please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
I don't live in the area but have had two very enjoyable visits to this pub. This looks a good area of London with quite a bit of competition
pub wise. Three real ales on offer ,Summer Lightning, Sharps Doombar and one other dark beer. Sampled the food there on one occasion , it was good and arrived within 15 minutes of ordering. The clientele here seem fine and there is plenty of seating both inside and out.
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Good-sized pub with a surprising range of beers for a pub in the suburbs of North London. Brooklyn Lager is always welcome on draft as is Sierra Nevada Pale Ale which are both present here along with several more traditional English Ales and a range of lagers. Prices aren't great but given the environment and the choice you get, it's actually a little cheaper than you might reasonably expect especially when compared to some of the local competition. The little "beer garden" which consists of little more than a patio out front is actually a pleasant place to sup your pint. All in all pretty good, perhaps a little too "posh pub" for my tastes but it's not unwelcoming and I will probably call again...even though my pint of Brooklyn Lager was a little on the past-its-best side.
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As regular drinkers and diners at The Salisbury, we were keen to take our family there for dinner when they visited a few weeks ago.
When we arrived, we were told that there was a delay of, "about half an hour" for food, so we ordered main courses promptly at 7.45pm. Our meals arrived at 8.45pm and were very nice, so nice, in fact, that we all decided to have a dessert too. However, when we went to order at the bar (no table service this evening...!) we were told, very curtly, that the kitchen was closed - no apology, no empathy for the fact that we were ordering late because our main courses had take so long to arrive.
As the host, I found this very embarrassing.
Yes, it was a warm evening and, yes, the pub was busy. But at the very least somebody could have mentioned to us when the main courses were delivered that the kitchen would be closing soon. Of course, in some places, especially Freehouses, the Manager would have done the sums; 6 x �5 (desserts) = �30, + another round of drinks..........and given one of the chefs �10 to stay on for fifteen minutes.
Come on, Paul, it's these 'little' things that make a multi-million pound chain pub feel (and earn) like a well used 'local' all year round - even when the sun isn't shining!
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Living in nearby Palmers Green the Salisbury is a god send! Winchmore Hill has a few decent pubs and with The Kings Head just around the corner the food quality has to be good. If you want to watch any sport then the Dog and Duck is the pub for you, however if you want a good Thursday evening, a few beers, good food and an evening out with mates or the girlfriend The Salisbury is a great pub. The selection of beers on offer is great and the ales are always a good crisp pint (a good sign in any pub!). As far as eating goes I have never had a bad meal here. I have been for Sunday lunch on numerous occasions and do agree that the service is sometimes a little lightweight and the wait for food longer than ideal however during the week I have never experienced this problem. The only other slight downside to this pub is that it is such a large building it can sometimes be a bit quiet.
I honestly can't understand why this pub is only rated as a 6/10. It's a comfortable 9 in my opinion, a great pub!!!
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Reside locally. Visited in early August with a friend over from Morocco and the food was very good. Prompt and hot. Although it was a Wednesday afternoon. The faux Tudor gas fire in the winter is welcoming. And the decor idiosyncratic, in a good way, end to end. The only criticism I have is this: if it is a beautiful week day evening or weekend day then get more bar staff on! I have stood for 20 mins or more to be served. Given up and gone to The Kings Head nearby. Just as chaotic but they do know what they are doing under such circumstances...and you don't have to wave �20 notes in the air.
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I live locally and have eaten and had Eves out many times and have have some good experiences and bad but yesterday was appalling, hence why I'm taking the time to write this. There were 6 of us, two pregnant woman, husbands and 2 toddlers. We went for sun lunch for which we had to wait for sn hour and a half!! And had to ask about twice! Then half of it was cold, especially the yorkshires and potatos- which werent even roast!! They did replace some of it when we complained but when my partner complained to one of the bar staff about the time we were waiting they were quite rude in response! At �15 a roast it was plain awful and we won't be going again, neither will our friends. Keeping toddlers occupied for that length of time is hard enough!!!
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A good venue on a summer's evening as there is lots of space outside to linger. Inside is big, and in winter there is an open fire. Always seems friendly, the food is quite good and there is a large selection of beers from around the world as well as two or three decent bitters.
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This gastro pub has a wide selection of premium lagers alongside Landlord, Pride, Bass and an unused hand pump. I had a pint of Pride and Landlord during my visit and thought that they were both good.
I found the pub a little draining so I decided to sit outside which was pleasant enough.
I would go back here again if I had time when passing.
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Popped into the Salisbury for a sly quick one on the Saturday lunchtime following Xmas day after being sent down the local Sainsburys for provisions. Were serving Bateman's Christmas Beer, Rosey Nosey. Very nice..
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Like the kings Head but a lower class of coke head! nothing exciting.
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Just been in for Sunday dinner and all went well. Very busy both for food and drinks. New to the area so unable to comment on how it compares to past set up but I for one think it is a very nice local. Worth a visit
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Not too sure what is happening at the Salisbury. There seems to be constantly changing managers, each of which tinkers with the decor and alters the range of drinks available. The once wide selection of bottled beers, which was a strong feature of the re-launch a couple of years ago has all but disappeared. In addition, the quality of the food and service would embarrass a Harvester - and the lack of diners in this once popular pub/eatery reflects this. Overall The Salisbury, which always promises so much, is failing to deliver in every department and requires a firm manager with a clear vision if it is to pull out of it's nosedive and offer a real alternative around the Green.
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Great range of obscure draught Belgian beers. Decor identical to the Kings Head across the Green- what is it with the obsession with Laurence Llewelyn Bowen wallpapar and massive sofas everywhere!! Bit too big to have any atmosphere except when pretty busy I would think. Overall disappointing, especially after seeing previous good reviews. Better than the Kings head though
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Great place to drink but absolutely shocking when it comes to food. I have eaten there three times, but never again. Poorly prepared, average ingredients at best and dreadful service. But if you want a good selection of beer and wine you could do a lot worse.
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This pub is a lovely venue and a nice place to drink, however I have eaten there twice and found the food to be truly dreadful. The first time I visited, there were various things on the menu unavailable (this is particularly annoying when the menu is fairly limited to begin with). The same happened the 2nd time I visited. The staff were neither apologetic or particularly helpful. Both times meals were served with varying elements missing ie a roast dinner without any potatoes and sausage and mash without the parsnips stated on the menu. Each time the plate was taken away and the item was added, suggesting that they had simply "forgotten" to put everything on the plate! As it turned out the sausages and mash were returned to the kitchen in the end anyway as they were cremated to within an inch of their life and totally inedible. Poor quality, poorly cooked, over priced food with bad service. I would go only to drink and enjoy the lovely log fire.
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This is large pub with attractive d�cor and some comfortable seating - although unfortunately I found it so busy last night that I couldn't enjoy the seating! The pub was a bit crowded for my liking, but it's clearly popular with its client�le, who tend to be quite young, in their 20s. There's a wide range of drinks available, as well as an extensive food menu. I'll probably return when next in the area.
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Am surprised by some of the comments about the Salisbury. Never went to this pub before its refurbishment. It is now somewhere I go fairly regularly that offers a wide range of continental beers and wines. I have always found staff helpful. In particular a certain member of staff (a comment made in another review about eastern european staff) who will go out of her way to bring drinks to table or take a drink order from where we are sitting. Also, love the decor and fab music.
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Had to wait 20mins to get served, while staff talked amongst themselves. There was only 3 people in front of me
anonymous - 28 Sep 2007 17:33 |
Above average pub for the area. Near the station, and my main reason for recommending it is the great selection of German and Belgian beers (Paulaner/Fruili) on draught. Also there are nice areas to sit down outside.
On the down side, a couple of the bar staff are Eastern European and - whilst polite enough - they aren't the best at serving drinks. They have a lack of basic bar knowledge and language problems, it has taken me a while to get served by them before. Also there are occasions, when Spurs are playing at home, Saint George's day etc - when the chavvy 20 pints in a day brigade are out in force. This only happens occasionally, mostly its a good - but be aware incase you happen to go on a day like this. The pub is also child friendly.
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'anonymous' has a point...it is VERY like the Old White Lion in East Finchley, and it is probably a chain pub. But so what?
5 years ago, chain pubs were O'Neal's, Walkabouts and All Bar One's. We had ONE cask ale on tap if VERY lucky, and the same old Brakes Brother's food to eat.
Now, we have 'chain' pubs like the Salisbury, where we can get Timothy Taylor's Landlord PLUS a guest, and food which is (for the most part) freshly cooked and carefully sourced.
I used to drink in the Salisbury in 1995, and I know that this is a major improvement.
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Interesting review below this entry. It does seem that the reviewer is a little too well informed to be a genuine consumer - particularly given that he or she sees no positives in things, such as wide choice of beers and easy, relaxed atmosphere. Perhaps the reviewer should revert back to drinking/working/managing/owning the King's and/or Queen's, where, apparently, there is so much choice and better value to be had (better value in the King's - only if you have a 'key-code' to the till !)
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Sorry to ruin people's preconceptions here, but this pub is owned by multi-national conglomerate Michells and Butler, who also own All Bar One, O�Neills and�.EMBER INN!
This is as much of a chain pub as Ember Inn � but its aimed at people who don�t like chain pubs. They�ve done their focus groups and realised people are getting tired of chain bars. This means they can hike up the prices, too.
However, the Salisbury has the same �interesting beer & furnishings� as the Maid of Muswell, the Ranelagh (Bounds Green), Kings Head (Crouch End), Old White Lion (E.Finchley), two in Highgate, three in Hampstead and 30+ more around London. It maybe tastefully decorated but its not unique and its not special.
Just because it *looks* like it would serve better food than when it was an Ember Inn, being owned by the same people means most of the bulk food suppliers are the same. Having a open kitchen hatch and a bloke in a white hat is apparently all it takes to hoodwink people into believing they�re in a gastropub nowadays.
When I ate there recently, my food came arrived in three minutes and my potatoes tasted very much like they were cooked from frozen. I�ll be sticking to the Kings/Queens when in the area.
anonymous - 14 Mar 2007 01:10 |
Used to be dreadful, now very nice indeed, although the bar staff are a little, ahem, "low end". Sorry to be snobby, but they let the side down.
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My decision last year not to move out of N21 but to pay for a big extension instead has been rewarded by my local being done up again, and this time what a make over ! Cannot disagree with any of the comments below. Good decor, good food, good beer ...good heavens another great pub for the Green.
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A truly amazing transformation! New owners, new beers (15+ belgian draughts), great Sunday Lunch Menu (�8.90 for a roast!) Food served all day (Noon till 22:00), Non Smoking Area, chatty/attractive bar maids. Lots of good looking young ladies too.
I thought I was dreaming, but no, it is true. Thoroughly recommended.
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A refreshing new makeover, with a relaxed more upmarket feel. The new landlord has come over from The Gate in Hampstead so seems to have a good idea of the sort ambience that works well around the Green.
Well kept Broadside ofr cold winter nights, and a large range of excellent offbeat fruit beers to enjoy in the summer months sitting in the newly made over 'secret garden'. All beers are served in their appropriate glasses (including ale in jugs)which is an excellent touch which should be continued, rather than dropped once the first batch has been either broken or 'relocated' by visitors keen on car boot sales.
One last thought - small live fish kept in a tank in the bar? Take them upstairs out odf harms way, before they are poisoned by strawberry beer poured into the tank by someone with a pocket full of glasses!
An excellent start, Jim
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Stop Press! Ember Inns have apparently been kicked in to touch to make way for what appears to be quite a sharp boozer. The choice of ale is massive (Strawberry Beer anyone?). Adnams Broadside was as good as it gets and the acid test for all pubs - in my opinion - which is the obligatory pint of Liffy Water was spot on.
Decor is modern but thankfully not trendy and it's nice to find a pub that's been refurbished with taste. It's a little dark inside but the lack of luminaires (not luminaries - there's plenty of them in N21!)is sorted out with the plethora of candles on every flat surface. Mind you, all the nice girls love a candle don't they and there were certainly some nice girls in the pub last night. To the point. A fine pub, I'll be going again soon and I suggest you join me.
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This was once a great pub. It is now owned by Ember Inns. Do I need to say more. Expensive drinks, plastic/microwave reheated food, below average bar staff, high turnover of landlord/landlady management.
It has the same look and feel of any other Ember Inn in the UK.
Avoid unless you are gasping or busting for a pee!
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It is so easy to relax in this pub. Bright and airy but still quite traditional. Nice bar displays, nice food and drinks a bit pricey for me as a usual wetherspoons drinker but worth it for the surroundings. Be warned, once you sit in one of those sofas it will take some time for you to bring yourself to leave!
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The Old dark interior of the Salisbury has now been replaced by a bright comfortable Ember Inns makeover ( lots of Alcoves and large sofa's and arm chairs )
Food menu is good for a lunchtime visit, especially in Summer when you can take advantage of the outside seating area. Do agree that the young crowd moves in for the evening. So with the nearby Kings Head and Queens Head also having make overs, that's all three pubs round Winchmore Hill Green modernised from being old and tired.
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Nice Pub, good decor, large outside seating area. frequently occupied by young wannabe Greek gangsters but generally friendly. Good food.
anonymous - 5 Jun 2005 16:11 |
Ember Inns .
dan - 28 Jul 2004 12:37 |
