please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The only downside for me is the McMullens ales, which I don't like so resort to lager when I come here. The staff are efficient, courteous and professional, which may come as a shock if you have become accustomed to the local Greene King pits of squalor. Prices are higher than say the Plume but the food is much better, with generous portions and freshly made. The beer-battered cod I had was done to perfection. The gourmet burgers are superb, too. The toilets are clean, the bar is clean and you can see into the kitchen, which looks spotless and well run. There are none of the obnoxious regulars that blight several of the local pubs.
When we come out for work lunch, I always try and come here.
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Against my better judgement (which shows my open mindedness!) I revisited the pub a couple of weeks ago. It's now worse. We were the only two drinkers in the pub despite it being "drinking time". The barman didn't know how to pull a pint (I had to ask for it to be topped up) and one of the beers immediately went off. Another member of staff went down to the cellar to "change the barrel". He returned, reversed the beer clip and walked off without a word. I had to therefore order a different beer.
The regular drinkers have all disappeared. It's still an Islington wine bar - but colder. That was definitely my last visit
Tewin - 30 Dec 2012 20:16 |
Disagree with some of the previous comments - the staff here are really friendly and spending a lot of time in islington I can assure you it does not look like an 'Islington Wine Bar'... I agree the place is trying to be more than it actually is - but it is comfortable and friendly. Appears to be 'open fire capable' in the winter. I've been coming here with friends for years and the decor certainly doesn't put me off. I wouldn't eat there - but I base that on the ambience created by the generic eaters they get in. I'd pop in for a pint anytime!
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I think the makeover of this pub has been dreadful. I wrote to McMullens and said so but of course I received no reply. It is indeed an Islington wine bar wrapped in a traditional country pub. When I see a country pub I have expectations when I go in. They are sadly dashed here. The bar staff wear the customary London black clothes (where has this fashion come from?) and while they are young and friendly they really belong in a wine bar. The food is expensive. Small children are allowed to run riot in the pub and there is no attempt to control them. One Sunday afternoon I thought I was in a creche!
I won't be rushing back.
Tewin - 23 Mar 2011 07:35 |
Took the opportunity to utilise this place for a mid way stop when doing a circular walk in the area. I can see the point of some of the previous comments. Looked like any standard traditional village pub as we approached across the Green, but then closer resembles an Islington Gastro pub inside. However, for me, this is one of the better all wood McMullen makeovers I�ve been in. The multi split level (with the main dining area below the bar ) works well and the two spacious drinking areas either side of the central bar are pleasant enough with all the light wood beans and comfy seating.
Usual range of McMullen Cask Ales and couldn�t fault the couple we tried. Yes I guess the beer and food are pricey for a Hertfordshire Village and were more in keeping with an establishment in N1.
However they had a lunchtime soup and sandwich deal for a fiver and couldn�t fault that for quality.
So in conclusion, a smart , food orientated pub which we found perfectly fine. Not sure I�d choose to use it as a local if I lived in the village, but a good one for a drive out from North London.
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This pub has a nice garden for a summer visit, but thinks far too much of itself. The food is extravagently described and thus is always disappointing when it arrives. It is also seriously over priced. It is very popular on sunny days because of the pretty views from the back garden. I would not recommend it for food though.
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i wouldnt say it was townie mangement as suggested before,but the staff were young but all very friendly and helpfull. My husband and I enjoyed a steak and the fish of the day which was very enjoyable. it was a shame about the weather as i would have loved to sit outside near the pond. I liked the selection of music and decor, but unfortunately didnt try any beers or wines so cant comment on them. but i had a good visit and would return when in the area
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went to white horse today for a lunch and walk (found it in a (somewhat dated)'pubwalk' guide); beer was good, decor good; food was quite pricey and was pass-able, not bad (steak overcooked but then that is easy to do); really disappointed however with fact that i had a dark budvar (as never seen it before) and discovered it was out of date. when i informed our server (the manager) he responded that by law they could serve the beer as it was past its 'best before' and not 'use by' date! not impressed that they will, knowingly, serve old, past-its-best beer and very unimpressed that they expected me to pay for it. poor. shame really as menu looked quite exciting...
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Went for meal tonight and well impressed by this place. Have been before but there has been a big improvement since. Beers are all Mc Mullens and vbery tasty as always. Staff were friendly and attentive even on this busy friday.
Inside it is very nice with open fire but quite posh looking. It seems a lot more upper class than most pubs. Toilets very clean as is the whole place.
Fodd was fantasic and can't be faulted. You do pay the upper price bracket here but if you only visit now and then it is well worth it.
9 out of 10 and I don't say that very often.
NeilA - 15 Feb 2008 21:28 |
New McMullens ownership seems to have improved the place based on a couple of recent visits. I concur with the previos comment about high prices - Mac's Cask Ale ~30p a pint more expensive than in another nearby Mac's pub. Presumeably they think the clientel here are prepared to pay more for the ambiance? Good beer though nonetheless.
So far, the staff have been fine - none of the unfriendliness previously mentioned witnessed so far...
SA162 - 13 Jan 2008 14:16 |
The pub is much brighter and fresher inside following the McMullens clean out. Sadly, the pub only serves very medicore McMullens beer at eye-wateringly high prices. The service is generally curt and unwelcoming without being overtly obnoxious in the manner that only the recently post-pubescent can truly perfect. I understand that one of the regulars was barred for remonstrating with one of the teenagers concerning this. Townie-style management.
The new kitchen is open to view through a window and glass door - it does look brand spanking new and very clean. Haven't tried the food but it does look good.
McMullens are obviously catering for the conspicuous consumption set. Visitors will notice loud braying idiots all wearing the same jeans and shirts, with the same mobiles, the same hairstyles and no doubt wearing the same hair-gel and mens' perfume.
I'll give it a 5 and see how it goes.
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Went for a quick beer on Thursday evening. The place looks great. Menu looked good and the food I saw being brought out prompted a booking for Sunday Lunch.
Glad to see the staff being very helpful - Pleased to see the old place getting back to form. Dog Friendly also (In garden and on lead)
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Yet another change of ownership, this time to McMullens. Service seems OK, beer limited to McMullens at extortionate prices.
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I went to this pub last weekend for a quite drink with the wife.
We were greated well a friendly barman who served me a superb pint of adnams and my wife a large glass of chablis which was chilled to perfection.
we then stumbled across the food menu, which we decided to give a try.
I had the fancy fish and chips which was served in newspaper. It was filled with mussels, king prawns and of course cod & chips. my wife had the lamb shank which was huge and at �10.95 was a bargain.
Another couple of drinks followed which made for a great night
well done!!!!!
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A nice old pub, quite big with a back garden and a huge green out the front.
They have about 4 real ales, one named 'Village Bike', this is very nice if I remember. Also behind the bar they had a huge jar of olives which you can buy small pots of at the bar.
Food is good but prices are high for both food and drink here. I do recommend this pub as it has a good atmousphere.
I don't think I've been to this pub ewnough times to give it a real god recommendation though. I say, 7/10.
NeilA - 21 Jul 2005 19:19 |
Disappointing ! Why can't I find decent pub food in Herts. The White Horse Burnham Green is not recommended for the following reasons. The welcome from the waitress on the night was poor, the specials should be presented at the table rather than customer having to go to the wall board. Considering the wine was almost �20, the wine glasses were smeared. The steaks were ordered well done and medium and showed up rare. The potteted prawns were soaked in melted butter, rich and unappetising. There was no pepper mill evident on tables. On the positive side, the salmon tasted ok 6/10 as did the chips and salad. The meal for 4 was almost �80, not acceptable for a 6/10 pub food. The service was reasonably prompt. Probably ok for a quick sandwich where not much can go wrong but not the place to go to impress.
anonymous - 4 Jul 2005 22:25 |
