BITE user comments - billynibbles
Comments by billynibbles
Finally dragged 'mattygroves' there against her better judgement (yeah, right Chris!) for an evening session. Bar man let us sample all the current real ales (don't suppose he'd stretch to a taste of Laphroaig). Part way through our first pints, we both agreed that the barrel was 'on the turn', although felt a bit silly since we'd OK'd the sample. When I mentioned it, he gave us the next round of a different beer on the house and as he wasn't convinced that even that was top notch, he changed the barrel early and gave me another one. To quote Sebastian Vettel, "Now THAT'S what I'm talking about boys!" Service from someone who cares about beer.
20 Oct 2011 16:41
On a day rich in discovery (also went to Sussex Arms, Twickers), and to my shame it takes an Aussie to show me where these places are, I visited this for the first time yesterday. Really nice landlady, excellent beers in a sensible and hopefully sustainable array. Good lunchtime feel with a steady trickle of locals, notably, no 'suits'. Packed with beer memorabilia, (unlike The Roebuck which is just packed with any old memorabilia!) and comfortable. Can't wait to drag 'mattygroves' there, protesting all the way (not)
23 Aug 2011 08:54
Went here for the first time yesterday. WOW, what a find. I can only assume that the average score weighting will improve as newer reviews push older ones off the end of the queue. Super range of well-kept beers and draught ciders. If I ran The Prince Blucher I'd be getting worried.
23 Aug 2011 08:45
Maybe we caught this place on a bad day, but the mumbling drunk on a bar stool was not much of a welcome. The beer was excellent but both of our lunch dishes were dry and past their best. "No one else has ordered so it won't be long" . Now I know why.
4 Aug 2011 17:05
The Magpie and Crown, Brentford
If I'm in Brentford, admittedly not very often, but the good news is, when I am it's on my push-bike(!) this is my pub of preference. The real ale selection is like trying to pinnion a fence post into a sand-dune, i.e. ever shifting and long may it do so. Strictly a drinker's pub - I can't see the words 'how about I treat you to a night out at the M&C' impressing too many sophisticates.
12 Jul 2011 18:01
The Fox and Anchor, Smithfield
I'm ashamed to say that it took an American (mattygroves) to show me where this place is, but now I know, why, I go there whenever I can, and sometimes when our other halves are otherwise occupied, we go together! What a great way to spend Saturday afternoon. It's not too busy, the array of interesting beers is sadly too many for me to try all of in one session (hic), and I gotta say, I love their food. A pint of an independant brewer's stout and half a dozen Maldon oysters - need I say more? Likewise the hand-crimped pork pies with a dollop of English mustard are a delight. I'd give it 10/10 if it wasn't for the London prices! A true city pub which is long and thin, seemingly going on foevever away from the street, with lots of intimate nooks and crannies for playing footsy as you get squiffier.
12 Jul 2011 17:52
Have now eaten and had drinks there twice in close succession. It's a typical old-fashioned road house with low beams and a welcoming feel on the A39. Ok, if you're one of the anti-hunting brigade you won't like the hunting pinks, and other foxy memorabilia, but when in Rome......
Exmoor Ales were excellent and in good condition. Both the weekday bar menu and the Sunday Lunch in the restaurant were very good. Venison pie (OK, let's get all the jokes about �40 for 8 quarters of venison being 'too dear' out of the way) was lovely with a suet crust. My wife's roast pork was also highly commended. Very attentive staff whilst dining.
12 Jul 2011 17:38
The Rose and Crown, Nether Stowey
This place is clearly in need of some up-to-date ratings. I too can't believe how low an average score it has. I've now been there a few times in recent months, and OK it's not a luxury way to spend an evening but it's a PUB for crying out loud. The beer is good, James is a nice guy and the layout is quirky enough to keep you interested and infuriated in equal quantities - the front bar can really only accomodate one server, which can be a problem when it's busy. Went to a really good folk night there last week following Morris dancing outside (I've been a bit worried about Morris just lately!). Great atmosphere. There seems to some kind of feud with The George next door which is a shame.
12 Jul 2011 17:29
Went there with therichieboy's dad recently and I agree. It's back on track with a decent pint. Glad to see that in redecorating it (or was it just a damned good clean?) its 'dive bar' feel hasn't been totally lost - it is after all a couple of steps down from the street.
13 Jun 2010 15:46
Frankly, I'm surprised at some of the previous comments. Our recent experience during the nearby Hay Festival was the opposite. Excellent food that could only really have been home-made (local lamb served as a Moroccan Lamb tagine was excellent) and the Butty Bach draught beer was well kept.
13 Jun 2010 15:39
I must have been at the same quiz night as richieboy - those 1845s are great till the morning after! Current management trying very hard to keep the place busy - Tuesday night Acoustic Jam Night is excellent and deserves more patronage. Food is good on several recent visits, both at lunchtime and evening sessions. Twice recently, I've had to drink bottled beer as a result of some ordering cock-up. Oh yes, and beware the neighbouring public car park. It's a dark as death out there at closing time and my car was broken into last week. With hindsight, it's better to use the pub's own few spaces, park around Norwood Green under a street light (or better still, walk!).
13 Apr 2010 16:08
I cycle from the other side of Hounslow to get to this pub - nuff said. Bar staff that know their onions and can 'talk beer'. On a good day, a daunting array of Timothy Taylor's finest. The downside? It's further going back, I'm bloody sure it is!
16 Dec 2006 16:49
Well, I'm not a local and I LIKE this place. Mind you, I'm not allowed to drink at lunchtime because of my job, so although I'd love to tell you what the beer's like, I can't. Service even for my piddling soda and lime always very friendly.
16 Dec 2006 16:43
Been going here over a few years with one of the other reviewers who will remain nameless to preserve her virtue. I wouldn'y exactly say that the pub itself is going up or down, but I'm starting to feel a bit left out, what with not having any tattoos on my forearms.
16 Dec 2006 16:40
I agree with mattygroves - in fact she was the last person I drank in there with! Good Twickenham Ales and stonking portions at lunchtime. Very reasonably priced. food too.
16 Dec 2006 16:25
Is it me, or does this place have the air of somewhere that was half-way through being converted to a wine bar when they gave up? Maybe it's just the lunchtime atmosphere, or lack thereof. I don't live locally so don't go there in the evening
16 Dec 2006 16:22
I've already commented last year, but this is becoming my pub of preference in Twickenham, especially since they serve Twickenham Brewery ales, which I find delightful. Someone earlier reckoned that there was no contest with the Eel Pie just down the road - I agree but not in the way they meant! The beer here is way superior, and staff are only too happy to take your word for it if you think there's anything wrong with your pint. I love the feel of stepping DOWN into it - there's a cellar dive bar feel to it. Loved the Irish music evening last time I coincided with it. A positive gem - things are looking up all round. Even McDonalds has closed. We're 'warming up' for our office party there next Tuesday so beware!
16 Dec 2006 16:19
Only re-acquainted myself with this pub a few weeks ago after an absence of 15 years or so. What a pleasant surprise - not a lot's changed (except the bloody prices, of course). Never knew it had a back garden/patio until last month
6 May 2005 23:15
....and to think, this is the pub where I lost my 'bitter drinker's virginity' when Watney's Red was 2/6d a pint. How the mighty (mighty?) have fallen. Our works Christmas Dinners are now held here, which I have to say, aren't bad. The Patch upstairs is a reasonable venue, depending on what's on of course.
6 May 2005 23:12
It's a dump that I'm ashamed to say, I frequent when working in the area. It seems like the 'same kids' are in there from when nursery school chucks out at lunchtime (when I'm there) presumably until the family benefit runs out (when ArthurG's there)
6 May 2005 23:07
The Moon Under Water, Hounslow
Despite what previous commentators have said, this is the only pub in Hounslow that my wife would consider going in alone (at lunchtime, anyway). Mind you, I'm s**t-scared of her, and so should Hounslow be, so that could be why. It's just that all JDW pubs are starting to get on my nerves - too formulaic (ooh get him) but I still wish I'd bought shares in them all those years ago! BTW, TheGP, the only thing worse than a night out in Hounslow, is a night IN in Hounslow
6 May 2005 23:01
This was my lunch time haunt when I worked in Ealing Telephone Exchange just across the green next to the famous studios. Nice to see that it's been extended sympathetically. It's very difficult for a Fullers pub to do any wrong in my (sometimes glazed) eyes. This one is no exception.
5 May 2005 06:46
I've lived within 3 miles of this pub for 50 years - it took my fellow cycling instructor Aussie Mike to show me where it was just last year! Great beers compensate for the need of a good lick of paint. Deserves its reputation. Wish I lived in Linkfield Road, but perhaps not right next door eh?
5 May 2005 06:41
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The All Nations, Madeley
Just a flying visit, but in that time sampled the menu, tried the home brew real ale and soaked up the ambience. This is a proper pub with decent beer, a warm feel and good basic pub grub. The good news is that an Ironbridge Gorge passport ticket gives you an excuse to keep going back to the area for 12 months!
27 Oct 2011 19:20