BITE user comments - markcp1981
Comments by markcp1981
A fabulous pub; one that takes you back in time as you soon as you cross the threshold. The locals are wonderfully chatty and full of useful local information (such as which other pubs to try!). The pub is simply and sparsely furnished, but has a true feeling of character about it. The chap behind the bar was very accommodating and operated a 'try before you buy' policy, which is to be applauded. Any real ale/tradtional pub fanatics MUST visit this pub when in Norwich.
26 Aug 2010 12:35
Splendid backstreet corner local that is positively bustling with activity. A very diverse range of characters to be found in this excellent pub. Well worth seeking out. The locals were extremely friendly and the beer was excellent.
26 Aug 2010 12:30
I don't much else to add to what has already been said about this pub. I visited it during the afternoon on a weekday and it was worth seeking out. It has a delightfully cosy feel to it and simply oozes history with it close proximity to the cathedral. The menu was straightforward, which I tend to favour in pubs these days. The beer was also very good. I recommend this pub to anyone visiting Norwich.
26 Aug 2010 12:24
Visited this pub with a large group. We initially drove past the pub thinking it was closed due to the very tatty exterior! The inside wasn't much better and the pub was generally run down and not the cleanest of establishments. Normally, I would have gone elsewhere, but our party was booked here for luncheon (on the recommendation of one of our party who had been here some time previously when the pub was evidently better). The beer was fairly drinkable, but with a large degree of sediment flaoting in the bottom of the glass. The food was variable: I had the steak and ale pie, which was very good, but my companions' meals were variable in quantity and quality; the salmon was sparse and the cod had burnt batter. The toilets were among the most disgusting I have ever seen in a pub. This is not somewhere I will be returning to in a hurry. I must admit that I am all for preserving pub interiors and general diapprove of 'trendy' pub interiors with laminate floors etc. However, this pub is in desperate need of renovation!
19 Aug 2010 10:58
The William Harvey Inn, Willesborough
I agree with MankyBadger! This is one of the most unwelcoming pubs I've ever been to. The ale, although Harvey's, is pretty awful Not somewhere I would wish to visit again. The noise from the pub at weekends is appalling and I pity anyone having to live near it!
16 Aug 2010 17:42
Marvellous! Beer in tip-top condition; friendly staff and a lovely cosy atmosphere make this a worthwhile place to visit.
14 Mar 2010 07:48
A real hidden gem! This pub ticked all the right boxes: superb beer; very friendly staff and a wonderful atmosphere. The sort of pub you could gladly spend all day in. This pub is well worth seeking out; I cannot recommend highly enough.
14 Mar 2010 07:45
If it is a decent pint of real ale you are after, then don't bother with this pub. I live close by and often meet friends at this pub for reasons of convenience. The quality of the beer is so variable, but is often very poor. I have commented on it to the landlord, but he insists that he cleans the pipes daily(?). There are usually two ales available: London Pride; Courage Best or Greene King IPA. The Pride is sometimes tolerable, but the IPA is usally undrinkable. This is made worse by the fact that the beer is rather on the expensive side.
It is so frustrating that a pub only a short walk from home serves such poorly kept ale. However, I supsect that the majority of customers here are more lager drinkers which explains the disappointing ale. A great shame.
15 Oct 2009 17:11
This pub looked good from the outside and first impressions of inside were good. I came to this pub with two friends whilst visiting the city recently (having come the best part of 400 miles). So, on the recommendation of the Good Beer Guide we headed for this pub one Saturday lunchtime. Whilst waiting at the bar a group of men (who had apparently been waiting some time to be served) got fed up of waiting for the girl behind the bar to attend to them and swept out in disgust. We were 'greeted' in the most unfriendly manner by this girl, who judging by other comments posted here, needs to revise her attitude towards customers. So, following the example of the others, we left. A great pity.
15 Oct 2009 17:05
The Hoodener's Horse, Great Chart
This is without doubt the best pub in the Ashford area. A delightful village setting, consistently good ales (usually five on at any one time). Excellent food, which is plentiful. Friendly staff and generally fast service. I live on the outskirts of Ashford (on the Great Chart side), so I am pleased to refer to this pub as my 'local.
29 Jun 2009 15:17
I used to think this was a wonderful pub until a visit last night...
I arrived with a friend just before opening time and whilst we awaited the opening of the doors, a few locals congregated outside. The pub opened 10 minutes late and the locals all rushed in (despite my friend and I clearly being the first there). The landlord seemed more concerned with ensuring that his locals were all happy before we were served.
When we were eventually attended to (approximately 10 minutes after entering the pub) we ordered some food, which to be fair was good and arrived fairly quickly. It was unfortunately served with little grace by a waitress who, short of throwing the plates onto our table, made it clear she was less than enthusiasatic about her job.
However, the absolute biscuit was taken when went up the bar to pay the bill. A couple were standing in front of me being served and i waited behind them awaiting my turn. At this point, three people (locals, I assume) came in and to my absolute disgust, the barmaid elected to see to them first and ignored me totally! What irritated me more than anything was that the three who entered could see quite clearly that I was awaiting service at the bar, but chose to disregard it.
So, to sum up: lovely old pub, great setting, good food, satisfactory beer, but locals with absolutely ZERO manners and indifferent bar staff.
I'm really hoping this experience is a one-off, but sadly I shall not be in a hurry to go back there. So, I apologise to fans of this pub if I appear to be describing it in a less than complimentary way but I am simply going by my experience yesterday.
31 May 2009 20:12
The Fat Cat, Norwich
The Cathedral of Real Ale, Norwich. So much choice and from the ales I tried, all excellent. This pub is always busy and it amazes me that some towns (such as Ashford in Kent) don't have similar establishments. The pub itself is full of interesting memrobilia from a bygone age and has a unique character of its own. As others before me have said: a real must for real ale fans!
26 Aug 2010 12:39