BITE user comments - Salty
Comments by Salty
When I worked around here this was my favourite. Rather hidden away means it is less crowded than a lot of the other pubs in the area, and can usually get a table, where elsewhere you'd be lucky to get space at the bar. Good beer, tankards a pleasant novelty (although hide the enormous heads they serve on their proprietary 'Old Wallop' bitter), and solid food well priced for an area not known for its good value. Good wine list too. Worth seeking out.
23 Sep 2005 14:21
Discovered this pub during pre-theatre drinks (the entrance is in the middle of the Theatre Royal), but would be worth going back in a non-luvvie moment. Obvious theatrical theme is well done with old posters mingling with those from current productions, and plenty of Victorian brass and mirrors. Was drinking at the bar when the barman leant across, nicked my pint and topped it up - 'I short measured you first time round' - which was a nice touch as I hadn't even noticed! Even pre-theatre there was a nice mix of dressed-up theatre crowd and locals - will certainly add to my list of Brighton boozers.
23 Sep 2005 14:06
The Plough and Harrow, Litlington
This used to be a busy little village pub with simple pub-food, a good atmosphere and decent beer. The landlord and his wife worked hard to give it a real 'local' feel (we were hailed as regulars on only our second visit - 'your usual sir?' - nice touch).
The new landlord has managed to completely muck it up. Severely over-fussy (and expensive) menu might work in a London bistro but is out of place in this setting. And how's this for welcoming? When I (politely) asked for a replacement for a glass of vinegar masquerading as the white wine my wife had ordered, I was told that there was nothing wrong with it, it was passed from bar-staff to landlord who each tasted it like it was a fine Chablis, each shaking their head at my ridiculous request. Eventually I was given a new glass, but only after this pathetic charade was played out for five minutes, making me feel like an idiot. Am I likely to go back? Am I hell. And the fact that there was only one other couple in the bar on this Friday evening would suggest others have reached a similar conclusion.
23 Sep 2005 13:49
Heartily endorse last poster's comments. Simple country pub, but with above average food and very welcoming bar staff. Highly recommended.
23 Sep 2005 13:37
My favourite pub, anywhere, ever. It just has everything. Stunning village green location in a beautiful part of this corner of the world. Individual, original decor - plenty of stuffed animals (including the eponymous tigers), old wine jeroboams, ceramics from the potter in the village, knock-your-brains-out low beams etc. Superb wine list (good by-the-glass too) with a few very good value picks if you can spot them (try the local Breaky Bottom 'Champagne'). Top quality Harveys. Menu is well priced, and ingredients locally sourced where possible - simply cooked to preserve the quality of the source material. Fish is especially good. Friendly landlord Nick, other bar staff friendly and helpful even when busy. And there's the only possible negative: all the qualities above are widely recognised - a sunny summer Sunday lunchtime can be unpleasantly crowded. At its best on a weekday evening, either outside in the late evening sun, or in the winter tucked up in the cosy interior.
23 Sep 2005 13:31
A case study in how a once great pub can go downhill. Once upon a time this was a gorgeous, independent pub with a huge choice of well kept real ales (including their own), ciders, whiskies, and very good pub-food. Was always packed. Over time, the landlord seemed to take his eye off the ball as he bought other restaurants in the area and let this one ride on its reputation. Was getting very tatty by the time it was sold to the M&B chain, but couldn't believe the disaster it has now become when we returned after its revamp.
One of the best and most individual locations in the south-east, and yet inside you could be anywhere in the world. Totally anonymous, bland, pub-out-of-a-packet interior. Nothing to link it to the local area, not in its decor (aside from some naff old sepia-coloured photos), not in its menu (which is not good value for the standard re-heated microwave pub-food it offers) , and in its beer only so far as it has poorly kept Harveys.
Truly a travesty, yet unbelievably the location means its always busy. I can only be grateful that the unimaginative plebs eating and drinking in this dreadful place are keeping some of the genuinely individual country pubs hereabouts uncluttered so that people who really appreciate individuality and quality can enjoy them.
23 Sep 2005 12:52
A missed opportunity. Best location in Seaford - right on the beach front, but very tatty inside. Slightly intimidating bar with plenty of baseball capped, tattoed regulars. Stick with Guinness as beers only averagely kept. Worth going to on sunny day when you can sit outside, otherwise best avoided. One day someone will take this over and do something special with it - I hope.
23 Sep 2005 12:36
Can't imagine what the landlord was thinking of here: has managed to turn an interesting old building into just another olde worlde themed pub. Doesn't work as the decor is fake, and the music too loud for comfort, as another poster has noted. Last time I was there the real beer (Harveys) tasted slightly stale: presumably a function of this being more a lager pub for the youngish clientele. Only useful for the occasions when the Wellington, round the corner, is too busy.
23 Sep 2005 12:30
Best pub in sunny Seaford, at least IMHO. A good atmosphere most evenings with a mix of slightly seedy regulars (gets smokey in the evenings) and occasional drinkers. Well seperated public and saloon bars, the former often the hang-out of the rugby club, with sports on TV. Comfy salon bar has basic but cheap bar-food (burgers are good). Friendly bar staff and landlord. Beers are well kept - Harveys is always excellent, and usually have one or two guest beers on.
23 Sep 2005 12:23
The Beachcomber, Seaford
I should adjunct my previous comment in case I come across as unbearably snotty. There's nothing wrong with pub clientele who wear baseball caps and have tattoos. Its just that if you're not similarly attired and walk into the bar, and it goes quiet, and everyone's giving you sideways glances, and tumbleweed starts blowing across the floor, it can be just a wee bit offputting.
23 Sep 2005 15:02