BITE user comments - proost
Comments by proost
The Picture Palace, Ponders End
Make the most of The Picture Palace, its on the list to be sold off. The only decent pub in the area and looks like it will be going. I'm devastated! been drinking here from the very first night it opened in 2001. RIP
25 Jan 2016 13:16
The Old Lifeboat House, Clacton on Sea
I agree with Elijay below. I moved to the area in September 2013 and have visited this pub at least once a week since. The beers are £3.00 a pint and £2.50 on Wednesdays. There are always 4 or 5 beers on tap, with a good selection of strengths. There was a Strong Beer Festival recently with 6 barrels located in a small alcove adjacent to the bar and also 5 on tap. I have found all the staff really friendly and helpful (even offered free tasters) Havn't tried the food yet but looks really nice.
Criticisms: The TV is always on and I find it a bit loud. I would prefer no TV but well you can't cater for everyone.
I would like to see more smaller tables and less larger ones.
And I wish there was a web site.
Forgot to say, read in the local paper that it is in line for a makeover in the near future.
2 Jan 2014 18:57
The Picture Palace, Ponders End
I am a very regular regular here and can confirm that this is the ONLY pub to go to in the area. The beer is always in good condition and excellent choice, and if you are not happy with it they will change it with no fuss at all. BUT.
MOANS TO THE PUB:
1. Please get some more staff! I have had three foot spider webs growing on me waiting to get served.
2. Please get some more Sunday staff! (see above)
3. Please can you get rid of the Brentwood Brewery, it all tastes the same.
4. Stop them young blokes doing what they are doing in the car park on Saturday nights.
5. Bring back Gavin.
6 Sep 2010 19:22
Fabulous location right on the river. Interesting interior, dark and old looking (bit like me!) 5 pumps on when we went, Hobgoblin, T/Taylor Lanlord, Spitfire, Adnams Bitter and Youngs Bitter. Tried them all and they were all in good condition, all around �2.80 a pint. Food was absolute crap, microwaved Mussels! Bar staff a bit vague (they need a bit more training). Outside seating area with lovely views of the river. Toilets fairly clean. No car parking but there is a car park, with toilets, at the entrance to the village on the lright, free for three hours, opposite The Greyhound (which I intend to visit next time I,m in the area). The area is well served by the railway, only 10mins from the pub. I will certainly go again but not to eat.
6 Sep 2010 18:08
The Famous Railway Tavern Brewing Co, Brightlingsea
After reading all the other reviews I coud,nt wait to visit this pub. Oh dear! what a letdown, we visited on an early Thursday evening. The only beers on draught were Brentwoods Maple Mild and Crouch Vale Bitter. My first pint of Brentwoods came up cloudy as did the second one. Gave that a miss and went for the Crouch Vale which promptly ran out. Waited for the barrel to be changed and finally managed to get a pint. Drinkable but not in the best of condition. I enquried about the locally brewed beer and recieved a rather muddled explanation of what it was from the young gent behind the bar, still none the wiser. Where was the Bladderwrack, the good selection of Ales? I am sure some people would say that this pub has character, I think most would say a it needs a good clean up. Bare brickwork behind the bar, bar itself filthy, floor dirty, one of the "locals" asking a complete strangers wife if she liked blue films! One single unshaded bulb above the bar gave it a stark look. Really disappointed.
6 Sep 2010 17:49
The Rose and Crown, Thorpe-le-Soken
Only paid a flying visit to this pub. I had a pint of Harwich Bitter which was a little too warm and frankly tasteless. Still it was only 3.7 in strength. Next I had a Speckled Hen that looked like it was on a hand pump but in fact it was on Keg. The pub served food but we did,nt try any. The interior looked nice and clean with tables for eating all around. Did,nt use the toilets and don,t know if there was a garden. Parking to the front. Sorry this is a vague review but I will try to visit again for an in depth view.
6 Sep 2010 17:12
Mainly a food pub, you can dine in the bar area and there is a seperate section to the back as well. Hav,nt tried the food but it looks ok. Prices from �8.00 to �14.00. When we visited they only had Adnams Explorer and Adnams Bitter on tap and on inquring the lanlord said that they usually have a change of brewery every 3/4 weeks. Both in good condition. �3.00 a pint though! (�1.70 for half of Stella) Bar staff helpful and friendly. Theres a small garden to the back which faces the church and cemetery (nice and peaceful) with four large tables and a covered smoking area. Nothing for kids as it is a bit small. Toilets spotless. No parking but you can sneak into the Crown opposite!. We would visit again.
6 Sep 2010 16:56
The Lock and Barrel, Frinton-on-Sea
I only went in here because I was getting fed up being dragged around the numerous charity shops! This is a Shepherd Neame pub that was serving Whitstable Bay, MasterBrew and Spitfire. Whitstable was �2.95 a pint the cheapest. Beer was ok but rather unfriendly staff. Had to wait nearly 10 mins to get my second beer. Did,nt try the food so can,t comment. The layout was along the lines of any Wetherspooon, books, prints etc. Nothing special and I don,t think I would go back there again. Clean toilets.
5 Sep 2010 15:01
This is a nice pub thats spoilt by the smell from the gents. We have visited about 4 or 5 times and providing you sit away from the toilets it,s ok. The beer selection has been very good, Adnams Broadside, Timothy Taylor, Nelsons Revenge, Woodefordes Nog to name a few. Quality was also good on all my pints but I did see someone take his Harwich brewery beer back because it was cloudy. Beerwise this is a dear pub, the cheapest pint I had was �3.00 (half of Stella �1.75) These are London prices. The food was good (and cheap) Cod + Chips �4.99. Steak �5.99. Most other meals were about �7/9.00. Nice garden for kids and fancy seating. Friendly staff. Dogs allowed. Would have got a higher rating if not for that smell!
5 Sep 2010 14:50
What a lovely pub! Great beer and a good choice. I had a pint of er, I can,t remember the name! but it was from the Sticklegs brewery. Very nice. Reasonable price and very friendly landlord. We went there on a Saturday lunchtime and the trade was fairly slow but that gave us time to look around. I bet it,s great in the winter, it has two open fires. Shame I had to drive on that day as I would have liked to sample the other beers.They have a beer festival coming up around the 23rd of Sept. Hope to make it there.
5 Sep 2010 14:29
The Carlton, Clacton On Sea
Now closed
25 Jan 2016 13:20