please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Used to have a reasonable range of ales but on my last visit had a choice of GK IPA (yawn) London Pride (yawn) & Bombardier (yawn). Food ok though.
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was ok but they never have the beer thats on the black board
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I have to say I am surprised at the recent downers on this pub, I been popping in now and again over the last 15 years and I feel it was always been a rotten pub whatever the name of it is, in fact I like Ember signs as its a nice big sign telling you not to bother coming into this crumby M&B rubbish, If you like their pathetic efforts at pubs you might as well go and get mad cow desease at The Prey for about �3.69 for eat as much turd as you like .
Although there are a few of the Nicholsons pubs in London that are quite good!
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Yes TIAMARIA it's true, although if you look closely it does say @ the king william in small letters at the bottom of the sign. SHOCKING. Similar thing happened to the Ancient Britton - replacing history with corporate logos. Think the 3 Hammers retains it's name but does have a gaudy Ember Inns sign.
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Oh dear, haven't been in here for over a year but to me it will always be the King Will.
Has the other Ember Inn I know in the area become something stupid or is it still the Three Hammers?
Is your local council doing anything about retaining the proper name?
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Such a shame, this used to be pretty good for beer & food. But since the refurb it has gone downhill rapidly. Why have they removed the King William IV pub sign? That's what the pub has always been & how it's known to the locals - no-one is going to start calling it the Ember Inn so why change? Not that I blame the landlady who I think tries her hardest but is hampered by the pub company who have no connection with the locals or what they actually may want. The beer choice is nowhere near what it used to be - used to be one of the best in St Albans but now there's rarely anything unusual there. The menu is not as good as it used to be either - I ordered the chicken bacon & avocado salad - there was some chicken, about 2 small bits of bacon but absolutely no avocado in sight and the salad consisted of a mountain of lettuce with about 1/4 of a tomato, 1 slice of cucumber & that was it. It should have been called "chicken & lettuce" since that would have been a much fairer description of what I actually got. Used to go in here quite regularly, we won't be rushing back.
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This dreary chain establishment is no better for it's recent refurb. Same sterile atmosphere, same microwaved food, same adolescent staff. The ale was OK but nothing about the place made me want to stay for more than one. Was astonished that in the recent ice age they didn't bother to clear the lethal car park. Surely the pubco could've sent them a sack of rock salt and a shovel?
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Has now changed it's name to 'Ember Pub and Dining' showing a total disregard for history and locality.Why do the council allow this?This fact, along with the declining choice of beer means I will not be going back which is a shame because it was pretty good a year or two ago.
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Disappointing last visit: no more interesting guest beers(had to make do with Timothy Taylor) and the formally excellent Fish & Chips was just plain ordinary. Service still very efficient, however.
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On the downside, this is a chain pub lacking atmosphere( a bit like an international hotel bar) with that awful tacky Embers Inn sign. However, this one is very well managed. The lady who I assume is the manager is very friendly and helpful as are the other staff. Also the real ale is pretty good and reasonably priced, as is the food which is served all day. Worth a look if you are passing or live nearby.
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Unspectacular chain pub, no reason to visit unless you happen to be outside and dying of thirst.
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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.
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ember inn chain pub.good range of ales,timmy taylors landlord seems to be a regular.Have noticed an improvment of the quality of the real ale of late !!
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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.
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INSIDE LOOKS LIKE THE BAR OF AN INTERNATIONAL HOTEL, IE PRETTY CHARACTERLESS.NICE CHOICE OF REAL ALE - THE NETHERGATE PRIORY MILD WAS LOVELY.REASONABLY PRICED FOOD.A FEW ROUGH TYPES AT THE BAR SWEARING INTO THEIR MOBILES AND DRINKING PINTS OF 'WIFEBEATER'
anonymous - 18 Nov 2007 14:52 |
Much nicer inside than the exterior would suggest. Food, including "healthy options", is available every day until 9pm. The three ales currently available are London Pride, Bombardier and Wadsworths 6X. Overall, not as appealing as a more traditional pub, but the KWIV gives good service at reasonable prices. It's also the "local" of one of CAMRA's leading lights, and he's not too unkind to it, so there you go. Well situated to provide relief on the long trek between St Albans and Sandridge.
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Horrible pub sign like the one at the 3 hammers
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As a large estate-style pub, the inside is pleasantly surprising. More of a lounge/diner place. Loads of tables, sofa's scattered around. All aimed for the eating circuit, before 9pm.
The food is good solid and well cooked, aided by the presentation. This ranges from the 5-10 mark depending on main, with puds tempting too.
It tends to be moderately busy all week, with there still being space at weekends to get in. Helped by not being in the centre of town. It does still have a midnight licence (good for a drink on the way out from town heading home!) There can be a chav-esque crowd as others say, but they can be avoided.
Best place is to get to the non-smoking food end, with the real fire. But alas, limited on seating!
Beer generally good quality, but does depend on what is on. A ususal is London Pride and some Green King. Do need to ask to get glass topped up, as otherwise, you DO get quite short measures...
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This huge pub offers good beers, friendly service and a lot of food. Its previous existence as 'Jim Thompsons' was unsuccessful, and it's good to have the KWIV back.
On the downside, it attracts Chavs in huge quantities, who sit around swearing, gobbing, smoking and talking to each other on their mobile phones! They set the overall tone, and if you don't like it (as I don't) then you're probably better off going elsewhere.
anonymous - 28 Dec 2005 09:34 |
Refurbished in 2004 and the results are pretty impressive. Now a decent quality pub/restaurant.
Excellent choice of beers and lagers (all well kept)and food is very popular.
Friendly (young)staff are well controlled by the Landlady!
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