BITE user comments - mistral1969
Comments by mistral1969
Really nice and warm atmosphere, and we sat at the bar enjoying the pretty good range of Badger beers. It was Sunday lunch so the staff were busy, and I did note the owner was quite stressed, but seemed a nice chap. He was fielding a fair few silly questions from passing tourists, so I'll give him a gold star for patience. Some huge tables added to the olde-worldly atmos, but not to the space in the main bar which was limited. Nice fire.
1 Jan 2008 18:04
The Lion At Pennard, West Pennard
Not coming from the area I had no idea what to expect, but The Lion at Pennard was a real find on a cold winters lunchtime at Christmas time. Great beer, good food (huge portions and creatively presented), really warm atmosphere and friendly staff who went out of their way to help. Will definitely return when next visiting the family.
1 Jan 2008 17:54
Strewth! Had planned to eat here, but after sitting down and checking out the dirt on the tables and general mankyness of the place, we only stayed for a quick drink. I wasn't impressed with the colourful language coming from a certain ex-Weir barman either. Very unprofessional.
3 Jul 2007 13:14
I was really looking forward to Sunday lunch here, but was very disappointed. My family were there early and were trampled on by over-eager punters looking for tables, but at least it showed the place was popular. Sat family down, and ordered some drinks, the waitress was already taking orders as I got back. Had a few sips and went to the loo, came back and food was on the table! All in a record time of 10mins. The food had clearly prepared hours before, and sat on a hot plate, and tasted like it as well. The beef was particularly of poor quality. I suggest to the people on this site wanting quicker food service, to get here earlier. We were out of the pub within 45minutes due to punters hovering over us waiting for our table. They obviously think the place is great, bless them.
Pros: Big garden outside if its not raining (which it was)
3 Jul 2007 13:06
The Weir Hotel, Walton on Thames
It's taken a while, but I reckon the landlords have done a grand job over the last couple of years. I had the choice of any venue for my Fathers Day lunch and decided to risk all and sit outside the Weir in the sun, and was happily surprised! The ease of ordering the food (4 bar staff cut the infamous 'out the door' queue), 25minute wait for the food was fine, courteous service from the numerous helpers, and the quality of the roast was really good and tasted freshly cooked (which is rare on a busy Sunday) all made the afternoon special for me and my family. If you don't like dogs or kids then this place isn't for you. I would give this place a 10, but I don't want to encourage the coach parties :)
3 Jul 2007 12:46
I hate to be negative about the Lemon Tree since I and my workmates have had plenty of fantastic lunches there over the last 4 years. The thai food was a treat and the husband and wife landlords were excellent and offered a friendly service and made us feel like honoured locals.
���however��
What has happened recently? 6 of us had the usual mixture of thai curries and all were absolutely tasteless. There was a loud drunk propping the bar up downstairs, and U2's Sunday bloody Sunday (the song) repeated endlessly until we complained to the bar lady who told us she was deaf (!?) Have the old landlords sold up, or was this just a glitch? Would love someone to tell me everything is back to normal.
12 Jan 2007 10:04
Went for a late lunch over the Christmas school holidays and was really impressed! Everyone in our group enjoyed the food, the burger I ordered was the best I've had for a long while. A good selection of beers and wines. The staff were very helpful and attentive, as even though there was no childrens menu, they were very willing to make up a small portion at a reduced rate. Will be going again soon.
4 Jan 2007 14:07
Once you venture inside away from the rather unpleasent modern exterior, you begin to appreciate the fantastic views onto the River Thames from the main bar and restaurant. The staff had made a real effort with classy Christmas decorations, which my 3 yearold loved. The staff were very friendly and the service was good. The food could have been a little hotter by the time it arrived at the table, but it was tasty, well cooked and of good quality. Really impressed and will return in the summer to take advantage of the outside seating. Great place for well mannered kids.
3 Dec 2006 19:54
The Weir Hotel, Walton on Thames
It's taken a while but the Weir is getting better by the year. Really impressed with the Sunday live Jazz, the food is looking a lot more palatable, and the food service has improved, I believe by poaching the old bar manager from the Swan up river. What still has me totally bemused is the HUGE queue that forms on the weekend. I spoke to one of the barmen to ask why people like me, who only wanted 2 beers, had to wait nearly 30mins in the one queue, and why there was no separate food queue. He replied that there was only 2 tills. He did say it was something that was being looked into, so I have high hopes for next summer.
27 Oct 2006 09:07
The Weir Hotel, Walton on Thames
The Weir has improved from last year in my opinion. My family have had 3-4 really pleasent afternoons this summer, watching the river, enjoying a cool beer, and enjoying the live music that has been provided. There seems to be more staff behind the bar, and better organisation throughout. However, our recent enjoyment of the Weir is simply down to education and strict personal rules. On a Sunday or hot day, turn up at 12pm before the 100s of daytrippers arrive and always double up on drinks as you'll never reach the bar again. Oh, and eat at home. Simple really :)
25 Jul 2006 11:49
The Battle of Trafalgar, Trafalgar Square
Appalling hotel pub. It was only the sign outside that proclaimed Thai Chicken Curry that enticed me off the street, only to find that it did not exist on the very limited food menu. The final straw was solitary barman who either had very poor English or decided he'd prefer not to understand my simple lunch order. If the bar was anything to go by, I'd also keep the attached Thistle Hotel at arms length as well.
16 Dec 2005 10:20
The Hand and Racquet, Covent Garden
I've been walking past this pub for years and never visited as it doesn't look particularly welcoming from the outside, but looks can be deceiving. A good atmosphere in the downstairs bar, but very limited seating, but loads of room in the bright upstairs lounge. Large pub menu, at reasonable prices. Would recommend.
16 Dec 2005 10:10
This is still a great pub for drinks by the river, but stay well clear of the food. I'm not too sure if I caught their kitchen on a bad day or they have a new chef, but the roast beef and yorkshire pudding which was delivered was the worst I, or any on my table, have ever eaten. The gravy was best described as meaty dishwater and the roast potatoes must have been warmed up from the previous day. I've had tastier flight food. Great service from an army of waiters/waitresses. I hope they sack the chef.
5 Aug 2005 13:55
Airhead bar staff. Waited 10 minutes to be served, when it was nowhere near busy, with 3 bar staff. I was invisible?! Weird. Great location, and the food was OK when it eventually arrived. Needs proper leadership behind the bar.
10 Jun 2005 08:31
Prince of Wales, Hampton Court
An average pub. Excellent and speedy service. Food dreadful. Won't be eating here again.
10 Jun 2005 08:26
The Weir Hotel, Walton on Thames
I feel I need to amend my previous positive remarks after several visits this year. This is the only pub that I've visited that the queue for the bar stretches out of the front door. Why, on a sunny and therefore busy Sunday, do the management see fit to have only two barstaff, no small snack food on the menu, and waiter staff who I witnessed take two plates of roast beef in and out of the pub 3 times! This is my local pub, so I only hope the owners get a grip quick.
12 Apr 2005 13:20
Very dark and dreary. Friendly barstaff though. Huge pub garden, but covered in cigarette buts. Felt extremely oppressive, very smokey, and a bit of a let down after reading the previous critiques.
21 Mar 2005 13:24
Not a nice place. Bad service, looks appalling, and the smell of the 'raspberry' flavoured toilet fresheners from the mens loo, envelopes you 50 yards down the street.
1 Feb 2005 08:53
A good pub with a superb location, and the balcony and decking outside is fantastic in the summer. Good food. I have to stick up for the staff after reading some of the views below. This is a busy pub (especially in high summer) so a little politeness and patience should be used by some customers. Overall a top river pub.
26 Jan 2005 12:15
The Weir Hotel, Walton on Thames
Superb location, fantastic for the kids. A horrible interior, and terrible cues in the summer when a coach party arrives, but have had excellent summer lunches and evenings out on riverside beer garden.
24 Jan 2005 14:48
Pretty poor food. The service is Ok but nothing special. Enclosed garden, making it kid friendly. Adults only bit also. Good view of the river.
24 Jan 2005 14:41
Excellent for kids. A large, enclosed, and safe playground with beer garden. Food and service OK. Can't recommend enough to tired parents who want to relax with a beer.
24 Jan 2005 14:35
The Bear, Esher
Popped in before the cinema for a quick sandwich and found The Bear a pretty good place for a quick drink. The sandwiches were simple and not overpriced, the staff were friendly but nearly mad from listening to same Christmas album for the last 2 weeks.
1 Jan 2008 18:09