Prince Albert, Milton Keynesback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
A good sized pub set slightly back from the road in the centre of what was once a village, but is now part of the Milton Keynes metropolis. Although the outside appearance is stone built and quite traditional, it has a somewhat more contemporary feel once you get inside.
It's an L-shape pub, and off to the left inside the door in a small area with a pool table and darts board. To the right is a fire-place with plenty of large logs stacked up, although this was not in use on a recent visit. Elsewhere is a smaller fire-place with a plasma mounted above it, which was turned off. Flooring is mostly wood strip, with patterned carpet at the rear and the walls were a mixture of pale white and gold wallpaper and a very neutral paint.
The food menu was a very basic "pub grub" affair with options such as Ham Egg & Chips, Chilli Con Carne, Fish & Chips and a Giant Yorkshire Pudding and most of these were priced around the £5 - £6 mark which seems very reasonable. There was also a small specials board, although the barmaid pointed out that it was actually an "additions" board rather than a specials board, presumably because the listed dishes weren't really that special, e.g.; Warwickshire Rarebit and a Cauliflower Cheese Tartlet. My Chicken Curry was a decent enough dish with generous chunks of tender chicken and came with a couple of mini naan breads, rice and mango chutney. If I was being critical I would say that it could have done with a bit more flavour, but for the price it was really very good. If you're making a special journey, be aware that food is only served on certain evenings and even then only at restricted times such as 5:00 - 7:00. Furthermore desserts are only available on a Sunday lunchtime.
Beers on tap were Fat Cat's Hell Cat, Oakham's Vagabond, Young's Bitter and Doom Bar. The solitary cider was Strongbow, unfortunately.
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Beer choice has improved immeasurably since the current licensees took over. Sometimes too many strong beers, and anything from smaller breweries disappears almost as soon as it's put on ( example - Oakham JHB shown as "coming soon" on a Thursday and gone by the Monday ) because there's only ever one barrel of it, but by and large it all works. Mysteriously, Courage Directors is invariably available..............
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Surprised by this pub. Best beer I've ever had from a Charlie Wells pub (& I live in Bedford!) Two guests on, one from Brodie's.
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The tennancy is up for offer on this place and it has the feel of somewhere waiting to be given a bit of investment and care it needs.
The basics are there. Decent sized car park, kiddies play area, reasonable size with a nice look and feel. But the beer range is overshadowed by the Victoria opposite and everything looks just a bit tired.
Toilets were clean and smelt nice though.
Worth a shout but could really do with someone to take it up a level.
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Nice village local, a little off the beaten track even if it is in the middle of Milton Keynes. Can be very jovial and convivial at weekends, quiet during the week - well, quiet in terms of numbers, there's always plenty of din from the jukebox/TVs/pool table/landlord even if it's empty. Currently features live bands on Saturday nights, mostly good local musicians.
Very nice food, you really must try a Rock if you're hungry! Good selection of lagers and bottled beers. As Snarling Mallard said, only Bombardier and Courage Best on the ale front, and then not usually at the same time - ale selection hasn't changed for years despite the range of ales available from Wells & Youngs since the merger. Sadly but unsurprisingly most of the real ale trade has been lost to the Victoria across the road.
Clientele mixed and friendly - however if the Gollums are in, go somewhere else !
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Two pubs and the odd farm building are the only reminants of a village now wholly swallowed up by Milton Keynes. This wasn't a bad place, has sky and a cheerful enough couple hosting the place. Only Courage Best and Mombardier on the ale front (and the Bombardier wasn't on) it was dinkable if not brilliant . Probably the nearest proper pub to down town MK - it's about a 15/20 minute walk from the station.
anonymous - 16 Jan 2011 14:59 |
It transpires a lot of people end up going in here because they've actually come to see the pub over the road, only to find it doesn't live up to it's reputation. this place is brill - good beer and friendly service. And really helpful to the pedestrian whose map reading isn't much good.
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Went here last Tuesday evening, I totally agree with DaveDimo's comments, Food was good and cheap, beer (Eagle IPA) was very good but only that and Bombadier.....
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A bit pricier and slightly more upmarket than the Victoria (across the road) but worth a visit. Big food menu but not much choice on the beer front.
DaveDimo - 23 Sep 2004 14:05 |
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