BITE user comments - soodlum
Comments by soodlum
Oh dear, why does this potentially likeable pub keep shooting itself in the foot? I ran out of cash on a previous visit, and was told that I couldn't pay with a card (debit NOT credit) unless I was spending at least �10. Cashback? Nope, not unless spending more than �10. So we went elsewhere and had another three rounds. Your loss, Portland Arms.
21 Sep 2011 13:31
No more Mucky Duck! Oscars indeed! Well you will not be seeing me in there again.
22 Sep 2010 17:32
The Bank Holiday beer fest was excellent, though sadly still not the thronging event it used to be. The barby amazingly had (good) options for veggies.
The Lower Red is definitely on the up again after the depredations wrought by the last tenant, I just hope it doesn't go bust before it regains it's former popularity.
12 Jun 2010 10:49
This place gets better and better. Not being encumbered myself, I hadn't noticed the new policy on children described below, but I must say I heartily approve.
12 Jun 2010 10:44
Recently made one of my occasional lunchtime visits to this formerly-delightful pub. Oh dear! It took ten minutes to get the first pint (despite it being only 12:15 and the place nearly empty). It took 30 seconds to decide not to eat, having seen the new menu which is a virtual wasteland for vegetarians. Having got through the first pint, initially in the garden (where we were irritated and harassed by uncontrolled brats) and then in the conservatory (where the brat infestation was scarcely better), we found that the bar was now rammed, although plenty of tables were empty, being adorned with "Reserved" notices (which I hate in pubs: it's not a flipping restaurant for God's sake!).
After waiting ten minutes again (in the company of many other disgruntled and thirsty punters) we gave up and went elsewhere.
12 Jun 2010 10:39
I see that the post below is vocoder33's only post ever on this site. I wonder if this is in any way related to the content of his post which sound rather like an advertisement for the place?
Mother and baby coffee mornings FFS!
26 May 2009 15:19
The King William IV, St Albans
Was passing by yesterday and, it being lovely and sunny, decided to have a drink at one of the outside tables.
Oh dear. All the outside tables were filthy and sticky, and the terrace was ankle-deep in dog-ends. I recommend the pubco to invest in a damp cloth and a broom, and train the staff in their use.
26 May 2009 13:44
Prejudices? Perhaps, but you only need to read the reviews here to see that a great many others would appear to have shared my prejudices. And, of course, under the previous management the LRL's BITE rating slid from more than 9/10 to 6/10. Whilst being in the majority does not prove that one is right, it's definitely not a good sign for a pub when people vote with their feet.
As to whether The Mermaid is going from strength to strength, dozysharp's opinion should be taken with a pinch of salt given that he/she was one of the few who actually liked the LRL when Fat George or whatever his name is was running the place into the ground. But it is of no moment to me, because I for one will certainly not be visiting The Mermaid while that crew is in charge.
And if we are going to get pedantic, there were once at least four Red Lions in St Albans (yes, all at the same time). The one opposite the top of George Street was the most recent to close.
26 May 2009 13:36
I love the way that the bridle path strikes off straight as an arrow from the the Alban Way and deposits you virtually at the bar. With a little imagination our genial host (who truly is genial) could set up some kind of semaphore system at the junction so your pint is ready and waiting when you fall through the door...
Great place.
5 May 2009 11:00
I like dropping in here occasionally. Objectively it has everything a pub-lover could want. So why do I always end up feeling that it is so lacking in atmosphere?
5 May 2009 10:54
Dogs and pubs go together. Don't like 'em? Go drink in a wine bar. I get more annoyed by the endless brats that infest this place on weekend lunchtimes as the "half-a-lager and a glass-of-tapwater" brigade drop in for 20 minutes after their family perambulation round the park.
It's always been a bit pricey thought.
5 May 2009 10:44
Dropped in yesterday lunchtime to find out whether the new tenant was showing any sign of restoring the Lower Red to it's former glory, and soon discovered that there is no new tenant! I already knew ('cos I asked him) that Dave Worcester had been unable to agree terms for the place, and it turns out that it's currently being directly managed by it's owner.
She has given the place a thorough clean and a lick of paint (even the brasses are sparkling) and hired some very polite, friendly bar staff (a welcome change from the hostile bunch favoured by the last tenant). There's "only" six ales and one cider on tap, but really, how many do you need? There was a Bank Holiday special ("Ffiagra") at �2-a-pint, and the Red Squirrel slipped down very nicely. There was also a BBQ, which we didn't sample. 10-out-of-10 for effort. The only thing missing was customers, so I would exhort anyone who, like me, was put off the Lower Red by the previous nasty regime to get down there again and help turn it back into the gem it once was!
The owner's views of the last tenant are pretty much the same as mine, and she is depressed at the damage caused to the reputation of this once-fine institution (not to mention the filthy state in which they apparently left the place). The cuplrits are now "running" The Mermaid (into the ground, probably). You have been warned!
Incidentally, there *was* an "upper" Red Lion (it was actually just "The Red Lion"). It was a big place right at the top of the hill on the site now occupied by the Zizzi's pizza joint.
3 May 2009 15:30
Pleased to report that Dave has posted notices around the garden asking parents to keep their brats quiet and under control (not to mention a mysterious and un-repairable fault which has afflicted the swings). Seems to have worked, garden is now pleasant and usable by grown-ups. Was most gratified to see one of the my-children-are-allowed-to-go-anywhere brigade throw a hissy fit on Saturday lunchtime after reading Dave's notice. Hopefully she will not be back.
28 Jul 2008 13:03
Now re-opened after a complete refit. Hardly recognisable as the same pub. More beers, more extensive veggie-friendly menu and bar snacks, same friendly, energetic landlord and staff. If sludge doesn't like the footie supporters in the big bar, he can always go into the quiet, civilised snug bar: this is exactly why pubs always used to have two bars and why it's great that the JS still does.
28 Jul 2008 12:47
Made one of my occasional visits to this lovely old pub yesterday. Seems to have changed hands yet again. Very friendly, London Pride very drinkable. Menu is now more "pub food" than "restaurant" (not necessarily a bad thing). Veggie selection poor, just a couple of microwave standards on offer. Bar munchies also poor: a handful of packets of obscure-brand crisps, no cheese'n'onion. Dogs no longer permitted in bar, and possibly not garden either, which will be a big disappointment to some prospective customers (they have their own dog, which presumably does not play well with others).
28 Jul 2008 12:35
Possibly the best pub in Snorbens these days. Not surprising really, since it's run by Dave who used to run the Lower Red when THAT was the best pub in Snorbens (which it isn't any more, not by a long way).
Garden in the summer is often spoiled by infestations of unruly brats, but then where isn't?
28 Jan 2008 16:22
The King William IV, St Albans
Dreary chain pub. Beer is OK, food is typical chain stuff: great-sounding menu dreamed up by the marketing department, the reality is portion-controlled microwave fare.
OK if you want an occasional change from a real pub such as the Sailor.
28 Jan 2008 16:15
Most of the negative comments about the Sailor are understandable, but Paul has been utterly transforming the place during his tenure so far, and the total refit which is imminent will complete the job.
Excellent beer, very friendly, lots of activities, good-value food every night. Tatty but not for much longer. Hard to fault the Jolly really.
28 Jan 2008 16:10
The Harvester (Ancient Briton), St Albans
This place isn't a pub at all. Given the awfulness of the food (I got dragged there for a Christmas do) it barely even qualifies as a restaurant.
28 Jan 2008 16:06
Another useless stuck-up overpriced bistro job. The best thing you can say about it is that it will not last long: it's even closing early some nights due to lack of custom.
28 Jan 2008 16:02
I care about the sign! Or, to be more accurate, I care about the general trend away from traditional-style pub signs to cheapo graphic-designer jobs like this one.
Otherwise there's not much wrong with the FB, but since the current incumbents chucked out Tina's menu it's a food desert for vegetarians such as yours truly. Tina's fry-ups (with veggie bangers) were an awesome institution and are a great loss to St Albans.
28 Jan 2008 15:59
McMullens houses used to be unpretentious, good-value PUBS. Now they are being turned into toffee-nosed, ovepriced wannabe bistros, as in the Peahen and this place. Dismal.
28 Jan 2008 15:51
This place has long had a reputation as the most expensive and up-itself pub in the St. Albans district. It being a lovely sunny weekend (and not having been here for several years) I took a stroll out to see what it's like these days.
My conclusion? Reputation fully deserved! No amount of silver and china fripperies on the tables, or landlords in suit and tie, can justify Fullers London Pride at a gobsmacking �3.20 a pint!
Granted the beer was good, and the place is nice, but at those prices I will not be hurrying back.
28 Jan 2008 15:39
The Jolly Sailor, St Albans
Beer is getting very pricey here. Now one of the most expensive in Snorbens, despite not even being in the town centre.
21 Sep 2011 13:35