Princess Alice, West Thamesmeadback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
not the greatest, the unsavory element may be to do with it's vicinity to the Crown court and Bellmarsh prison over the road, first port of call if you've just been released or acquited
|
There's lots you could say about the Princess Alice and its location. But sometimes charity goes a long way.
There are some extremely drunk people in here very early in the day. I would go easy on the eye contact know what i mean.
Having said that, the odds are stacked against it but it doesn't do bad considering the odds.
|
Staff too chatty. There are there to serve not to hold conferences. Perhaps better training could resolve this!
|
There is obviously no rolling selection of ales as Pride and Greene King IPA were still the ales of choice as they were in June. San Miguel was also available along with a standard draught selection and although my Guinness was a little short due to it being poured wrongly it was still good.
This is a Crown Carveries pub which is basically a cheaper version of Harvester, even down to the bland d�cor and constant smell of cooling meat wafting through the air. That said, the barmaid was friendly and if I worked locally I would probably pop in for lunch every now and again.
I wouldn�t go out of my way to visit here again and if passing in the evening I would probably walk past even though the nearest pub is about a mile away.
|
Sometimes you visit a pub because the building is quaint, or the location is picturesque, or the pub is historic. Sometimes, you choose a pub because it's there, and it has a car park. The Princess Alice is one of the latter.
Sitting in the middle of a modern (yet somewhat rundown) shopping centre in the less than glamorous Thamesmead, the Princess Alice doesn't look promising. There are invariably folk standing outside smoking. The client�le can best be described as mixed - it represents, to be fair, the area in which the pub sits. Because the food (a carvery) is very, very cheap, there are often lots of families with lots of kids running around.
This is a large pub, and rather 'plastic-y'. Being a modern building, it has a modern (though not nicely modern) feel - having said that, there is an attempt to pander to traditionalists, with framed pictures depicting the eponymous ship (the Princess Alice, natch). There are lots of tables, both low and high (bar stool height), and a few booths.
This so far doesn't sound a glowing endorsement, does it. Ah, there is a rub. The Princess Alice has a good choice of real ales, decently (though not splendidly) kept. When I've been there, there has been a choice of up to four ales...and they are very, very cheap. At less than �2.00 a pint for actual, named, branded ale (as opposed to that in Sam Smith's pubs), this is a bit of a find if you are in that area in need of a swift half or two. This isn't a Weatherspoons, and the beer is kept better than many of the branded pubs manage.
Although a bit raucous, I have never felt unsafe in the Princess Alice. Admittedly, I am unlikely to have anything in common with the regulars, but the staff and punters seem friendly enough.
I've not tried the food, and I suspect it's not my cup of tea, however, the customers who were eating seemed to have large portions, and enjoying them. The food too is extremely cheap, and I can see why it's a popular dining establish amongst the families of the area.
All in all, this isn't a great pub, but given its setting, it is a good one.
|
As the nearest pub to my office, it is a miracle that I have not been here before. A work colleague and I fancied trying out a pub near to work but not the usual (variety being the spice of life!) so we gave the Alice a go.
From the outside it looks dire. Not anyone (except the architect's) fault. Most of Thamesmead looks the same, and the pub IS new ish building and looks it. Stuck alongside the bypass towards Belmarsh High Security Prison, there is little appeal for passing trade which is a shame, as inside is not bad.
Don't expect inglenook fireplaces and cosy sofas - the inside is as modern as the exterior and treads perilously close to the "Plastic Pub" so loved by interior designers of the late 80's and early 90's.
The staff were friendly and helpful, the beer selection (3 ales on hand pump) good and the prices remarkable (all three ales well under �2.00 per pint!)
The clientele seemed to be mainly young and local - drawn, it seemed, by good prices for beer and a large, affordable menu in the rear carvery. We did not sample the food but the beer was more than passable and at a very good price.
All in all this is a pub worthy of support, possibly not as a regular local, but as an affordable occasional pint vendor - its a good option.
|
For us Cask Ale lovers, at long last they have installed THREE HAND PUMPS. Fullers "LONDON PRIDE" and Greene King "IPA" was available when I visited on the 12th June 2009 and I believe it was �1.86 per pint. Carvery and pint for under six quid "BRILLIANT"
|
I work near this place and have been there a couple of times. I haven't seen any trouble but not been there of an evening only for a cheeky pint during lunch.
It is not a particually nice place but then not exactly bad. Modern building wanting to have some history and trying to buy ambience.
The ale is pretty average at best and the food is pretty crap. Steak was like boot leather!
Would probably go there again for a drink with work colleagues but will keep the food to a nice simple sandwich.
|
This is a family oriented pub selling reasonable food at good prices. Their all-day Mon-Sat carvery offers great value at �3.95. There's a choice of 3 meats: usually turkey, ham or beef/lamb. Been to the pub 4 times and had the carvery every time - never been disappointed with the food. The drinks there aren't that exciting. I'm normally driving, so stick to soft drinks and they do a homemade lemonade. I went to order this on 2 occasions and they didn't have any - maybe it will be 3rd time lucky! They also do a curry and a pint for under �5, although I haven't tried this yet. This place is worth a try if you are in the area and feeling peckish.
|
Simply dreadful. From the pizza boxes blowing across the the car park to the big burly bouncers, to the half-hearted bar staff, and a decidedly mixed clientele many of whom you would not like to meet out in the street.
Food was a limp lukewarm burger and fish which had to go back. Beer not even worthy of a comment.
One positive is at least you can hold a conversation without lots of background noise or music. The only pub for miles in the area, but you would be better off buying cans and a bag of crisps from the tesco across the carpark and staying in the car before driving somewhere decent.
|
absolute toilet of a pub/restaurant.the staff are jokers,and the 2 female managers couldn't manage a p*** up in a brewery,useless.won't be coming back,would rather eat my own poo.
anonymous - 17 Oct 2007 11:37 |
I have been going here regularly for over a year and never had any problems. Staff are friendly although sometimes bit slow. Food very good however you should expect delays when busy. Overall good and friendly pub/restaurant especially for the area. I've never seen any trouble and go weekly.
anonymous - 27 Jun 2007 09:44 |
Not a great pub by any means - the first time I ate there I had a long dark hair in my food ( I am blonde) the food was returned then bought back out with ice cold potato - the second time I had a roast which had black carrots (where the heat and serve cheff obviously didn't keep them in water and about 6 peas on the plate. Equally bad experiences with the food and service on two more visits after - not one I will be going to again.
I would not recommend anyone to go here - as for the best pub for miles - it is the only one for miles!
anonymous - 12 Feb 2007 15:11 |
Great pub,food and service absolutely perfect.Never seen any problems there,helped by the fact they have good door team there.The bouncer on mon/tues is flipping huge,why not get him there full time,he looks like he could stop a bus.definately best pub in area for miles
|
Went alittle while ago but grub wasn't to good. Shame really because it was really nice before..
Staff a bit slow they need to speed up!
|
A recent addition to the thamesmead area, very modern decor with a family orientated theme, the only problem being is that the surrounding area is notorious for it's chav culture and travellers alike, could'nt say that i'd like to take my kids there,the door staff (bouncers) look very menacing, heard that several fights had broken out during the first three weeks of opening.
Needs picking up and moving several miles up the road... shame.
|
|
