BITE user comments - onemorefortheroad
Comments by onemorefortheroad
Tudor Tavern RIP. The "furious buildings work" is over and suddenly we have a new restaurant: Thai Square. As others have remarked, there are 3 other Thai places within a minute's walk, so if there is a market to sustain all this oriental eating, only time will tell. Thai Square does have a bar at one end, but in no way can this building be considered a pub any more.
17 Dec 2007 09:50
Hmm, not sure about combination of Karaoke and TV rugby that entertained us last night. But never mind, this pub has been improved massively by the new managers.
8 Oct 2007 08:41
Not really a pub, just a restaurant with a bar in the middle. On a drizzly July evening it wasn't too crowded, but there were indeed kids running around, and the peaceful setting was somewhat disturbed by the traffic from the M25 a few yards away.
25 Jul 2007 18:24
BITE, PLEASE change the postcode to AL1 3RL.
Popped in yesterday after failing to get served in O'Neills Bar (ex-Peacock). The Mermaid remains as unwelcoming as ever, although they had 3 good real ales on, so that was consolation of sorts. This has always been a pub of fanatical chain-smokers, so the concrete beer garden was full while the pub itself was empty - quite amusing. But unless you get caught in the rain whilst walking up Hatfield Road, don't bother with this place.
7 Jul 2007 07:18
This is maginally better than the old Peacock pub, and definitely cleaner. But already it's in the grip of its dedicated locals, and yesterday (Friday) there was only one person behind the bar to serve the rabble. After being elbowed and jostled for 5 minutes I gave up trying to get a drink and departed. Shall not return. 4/10
7 Jul 2007 07:14
I walked past yesterday evening and it's closed!! I wonder why. Oh well, who cares?
4 Jul 2007 20:23
Hmmm, very very interesting! All credit to the new team for what they've done. The old dirty, violent Fleur has been replaced by a tastefully designed bar with attentive staff and an astonishing menu. There are salads, brunch, pasta, burgers, wraps and sandwiches. Drinks-wise there are more than 80 cocktails, plus wines, gin, martini, vodka, champagne and 3 real ales.
Unlike its obvious competitors - the Slug & Lettuce and Peahen - there isn't a huge amount of space in the Fleur, so I'm not sure how they'll cope when things get really busy. But by any objective measure this new venture has been well thought-out and deserves to succeed.
29 May 2007 08:39
The Duke of Marlborough, St Albans
New manager, who has injected more of a "sports" theme. But don't worry: if you just want a simple drink or food there's room for you too. As I've noted previously, this pub's fortunes are variable to put it mildly, but at the moment things are getting better.
27 May 2007 14:03
Weekends before 5pm can be a bit iffy here. There's usually just one harrassed barperson to serve drinks, take phone calls, deal with obnoxious visitors who want food NOW, and run round to the kitchen if something is needed from there. Service is fine later when meals are being served, but the Verualam is more than half way to being a "de facto" restaurant. I know it's a tall order to keep everyone happy, but if you just want to pop in for a drink it can be a bit frustrating.
27 May 2007 14:01
Luca, They haven't served food in his pub for a long time now. I don't know why the sign is outside, it's totally misleading.
I have noticed a general deterioration in this pub over the past year or so. There are fewer beers than before, and some of the staff couldn't give a monkey's. A pity, but there we are.
18 May 2007 09:10
Er, I don't think this is a gay pub, Greshon? I think you're referring to the other Queen's Head, round the back of St James Street (and now renamed the Three & Ten, or something).
17 Apr 2007 11:30
Visited several times last year, when on holiday in these parts. A great pub - glad to see it getting recognition.
19 Feb 2007 12:30
A hidden gem. Lots of space, excellent service and a good selection of real ales.
24 Jan 2007 12:48
Better than I feared. My pint of Spitfire was fine, and the greeting from the barlady was friendly enough. But the pub is just so remote, and not surprisingly some of the regular drinkers appeared to be barking mad.
26 Dec 2006 17:37
So Watford DOES have one or two decent pubs after all! Hold the front page! Friendly welcome, good choice of beers and a good lunchtime menu.
26 Dec 2006 17:35
The Fox and Hounds, Bricket Wood
Unless you're a local, don't bother. The regulars cling to the bar and the barlady chats with them. Yesterday I had to wait 5 minutes for no good reason, and was on the verge of sending up distress flares when she finally condescended to serve me. A pity, since the Spitfire beer was fine and the menu looked good. But I shan't be back. If you want good service go to the Gate up the road.
21 Nov 2006 10:03
Easily the best atmosphere, friendliest welcome and most diligent barstaff in Park Street. The choice of ales is boring (Abbots and Greene King IPA) but if the manager(s) extended the range this place could be a winner. (The competition is laughable.)
16 Nov 2006 20:30
The hard-as-nails locals seem to like it, but this is a fairly depressing pub. The best choice of beers in Park Street, but that's not saying much.
16 Nov 2006 20:26
Now, this is one strange pub. I've visited twice, once at lunchtime and once in the evening, and both times I was the only customer.
Since it's a Fullers pub, I asked for London Pride and both times was met with bemusement. Eventually I received a rather fizzy version of the beer, with the glass at 85% full at best. On my trip this evening the barlady was yakking into her mobile phone for the whole time, and all the pumps in the left-hand bar were turned inwards to show "no beer". I've no idea how this place keeps going, and to be honest I don't want to know. This could be a fine pub, but in fact it's a disaster. I shan't be back.
16 Nov 2006 20:23
As ever, there are some very interesting and tasty beers on at the moment. But the pub seems to have a new policy of only having one barperson on duty at any time; this can cause delays - Friday night, for example.
28 Oct 2006 12:18
The Basketmakers Arms, Brighton
I've just read in a new book called "Brighton's Best Pubs" that a 'jury' of honest and discerning drinkers rates this Brighton's Number One. I'll drink to that.
27 Oct 2006 15:57
This used to be a nice friendly pub, but has now lost the plot big time.
25 Oct 2006 08:39
If this pub doesn't start winning awards for its food very soon, I'll throw a tantrum and refuse to eat my vegetables. Not only that, but the beer is now very reliable and good quality. Nice one.
25 Sep 2006 18:38
Good to see this pub getting recognition at last. David works very hard to keep the beers and food at top quality, and barstaff such as Kim always provide a friendly welcome.
25 Sep 2006 18:31
Back to onemorefortheroad's profile
The Garibaldi, St Albans
This is the only place I've heard Radio Verulam on 92.6!! Some of the drinkers here listen quite intently, which only adds to the rather strange atmosphere.
20 Dec 2007 11:59