airy bar. There are a couple of decent sized side rooms, and a small garden. Being Nicholsons, it has a range of RAs on, and was in the midst of its spring guest beers. If memory serves, I switched between Brains SA, and Bombadier, both of which were in reasonable condition. I think Jennings Cumberland and Titanic's Capt Smith are due on soon. I didn't try the food.
This is a reasonable sized pub on the edge of the City. Buisy, and no problem with the customers. I gave it 7/10, which to my mind, is a 'top average'. It doesn't quite have that something to make it an 8+, but it is a decent pub and what I expect from a Nicholsons.
24 Apr 2008 16:33
Visited on a Thurs afternoon for lunch. Is the only pub within about half a mile, so has a range of customers to cater for. Large place, ex-Bass, so no suprise that it is now an Ember Inn (M&B). Good selection of real ales and lager. Beer in decent condition without being outstanding. Food was what you expect from a chain pub. No problem with the punters. I felt quite relaxed collapsed onto one of the sofa-things, and could easily (and have in the past) easily spend an evening passing the time there. Worth a go.
21 Apr 2008 13:28
Popped in on a Friday afternoon. Does have that local's feel to it, with people turning and staring when you walk in, although they settle back down quickly enough. I take the point about being populated by a number of older drinkers, but it is a small pub with that sort of trad feel to it. Didn't try the food, but both pints I had (Sussex and Bombadier)were well kept, so good marks for the beer. Bar staff acknowledged my presence (despite serving someone else at the time) almost immediately, and service was quick, which is something I always looks for. Certainly the best pub in the Broadway/shopping centre area.
21 Apr 2008 13:19
East India Arms, Fenchurch Street
Popped in on a weekday lunchtime. Shepherd Neame pub, just round the corner from Fenchurch St Station. Always seems busy, but is pretty small, so a dozen people would make it seem popular. One padded bench-with-a-back area at the rear of the pub but, other than that, its standing or stools n' shelves. An all gents crowd today, but I have seen ladies in here.
Sank a solitary pint of Spitfire. Beer in better than average condition. Decent City boozer.
16 Apr 2008 15:18
Its years since I've been to a Hobgoblin - I don't think they're still owned by Wychwood. So, cue 5.30 on a Tues evening in April.
The place has that dark, woodeny-firkiny-hogsheady feel which I must admit I quite like, althouggh I understand why people use the words dingy and characterless on occasions. There were only about a dozen punters, so can't say too much about the clientele. Two bar staff on, chatting with the locals, but as soon as I rolled up to the bar, one was straight over to me. So a tick for attentiveness. The music was a little on the loud side, and they looked to be gearing up for either some live music or a DJ (I didn't check whether that was a regular feature). I only had time for a couple of pints of Mad Hatter (Wychwood) which was in reasonable condition.
I'd certainly go back, but I might try a couple of the other pubs in town first.
16 Apr 2008 10:31
The Elephant, Fenchurch Street
Popped in on a Tuesday lunchtime. Visited the downstairs bar, which has certainly benefited from the smoking ban. No suprise that its still a Youngs pub I guess. Not my favourite of the London brewers, but the beer's decent enough. That said though, I was on the Bombadier (Wells) which is the regular alternative choice here.
Atmosphere is fine, easy to relax. No problem with the clientele. Food limited but good and well proportioned (!). I love a menu that offers you:-
a) Half a pie and gravy
b) Half a pie, gravy, and veg
c) Pie and gravy
No room for veg with the full pie. You have a choice of fillings though. Range of sarnies too.
Worth a visit.
15 Apr 2008 15:21
The Royal Standard, Blackheath
Visited on a Saturday lunchtime. This is a reasonable sized pub on the outskirts of Blackheath that has to cater for a range of customers. Has several tvs (usu with sports channels on), and at least one fruit and quiz machine. Tends to have two real ales on tap which vary, and the usual range of other drinks. Beers on were Pride and Youngs (Special, I think?) which are not my favourites, but they have had Rev James, and Black Sheep in the recent past. Quality is OK. I would say the same about the food. Gastro-menu which looks good, and does offer variety, but the quality doesn't quite live up to how it sounds. Decent enough though, and fair sized protions. Happy to drink here.
15 Apr 2008 09:14
More of a mod-ed up Wetherspoons with a second bar upstairs. Young noisy Greenwich student crowd mostly in evidence, as you might expect. Visted on a mid-week evening during beer festival week (or fortnight, or whatever), so a decent range of booze on tap. At 1.79/pint, very possibly the cheapest pub in the area, and quite a bit cheaper than the 2.20/pint I paid at the WS close to my workplace for the same beer. But I guess that's location, location, location for you.
Beer in reasonable nick. Pub decent enough, but no real character, and wouldn't rave about it.
10 Apr 2008 14:38
Decent pub, tucked away down a side alley, that rarely seems busy during the week. Suspect it picks up tourist trdae at weekends. As mentioned by previous posters, good view of the river, so I always wonder why there are not more customers. Part of a company chain, although can't for the life of me remember who - but its the same menu as The Crown in Blackheath. No problem with the clientele.
Usually have 2 or 3 real ales on, with at least one of them rotating on a regular basis. I happened to visit during a beer festival so there was an additional choice. Drank my way through several pints of Hobgoblin and Specky Hen, both in reasonable condition.
Good place for a hassle-free drink.
10 Apr 2008 14:28
Visited early on a Weds evening during WS beer festival. Quite an older clientele early on, but joined by a few younger punters as 5/6 oc came. Being festival time, there were at least half a dozen, possibly more, real ales on. Certainly a good selection, and, as usual, bound to be something you haven't tried before. Reasonably kept, but not great. I'm rarely convinced that the beer is at the very top of its quality when WS get it, and no change here.
All in all, a pretty standard Wetherspoons, so you know what to expect.
10 Apr 2008 14:18
Ship, Monument
Visited on a Tuesday lunchtime. From recollecion, this is the first London pub I ever saw serving Tribute on a regular basis, and its still on here a couple of years' later. Not the same barrel, of course.
In the limited time I've been a BITE member, this is the 3rd Nicholson's pub I've reviewed in the area (the other 2 being the Horniman, and Crutched Friar), and qualifies as my favourite of the three. There are alway regular beers (Pride, Youngs, and one I can't remember), together with guests. Yesterday, one guest was off, but remaining were the gingery Everard's Sly Fox, and St Austell's Tribute. I tried each, and both were in good condition. Good marks for quality. Service can be slow on occasions, though was speedy yesterday.
The inside is pleasant enough, and the moment the sun shows itself, everyone piles out onto the alleyway pavement. Yes, it does tend to towards the suits, but I don't see that as a pro or a con in itself, and you expect that on the edge of the City anyway. The atmosphere is decent, and I've never seen any trouble there.
I've said before that I think Nicholsons (though, of course, they are themselves part of the M&B stable) are one of the better chains, and I think The Ship is a good example of why.
Well worth a visit. 7.5ish out of 10.
28 May 2008 12:23