Windmill Inn, Portisheadback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Saturday night flop full of diners/drinkers who wouldn't know their own backsides...No atmosphere and the bar staff like zombies..more interested in themselves rather the customer.from the banter I heard..ales dire food wouldn't eat here anymore...Great location but thats all.,......
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Great location let down by very poor food and general attitude by the staff. The last straw for me was a birthday gathering for drinks and food which ended up in two of our party ill (having eaten different stuff), and only a couple of beers drunk.
As a local I will never eat in this place again unless they have a major change in both kitchen and landlord.
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An extensive, split level pub with fantastic views across the channel, it gives the impression of being part of a large corporate chain but is in fact privately owned which makes a pleasant change. It�s had a recent makeover which besides giving it a bit of a spruce up has relocated the bar to just inside the entrance.
As you walk in the front of the pub, you�re actually on an intermediate floor, with further levels up a few steps as well as down. This is the only part of the pub that really seems designed to entice drinkers, with a couple of small tables and a few sofas. The bar is surprisingly small given the size of the pub, but there is a separate food order point which perhaps gives a clue as to where it�s priorities lie. The flooring is here is a polished wood. Elsewhere in the pub this gives way to carpeted areas as you get in to the dining areas. Paintwork is a mixture of chocolate brown, maroon and peach and there are a few arty black and white photo�s dotted around as well as some friezes showing various sailing boats. There�s a good selection of seating, with many of the chairs being comfy leather affairs.
The best feature of the pub in many ways is the newly installed floor to ceiling windows covering the whole of the back wall and giving a 270� panoramic view of the channel and adjacent golf course. Beyond this are two levels of terraced decking giving further opportunities to enjoy the views in the warmer weather.
Food features prominently here, and virtually all punters were eating on a recent Tuesday evening visit. The menu is extensive and is complimented by another dozen or so dishes chalked up on to a specials board. In reality though, it was a bit of a mixed bag. Portion sizes were undoubtedly generous, but the dishes gave the impression of being mass produced, and the accompanying veg was bland and disappointing. With most of the main courses being in the �8-�10 range I had hoped for a little more, but then if you�ve got a particularly hearty appetite you may consider it good value. There�s a meal deal if you order before 7:00pm during the week where you get a free pudding, but my Strawberry Cheesecake was clearly out of a packet and I would have felt somewhat aggrieved if I had been paying for it.
Surprisingly for somewhere so food led, there was a good choice of beers on tap with Butcombe, Butcombe Gold, Courage and Bass being the regulars and joined on this occasion by RCH Firey Liz and Festival Pride from Cheltenham. Ciders were Ashton Press, Blackthorn and Thatcher�s Traditional.
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I can not agree with the previous comments, but I'm not a previous customer like those who have commented.
The Windmill was clean, smart, in a great location with good views and with loads of room and tables. We were served well and pleasantly, there were, 6 real ales on and those we tasted were in good condition. Yes the obvious refurbishment means it is now a modern looking touristy pub, but with that location what else would any pubco or brewery do.
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Popped in a few back with an old friend, In all honesty the refurb is a good testament to th esituation and location making full advantage of the views. This apart just another pub, didn't see much change on the meal front and or menu, apart from the obvious price rises, but there you go still full nether the less, with all maner of people I'll give it 5 for the refurb and views but, not impressed by the rest of it.
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Beer has gone downhill - not as big a range. That evil barmaid is still there. Not allowed obscene jokes as quiz team names anymore. No pork scratchings. Bad acoustics mean you can't hear what anyone is saying on the upper level. Dyson airblade the only redeeming factor.
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Went there last week, first time in 18 months, nothing has changed, still overpriced food for what you actually receive, disappointed with the range of Real Ale, same old guest beers!! Same landlady greeting you with a face of thunder, disappointed to of learnt the young cellar man had departed off up to Scotland, hence the reasoning for poor guest ales of late. Rather now take the extra journey to The Black Horse in Clapton.
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Agree with diafol totally, boy has The Windmill lost it's way over the past year!
Much better to drive down the road to the Black Horse @ Clapton these day's, not for your foodies granted but for character, ambience and drink it's easily the best pub in the area IMHO.
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The Windmill has lost its way of late. A very expensive extension, which remains unfinished, the same griddled/fried food but dearer and less good beer.
They seem unclear as to who they are trying to attract, as all they are doing is alienating those who have stayed with them for the good ale, they tell families to go second class downstairs, and the owner/manager has a poor understanding of service.
If you are over 70 and want to sit for hours looking over the severn drinking one drink, eating mediocre food then go here.
If your anybody else and you have a family go to the Royal, who have also had a refurb (completed) with great service and food to match.... and a sea view.
A great spot, and a great example of poor management.....sorry
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Went today first time in a few weeks. yes they have done a lovely job when it gets totally finnished on the building and, a change of long overdue furnishings.
But, have to say the prices food wise have gone up somewhat and ,the quality is definitely not there for the prices charged.We ordered a fish/chips with salad ( instead of peas) and were served it without the chips,so that went back (couldn't see why they just didn't bring a bowl of chips).The peas on my sisters small cottage pie were a shrivelled mass.I had the tuna/mayo sandwich with came no mayo on the tuna and a blind man must have cut the segments,one large /one small and the salad was obviously a day old at least the tomato a shrivelled up mess the lettuces tinged brown.I originlly used to rate the food/drinks/service here but it's going down the pan now and, has a previous writer has put," just a Trendy hangout with prices to match," and i agree. There are excellent places for food and cheaper if you fancy a nice short drive into the countryside...
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Popped in to see new conservatory - its open and full of people but surprisingly the work isnt finished yet - lots of plasterboard and wires, and possibly a bit out of keeping with the rest of the pub - hopefully will be done soon and then i can give a better opinion, looks pretty grand and very nice view. had a good pint of GWB too.
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Waste of time!! This pub had a decent write up in the good pub guide, suggesting it would be a suitable stop for a mid week lunch off the M5, with children and dogs. Got there to find that whereas the dog was allowed in upstairs bar, the children (13 and 14 yrs) were banished to the rather dingy area downstairs (where the dog was not, so we wre stuck and had to leave)....it was like being back in the 70's, as was the decor. Not very welcoming at all - we got back in the car and found another pub.
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Becoming more and more the trendy hangout in the 'Head and the prices are beginning to match.
The beer is still good though. there's usually a couple of guests on (often from the same brewery). Apparently a new conservatory is being built over the next few months - to cash in on the Marina crowd no doubt.
My gripe about the place is the heat - some evenings it's stupidly hot and stuffy, especially on the upper levels. Get those windows to open further please!
Still a sound choice for a beer, though it's noticeable that other pubs in Portishead are beginning to catch up now, hopefully will keep this place on its toes...
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I agree with MisterX last two times I've been in the Windmill beer range very mediocre. I specifically went there for the Pitchfork but it hasn't been there on my last two visits. Looks like it not coming back?
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plenty of ale on tap here, and a nice building. staff very proffesional and the place overall very clean and tidy. Apparently has a great quiz night. Food very pricey though.
anonymous - 10 Apr 2009 16:14 |
Beer range has changed in recent months and not for the better either, gone is RCH Pitchfork and far too many dull insipid types such as Butcombe, Courage Best (yawnnnnnnnnnn) now abound which is a great shame. On my Friday eve visit they did have Glastonbury Golden Chalice on tap but sadly it was flat, lifeless and very tired.
The food prices have also risen a bit steeply in places too and in the current financial climate maybe not a wise move and heard several punters complaining about it and deciding to not eat there and move on elsewhere after their drink. �9 for fish & (oven!) chips in a pub is a bit OTT to say the least.
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It,s now some 6months since i last wrote,on the windmill,both familly/friends alike still like to go.be seen,and eat drink there.From my observations there is not much too say, still a good selection of real Ales etc,today i counted 8?..+the usual array of other beverages and lagers ..the menu has changed slightly,but still offers 20+meals lightbites/.sandwiches in it,s selection.The service by the array of young ladies running up/down,is quick, pleasant,effecient,considering the busy place it always seems to be.I still say for the variety of food/ales it serves,the speed and quality,is the best in the area,hence why it,s always busy,this trend is set too continue into 2009,and i can see well why.well done to the staff and all concerned,at least someones on the right track..........
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Oh, come on sniffer, the Hole wasn't that bad - at least during the years I knew it (1977-88), but yes, a great venue for the vierw alone. Can't comment on the food and beer - yet...
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This pub was recomended to me long before i moved to Portishead,They described it as a very busy eating place,with good pub food,and a fine selection of drinks on offer.Well have been on many occasions now and the recomendee,s are right and, i have to agree,The previous comments regarding the OAP,s could be probably right,But what i do not understand is,as the pub is open all day,why do people want to eat and drink there fill from 12-00 till 14-00hrs,then moan about it being full or having to wait,They provide an excellent allday service,so why descend in the first 2 hours.Whatever happened to commonsense,Anyhow i find the Windmill very good indeed in all aspects of it,s trade,we could do with more places like this around,well done
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Visited here on a wet winters Sunday evening,got a friendly welcome from the barman and barwoman(landlady?? big blonde?) Had some excellent RCH and Arbor Ales IIRC. Not enough stools at the bar. Plenty people having grub for late on a Sunday afternoon. (None of this crap that you can't get food after 4pm or so on a Sunday which is good.)
Friendly local passed some advice-watch out if visiting on midweek afternoons when busloads of pensioners turn up. (Whether or not they'll be here this summer with this free bus travel mallarkey developed into a great discussion!!!!)
A good pub,only negative I could say is maybe it needs to be a bit kinder to the drinking customers.
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Was indeed a poor pub when known as the Hole in One - a classic case of much potential unfulfilled.
Potential now fulfilled, wonderful views over the Channel towards Wales, a very good range of ales in very condition. Service polite and prompt.
Clientele are mixed, but mostly white, middle-class young locals, with some older aleheads in residence. Can get quite hot inside sometimes.
Only quibble with the overhaul is that you can no longer drink in the old windmill itself, that had a lot of character, shame to see it closed off.
Would recommend highly, along with the Poacher.
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sniffer's review say's it all really. It's a great place in summer to while away the hours though sat outside looking at the muddy banks of the Severn.
Beer is always in tip top condition and a nice pint of Thatchers Trad real cider on tap too. It can get very crowded, you can get there at 12:00 on a dinnertime thinking you are early and guaranteed a seat only to be beaten by 2 coachloads of OAP's on a daytrip. {sigh}. Overall, nice pub, well manged and great range of drinks for all with wonderful views.
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Nice and tidy pub with good selection of cask bitters, however the menu is pretty boring and not always expertly cooked. Still not a bad place for a pint though.
anonymous - 6 Feb 2007 12:38 |
Can get madly busy with eaters, especially at weekends, but a combination of excellent beer, competent service and stunning views of the Bristol Channel help it through.
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Excellent ambience and usually has a number of good guest beers on tap. As for the food, I've never found it be anything less than very good, certainly not bland. Not strictly a drinker's pub but excellent for food and families.
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This pub used to be called the hole in one and was one to avoid at ALL costs.
However, the Windmill in its place is a good pub and is strong on the real ale department. Good RCH Pitchfork and Bitcombe Gold on Draight all the time with four other changing guests. Nice non-smoking section and excellent garden overlooking the channel.
It is let down slightly by the food however which is a bit bland. Friendly place and gets busy on fridays and saturdays especially.
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