BITE user comments - The_Minders
Comments by The_Minders
Went in for a meal on a Friday afternoon with 3 kids in tow. The bar downstairs was quite busy so we opted for upstairs which was empty. Our drinks and food order were taken promptly and food arrived with 15 minutes. All the staff we saw were quite young but polite. The bill for 2 adults 3 kids 2 courses I drink each came to �30.
The low rating is due to the food, I remember coming here in the 80's when it was still a private members club. The dining experience was of the very highest standard and somewhere you would come for a very special occassion( sea bass, tornado rossini) . Those days are gone, the menu could be from any pub menu anywhere steak and bugers everything microwaved or deep fried. . I counted 8 unavailable items on the already small menu. The food arrives bland and uninteresting, the chips are cardboard tasting thick oven variety that bring on a raging thirst. Overall a disappointing family meal.
17 Oct 2009 15:43
It's like some other pubs in Dudley, in that they open when they feel like it. Last visit here was abysmal. The place has an old fashioned atmosphere (and old fashioned bogs). The bitter was like soap suds. Left half a pint and shot round the corner into the Old Priory for a PROPER pint.
3 Feb 2007 19:47
The Hand and Racquet, Covent Garden
Been in here many times over the past 15 years, but my as of yesterday, it has lost a few points for me. The staff were mixed - one friendly, one who was PIG ignorant. Any regulars will surely know who I mean. Certainly explains why there were 4 people in at 2pm on Sunday afternoon, yet a few yeards away, the excellent Tom Cribb was alive.
Too much competition in the area for this one to survive if things don't change.
8 May 2006 21:32
Dropped in here for a tincture one Sunday lunch and found it to be a very friendly place. The Guinness was �2.90 a go and was spot on, as was the Stella (also �2.90) Only a brace of people in there, but they were friendly, and the bar staff were A1. Will patronise this boozer again next time I'm in Highgate.
8 May 2006 21:19
As far as chain pubs go, this one was OK. Food is served all day
On a wet Sunday afternoon, it was very busy, but staff were very attentive and food was served within 10 minutes of ordering. I had 16oz rump steak, which was not so good (like shoe leather) but rest of family had sunday lunch and that was OK - certainly for the price (�4.99) Its own car park was a bonus too.
24 Apr 2006 12:39
The Weary Ploughman Inn, Churston Ferrers
What a find ! This place lies below the main road in a sort of lay-by. First impressions I hav to admit weren't great from the outside, but we went ahead as it had been recommended. Landlord is an Irishman and he as well as other staff made us very welcome. Menu is quite comprehensive. I chose the mighty mixed grill. At near �15 a go, it wasn't cheap, but it was certainly the best presented grill I've had in a pub restaurant. Not the usual grease and gristle. Er'indoors had the balti and it was as good if not better than most Indian restaurants we've tried. Guinness was A1 and there was a good selection of other ales to try. Toilets could have done with a makeover though - a bit grotty.
I'd CERTAINLY go again
24 Apr 2006 10:07
Bit of a Slaughtered Lamb for me this pub.
When I walked in early on a Saturday evening, the place went quiet, and when I asked the barman if they were serving food he looked amazed (WHY ????)
Like a few others I drove around that Saturday night, they don't do food on Saturdays !
Didn't stop for a drink so my rating is purely for first impressions of the place.
1 Apr 2006 22:06
Had to make do with this pub, as two others I tried (Black Horse and Whip and Collar) don't serve food on a Saturday ! (What's all that about ???)
Anyway, the Crooked Billet.
On entering the place with children, first impressions were OH NO ! Full of louts and definately NOT a family place. It was smokey and very noisy. However, we were hungry and as previously stated, pub food was thin on the ground. When we did discover the restaurant section, it was much more appealing. Staff were great (our waitress, though foreign, spoke very good English and made a fuss of the kids) Food, though on the expensive side, and not big portions, was very well presented, and cooked perfectly. Also, it only took 10 minutes from ordering to being on the table.
If you do go there, don't let first impressions put you off, as the restaurant area is much more relaxed than the bar area.
Anyway, if it's Saturday, you don't have much choice....
1 Apr 2006 21:59
The Anchor Hotel, Cradley Heath
On the negative side, it's now been flattened. Another victim of "progress"
9 Sep 2005 21:06
The London Inn, Weston Super Mare
Not the cleanest of pubs. Ordered a meal and when it arrived, it wasn't exactly what I ordered. (I asked for chips and salad and got hand grenades (oops, I mean new potatoes) and veg. Despite pointing this out to the staff, there was no attempt to rectify it and they just walked off and ignored us.
Beer was passable
18 Jul 2005 21:49
Nice pub this. Visited on a busy Saturday on a warm July night. It was quite busy throughout serving drinks and meals inside and outside in the very pleasant garden. Despite being this busy, I was asked by 3 separate bar staff if I required assistance. Guinness was a good pint. I'LL BE BACK !
11 Jul 2005 21:33
Great little boozer in the heart of London. Very friendly bar staff, Great food and managed to watch an F1 GP on the telly. More importantly, a GOOD clean pint.
3 Jul 2005 21:14
The Flora, Kensal Town
Due to close its doors forever in January 2016. So sad to see another old pub go to the developers. Best wishes to the landlord and hope he gets set up in a suitable replacement.
20 Jan 2016 20:27