BITE user comments - jaykoivu
Comments by jaykoivu
The Anacapa Brewing Company, Ventura
The beer here is decent to average. Nothing terribly exciting, but usually passable. Every once in a while they'll have something a little different, but generally they play it safe with pale ales, a stout and a red. This all might sound like a lot of complaining, but honestly this is the best place in this area that I've found. Plus the food is genuinely good and the service is great. There's usually the same bartender there whenever I go and she's a hoot!
The restaurant is a pretty straight forward rectangular room with a very long stone bar. Behind the bar are the brewing vats, which is probably the most interesting aspect of Anacapa. On the left side of the room as you walk in is an area with tables designated more for dining. There's also a few scatters tables near the front and out in the patio area. Most of the tables are small and fit no more than a group of four, so this might not be an ideal place for a large group. There's a couple TVs that are usually playing sports, but at a very low volume, and in no way would I call this a sports bar. The focus is definitely on beer.
If Anacapa doesn't strike your fancy, you could try Dargan's, the faux Irish pub up the street...but it's nothing special and you can get Guinness anywhere anyway.
1 Oct 2006 03:07
The Island Brewing Company, Carpinteria
This is not a pub or even a bar. It's a tasting room attached to the brewery. But quite honestly, this is the closest thing to a pub in the area. Island does about 8 varieties with a stout, pale ales, and a porter among them. Pints and samplers are available at reasonable prices. The beer is fresh and favorful. Paul the brewer is passionate about his craft. He's often on hand, so chat him up. He's a nice guy and he loves talking about beer! NOTE: The sign that says Island on the corner of a building on Linden Ave is NOT the building the brewery's in. The brewery's tasting room is down an alley along the railroad tracks. You can drive down there and park by the door. Carpinteria is also a great place to stay during the Summer for vacation. It's cheaper than Santa Barbara, but still close to the city. It's also within 45 minutes of the Firestone taproom in Buellton to the North, just 20 minutes from the Anacapa Brewery & Restaurant in Ventura just to the South, and 15 minutes from the brew pubs in Santa Barbara.
7 Apr 2006 20:42
The Volunteer Inn, Chipping Campden
As an American on my honeymoon, I felt very welcome in this Chipping Campden local. As you might expect from the name, there were many older gentlemen drinking here, no doubt many of them war vets. Had a good chat with a nice chap who founded the North Cotswold Brewery. At his suggestion I had a tasty Mayfair stout. Good time, great place.
12 Feb 2006 16:39
Lively place that looks nice inside and out. Expect a good deal of smoke though.
12 Feb 2006 16:30
The Bull and Butcher, Turville
Very nice pub for such a tiny village in the middle of nowhere with no reason to pass through...except the aforementioned tv/movie associations. But my wife and i were glad we came anyhow. It's a beautiful spot. Quite peaceful. And oh yes, the pub...i had a decent Hook Norton Mild, the chocolate brioche pudding was tasty. They only just need to get that sidedoor fixed so it doesn't slam shut.
12 Feb 2006 16:26
The Lygon Arms Hotel, Chipping Campden
Cozy pub on the ground floor. Great exposed wood beam interior. Nice decor. Good beer and food. Excellent place for an earlier evening meal with the family or a late night chat with friends and loved ones.
11 Feb 2006 15:43
The Wensleydale Heifer, West Witton
Not a pub, strictly speaking. Looks like they're trying to push the "Inn" aspect. Five different rooms to eat in, from family to formal. But has an amazingly homely, cozy bar area in the middle of it all with a fireplace and comfy seating. Had a decent Black Sheep and Old Speckled Hen. Famous vet and author James Herriot wrote about stopping in with his wife to eat on occasion. For couples, this is probably one of the only "romantic" places you'll find in the Dales.
14 Oct 2005 01:06
The Yorkshire Grey, Biggleswade
This place is huge. Has a little bit of everything. The Tribute I had wasn't the best. But I really only came in to take a dump. I'd like to hear from a frequenter what this place is like during peak hours.
14 Oct 2005 00:46
Went here in May 2005 while on honeymoon and it seemed to be filled with plenty of other tourists. Yes, i agree with past comments, it does look inviting from the outside. But within, even though it was full, it wasn't lively and lacked heart. Maybe the new management has changed things for the better.
13 Oct 2005 19:38
My wife and I came in out of the rain, received a friendly jab about being bad weather indicators as we removed our wet jackets. Had a great pint of JHB and felt comfortable enough, even though it was obvious to the locals we were American tourists. (Note: This was back in May 2005, when the Lion was apparently under different ownership than it is now.)
13 Oct 2005 19:30
"Lively area of town"?! It could only be considered lively because people have to walk thru this depressing area to get to the train station. Rather grim, is how I'd put it. But if you do find yourself in these parts go to Irish pub the Grafton just a few doors down instead.
13 Oct 2005 18:57
Went for St.Patty's Day and had a great time from what i remember. Went to meet some of the wife's friends there and had their great shepherds pie. Went back for quiz night recently and found out there wasn't one. Hey Dargan's, fix your dang website!
7 Sep 2005 16:33
We went in the middle of the day, so we didn't an accurate feel for the place when it gets busy, cuz it was empty. Empty and quiet and smokey. Rather depressing. I'd hoped for more from this well talked about establishment. But I'd give it another try at a more appropriate drinking hour.
7 Sep 2005 16:29
Enjoyable pub with a great interior. Stank a little like someone puked in there when I went. I assume that's not the norm.
27 May 2005 03:13
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, Fleet Street
Yeah there's a lot of Americans wandering in here, London guidebooks in hand, yacking away about how "cool" and "awesome" this place is...just like I did. But it's true, this pub is really neat. I can see why the locals wouldn't frequent it as much, being that the Cheese has become a popular city attraction.
26 May 2005 05:21
Nice local that's turned the restaurant section into something to write home about! They've hired a new chef and the dude cooks up some good grub. Little pricey, but this ain't pub grub. Had the best cheese cake ever right here. The bar serves up a few real ales, has a pool table, plenty of room while retaining a cozy feel.
26 May 2005 05:04
Yeah, definitely aimed at the tourists visiting the cathedral or the Roman villa ruins and museum. But can you blame them? It's such a far walk from town and there's no parking to speak of. The only people that walk by the place are the tourists! Having said that, if you live around St.Albans and really like Americans and sticky tables, it's worth the effort!
26 May 2005 05:00
Okay, so maybe it's more cafe/restaurant than pub (although there's a large well stocked bar), but the food's so damn good it's worth a stop when hitting up the Eagle just down the street!
26 May 2005 04:54
Nice. Plenty of room without feeling too big. Jukebox, games, pool or a relatively quiet corner to chat, this place has a little of everything.
26 May 2005 04:51
Still big and boring. Lots of people crowd this place and I don't know why.
26 May 2005 04:48
Country local with great atmosphere! Off the beaten path in a shire no one goes to on purpose, but if you're in the area you'll be hard pressed to find a friendlier watering hole of the blue collar variety.
26 May 2005 04:47
The White Harte, Woodland Hills
My new favorite British pub in America! This place just opened up last month and it looks and feels like it's been here for years on years. They're going out of their way to make it a friendly, fun place. The manager jumped off his stool, shook our hands and introduced the bartender. Vast menu and good beer selection: boddingtons, tetleys, stella, harp, fullers esb, etc. Multiple high def tvs, two patios, darts, a fireplace. Middle of the afternoon and the place was alive with Brits and Americans, young and old. Good vibe. Great start.
27 Feb 2005 02:41
One of three BA's in the San Francisco bay area. Good selection of imports on draft. Menu includes meat pies, pasties, bangers & mash, yorkshire pudding, and their award winning fish'n'chips. Also has trivia night, live music, karaoke, garden, satellite tvs with premier, fa and european football.
25 Feb 2005 18:01
Robin Hood Pub and Restaurant, Van Nuys
It's been a couple years since I've been, but I remember liking the place well enough. It struck me as being just as much restaurant as pub. There's Sunday roast and "afternoon cream tea" served from 2-5pm. Plasma screen TVs. Darts. Good place to have a bite and a drink with friends if you're in the area. It's also next to the Friar Tuck Shoppe which has British goods and it's own bakery.
17 Feb 2005 03:16
Camelot Fish and Chips, Pacifica
Has Newcastle, Bass, Boddingtons, Harp, Courage, McEwans, Guinness. Lots of seafood on the menu like calamari, scallops, oysters, clams and of course fish & chips.
17 Feb 2005 03:10
Nautical theme, very dark interior. Nothing on tap, all beer comes in a bottle. Interesting crowd of old Brits telling stories at the bar and a few hip kids filling the comfy booths.
16 Feb 2005 06:52
The Fox and Hounds, Studio City
Let me just add that I really like the atmosphere here. It's relaxed, maybe even blue collar, and yet there's fresh lilies on every table! And the Shephards pie is real good.
14 Feb 2005 18:26
Just opened in Oct or Nov '04. Looks like a new pub trying to look lived in. Can't fault 'em for trying I suppose. A few decent beers, a few traditional items on the menu. Couple TVs playing the same basketball game the time I went. Dargans has another location up Highway 101 about 30 minutes in Santa Barbara that I like better. If you're in the area of this one though, you might try the Anacapa Brewing Company just a few doors down, where they brew a variety of their own fresh beers. There must be a few UK folk around Ventura, cuz there's an "all British" type store up the street a bit from here where you can get your tea, biscuits and clotted cream.
14 Feb 2005 17:59
The Cat N' Fiddle, Los Angeles
Okay, so I've been back a few times over the past year and the place has kinda grown on me. I've had some good pints here with friends after work. It's not so pricey if you go during happy hour when the drinks are half off and they put out free food.
12 Feb 2005 06:05
The James Joyce, Santa Barbara
An Irish pub on the old main drag of this kinda posh southern California town.
12 Feb 2005 05:51
For an Irish pub that's only been around since '97 this place looks very lived in! Quite a homey feel to it. Large bar/restaurant area with an even larger pool room, with 4 tables and darts to boot. They carry Guinness, Boddingtons, Murphys. Traditional menu with a decent shepard's pie. Quiz night's either Tuesday or Thursday I think. They stopped doing them for the winter. They've got another Southern California location in Ventura.
7 Feb 2005 17:15
Extensive menu with meat pies, bangers & mash, Yorkshire pudding, and more.Live Premier League. Trivia, karaoke, live music, garden.
6 Feb 2005 06:42
The Fox and Hounds, Studio City
Calls itself "The Best English Pub in Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley". Beers including Pride, Boddingtons, Tetleys, Fullers. Quiz night Thursdays. Darts and dart teams. Live and taped football. Open til 2am.
6 Feb 2005 06:31
Ye Olde King's Head, Santa Monica
11 beers on draft, darts, karaoke on Sundays. Traditional menu served for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Happy Hour from 4-7pm with half priced pub snacks.
6 Feb 2005 06:24
Plays up their menu of bangers, pies and bridies. Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. 18 beers on draft. Patio/garden, pool, darts, ping pong, karoake, nightly entertainment, trivia on Tuesdays.
6 Feb 2005 06:21
Calls itself "the most traditional pub in so.cal.". 20 beers on tap including Fullers London Pride, John Courage, Young's Oatmeal, Fosters, Double Diamond, Strongbow, Fullers ESB. Received Guinness Perfect Pint Award. Shows live English soccer/football Saturday at 7am and Sunday at 8am. (Has another location in Fullerton.)
6 Feb 2005 06:15
Calls itself "the most traditional pub in so. cal.". Twenty beers on tap: Courage, Boddingtons, Guinness, Murphys, Newcastle, Belhaven, Bass, Tennets, Harp, to name a few. Received Guinness Perfect Pint Award.
6 Feb 2005 06:11
The Victoria Pub and Grill, Ventura
Here's a little diamond in the rough!...Well okay, so maybe it's more like a cubic zirconia.
Located in a rather nice little So Cal town along the coast called Ventura, the Victoria Pub & Grill is a British styled pub plopped down and hidden in a strip mall appropriately enough on Victoria Ave. When I heard about the place being a British pub I figured the name was from Queen Victoria, but alas it's just named after the street it seems. None the less, let's go inside...
The decor is done up mostly in dark red woods, perhaps cherry. The tables, chairs, the bar, many of the walls, the stairs and bannister, the moldings and more. Couple that with the very dim lighting and you've got yourself a rather dark and subdued establishment. I don't know how old the place is, but my guess is that's it fairly new or they may have just remodeled. Everything looks very new, which detracts from the welcoming, homey, lived-in look you'd expect from a British pub. The effect is that it feels a little like one of those chain pubs being put up by Wetherspoons all over England. But they do seem to be trying. Perhaps in a couple years some character will grow on the place.
Okay, on to the beer! Their twelve taps currently are Guinness, Newcastle, Sierra Nevada PA, Fuller's ESB, Bass, Pyramid Hefeweizen, Fat Tire, Blackthorn Cider, Pear Cider, Pilsner Urquell, Fosters, and Coors Light. Their bottle selection leans more towards BMC type stuff, but there's a few interesting items such as Samuel Smith's Nut Brown, Old Peculier, Boddingtons and Steinlager. I had an Old Peculier when we visited and I have no complaints.
The food is so-so. I just had a cup of chicken curry soup, which was all right. My wife had a chicken sandwich that she said was okay. The salad was pretty bland, although it did come with a tasty hazelnut dressing, which you really needed to drown the salad in to get any kind of flavor. Course you have to take into account that we got there at about 2pm on a Sunday. In a real British pub the kitchen would probably be closed.
Here's a few other random details I noted while we were there. The decoration on the walls consisted of footy tees, all of which said "Victoria Pub" on the front. They had some nice flatscreens around the place showing a few different baseball games. A couple bookshelves are set into the walls containing books that appear to be for decoration only. Upstairs there's more seating, a pool table and darts.
Overall, not a bad place! I'd come here again if I found myself in the area.
1 Oct 2006 03:09