please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
I visited here mid week for a pint of beer and to watch the Olympics. The beer range did not appear inspiring. I had a pint of olympic beer for £4.50 or so. Very expensive for an average pub.
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It could be friendlier.
Ridiculously prices ales.
Not one of the best in Guildford.
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Called in the other day first time this year, it`s still a nice chilled place to go.
A couple of down points, I don`t like eating when the staff start polishing tables right next to me while i`m doing so, also you can get a little crowd of noisy oiks at the end of the bar dancing and singing (badly) unchills the place.
But still a bar to have an alright pint in.
anonymous - 12 Apr 2014 17:12 |
Nice chilled atmosphere, more of a bar than a pub,but it`s ok.
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Good buzzing atmosphere on a Friday evening without being painfully busy. They had Theakston's Old Peculier on which was an unexpected treat and very nice. Usually I have the Deuchars IPA which is always reliable.
Comfortable, nicely furnished with very friendly (if slightly harassed) staff.
There is a wide choice of wine by the glass too, but I have never had it myself so cannot give a personal recommendation...
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Went for a drink here 9.15 pm last Thur`s lights on doors locked empty strange !!!!!
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had a meal with the kids and was very disappointed. it professes to be a gastropub, but doesn't hit the spot.
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Pricey pricey pricey - having said that it is ok.
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Sat outside here. Pretty good, 3 real ales on - had the 6X. Also Bombardier and Deuchars IPA. I know, hardly the most exciting list! Worth a go, but expensive.
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Strange rated by 82 users but only comments from 50 odd users Mmmmmm makes you think.
Not a bad bar (not a trad.pub) only 2 ales availible on our visit, prices more wine barrish if you get my drift,but an ok place to start off from.
anonymous - 11 May 2010 20:55 |
Now does a pub quiz on Sundays - claiming to offer a 100 pounds in prize money. Well it sounds intriguing, worth a go.
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2 Real ales on - somewhat dull and plastic gastro pub.
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Full of people who mummy n daddy spoilt from an early age, was far more fun when it was the rats castle !
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Its alright here, I dont mind some of these more modern places and I think I saw it says live music every Tuesday.
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Contunies to ofeer good bee r at affordable prcs this is a gr8 pubb
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Alright, nowt special though. Only 2 real ales but average i suppose.
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Pretty good pub these days, definitely better than it used to be. A couple of changing ales if that is your kind of thing but the meals here are also excellent value at the moment and it is enjoyable to sit outside in the garden area. Long live the Albany!
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Half of the success of this now somewhat fashionable and ultra modern gastro pub can be seen at the Squirrel At Hurtmore - you can see perhaps see why they have copied the style, it brings in a classier range of clientele.
I have not visited Albany for a while and I am 100% sure it is in as fine a shape as it was on my last visit.
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Used to be a good pub - now it has become quite dull.
Not recommended for a fun night out and the ale range is nothing to write home about.
Really a dining out sort of pub now with Gavin and his Guitar the only entertainment on offer.
Also, quite posh.
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Improved! Popped in just recently and they now have Bombardier and Deuchars IPA on tap. Excited anyone?
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I wish them good luck in the future but as others have said its much too expensive for a simple pint of real ale.
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Too many name changes and this is really just a pretentious restaurant at the moment. They've had offers of half price meals to try and entice the customers during this credit crunch. It is a place people will go in the evening as it is dead during the daytime. Like others have said though the price of the beer is sky high. You can surely do better than come here. There are better pubs in town. Even the ale is not that special.
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Pint of Theakston set me back 3.50 are they having a laugh? how much does the GK cost? Dropping my rating to 5/10 - half price meals at the moment.
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Quite an appetising looking menu here and i'd say its a place that may be worth enjoying a standard meal in, some of the food is ok but the drinks here are all on the expensive side. From what I can remember it was well over 3 pounds for a pint of ale, there appeared to be just the 2 on in fact i think they were green king ipa and old peculiar. bit of a gastro pub in truth bit of an evening place for people to go more than daytime pub.
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Hehehe certainly spot on with the description of the estate agents there Mr Happyheating. What a bunch of overblown plebs in their cheap shiny suits and pointy Aladdin shoes. I've been in there in my suit but I am an accountant so hopefully didn't get mistaken for an estate agent!!!
The pub is a nice place to go and will be much the better when the above-mentioned folk are back on benefits. Only real issue is the lack of choice of real ale.
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I like the refurb, the only problem is that the pub is now full of estate agent's and other boring clones with there plump bimbo's. Never mind I'm sure there credit cards will soon be full and then they are sure to turn back into chavs.
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Good pub and good beer. Worth a visit.
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Attracts a higher class of people than previously. The Rats Castle was a bit of a run down place. Its good now.
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Certalnly done a fine job with the decor and shaking off the Rat's Castle Chav legacy. Very good imtimate guitarists and muso's during the week,but slightly tainted by the disproportionate number of very important people on their very important mobiles yapping away to I suppose other equally important irrelevant people...Yawn!!! Certainly a step up from the Rogues Dot.com element of old...but what do I know. The good defintley outweigh the bad_________
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Back to my local, the Albany, for a late night drink (31/10/08). The staff and bar were dressed for Halloween - it was busy, but able to grab a sofa, great atmosphere as usual. Stayed on until well after midnight before strolling home.
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Nice place and does ale too. recommended.
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Enjoyed a nice meal here last week with a girly friend, brilliant wine selection
Ria66 - 28 Oct 2008 23:02 |
Excellent food and service...recommend the skin-on chips and meze plate... Lovely decor too. One of the best pubs in town.
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Nice decor, nice area, however the beer wasn't great, i think it was down to dirty pipes but all in all it was fine.
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Couple of standard real ales on, they change from month to month, not too bad a beer pub.
On the entertainment side of things there has been regular live music with Gavin and his Guitar.
8/10 from me.
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Great selection of wines, fantastic food. Lovely beer garden at rear. Accommodation clean but basic.
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Called in with a mate the other day had a relaxing few pints.It`s much more of a bar type place than a pub but it`s good as there arn`t lots of oik`s about.
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I've visited this place a few times. I'll give it a chance, does seem a little on the pricey side, however the people here are quite nice and the beer is ok. Not the worst pub in town.
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The menu will be changing next week so return again to sample that too!
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Now has a decent beer garden out the back, which adds to the summer appeal. I will be eating here Saturday night so will update on the food front soon
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Had a couple of pints in here last night and found it quite chilled out,much better than the last time so it`s now found it`s own level,got to say it did help having 2 lovely barmaids working both friendly.
With the decor.it`s still more of a bar than a pub saying that all in all a good night had.
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Not been in and tried the beer garden yet, interested to see if it's any good. Delicious food though, definitely recommend the moules. Drinks not too pricey either
Liv89 - 12 May 2008 20:13 |
Popped in for a quick lunch time pint, the pub was fairly quiet but the decor was pretty good. Only 1 bitter on tap though (Greene King IPA), could do with more.......
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I dropped in for a quick drink with a friend on Tuesday night (20th Nov). Great atmosphere, so stayed for dinner (the chicken and warm potato salad was lovely), didn't leave until 11pm. The live music was superb (what was the guy's name?). Will return with a group of friends to celebrate my birthday in the New Year. It's great having this bar on my doorstep.
h1234 - 23 Nov 2007 11:21 |
Reasonable pub. Quite roomy, clean and tidy. Good for a night out. Friendly. Food and service OK.
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Good luck guys with The Three Pigeons much better suited to food than here.
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Called in here for a quick pint the other day (Lager i might say)which was fine, the decor is clean and tidy.I personally would not eat in any pubs in Guildford so no comment.
Anonymous 7th.Aug. i wish you had put your name to your valid comment,I totally agree with you i look on this site and some peoples views i go by Biker being one and Beersupper being another i find people like this say it as it is ( it might piss a few people off but you have to crack a few eggs and all that).
Going back to The Albany this is one of the better pubs in Guildford there are a lot of crap ones.
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Kudos and credibility to you chrisconner for standing up for your business and business partners. It's just possible you're setting a standard that others envy ! Anonymous postings should be ignored or reported for removal.
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As one of the owners, I thought I would actually register and not post anonamously as what is the point in hiding your name if you want to comment on something.
Thank for all the comments, no matter of good or bad. The way I look at it is that if no one ever tells us what we are doing well and what we are doing wrong then we will never know.
Regarding PrettyPurdy or whatever the name is; I do not know who he/she is and could not tell you if he/she works for me.
Regarding the menu, we are currently looking at various changes and more information will be available from our website in due course. I do have to say though that we have never advertised sayign we so casseroles/stews!!
Thanks once again for your comments, as I know Dave and Myles (the other owners) are always keen to hear what people have to say and what we can do to improve!
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Great for a drink but food very basic and uninspiring for a true "gastro" pub. Fairly pleasant inside and one of Guildford's better places for those like myself in the over 30 age range.
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its just this sort of thing that lets this site down !!!
PRITTYPURDY !!!! so tell us what your job is at the albany ? chef ! waitress ! manager ! or maybe one of the owners ? but there i am just guessing ! but the facts do show that you have been a member since 3rd of november ! and since then you have left 4 comments ! all for the same pub and all very good ! and all for the great albany !!! lol !
give it a rest and let the albany earn good comments !!!
but lets see if this gets deleted in the next day or so !
MG
anonymous - 7 Aug 2007 14:45 |
well i had tiger prawns, my husband had tomato and mozzerella salad with prosciutto ham and balsamic glaze, then i had chargrilled sworfish, and he had grilled ginger soy chicken and it was all beautiful. need i say any more??!!
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I genuinely sympathise with the previous reviewer, steviec1211. Local paper reviews are rarely much value to the discerning customer as they are essentially a commercial exercise on the part of all concerned. As tough as it may be on occasions, this site and its 'contributors' generally get things about right and readers don't have to suffer the inane claptrap that food writers like to yap on about. I've also noticed over the last couple of years that those landlords who have kept an eye open to this site have done well. Now there's a marketing tool if ever there was one !!. See you in August as I haven't been in since renaming, refurbishment etc..
Biker - 25 Jul 2007 11:39 |
Went last night after reading a good review of the food in the local paper. Have to say we were disappointed. Pub has been refurbished but is now a bit austere, especially in the dining area where some candles on the tables would have helped. Good beer but the food was basic and the menu choices unimaginative. For a so called gastro pub this place does not hit the mark. You need something more interesting than the usual Steak, Ribs & Burgers. No sign of the stews & casseroles mentioned in the review! The guy on the acoustic guitar was good though!
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having been in london for a long time it was a breath of fresh air to find the pub at the end of my road was not the hole it used to be! It is lovely. my husband and I went in to have dinner and thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. It amazes me when i read some of the things people have said reading back.. so I thought I would let you know what I thought! SJ x
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This pub has had its troubles. It has had three names in the last 12 months! It looks smart so the riff raff have probably moved to the Forresters leaving this place an expensive haven.
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Courage directors is one of the ales on at the moment as well as the Greene King IPA
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If you like Estate Agents you will love this joint.
IF NOT AVOID
anonymous - 4 Apr 2007 19:22 |
Its not so great, why do we have so many bistro type places nowerdays?
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As with alot of place`s they peek then dive,same here sunday roast`s not great, drinks same as alot of pubs nothing special.Nope have to hunt out another pub in Guildford.
Wink
anonymous - 15 Mar 2007 18:47 |
Not as good as the last time i was here. shame the standard couldnt stay the same. beers same as normal. food nothing special at all and not worth the money. intrior wise !!!!! could do with something more. sorry.
anonymous - 14 Mar 2007 12:08 |
Place is in need of extra workers at the moment in time
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We were up this end of town the other night so popped in to see what was going on,i have used this pub on and off for 20yrs so i will not be put off by snide remarks from a member of the management that gets on this site.It had a few people in not really buzzing.i will say the beer was ok so too was the wine,we did not eat so no comment there.I will say i do find it all a little plastic & not much atmosphere, maybe i got the wrong night.I wonder how long this comment last`s !!!!!!!
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i heard they got a new chef in..
anonymous - 5 Feb 2007 23:22 |
What went wrong with the sunday roasts they used to be really good but have gone a bit downhill since my last visit !
(no rating left this time because i do like the albany, just think the food is taking a bit of a dive in standards)
anonymous - 4 Feb 2007 21:39 |
This place nothing special at all.After reading the other comments we thought we would give it a try,went as a group and found it underwelming.Every day drinks a couple of real ales so what.Got to say we didn`t eat here so no comment on the food. 4/10
anonymous - 23 Jan 2007 21:57 |
After being recomended and reading the reviews I was looking forward to eating here. Unfortunately I was quite disapointed. After waiting a few minutes while the head waitress chatted to a friend we were ushered to our table and we ordered our food and wine. The wine was brought to the table by an uninterested student who plonked the bottle on the table and walked off. You should always get the oppurtunity to taste the wine! I had plain oysters which were lovely, my wife had the prawns which were fantastic! It was the main that let it down the most. We all ordered steak, 2 should have been rare to medium and turned up very medium. Steak is very easy to cook! The chips were brown and greasy as if cooked in very old oil.
All in all not that great. I'm hoping it was an off night as it could have been so much better, so easily!
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I have looked through all the comments and had a bit of a laugh at the cheap attempt of an advertising campaign so i will disregard the lot of them.
Saying all that the place is nicely layed out it has a reasonable selection of wines and beers and the staff where friendly,we did not eat here but the menu looked good.
It is a cross between a pub cum bar cum restaurant.
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Managed to pop into the albany for lunch quite recently - not something i have had the opportunity to do, and would definately reccommend it for both lunch & dinner!
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Just had a refurbwhich is ok.Atmosphere not great and is not as excellent as led to expect by some comments.Food is restaurant style not pubish quite pricey and beers much of a muchness.Will possibly try it again in a few monthsto see if its changed.
anonymous - 17 Jan 2007 12:57 |
another fab night at the Albany... just gets better... just got back from listening to the Jazz and Blues they have on a sunday now.. had to be home early coz i'm flying to Thailand at 6am...shame hey... otherwise id have stayed... he he... Oh see the old gits are still bleeting on and making a big effort to diss the place... surely if you dont like somewhere ... just dont go there... why feel the need to bitch about it and try and put people off who might actually like it... ah well as i said before you'll only know if you goooo!!!
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I read some of the comments made and i chuckle quietly to myself... I read the comments the same people make on other pubs and chuckle loudly to myself... Everyone is entitled to their opinion and each pub holds a different attraction to different people... otherwise the world would be a very boring place.... and you can sit and read inane bleetings from people who obviously dont find this pub to their taste... but really you have no idea of the kind of person they are and if their opinion is at all warrented or more importantly would be the same as yours.... they could be some boring old git who only likes old mans boozers...So all I can say is... I love the place... its got lovely food and a really warm atmosphere... my kinda place.... the only way you will know if its yours i suppose is if you go and try it.... oh and.... grow up and stop bitchin you know who you are!!
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Hat off to you Peter, the food is really good. My only problem is I have to drive so cant drink much. Her indoors enjoys the cocktails tho!
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hey everybody.
just to say thanks for the good reveiws, hope you all visit again in the near future.
and just to let you all know that we've just had a change of menu, just to keep you all intrested and to stay in season !!!
many thanks
Peter
Head Chef
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I would just like to say, in my opinion i don't care who has written what. My best advice to you all is visit the Albany and see for yourself. It has now become a wonderful night out with amazing food, especially the desserts and the missus loves the cocktails!i cant praise it enough. If you dont believe me see for yourself!
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More like a wine bar rather than a pub, food is very good
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Recently re-opened as the 'trendy' Albany, this gastro pub has developed a warm, friendly and very stylish atmosphere. Food is fantastic to say the least, keep up the good work.
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2nd time that my husband and i have been into the albany. we were very pleased the first time but have noticed a huge improvement tonight. staff are much more settled and seem to do there jobs very smoothly. menu has much better variety now ! (as starters did seem to be taken by fish dishes on are first visit !)but on a whole we are both happy with the way the albany is grfowing. good luck for the future. T & D
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Fantastic pub with great food and a very extensive wine list which makes a difference to some of the other establishments in Guildford! Friendly bar staff and a welcoming atmosphere, about time this was done with what used to be a hovel!! Def recommend to go for a full blown 3 course meal, or just a cheeky beverage after work ;)
anonymous - 4 Jan 2007 17:29 |
My friend and I went up for a drink and ended up staying for food as well. The mussels are gorgeous as are the tiger prawns, dessert is a must too! Although parking in front was a pain, walking up from civic hall took less than 5 minutes.
I love the vast improvement that has been made from when this place was the guildford arms & the rat and would definately reccommend it for a quite night out during the week (even to go and listen to gav) or a slightly more drunken one at the weekend.
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Parking wasn't all that impossible if you care to use your feet a little, as it is close to the town centre and 2 major parking places - civic hall and york road. When my boyfriend and I drove up there just before the new year we managed to park on sydenham road just outside the pub. I called it a pub because in it's description on here it's called a gastro pub, and when i went in it felt very much like a up-market pub as opposed to a wine bar, even though they have a great selection of wines on offer.
To each their own Biker, but I for one will be returning as i thoroughly enjoyed the food and had a great evening.
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Brilliant pub with friendly bar staff, an inviting atmosphere, great wine list and amazing food!
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I must say, the team have made a great job of turning this place around.
As an aside, curiously enough the chef drives an Alpina. And there's an enthusiastic reviewer named Alpina...
anonymous - 2 Jan 2007 11:41 |
This pub, well its not a pub its more of a classy wine bar with a restaurant, is absolutly superb!! The food is out of this world and is not expensive at all! If your going to have a dessert, have the homemade sticky toffee pudding!! Yum! The atmosphere was wonderful and the staff were very helpful and polite. Everyone should give this a go!
anonymous - 29 Dec 2006 22:52 |
Very nice place, good beers, wines, and ales !
Good food to go with it to.
very nicly furnished and lots of comfy places to sit ! also a good bar to stand at !
enjoyed my visit and will return !!!
many thanks
anonymous - 29 Dec 2006 17:27 |
As a local to guildford pubs and bars i always enjoy it when a new one opens ! gives me a good excuse to go out for a beer and also to get out of cooking ! I have to say that the albany is a great place to go ! ona friday and saturday the atmosphere is amazing ! on tuesdays they have gavin in and we all know gavin is like the elvis of guildford ! beers are good, lets face it most pubs in guildford have the same beers, theres a few odd one here and there and some places do stella and some dont but theres not that much in it ! but the albany has a good selection ! with a couple of real ales that are always pleasing ! and then theres the amazing wine list ! most pubs dont have this ! my wife loves them and it made it a perfect place for us to take the inlaws for sunday lunch ! but dont get me started on the food ! sunday lunch is out of this world and you wont find another like this ! the weekly lunch menu is very pleasing and on a short lunch break you should go there ! i even sometimes phone my order though before hand. The evening menu is very delightful always changing with a good selection, tiger prawns are 10/10 as so are the scallops,soup, and pate ! if your man enough go for the T-BONE steak for main course ! at 20oz of real british beef you wont taste another like it ! the sirloin is equally good and my wife would recomend the tuna,sea bass and salmon and her veggie mum would highly recomend the strudel, mozzerella mushrooms all the soups and the goats cheese.
a HUGE well done to the man that turned this grotty little pub into to a world class place, good luck in the new year and i hope all enjoy the good times i have had there !!!! 10/10
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Went to go in for a drink but the place is not inviting enough,so went down to The Robinhood much more so .
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Designed as an easting pub, as a lot of tables are reserved for people dining. However is perfectly possible to go just for a drink. Range is rather average but there are a couple of ales. I'll give it a 7
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