BITE user comments - norbitonpaul
Comments by norbitonpaul
Back again for the annual pigrimage. Glad to report that in spite of change of ownership, as goos ever. Although unusually, we were able to get a whole table on a Saturday evening.
Particularly partial to Butcombe beers, and it was in great nick. The food continues to astound. The fabulous beer battered fish (and far too many chips!) would put many a fish & chip shop proprietor to shame.
Finally, one of my bugbears is pubs/restaurants that put Heinz Ketchup out on the tables and their dishonest habit of refilling it with some nasty cheap red gloop bough from the cash 'n carry depot. Delighted to report that the ketchup at the Halfway is exactly what is says on the bottle. Heinz.
19 Apr 2011 13:04
Q. Couple of years since last visit (see comment), but are they still doing those wonderful curries?
25 Feb 2011 09:22
Pre-fabricated, bland, designed by venture capitalists whose motive is the investment potential of a prime location. You enter the pub, and you're greeted by someone at the front door who wants to show you to a table - er, hang on, I only wanted a drink, so it's very obvious that the emphasis here is flogging food.
And if you're over a certain age, they suggest you might like a table in the conservatory bit which looks like a geriatric care home. It felt like some kind of pub-apartheid, in which the bright young professional types and their Kath Kidson children were to seen in the main public areas, while the oldies were shunted out of sight.
Staff are like programmed to 'process' their guests - slick, automated and designed to screw them for every cent possible. I decided I'd never visit this place again when I was charged 70p for a slice of casn & carry grade sliced white bread (wot, no Foccacia/Ciabatta?) to accompany my starter. Pity, because the location is still very nice.
26 Dec 2009 21:00
The Canbury Arms, Kingston Upon Thames
Can't believe people are still whining about the loss of the old Canbury Arms. If that's the kind of place that floats your boat - and on some occasions it's just what I want too - fine, you can find it at any of the other boozers up and down Richmond Road.
26 Dec 2009 20:42
Unbelievable how a pub in such a decent location could be so grossly unfit for purpose. I've seen scout huts with more ambience, better decor and a good deal more furniture. Devoid of charm, this is a place for utility drinking.
But what really annoyed me was how such a dog of a pub can justify �3.10 for a pint of London Pride. Presumably the management thinks it can fleece the (mug)punters who pass by on their way to the big Boxing Day meeting at Kempton Park because chances are they won't be returning. How right they are.
26 Dec 2009 20:37
Main gripe about this chain-style pub was the waiting times to be served.
A far from busy Sunday evening, but with only two staff running the bar and restaurant, my party endured two fifteen minute waits to order drinks.
No criticism of staff, as they were performing heroics. But no sign whatsoever of management front of house.
Greene King beers prominent, plus a font dispensing frothy chilled Ruddles, which kills the taste of a very decent beer. In addition to the big industrial brands, there was at least some local beer in the shape of Ringwood.
26 Aug 2009 11:00
Goat and Tricycle, Bournemouth
A veritable beer festival of a pub! I couldn't begin to say what beers were available, I'd never heard of them before (apart from a couple of Wadworth products), tried them all, and that's the essence of the place. Unfamiliar brands, about six in total, which in a pub landscape characterised by samey and tired old brands makes this pub an absolute gem.
In fact some of the beers I didn't really like, but that's not the point. If you're a more adventurous beer drinker seeking out new beers, this place will keep you well entertained.
Finally, friendly knowledgable and helpful guy behind the bar..
12 Aug 2009 21:26
Lovely setting in wooded river valley a few miles outside Hexham. With its picturesque garden, it probably gets pretty close to pub perfection on a warm summer's evening (alas it was raining when we visted). Snug, rustic interior, great cooking aromas, suitably devoid of pub chain ersatz.
Friendly landlady let me sample all five Hexhamshire brews before deciding which to plump for (if you're reading this, yes I'd definitely agree that eople like me are a pain in the rear!).
Great range of beers, differing in strength from about 4% to 5.something, including one with unique smoked flavour - acquired taste, but faultless for its novelty value.
17 Jul 2009 22:11
Marneys Village Inn, Weston Green
On a midweek visit at lunch, we were welcomed by a gruff bar member, clearly suffering from a charm bypass - and who I fear may have been the landlord. None of the nice pleasantries and bonhomie you might expect from a pub that styles itself a village inn, such as a 'hello' or 'what would you like?'. Just a curt, almost inquisitive, 'yes?'.
Pint of bitter and a Pimms came to around a tenner. Food horribly overpriced, nine quid for sausages and chips. Eating area chock full of yummy mummies and infants, with baby buggies blocking access to tables.
Pub enjoys a good location and nice setting. But great shame that on this visit, such enviable assets were eroded by a hostile and inhospitable environment.
10 Jul 2009 01:03
The Canbury Arms, Kingston Upon Thames
Re last comment from TheEaler.
Forty quid for a pub meal is steep, even more so in this economic climate. Yes, the food is quite good (although portions tend to be too kind to slimmers), but the rest of the package in the form of comfort and service does not justify these prices.
The Canbury is now offering some promotional deals, but with too many strings attached. Like having to eat early evening.
11 May 2009 10:48
On a sunny Sunday afternoon, worth a detour. But as others have noted, it's an enterprise that is pretty dependent on the kagool and rucksack tribes. Also a few action-man yachtie types stomping around in their Maine windcheeters and wellies...with accesories in the form of dogs and toussle-haired kids.
A copy of the Guardian by the front door sums up the pub's ethos!
Beer excellent, tried two from its own micro brewery, including one that had been brewed for the wedding (I think) of someone called Oliver. Lucky lad.
Interior strangely devoid of atmosphere, lacking old worlde authenticity that the exterior might promise. If the sun is out, most of the action seems to take place outside on the grassy quadrangle that leads down to the beach.
5 May 2009 20:16
Oh dear, another pub 'concept' dreamt up by some venture capitalist. A marketing man's dream badly disguised as a....well a kind of faux cafe cum pub. Raffles styling, hard wood flooring, staff in pinnies. You get the general drift.
Thursday night we were hussled into choosing food before the kitchen closed. It was only nine o'clock. Food notable for its high price and mediocrity. Lukewarm seems to be the default setting on the kitchen microwaves.
A brandy and coke appeared with the coke in separate glass (presumably Eastern European bar staff unfamiliar with this drink), and with the brandy charged at �6, we were unamused.
On the upside, Czech/Polish staff unstintingly courteous. Oh, and its location - although a Thursday night in February not the best time to be sitting on the little jetty outside!
6 Feb 2009 22:24
Uber-sophisticated, pitched at the well-heeled and cultured of Petersham/Richmond (e.g. playwright and local resident Michael Frayn a regular visitor). Heavy emphasis on dining, and with a limited range of bar drinks, not really much of a pub. Good place for impressing the in-laws!
6 Jan 2009 23:46
The Canbury Arms, Kingston Upon Thames
Have been a visitor to The Canbury since it opened, a few (hopefully) objective observations. It's probably fair to say that the pub isn't as drinker-friendly as it is eater-friendly. In the main part of the pub, the tables policy quite clearly favours diners, while drinkers are relegated to bar stools or else the outlying areas. And sitting under canvas on a cold night really is no subsitute for the ambience of a bar.
The beer choice is pretty good, although for a pub with such an obvious interest in providing decent beer, it would be nice to see more rotation of brands. The food is very good, and priced at the premium end of the price spectrum. Not what you'd call 'hearty' fare, and my preference would be for more substance over style.
But the one thing that I have really noticed over time is that the service certainly isn't as personal as it once was - Mike, where are you these days? Usually I see a young team who are a bit short on social skills and good ole fashion bonhomie. It's become the brand of indifferent Harvester-style service you associate with a chain-pub. Efficient, but soulless.
As others have pointed out, the market for the food/drink � is changing, and the first-mover advantage The Canbury once enjoyed is being eroded. In credit-crunched Kingston, The Canbury needs to be offering better value deals on drink and food. For instance, I cringe whenever my dear partner asks me to order a glass of wine - for �6/7 I could run round the corner and pick up two bottles for this price at Asda!
Dare I say that these days the flag bearer for the food/drink market in this part of Kingston has become The Pottery (formerly The Borough and for some reason not listed yet on this site). The owner goes out of his way to welcome customers, there are dedicated drink/eating areas, with a notable absence of baby-buggies. Food is excellent quality, great variety and good value. If you're eating for two with a couple of drinks thrown in, I'd say it has a �10-�15 price advantage over The Canbury. My only gripe with The Pottery is that the beer range is miserable!
24 Dec 2008 18:55
Visit the Halfway every year to visit an old school friend in this part of the world. I guess that seeing the place so infrequently, I also notice the changes. And this time, I would have to say that the most obvious change is the customer mix, with a lot of people turning up for a night out 'dressed up'. It felt a bit like a rotarians' evening, and as much as I like the sight of well-turned out ladies, some were a bit OTT for the Halfway.
There were also a lot of what seemed like 'special occasion' groups, families celebrating birthdays, gaggles of girlies out 'on the town'. Nothing wrong with that, but not the kind of crowd you'd have seen a couple of years back.
Also, and somewhat curiosuly, it seems popular with teenage drinkers. This is the kind of place they're supposed to hate because it was always a bit of a 'dad pub'.
But, leaving aside those observations, what a fine place it remains. Beers, as always, very good. The highlight for me was the superb fish and chips - the battered fish was the best I've ever eaten.
On a sadder note, I hear that the pub is being (has been?) sold. Let's hope that some pub management company doesn't try to turn it into a restaurant, and resists the temptation to tinker with a format that seems to work beatifully. Fat chance.
29 Jun 2008 12:22
The Boaters Inn, Kingston Upon Thames
Re-opened, and apart from blinds at the windows and a lick of paint, doesn't look radically different (unless I missed something).
On visit earlier this week, i have to say excellent bar service and superb pint of Tim Taylors. And with the dappled sunlight reflecting off the river into the bar, it felt as near contentment as a man can ask!!
9 May 2008 17:37
The Canbury Arms, Kingston Upon Thames
I guess that now that the Canbury has been on the scene for some time now, it's gotten predictable. Apart, that is, from its prices. I have a particular issue about its wine prices, which can only be described as exorbitant.
I'm not a particularly penny pinching type, but even I can tell that a pint of beer and glass of wine costing a tenner is 'taking the proverbial'....
28 Feb 2008 14:18
The Tide End Cottage, Teddington
The traditional exterior promises much for anyone looking for an authentic pub. But alas, once inside, it's just another example of that hotel-reception style of pub-fit. Easy seating, carpets, wood-panelling, very little that you could call 'real'. Pity.
But the service leaves a little to be desired. Not so much that it didn't exist, but that it was charmless. One barmaid had obviously graduated from the service-with-a-scowl school, taking surly to new heights.
But having set my expectations at the lower end of the scale, I'm pleased to say that at least one of her colleagues raised a smile and acknowledgment when I returned for a top-up.
As for the beer there were a couple of unfamiliar names on draught, so a reasonably interesting offer.
And finally, if the landlord is reading this, about those pictures of The Stones and Quo on the wall. Who is it in that picture with Ronnie Wood? A small gaggle of us were trying to identify him, but to no avail. Various suggestions included Van Morrison, Eric Burdon and the bloke from The Hollies!
13 Nov 2007 14:26
Doggetts Coat and Badge, Southwark
Walk past this place every day. Sure, it occupies one of the most enviable riverside plots, but is probably the most ugly pub in London, modelled on what I can only assume is the bridge of a ship.
Doubtless very cool in the 60s/70s, but an absolute carbuncle. Unfair, but because of its exterior, I can only conjure up images of Watney Red Barrel and Harp Lager!
19 Sep 2007 08:53
The Cardinal, Kingston Upon Thames
How much is the landlord paying for all these gushing tributes?!!
Formerly, i think we're all agreed that the place was a rathole. My partner keeps on telling me we should give it a try. But I just can't see past that oh so dull facade because it reminds me of how it was.
So come on guys, the inside sounds great, but how about a bit of 'wow' on the outside.
17 Sep 2007 14:14
Certainly the place looks a bit different, and the range of styles across the various bars is very noticeable. The downstairs bars look very contemporary, and will attract the cool crowd
Prices steep, even higher than the Canbury. Paid nine quid for a pint of bitter and glass of Rioja. Queried this with barmaid who assured me the prices were correct...ouch!
One thing if the management is reading this. Please, please, please, when serving wine, don't pour it into a metallic measuring jar first. Frankly, at the prices you guys charge, are a few millilitres over going to break the bank? More to the point, it appears very penny pinching. And even more to the point it's a sacrilegious way to treat wine.
23 Aug 2007 13:19
Bank Holiday Monday. Lunchtime. A smattering of customers. Three staff behind bar. I stood there for five minutes. Even though there was no one else waiting to be served, in those five minutes there was no acknowledgement, no greeting, no recognition of my existence. Well, screw you, I'll take my forty quid somewhere else!
OK, so staff were doing other things, but for goodness sake, if you're in the hospitality business, at least make some pretence at it.
Having read so many accolades about this place, the bottom line is that if you're trying to compete for the premium pound, scruffy, disdainful and inhospitable front-line staff simply wn't cut it.
8 May 2007 09:14
Er, to anyone whose thinking of making a special excusrion to view the art deco loos (see previous contributor), let me save you a trip.
Certainly they're not what you'd consider state-of-the-art. But as for being a historic timepiece depicting the foregone glories of English pissoir engineering, forget it. Cramped, smelly, wet floors just about sum them up.
But hey, it's such a good pub, you can forgive them for the occasional oversight!
14 Feb 2007 13:15
The Grey Horse, Kingston Upon Thames
Any pub in the area that keeps the candle burning for Blues and live music should have a preservation order slapped on it.
In a world-order dominated by the synthetic pap of the Simon Cowell industry, thank Christ for Grey Horse regulars like Stevie Simpson, Willy Finlayson, Robin Bibi.
For old gits like me who cherish the heady days of the London pub-band scene, pubs like the Grey are a national treasure. Oh, and the beer is pretty decent too!
28 Dec 2006 10:29
The Norbiton and Dragon, Norbiton
New refit for 'The Norbie' sacrifices authenticity for faux-cool. Much black lacquer and slumber-style seating looks passe, creating chaotic stew more akin to a hotel bar. And, when will pub owners recognise that if they want to go up-market, the drinks offer must come along for the ride too. A bar arrangement dominated by cookie-cutter brands like Stella and Kronenbourg is plain dull and lacks imagination (see The Pottery too).
The market for the premium pound in this area of Kingston is still governed by The Canbury. The Pottery and The Norbie are trying, but both lack that elusive chromosome which The Canbury posseses.
28 Dec 2006 10:13
The Hole In The Wall, Waterloo
I used to visit this place thirty years ago. In those days its range of real beers gave it an iconic status among beer lovers. And if you were trying to impress a bird, you'd slink into the 'posh' bar at the front; while a few beers with the boys would see you heading for the roughneck bit at the back.
So, on a recent evening, looking to escape one of the regular bouts of commuting chaos at Waterloo Station, I returned. And oh my goodness...the place was almost identical to thirty years back, preserved in aspic. Beer was decent, and still a reasonably eclectic range. Alas, my taste in pubs has moved on. But if Welfare Club Chic is your thing, you'll love this tatty relic of a glorious past.
17 Nov 2006 09:25
Pass this place twice a day on my walk between office and Waterloo Station. In the morning they're out watering the hanging baskets; in the evening, fabulous smells of garlic and Eastern cooking as I turn the corner behind the pub kitchen. Says a lot about the place even before you've stepped inside!
Once over the threshold, great selection of beers, decent chav-free ambience, no muzak. A good traditional pub, big on conviviality and devoid of ersatz trimmings. Very popular early evening, which adds to its atmosphere.
17 Nov 2006 09:03
Tattoos, shirtless chavs, St George's flags. What more do you need to know?
12 May 2006 13:16
The Canbury Arms, Kingston Upon Thames
Give the owner his dues, there are now printed requests for parents to keep their kids under control. But these notices miss the point. We're not talking delinquents here - kids have all got names like Florence and Harry, arrive in those show-off Land Rover buggies, OshKosh from head to foot!
What rankles is that The Canbury is mind-blowingly expensive (I paid seven quid for a glass of wine the other night!), and I think grown ups are entitled to enjoy adult-only space at these prices, particularly in the evening.
Someone suggested putting kids in the tent at the side of the pub - as a compromise this feels like a decent solution. Yes, it's a bit apartheid in its approach, but it's the best way to grow your adult custom.
As a father of two kids, I like visiting a pub so I can escape the little buggers!
12 May 2006 13:10
Location, location, location....very average beer selection (clientele very much lager drinkers); food is typical service station inspired stuff you'd expect in a chain pub. Staff in uniforms..... Best bet is to sit with a beer outside accompanied by one of the delicious bacon butties from the cafe the other side of the road.
1 May 2006 12:07
What's this.....someone trying to make a decent man out of the Albert. Me and this pub go back almost a quarter century. The day I moved to Kingston, it was beers all round for my removal team at The Albert. I was in the pub thirteen yaers ago when my partner went into labour over the road at the old maternity wing (summoned by the landlord to bugger off and get over the road!!). Then it seemed to fall into the wrong hands, it became very ordinary, and I finally gave up on it about five years ago Since then plenty of other fine establishments have come on tap. But I'll give it another try. Watch this space!
25 Mar 2006 19:31
The Willoughby Arms, Kingston Upon Thames
Utterly horrible exterior. That foreboding red brick style of construction so favoured by the psychiatric establishemnts of Epsom and Banstead!! Is that Nurse Ratchett at the door of the snug? How 'mein host' must envy Manny down the road at the Wych Elm, so pleasing on the eye with its hanging baskets and verdant fascias.
Nevertheless, cross the threshold, and this is a good community boozer. Nothing pretentious, unashamedly blokey, certainly not the kind of place you'd take a bird to impress (unlike, say, the Canbury)......but it does what is says on the tin. Beer and footy. And amidst a wash of gentrification to the local pub fabric, let's support local pubs that are sticking with something a bit more traditional.
21 Mar 2006 20:47
The Royal Borough Arms, Norbiton
As a local resident, any change to the old Borough Arms which rids the neighbourhood of the low-life scum who used to be its clientelle - then good luck to you. However, I have to confess that even though I live very close, I still walk past The Pottery on my way to the Canbury Arms. I'm afraid it's the sight of standard dross mega-brands on the bar says that the place is short on imagination. Like the Canbury, it too feels as if it wants to attract a discerning audience - but the sight of Fosters says otheriwse. Yes, perhaps I'm not young enough to be its target market, but the prospect of beers like Harveys, Hogs Back and Tim Taylors at the Canbury will keep on getting my vote.
16 Mar 2006 13:45
The Canbury Arms, Kingston Upon Thames
Very nice meal, good beer, convivial atmosphere, helpful staff.
But.....very noisy in the main bar area, which makes relaxed conversation (as opposed to shouting) quite difficult. Problem not helped by a slightly heavy-limbed waitress (sorry darling!), whose every step thudded across the bare boards. And when a lot of food is being served to the happy hoards in the bar area, wow, it's incessant!
While it's good to see that the pub rejects the crappy techno-clatter of musak, jukeboxes and games machines, it could really do with something to absorb the noise. Not too much though - after all, a pub that resonates with the sound of animated chatter and nothing else is a rare thing indeed!
19 Sep 2005 08:56
The Inn in the Park, Branksome Park
Sunday carvery well below par - fatty meat, stodgy yorkshire puds. Pork crackling failed abysmally to crackle, leaving a nasty slop of sub-cutaneous gloop on plate. As for those buttered carrots - sorry guys, caremalised taste not pleasant! Background musak totally unnecessary.
Watch for ticking off if your children stray into bar area. OK, so there's a no kids policy, but brusque reactions not very endearing. Particularly when you've spent upwards of a hundred quid over lunch. Kids are relegated to the dining room or the patio area (perfectly comfortable with its garden centre display feel). Other pubs in vicinity are a bit more kid friendly.
Interior has a nice feel, settees and casual seating creating a relaxed ambience.
Interesting selection of Wadworths and other local(?) beers. But on a warm warm day, beer also served too warm.
Overall, decent place for drink. Obviously keen to cultivate adult clientele, which is OK and keeps it oik-free. But too many restrictions on kids means it's not really a relaxed family option.
12 Jul 2005 14:22
Unassuming from the inside, but don't let that put you off. Fairly typical gastro/stripped style interior (were there loads of mirrors as well?), but the things that make this place are the hospitality of its staff and the superb value quality food. It actually feels like one of those places you don't want too many people to find out about. I can even forgive the extortionate wine prices!
If I'm on my way to Richmond for a night out at the cinema or theatre, this is a great stop-off for something to eat en route. A lot better than the standard pub chain fare in Richmond.
23 Jun 2005 13:04
The Royal Borough Arms, Norbiton
De riguer for entry to this pub seems to be some item of clothing or tattoo sporting a St George's Cross.
Just about says it all....
23 Jun 2005 12:43
The Canbury Arms, Kingston Upon Thames
At last a 'grown ups' pub for Kingston. And let's applaud a pricing policy which puts the pub beyond the financial reach of the oikie hords who seem to infest every other pub in the vicinity (bar the Wych Elm).
Well done Canbury Arms for bringing a new standard of sophistication to the area.
23 Jun 2005 12:34
Back to norbitonpaul's profile
The White Swan, Richmond
Have used the pub several times in recent years for a drink. Always convivial and civilised, its off-the-beaten-track location offering a nice antidote to the chain boozers that have taken over Richmond’s pub trade.
Tried what looked like its gastro food offer on Saturday along with three friends. Even though every table in the pub had a reserved sign, when the staff discovered we wanted to eat, a table was found for us. But have to say that my food was very disappointing. I can’t see what excuse there is for serving up lukewarm steak and chips (it doesn’t come any easier surely?). And at around fifteen quid, on the most popular night of the week, that’s a cardinal sin. Also, question for the chef, why oh why cover half the plate with salad? Do they serve steak frites in France with salad? You bet they don’t. It must be obvious that if you’re ordering steak, you’re doing so because you want meat/flesh - not leaves. I always feel this is a ruse to make the plate appear ‘full’, but it really jars with an old dog like me who is wise to most of the cynical ploys of the restaurant trade. Put the meat and chips on a smaller plate, I won’t be offended.
So I’m guessing that the reason my food was lukewarm was because it was left lying around while the other orders for our table were being prepared. If it were just me on the night, I’d have sent the food back. But as is so often the case, there’s a reluctance as it can tarnish the mood of the evening. On the up-side, very good and attentive staff. Thank you. I’ll carry on drinking here, but don’t think I’ll bother with the food again
7 Jan 2013 12:47