BITE user comments - apchilcott
Comments by apchilcott
The Hillsborough Hotel, Sheffield
They brew a very fine Ebony Stout here which made it difficult to resist coming back a few times on the tram. It only cost �2.50 a pint too.
The staff are friendly, service is prompt, and the Sunday lunch is pretty good. About 10 or 15 minutes' walk from the other very good pubs in the Kelham area.
16 Oct 2012 21:04
Spent an afternoon here with friends just after Christmas and was entirely satisfied. Two large rooms, the lounge heavily decorated with old local views, brewery parpahernalia, etc., as well as a real fire. Cosy. No children in evidence on my visit.
Half a dozen real ales on pump, including Bateman's XB and Adnam's Old Ale - both served in excellent condition. Bar service was prompt and attentive. A range of pub food staples (scampi and the like) is offered for circa �7/�8, which other members of the party said were good. I had the special for �9 and it was piping hot, quickly served, and very tasty.
All in all, a very good house, reflected by increasing patronage as the afternoon went on.
Bus no.8 stops almost outside, to and from the city centre and Cambridge railway station.
8 Jan 2012 13:33
Friendly two-roomed pub not far from the church. Quiet on a weekday lunchtime, but there were three real ales on, and the one I had was in very good condition.
I was served a portion of home-made chicken and gammon pie so large I almost couldn't quite finish it. It was delicious. Certainly this offers better value for lunch than the tea-room at Bolsover Castle.
I've been to Bolsover a few times but only came in here by chance, as the High Street is in the quieter part of town and is not the main shopping area. The bus from Mansfield or Sheffield stops about two minutes' walk away.
10 Jun 2011 16:45
A Nicholson's house. No fewer than five real ales on tap on a midweek lunchtime. I had a very good glass of St. Peter's Mild for �2.80. Very friendly bar staff.
There are at least a dozen lager/chilled beer taps as well but I didn't note whether or not each of these was in use with a different product.
The food looks good, but I had already visited an excellent fish & chip shop (The Pisces) two minutes' walk away on Lairgate so I didn't get to sample the food here.
10 minutes' walk from Beverley railway station.
10 Jun 2011 16:29
Friendly multi-roomed pub overlooking the estuary. There's usually two real ales on, always in very good condition.
Pub chains spend thousands of pounds trying to recreate what the Minerva seems to have acquired naturally with the passage of time - a cosy, familiar, pub interior. Not flash, or blingy, but a comfy and relaxed atmosphere.
The council wanted to knock the place down and replace it with something similar to the glass cubes of the 'World Trade Centre Hull & Humber' (You can't make stuff like that up) on the other side of the marina. Fortunately, the recession seems to have killed that plan off.
15-20 minutes' walk from the railway and bus stations. If you're arriving by yacht, it is only four minutes.
10 Jun 2011 16:20
I called in here on a fine Saturday afternoon recently after walking from the Downgate in Hungerford. There is a stage overhanging the canal which makes a good spot to enjoy a drink on a sunny day. It is a hotel with a bar rather than a pub, but sitting outside you can't tell the difference.
Accordingly, the tables outside were well used and only one customer inside. I had a pint of some West Berkshire beer at 4.8%, served in good condition for �3.10. Two other small brewery real ales on offer. Food not sampled.
Almost adjacent to Kintbury railway station. More-or-less hourly service from Paddington.
9 Sep 2010 21:49
A charming Arkell's house, happily untouched by any of the corporate styling so many breweries force artificially onto their estates.
Not so many pubs these days can give the impression of being inside someone's home, but this is one of them. Cosy and convivial. I found the Arkell's 2B in excellent condition and the home-made steak and kidney pie was of proper short pastry - as opposed to off the Brakes' lorry.
Five minutes' walk from Hungerford railway station. Hourly trains from Paddington. I used it as the starting point for an hour's stroll along the canal to Kintbury and the Dundas Arms. Just right on a fine afternoon.
9 Sep 2010 21:39
The Still and West, Portsmouth
Had a very good pint of Discovery here on a weekday afternoon recently. Can't now remember the price, but even if it was high, the beer patio overlooking the water justifies it. Lovely on a sunny day.
Food not sampled.
28 Aug 2010 20:09
Very busy on a Sunday lunchtime. As I was there at noon prompt, no problem getting a table but half an hour later the place was full. It is only a small pub, with two rooms. Rain rendered the garden unattractive, which perhaps added to the press inside.
Friendly landlady (Rachael?) served promptly and food came quickly too. I had Okell's from the Isle of Man and it was in very good condition. My main course and a pint came to �16, but the roasts were on offer for �8 or so.
Depite the busy food trade, there was a fair sprinkling of folk only having a drink at the bar.
The open-top bus from Ryde stops outside every half-hour daily during the summer. Handy, but at other times of the year, public transport is decidedly sparse.
28 Aug 2010 19:55
I enjoyed a pint of Ringwood Best here, served in very good condition. At lunchtime, food seems to be an important part of their trade, and I don't recall seeing anyone only enjoying a drink on either visit.
That said, the grilled plaice from the blackboard was excellent - wonderfully fresh. Went back a few times just for that. With a pint, the bill came to �15.05.
Very friendly staff and prompt service. Quite busy for a weekday lunchtime, given the relatively remote location.
Oh, and ball-poking may be enjoyed here too. For those who enjoy that sort of thing.
28 Aug 2010 19:44
Called in here for a late weekday afternoon pint. Thwaites' Original was a pleasant surprise so far south, served in good condition. Cost �3.10.
I can't say anything about the interior as I drank outside, although I noted several tables inside set for dining. Outside are four or five picnic tables, arranged under lime trees along one side of the canal basin. A very pleasant spot on a sunny day, watching the canal trip-boat at work.
Chichester railway station is five minutes' walk away and although such proximity normally blights any pub I couldn't find any particular fault here. Very quiet, with only one other table in use.
28 Aug 2010 19:34
Fairly large house with a partially-obstructed view of the village green. Quite quiet on a weekday lunchtime visit.
The rear of the pub is a typical local, and opens out into a large room past the bar. At the front are two dining areas looking out onto the street and perhaps aimed at the tourist trade during a weekday. As an overnor, I know my place, so ate my ploughman's here - decent portion, fresh salad.
A friendly lady served me a pint of Ringway Best in good condition. Other pumps offered Greene King products.
Handy for the no.8 bus to Ryde or Newport - once you work out which stop you need.
28 Aug 2010 19:25
The Old Customs House, Portsmouth
Multi-roomed Fuller's house marooned in the heart of the fairly-recent Gunwharf Quays shopping centre, which gives an indication of the target customer base. The external proclamation of 'Traditional Pub' should therefore be taken with a pinch.
Food is a significant part of the trade during the day, which is very good and priced accordingly. I enjoyed the daily special at �10.95. A pint of Seafarer's Ale cost me �3.15 and although it was in excellent condition, I was struck by the fact that it is cheaper to buy it on the Isle of Wight.
If you are pressed into going on a shopping trip by the missus, this will no doubt be a very acceptable spot for lunch. To judge by the decor, I suspect this is just what Fuller's are aiming for. And why not?
Portsmouth Harbour railway station 5 minutes' walk away.
28 Aug 2010 19:14
Large chain pub with a like-sized beer terrace overlooking the Firth of Clyde. Lodge attached, so there is an emphasis on food (not sampled) but there is plenty of space for those just wanting a drink. Two real ales on - mine was served in very good condition.
Service was prompt enough considering it was lunchtime and busy. Beer terrace roughly 80% full on a sunny day. 15 minutes' walk along the seafront from the Central railway station.
13 Jul 2010 13:21
The Wemyss Bay Station Bar, Wemyss Bay
Small, convivial bar on Wemyss Bay railway station. Entirely unponcified. Has a decent range of beers to pass the wait for the hourly train or ferry. No real ale, but prompt, polite service and clean. Food not sampled.
13 Jul 2010 13:14
Barn-like drinking space with seating on two levels, five minutes' walk from the rail and bus stations. Extensive range of real ales served in very good condition by friendly barmen. The Thai food was reasonably priced, tasty, and promptly served even on a Friday evening.
It seems a very successful enterprise. The council want to demolish it.
22 Dec 2009 13:07
Friendly, well-kept pub with a good range of real ales - three from Bateman, and two guests on my visit. The Dark Mild was in excellent condition, and the lunch (pub staples, ca. �5) was good too. There was steady custom throughout the afternoon and it became busier in the evening.
The place was spotlessly clean throughout and with a welcoming atmosphere - not something I find too often in city centre pubs. There is even a cat-flap in the door to the toilets - they think of everything! I must bring Mrs. Slocombe next time.
No problems experienced in locating the pub. Umpteen buses from the railway station stop nearby in St. Stephen's St.
22 Dec 2009 12:59
Two real ales on offer, one of which was Harvey's Best served in good condition at �2.90 a pint. Food is Lasagne/Pastie/Chips variety and filling enough.
Inside, the atmosphere is very much that of a cafeteria - it is a railway refreshment room, after all. If you are looking for a cosy 'traditional country pub' (whatever that may be), you will be disappointed.
Outside on the platform, there are plenty of picnic benches and if you are looking for an unparallelled view of restored steam engines and rolling stock, you will have come to the perfect spot.
26 Oct 2009 14:51
Friendly pub just off the main road with half a dozen real ales on offer and a selection of pub food staples. Beer from Arundel Brewery in good condition, as was the homemade chicken pie.
A footpath leads off the south end of Brading station platform and then parallels the railway for ten minutes' walk almost to the pub's driveway. Very handy indeed!
11 Oct 2009 22:31
Long downstairs room with a cosy area by the bar and friendly staff. Upstairs not visited. Extensive range of real ales, including the namesake brewed for the pub which was in very good condition. A pint of Raven was �2.70.
Pie and mash for lunch was very tasty. �8+ is perhaps not surprising for Bath in general or a pub in the historic centre in particular.
Ten minutes' walk from Bath Spa railway station. Well worth a visit.
11 Oct 2009 21:44
Back-street local with two rooms and a dozen or so picnic tables in the paved yard out the back.
I popped in at school chucking-out time and was almost the only customer. A pint of Ringwood's Best Bitter cost �3, served in good condition. Food not sampled.
11 Oct 2009 21:34
Agreeably cosy country pub in the red plush velour, railway prints, and exposed beams style. Two handpumps with Ringwood's beers on, and served in good condition. Friendly and prompt staff on my visit.
Food seems an important (and popular) part of trade, probably on account of the isolated location, but there are separate bar areas for those who just want a drink.
Moreton railway station adjacent.
11 Oct 2009 21:30
Large pub overlooking the green with a further dining area at the back. The bar was run by a couple of friendly ladies who nevertheless gave me the impression they would not put up with silly nonsense!
There were a couple of real ales on in good condition, as well as a fair menu of pub grub staples for lunch. Handy stopping-point between the castle opposite and the railway station (15 minutes' walk).
23 Sep 2009 19:38
The Crown and Mitre, Kings Lynn
Very good range of well-kept local real ales (six at time of visit) and a courteous landlord as well as friendly regulars at the bar.
The pub looks as though a deal of effort has been taken in turning it into a cosy spot. There is an excellent view of the river from the covered verandah, which also supports a thriving vine. Bar snacks at lunchtime, more extensive meals in the evening (not sampled).
Folk always tell me there are no decent pubs in Lynn. This place disproves that. I couldn't fault it. Pevsner described the old part of Lynn as 'perfect', and I think he would have rated the Crown & Mitre as 'establishment gave satisfaction'.
If you want silly nonsense (like fisticuffs and foolishness), you can probably find that elsewhere in Lynn, not here.
15 minutes' walk from the railway station, 90 minutes from Kings Cross. Worth a visit.
17 Sep 2009 17:11
This is indeed a friendly pub, and it sells Old Brewery Bitter on handpump for �1.48 and in good nick too.
True, OBB was the only real ale offered on handpump but I understand the management of the pub is in transition. There is also a range of bottled ales at high prices (�3), as is the custom in Sam Smith houses.
Worth a visit, and only a step away from the market square and all the other pubs in the town. 10 to 15 minutes' walk from the railway station.
10 Sep 2009 18:30
I echo footballcrazy247's comments - the place seems to have benefitted from complete refurbishment, if the crowds I saw there on Saturday 15/8 were any indication.
17 Aug 2009 21:48
The Harrow Times today (17th August '09) reports: "Little remains of The Plough, in Mandeville Road, after a fire started in the thatched roof at around 4.30pm yesterday, spreading quickly and soon engulfing the entire building in flames."
17 Aug 2009 21:44
Rather quiet when I called in (Wimbledon ladies' finals were on), but the beer was in good condition. Food not sampled.
A mere 40 minutes' walk across the fields from Horsted Keynes railway station. A very scenic walk it is too. I was about ready for some refreshment.
28 Jul 2009 21:17
At the risk of repeating my comments on the Bull across the road, I find the beer here (Harvey's) in good condition. And yes, you can sit outside overlooking the village green here too!
It's unusual these days to find two pubs side by side in the same village which are equals. In the eyes of a visitor, anyway.
Still, this and the Bull present a good opportunity to compare and contrast the output of Harvey's and Shepherd Neame.
28 Jul 2009 21:08
Beer in good condition. Enjoyed whilst sat out the front overlooking the village green.
28 Jul 2009 21:03
Only two (three?) real ales on, but the Deuchar's IPA was in good condition and only �1.95 a pint. �1.95 a pint! In a city centre pub!
Always busy when I call in, much happy blethering under way, so they're doing something right...
28 Jul 2009 20:54
Excellent beer and food. In the two years or so since I started to visit (roughly monthly), I've yet to be disappointed by either.
Certainly the place is busy with food trade in the restaurant areas, but it still manages to retain a proper pub atmosphere with locals at the bar. I don't feel out of place only taking a drink, which is by no means always the case at other pubs offering food.
Two coal fires and the complete range of Taylor's ales on pump complete an excellent spot. The only drawback is that it is a good 30 minutes' steep uphill walk from the railway station. However, there is a car park overlooked by the bar.
28 Jul 2009 20:34
Beer good, food good, and a pleasant yard out the front with splendid views of the surrounding hills. Cosy inside too (on the off-chance it rains).
Three real ales on offer in good condition. About fifteen minutes' walk from the railway station, with an uphill element in the latter stages to hone one's thirst. I have seen buses in the vicinity too.
28 Jul 2009 20:22
Although a tied house, this has escaped the rigours of brewery-inspired 'modernisation' and retains much charm. Long may it continue.
Beer good, and the hock (the pig part, not the wine) very tender indeed. The lady who served me explained that she felt it best to serve only a few dishes which could be done well, rather than an extensive list of near-misses. I agree entirely, and wish other places would adopt such a sensible approach to pub food.
28 Jul 2009 20:12
A gem. Small front bar, good beer, no frills or fussiness. The cat looked at me in a funny way, but it may not have been associated with the business so I draw no conclusions from that.
28 Jul 2009 20:07
Doing food and accommodation, I suspect this pub derives a fair amount of its revenue catering to tourists visiting Loch Lomond (adjacent). So beer prices are higher here than elsewhere locally.
That said, the beer is in good condition with two or three real ales on offer and I have no complaints. A nice spot for a refreshing drink after a walk along the lochside.
There's an excellent fish & chip shop over the road, so I go to the pub for the beer, the chipper for fish & chips... It's not rocket science!
Railway station, bus station each 100 yds or so distant.
28 Jul 2009 19:58
I pop in here for a quiet pint some afternoons and have yet to be disappointed. The beer is unfailingly in very good condition, despite the fact that they always seem to have six or eight on offer. Quantity as well as quality.
It gets busy with the office crowd early evenings, but otherwise if you want a relaxed glass or two away from the circus that Sauchiehall street can sometimes be, this is a good choice.
There's even a taxi rank and a bus stop outside the front door. Perhaps city planners DO get things right sometimes?
28 Jul 2009 19:52
Beer always in good condition, decent selection of pub grub staples, plenty of visitors (unsurprisingly) - worth a visit. Despite the fact that I always seem to end up there when the place is crammed with day trippers (such as myself), I've only ever encountered prompt and pleasant service from the bar staff.
Ten minutes' uphill walk from the railway station.
12 May 2009 20:58
Very good beer here indeed, and consistently so in the couple of years I've been visiting Bingley. Friendly bar staff, a full range of Timothy Taylor's is usually on hand and I've yet to be disappointed, so much so that I've not bothered to check out any of the other pubs in the town.
I usually have a bit of food here too and it's always been very tasty. Just right after a walk along the canal from Shipley to work up an appetite.
Five minutes' walk from the railway station (it is possible to overdo this walking lark, after all).
12 May 2009 20:49
On a day trip to Chi, I had roast beef and a pint of Gale's here for Sunday lunch - both very good. It was very quiet, but I put this down to the back street location. Possibly the politest lady I have met behind a bar in the UK. Landlord not encountered, so I can't grade him.
15 minutes walk from the railway station.
12 May 2009 20:28
The Prince Of Wales, East Cowes
Had a pint of Bass and a cheese ploughman's here for lunch at the weekend at a very reasonable price. Much more to my taste (and pocket) than the tea-room at Osborne over the road which I was visiting!
The no.4 bus from Ryde stops outside the front door.
12 May 2009 20:16
The Colwell Bay Inn, Freshwater
I called in here for an early lunch on Saturday and had a well looked after pint of Ringwood fortyniner in the back garden, with a tasty plate of scampi & proper chips, salad. The barmaid was friendly and the order arrived promptly. Total cost was nine quid something.
My only regret was that although I saw this place the day before, I had gone to one of the pricier touristy pubs elsewhere on the island. I shall know better next time I'm on the IoW!
The no.7 bus to Newport stops outside the front door.
12 May 2009 20:10
Ah well - the trick is to be served by the landlord himself! He sold me a pint of Cocker-Hoop swiftly and it was in good condition. Lunch was waitress service, and on my visit was very prompt, no hanging about. Pint and a meal in 45 mins. Mind - I take an early lunch, and by 13:00 on a Saturday as I left the place was beginning to fill up...
15 Oct 2007 21:10
I had lunch here today (a Saturday), and a couple of pints of Thwaites' Wainwright. Both food and beer were very good - the former well-prepared and tasty, the latter well looked after.
It is possible to spend �30 a head here on food (if you really try), but I took advantage of their two courses for �12 offer.
True, this place is focused more on food than a typical village pub, but the food is very good and they still manage to offer a decent pint. To judge by the two dozen or so others there at the time of my visit, this pub must be doing something right.
22 Sep 2007 19:01
Friendly village pub with two bars, real fire in one, and a small dining section. A fair selection of three real ales on offer from Greene King (two of which are Hardy & Hanson) kept in very good condition.
Food is traditional pub grub and seems popular enough with the locals. Buses to Newark, Bingham and Grantham stop outside during the day.
13 Apr 2007 16:30
The Leefe Robinson VC, Harrow Weald
A Beefeater, so focused on food, but all the same the bar is usually pretty well-filled when I visit. They always have one real ale (London Pride last time).
Food is the customary wide selection from the Beefeater menu and very tasty - I've yet to be disappointed. Service is very prompt. The restaurant is busy for dinner these days at weekends, but very large - we book. Rest of the week it's no problem.
London Buses H12, H18, H19, 340 stop right outside, so it's handy if you don't want to take the car.
13 Apr 2007 16:22
The Masons Arms, Bury St Edmunds
Very tasty lunches, reasonably priced (about �7 for a main course) which come promptly. Good freshly-prepared veg, too. A couple of real ales usually on the pump, in good nick. Worth a visit for a quiet meal, but handy for the market place.
13 Apr 2007 16:11
The Portcullis, Stirling
A hotel, but with a fair-sized bar and room and a couple of Orkney ales on which were promptly served in good nick by friendly staff.
It can get busy with tourists in season, unsurprisingly, and you can expect to pay old town prices. All the same, this makes a better choice for refreshment when visiting Stirling castle than the castle's own eaterie.
16 Oct 2012 21:11