please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Was looking forward to visiting last night, but then realised it's a Fuller's pub - nothing too wrong in that, just they are so similar & formulaic. That said, beer was good and barmaid very friendly
|
Every trip to st albs gets another pub review.... Lovely esb served in handled ceremonial glass. Nice back street pub.
|
Came here on the Abbey flyer Rail Ale Trail. Been a good few years since I've been to this pub. Absolutely fantastic: warm, welcoming and well-kept real ale. Got speaking to the landlady who has been there for a few months now and she was really friendly. The best pub on our trip, cannot fault it.
|
Great to see this pub back to where it should be - redecorated, busy and with a friendly experienced landlord
The London Pride was in good order and the landlord said food will be available within a week. Chef in place and the menu sounds good
Look forward to my next visit - the Portland is a quality local pub once again
|
New Landlord - Really Friendly. Refurbished tastefully and as you'd hope for this once again great pub. Great Beer- The London Pride is top notch - but plenty of choice for both real ale and lager drinkers. Nice friendly clientele. Food expected to start within the week - good quality, traditional pub fayre. After talking to the new Landlord I suspect the food will be great. There is no doubt The Portland Arms is back and is once again one of the best pubs in St Albans
|
best pint of lager in st albans.(do not understand why most city centre pubs seem to focus on real ale drinkers and have undrinkable lager or egg water as it is in most places)
food is ok can be over seasoned at times.
staff are generally happy and polite but seem very stressed at times,seems to be when who i pressume to be the licencees are around
very good to go into at lunch times for a decent quiet pint as it is normally not busy.
they have some good bands on at weekends.
but i find the volume of the bands playing to loud
for the size of the pub.
In summary excellent beer,average food,generally friendly polite service
|
Unfortunately I agree with lookmother. This used to be a really nice pub, good atmosphere and a great place to have a quiet pint or two. But there does seem to be one surly member of staff where it feels like 'if looks could kill'.
I have heard about her outside of the pub as well - and for me, it brings the pub's reputation down too. I will not be coming back until either her attitude changes - or she ceases to work there.
|
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.
|
Pub No.5
Good pub
Good beer
Ok service
Expensive
Recommended if you've got the money: 6/10
|
Nice pub. Expensive beer.
|
Fairly standard Fullers tied house which is often fairly quiet, I have occasionally taken a book here and read for a couple of hours. Boasts a pub car park which many in this area cannot. Beer quality is good but expensive. Have not tried the food so cannot comment on this aspect of the place.
|
This pub should be praised not knocked. Yes it's a backstreet pub not always busy. But the beer especially the London pride is excellent and the bar staff always friendly. We cane for Sunday lunch once and was so packed we couldn't be seated. We booked next time and had the best Sunday lunch in st Albans ( and we've had a few). We have been back lots of times and really like the relaxed atmosphere
|
This is a very nice pub. However, the beer is very expensive(�3.40 for Bengal Lancer). The food is way over-priced for it's mediocre quality. I seem to remember much better quality food in the past which justified the price.Shame, as I would like to visit this pub, but beer is so much more affordable in equally nice pub such as the Six Bells.Perhaps somebody from Fullars can explain why beer in their pubs is so expensive
|
Very disappointing - not particularly good choice of beer & food was very over priced for what you got. Can get much better food cheaper elsewhere. We were there Saturday lunchtime & it was completely dead. We certainly won't be rushing back.
|
I'm really torn about whether or not to post this, because The Portland Arms is (at heart) a great little pub with a lovely fire, great beer and (from what I've heard) good food.
Sadly, I'll be avoiding it until there's a staffing change/change in attitude from staff.
Although newcomers are supposedly welcome, there's one member of staff for whom it seems like having a full pub is more trouble than it's worth.
On two occasions I've supped up and left immediately after hearing her complain that her customers are "pissing her off" while scowling at anyone who approaches the bar.
It's such a shame as it's such a great pub in many other respects.
|
Always found this pub to be very friendly and food good standard and well priced.
May not be packed out all the time (try Waterend Barn for that), but excellent to start or end a walk round the park next to a real fire, with good food and a decent pint from a good selection.
Lots goes on here with live music and other activities, a really good local pub that deserves praise not knocking.
|
Fullers pub tucked away in the back streets, dispensing Seafarers Ale, Chiswick, ESB and Pride during our Friday afternoon visit. We were the only people in the pub and possibly the first of the day, given the poor quality of the beer. The pub is fairly cosy with some antiques and old pictures of St Albans, but the lack of custom meant there was little or no atmosphere. Below average.
|
Well my wife & I visited last Saturday night (2nd Oct) as a mates band was playing. Altough they had not begun serving food, they started early as we were hungry. I had the Ribeye Steak & it was very good and excellent value at under a tenner (we pay around �18 where we live for a good ribeye). Also as my wife is diabetic, they changed their menu so she could have a suitable low fat meal. I have no reason to defend this place, but they could not have been more pleasant and helpful and although we realise people are entitled to their opinion, I hope this redresses the balance a little. Would definitely go back again.
|
Hello again as for the reply to my posting about how bad this pub is the reply from the landlady is no more than expected she was quite rude and onoxious
on the evening in question and did not ask us to leave we did so by our own choice. so her reply doesnt suprise me.I have since sent my complaint to Simon Emeny the main man ay Fullers
I am also not suprised that regulars are sticking up for her as stated before she
got them to wind us up on the night enough said..
As I said before avoid at all costs
|
I never normally reply to these postings as I think its great that customers can post their own views. However I just had to respond to
the previous message, which is both untrue and very unfair.
The lady and gentleman ordered fish and chips and a well done steak. When I asked how their food was the lady spoke up and said that the steak should have come with a salad for �10, like they do at another pub they go to (where the beer is 50p more expensive per pint). I explained the steak comes with a bearnaise sauce and its clear on the menu it does not come with a salad. But I would be happy to get one for them. She did not like this and carried going on and on about how disgusting it was that we charge �10 for a steak and chips. I believe this is reasonable and told her this. She however continued to shout at me at how unhappy she was about the price. Of course there was nothing I could do but explain this. Her husband did not say anything the whole time and continued to eat his steak. At no time did the lady or gentleman complain about the taste or quality of the food. In fact they cleared their plates.
The lady continued however to not just keep complaining inside the pub but outside in front of many customers. One of which ended up saying to her that he was here for a quiet drink and please could she be quiet. She didn't stop and in the end unfortunately I had to tell her to leave the pub and not come back again. I have never ever said this to a customer before and really did not enjoy the experience. However the lady was terribly rude, insulting and derogatory.
This is my truthful version of events and obviously up to everyone to come along and see for themselves what a great pub the Portland Arms, its food and its staff and landlady are.
|
I visited this pub on saturday evening with my wifE..The food was very poor the steak was nearly un edible as it was so badly cooked.
When approached by the landlady on how was the food we explained that is
ws not that great and she then lost her rag completly stating she coudl not see
what our problem was what do we expect for �10 and would not except
any critiscm at all and stormed off.
So much for the customer
She then must have Told some of her regulars at the bar who then starting
making loud comments about how good the food was and what should they order.At that point we went outside to finish our drinks where the landlady again came out and had a go at us.This has got to be the worst Fullers pub I have ever been to and will be complaining to the Brewery
AVOID AT ALL COSTS
|
A thoroughly sound Fuller's house in the residential backstreets of the town, pleasantly situated for local trade but also not so obscure that it can attract some passing trade too. Ales were found in well-conditioned form, and I daresay the food was also worthwhile, although we were not at that stage of proceedings where it was required. We were met with a jolly and engaging hostess - the landlady or maybe an unusually sociable barmaid - who made us feel at home. There are commodious facilities indooes although given the clement weather of the day we decided to make full use of the outdoor area. Not much to look at, with a view directly onto a tarmac car park, and no real garden to speak of, yet it was a fine suntrap and a vaguely bucolic feel was created by the presence of a well-populated hen house.
Not the ultimate pub experience, certainly not in as competitive a town as St Albans, but all in all well worth a pint or two. If you live locally, it would surely be a must.
|
I'm losing the will to live.
|
I found bbrona1's review rather inaccurate. For starters, it is not cucumbers that are found on the roast, but courgettes. These are actually a very commonly roasted vegetable and in my view are an excellent accompaniment to the fresh meat that is served and the beautifully seasoned gravy. If this alone does not undermine bbrona1's credentials as a critic, I should not think there are many regular restaurant goers that would not have had the gumption to ask for more custard. It is such a pity that the professional chefs that work in the Portland are not being scrutinised by professional critics. I would suggest that bbrona1 should order the burger next time - of course ensuring that they ask for no gherkins (or pickled courgettes!)
|
I had sunday lunch at this pub on 16th May 2010,�8.75.
The sunday roast was a little below average,I had beef which was a good standard of beef, but the veg was not up to scratch carrots a little to hard, also the other main veg was cucumber,which is not my idea of a sunday lunch veg. The potatoes were not freshly cooked, possibly ex-frozen.
I had apple crumble with custard for pudding �4.50 The crumble was ok, but the amount of custard that I got was laughable (a very small ashtray type bowl) with about a egg cup full of custard in it,which left this crumble a bit dry to eat after the custard ran out.
BB
|
Great food, beer well kept (just shame is the limited Fullers range) and atmosphere great.
|
Fullers have recently awarded this pub Master Cellarman status, further confirmation that it keeps its ales in tip-top condition. Not only that, but the food is as good as ever, and there are various entertainments, such as live music on Sundays and a very popular quiz on Wednesdays. I drifted away from this pub when I moved home 2 years ago, but I still live close enough and have every intention of visiting more frequently in future.
|
Have been to this pub several times over the last month and have found it to be a hidden gem. The ales are in immaculate order, the service from the staff harks back to a time when customers were the most important part of a public house (hard to find anywhere these days) and the general atmosphere was warm (especially next to their lovely fire) and welcoming. Strongly recommend it, but would rather it was kept a well known St Albans secret!
|
Unexpected location for a great pub. Beer in good condition. Haven't tried the grub yet but the menu looked good. Good barmaid, cosy feel to the place. Try it out.
|
came here last year for sunday dinner not very good at all when i got home i had to have some toast would not go back again ever
|
A tidy backstreet Fuller's outlet serving pretty much their full permanent ale range in good condition. There's a bog-standard back garden and a TV in the L-shaped bar for sports, plus the daily papers for your perusal. Worth popping in if you like your Fullers beer, I'd say. Not bad at all.
|
Don't get here as much as I used to but I dropped in one weekend during our recent belated summer and had a couple of very nice pints sat in the quiet garden at the rear. Good place.
|
Having a wander around the backstreets of Saint Albans last sunday i found an absolute gem. The portland Arms has a real relaxed atmosphere and some pretty good beer to boot. There was a good little duo playing music in one corner and judging by a list on the wall they have music most Sundays. Like Arnie "I'll be back".
|
What a great pint of London Pride. Best I've tasted for sometime! Nice to visit a true traditional pub with great ales.
|
No steak on the menu any more. The Chiswick bitter was very pleasant though.
|
So pleased that I found this pub - many a happy, relaxed, lazy Sunday afternoon now spent here. Sunday lunches are great - food and beer are really good and the people working there are so friendly and really seem to want to make sure you have a good time. Live music on a Sunday night also fantastic.
As a rule I'm not a huge jazz fan, but the Thursday night jazz sessions are brilliant - definitely worth going along to.
Really recommend this pub. Has become one of my favourite places.
|
This pub has always been good, and the link with Hedges Farm is long established. It's just that the new landlady has been sensible enough not to change the good practices of her predecessors.
|
Wow this pub has really improved since the new landlady took over in February. There's real friendly service, real ales are top quality and the food's great. Came for Sunday lunch which was excellent, the meat comes from Hedges Farm right in St Albans. Will definately be returning.
|
If you live in St Albans you need to visit this pub. If you don't live in St Albans, you should move here and visit this pub. Top food and drink served with a smile.
|
Uh-oh, Ken and Henry are no longer here as from 18th Feb. A great shame, since the PA is now a really great pub, and even more so when compared with some of Fullers' others in the area (e.g. the woeful Swan at Park Street, which has now shut). I hope the new managers can maintain the existing high standards.
|
I�d heard that the Portland had acquired a new guv�nor earlier in the year so popped in recently to see whether it was in danger of relinquishing its current spot in the BITE Top 40. The answer is that not much seems to have changed and the pub is still worthy of its high rating. Chiswick, Pride and ESB from the Fullers stable all served with efficiency and friendliness. I went in on a Sunday lunchtime and most of the tables had been reserved which is a sign of its continuing popularity.
|
An excellent back street middle class pub. Excellent London Pride and ESB. Food is superb and reasonable. Must serve the best chip in the country. If you have to take the missus out, this is the pub to go to.
|
Very pleasant pub. I'm not a bitter lover but I drink it here as it's so well kept. Food is good and the atmosphere is pleasant. I've been told it's dying on it's arse since the smoking ban, I do hope not, St Albans has plenty of pubs that deserve to close, this isn't one of them.
|
Very good ale, at slightly cheaper prices than you get at some other Fullers pubs. The "traditional" Portland food menu is still there, but the new chef does Specials too later in the week. Also live music most Sunday nights. Nice one.
|
A small group of us girlies visited this pub one evening last week. My first impression was that it was a bit dull and "blokeish". But the lovely Henry really knows how to run a pub and make people feel welcome. And then when the food appeared ...!!!! Yum, yum, and again I say yum!!!! So much for my diet. But the whole visit was very nice and I would recommend this pub to anybody.
|
Fantastic pub. The Fullers ales are immaculately kept, and the food menu is slowly being expanded. Efficient and friendly barstaff too. The Portland seems to be a bit out of the way but is actually only half a mile from the city centre. Worth a visit. Last time I was here, I was definitely newt-like by the end. Great stuff. Stonkingly good.
|
New manager, new chef, same Fullers beers but immaculately kept, really nice people ( staff and customers) ... has always been a great pub, might be on the verge of something even better...
|
I found this pub only recently and it's great! The beers are superbly kept, the food is excellent and good value, and the barstaff are friendly and professional. Separate smoking and non-smoking areas too. Excellent.
|
Honest Fullers pub. Would go back.
anonymous - 15 Oct 2006 21:29 |
A great pub to have in the neighbourhood. I've known it for 18 months now, and unlike many other pubs in St Albans it remains consistent, in a very positive way.
The food menu is excellent, with ingredients still supplied by a local farm, and eating times are 12-2 and 6.30-9.30 (excl. Monday). The Fullers ales are always impeccable.
I just wish this pub was slightly busier. Perhaps it needs to advertise a bit? Anyway, I've sussed out 50 local pubs since moving here last November, and this one is in the Top 10, possibly Top 5, depending on one's mood.
|
Rock-solid Fullers pub. London Pride, Chiswick and Discovery beers all top-notch. I've also had a couple of meals here and they were great.
The atmosphere can be a bit staid sometimes, but so what? Give me a pub like this over the city centre hell-holes any day.
anonymous - 14 Feb 2006 21:16 |
Its cold outside, so all you want is some warmth, both heat and from a good pint of ale. Well, good news (almost) on both here. The beer always seems to be well kept, with an almost complete Fullers range on. Add in a fairly reasonably priced wine list and you can keep the whole of your group pretty happy.
It also (as is stated elsewhere) got superb food, with most of this sourced locally to the area. A gastro pub feel to that, but still a local bozzer at the same time. Nice. If you live nearby...
Only downside (hence not higher rating) is the non-smoking area. It is in the back area of the pub, furthest from the (real) fire. And does not really get warm. It was ok (tepid) earlier on, but as the night wore on, got cold, as people drifted off after food.
|
This is a first-class back-street local, run by friendly and welcoming staff. Their range of beers (Fuller�s) is well-kept and the wine list perfectly good. However, it�s the food which draws me back; their kitchen using only locally-sourced meat, vegetables and cheeses (all produced within a few miles of St Albans). The d�cor is pleasant, the ambience relaxed and there are roaring log fires in the winter. It appears to be popular with a wide range of locals, including a smattering of academics from the nearby University of Hertfordshire.
If only every street in Britain had a local as good as this.
anonymous - 26 Jan 2006 11:39 |
Friendly pub. No smoking area out the back. Excellent Fullers and good grub in the evenings - acoustic based music free on Sunday nights is fun too.
|
Excellent Fullers,good standard of grub,good traditional feel still
|
Both London Pride and Fullers ESB were perfect. In terms of beer alone this pub gets 9/10.
|
Friendly backstreet pub, with a growing reputation for serving top-notch food. Good range of drinks too, including 3 Fullers ales.
|
