please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Made the mistake of dropping by for a swift pint on a nice day. Apart from being populated with bling laden T.O.W.I.E. wannabes the Butcombe Bitter was disgusting and undrinkable. Would say that NW7 just isn't pub territory I suppose - in fact probably most of the NW suburbs. Decent pubs are VERY thin on the ground and decent ale even rarer.
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Seems to be thriving after the refurb a year or two ago, though it's more restaurant than pub now. It is overpriced as mentioned above, but it's a very well-to-do area, and the locals seem to be able to afford it. They do need some better bar staff. Some of the ones they have seem more interested in chatting among themselves than serving the punters.
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This is now a fine pub and restaurant. I agree that it's overpriced and has lost its appeal to the flat cap brigade, but all previous attempts to run this ancient establishment have met with failure and I feel that we should be grateful that it's still there at all. The wine is brilliant and the coffee is excellent too. I don't know about the beer - I'll leave that to the experts. The smartly dressed staff are always very obliging and there is a very nice relaxing feel to the whole place. They keep me informed of forthcoming events and offers by e-mail, which is more than any other pub has ever done for me. I wish the management every success with it.
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Since the sad decline of the Three Hammers this place has become my local. Decent range of hand pump beers and I like the fact they serve the beer in dimpled mugs.
The staff are generally friendly and will at least acknowledge your presence while you are waiting to be served. The emphasis here is on food as it is pretty much a gastropub however there is also a decent range of snacks for sale. The garden is a decent size too.
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prehaps everyone just avoids being in the same place as you and hearing your constant moaning.try supporting your locals during these hard times.
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Barely qualifies as a pub, but its a nice looking overpriced restaurant really!!
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are you gonna make me Turd Boy ?
anonymous - 21 Sep 2012 18:10 |
Having seen snarling mallard is posting more bad comments about all mill hill pubs! Answer...stop drinking in mill hill and go elsewhere.all you do is moan.SHUT UP AND MOVE.no one wants you
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Dropped in at the mid food-serving aftenroon gap to try a pint. Butcombe bitter was awful - as murky as the Dead Sea (I might as well copy the Standard regarding references). Had it changed for a pint that was nice and clear but still undrinkable so changed that for a pint of Tribute which was just about drinkable and made my way to the garden - or should I say the woodchip and shale retail floorspace. They run a slick operation and respond well to their market (the Mill Hill market being you can sell them any old garbage as long as you overcharge for it). This is one I would actually prefer them to have turned in to flats. It has no redeeming features for me - they've even managed to turn the semi-rural garden in to something akin to what you would expect in a cramped courtyard in Pimlico. It is a world away from their other place in Camden although here they have no competition.
anonymous - 3 Sep 2012 19:30 |
no longer a pub, but most definitely a gastropub/restaurant type place with the usual makeover. ale very well kept but food has been hit or miss and yes as other have said overpriced. comments about the 4x4 crowd are on the mark. to be fair the times i've been here the food menu has been different so maybe they are trying out new things to get it right, there's pizza now if i'm not mistaken? still fine for a drink but as i say its not really a pub any more.
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I have to review the Adam and Eve again as I did not eat here on the previous occasion. I had eaten (various snacks) free of charge on their official opening night, which was excellent. I have now eaten in the restaurant. This was a mistake. It was also an expensive mistake! Some friends booked and invited us along.
Firstly the menu is not the same as the menu on line. Whilst I accept dishes do and should change according to produce availability and for the purposes of offering something fresh but can you get any different to this offering? Please look at the a la carte menu on line. The main courses were: Steak and chips, Chicken and chips, Sausage and chips Haddock and chips, Sea bass, Lemon Sole and blue cheese salad. So, if you don't fancy fish or salad what do you have the choice of? Steak and chips, Chicken and chips or Sausage and chips in whatever flowery language you dress this up in! How very culinary! The menu was on a piece of paper six inches by 4 inches approximately, clipped to a piece of (I think) cardboard. If your eyesight is on the blink take your own magnifying glass as one is not provided. We asked was this the only menu and they said yes as it changes from day to day! With these delectable offerings it would need to!! So to the steak that was ordered rare. This was served with chips (skin on) half a tomato and one field mushroom. The mushroom was either steamed, boiled or microwaved and was pouring juice all over the plate. The tomato had said hello to the grill but unfortunately not stayed for too long! The chips were very over cooked (burnt) in oil that was clearly tainted from some other food. Now for the steak itself. The essence of a good steak rare or otherwise is to buy it well, cut it properly and to cook it correctly!!! This offensive lump of badly cut meat had been placed under a salamder/grill (or possibly on a skillet) that was not hot enough thus resulting in a steak that was not properly sealed and then had been laid to rest (IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN) in such a position that it was steamed. Having been treated in this manner the fat, of course, was completely uncooked. No steak knife was provided. So I asked for one. "We do not have steak knives as the steak melts in the mouth" was the swift reply. They clearly didn't understand that getting it to the mouth is the first requirement before it can be allowed to melt and melt it should have been allowed to do because it had most certainly gone through every other possible process since arriving in this pubs kitchen and before being unceremoniously dumped in front of me! This might sound harsh but this pubs web site needs to be read to understand that expectations would be naturally high when eating here. Also bear in mind that this steak was well over �20.00. The entire cost for four people for the night (with only two starters and no dessert, as none of us could handle it by then) �120.00 to include a bottle of house red and four other drinks. Add to this another �30.00 for two rounds of drinks downstairs and all in all this is one expensive night in a pub! There is a clear lack of supervision at all levels. Or to put it another way there is no management. My companion, for example, was sitting in the restaurant and in front of her was a bucket a mop and some cleaning rags. I couldn�t see this as the articles were behind me. This is such a fundamental mistake!
If there is something positive to say it would be that the staff in the restaurant battled on bravely but they were eventually overwhelmed by the enemy within - the chef and the management team! Why, then are there so many people prepared to eat in places such as this? Because Mill Hill now does have a customer that has plenty of money and will eat in a place providing it is expensive. That particular type of customer has no idea of how food should be cooked or served or how it should taste. An open can of baked beans described as "Scatola di fagioli al forno servita con coperchio" with a �20.00 price tag would probably sell well here. I know this sounds snobbish but it is the main reason why so many of these expensive sub standard places are opening in this area. It is possible to eat far better at far less a cost quite locally and to have better trained staff to attend you and in a friendlier environment. I guess at least the young girls serving kept smiling. Sorry it's this bad but we all felt cheated. No chance of a return to this place for us.
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Six different ales, usual suspects including Old Speckled Hen, Abbotts, Doombar etc. Tried IPA at �3.40 a pint. It was well kept. Strange that for a place that advertises food to the fore front of all they do, that you can not get any type of bar snack or meal unless pre-booked. I was told they were too busy. There was only a sprinkling of people in the bar but the restaurant upstairs was heaving. We also found the wine to be a tad expensive for a not so generous a glass! Largely eastern european bar staff and lots of 'em! Quite a pleasant lot. Not my sort of pub, large open plan. On a Sunday lots of rugrats (4x4 types) Summed up? It's one for the 4x4 lot, which tends to be a fickle market but I accept if someone hadn't taken this pub on it would have closed. I have friends that have managed to eat here and they say the food quality is good. Wouldn't put someone off having the odd pint here.
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Flat capped working men, bicycle clips and whippets seem to have had their day and I'm afraid that cafe society is set to kill off all our pubs in time. Alas we can not halt the march of 'progress'.
anonymous - 12 Feb 2011 00:05 |
Called in soon after it had re-opened. Expensive, trendy, very large open spaces - far more of a bar-restaurant than a pub, so if that's what you want, you'll like it. I didn't. The beer was ok but not especially well kept, it should be a lot better for the price they charge.
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As a business they have found a perfect niche market in offering a well presented gastropub for the local 4 x 4 market. Financially it is bound to be a hit, however, they can not be all things to all people and although the beer (Doom Bar on the occassions I have visited) is drinkable it isn't as good as their Camden operation and it also feels less of a pub than the other place they run. It's fine if you don't mind going for a pint somewhere akin to Cafe Rouge but I am getting on in years and stuck in my ways and tend to prefer a traditional pub.
anonymous - 19 Dec 2010 12:47 |
Popped up to the Adam and Eve mark II this afternoon for a couple of pints, and was amazed to see quite how much it has changed inside.
It's a lot lighter inside with the ceiling having been raised and the bar shifted back, so it seems a lot less oppressive and the central feature which dominated the place.
Two proper roaring log fires, nicely decorated throughout, bar is now zincy on top rather than wooden but well done, so could cope with that.
As for the booze, six real ales - Doombar, Deuchars, Hobgoblin (which was the guest ale), Abbots, Directors and Old Speckled Hen, four pumps with Guinness Extra Cold, for the lager drinkers there were Fosters, Kronenburg, Heineken and Amstell (pleasingly no Stella), lots of different spirits including 15 different whiskies (think we counted right) and an extensive wine list too.
Wine seemed expensive - cheapest bottle was about �15 - and the ales we had (Doombar and Directors) were both �3.30 a pint. As you'd hope from a pub that has only been open 11 days (at the time of typing) the beer was very well kept, so hopefully that will continue.
Staff (lots of them) were very friendly and attentive, very mixed clientele, no TVs or Sky Sports (if you're looking for that, head down the hill to the Angel and Crown or The Mill) and just music playing in the background. Not too loudly to prohibit, or even inhibit conversation.
So, good work to the guys who have reopened this place. It is at the top end of prices which I would be prepared to pay for a pint, but if the beer continues to be this well kept and the standards upheld, I'll happily be making the 30-minute walk uphill for another pint or two.
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This pub reopens today....... Good luck to all who sail in her!
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Like a lot of people who have been subjected to dreadful chain pubs over the past 20 years or more, I am somewhat of a doubting Thomas when it comes to public houses and quality service, beer etc. and generally the motives of owners, especially when the owners invite locals in before the pub is finished. However such an invitation cannot be turned down when it comes along. It would seem 100 or so other people felt the same on Tuesday 30th September for open house at the Adam and Eve. I was a bit late so entered as a little resume was taking place by Nick the new owner. He came across as a thoroughly pleasant blokeSomewhat of a novelty for people engaged in the public house profession these days. All the chaps and girls with him were equally enthusiastic. The place looks like a building site but my goodness what a change! Completely opened out including the upstairs. It really is quite large. I enjoyed a little tour tagged on to the back of a few others with a complimentary drink to boot! They certainly have big ideas and I think this will look quite wonderful when finished. I, like most people there for the evening I imagine, wish them the very best of luck with this venture! I am pleased to score as follows:
Doubting Thomas 0
Hooray Henrys 1 :-)
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Bad luck with the sign boys. I remember that one now although I must admit I can't remember when it changed to that from the "original" I knew as a young person.
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It's good to see you guys seeking the opinions of the locals. I'm from St Albans, but I have a good friend who lives in Marsh Lane, so I use many of the pubs in the area regularly, including The A&E when Mary was there. Hopefully, if the renovation (and the beer) are good, we'll be back.
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Could it be that the development company that owns the freehold to the house which stands to the left of the Adam & Eve (as you face it) is the same company that now owns the freehold to the Adam & Eve? I ask this as I am informed that the said owns of the house are trying to acquire the wonderful walled garden, currently the pub garden, to extend the house grounds. Presumably to make it worth a lot more money. Or is this this just rumour?
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Good news about the pub sign. I was a bit confused when I ran by this morning, did a double take to read the banner outside, and headed off convinced that the place was going to be renamed the Renaissance.
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Stemginger,
Once again we agree: the sign that says 'bar and eating house' is ridiculous, and will be torn down in due course. I really hope to be able to restore the original pub sign that was unfortunately painted over (!).
I take your point about staff and agree that they are the face of the business and so should act and behave accordingly. Chain pubs will often find it difficult to recruit, train and retain staff, so will suffer from the problems you have outlined.
As far as keeping our beers/ales - again I agree. We will aim to get our Cask Marque as soon as possible, and obviously with that comes minimum standards which we hope to comfortably exceed. The cellar at the Adam and Eve is fairly spacious and quite well equipped, so this shouldn't pose too much of a challenge, and I'm sure you'll be able to help us maintain the standard and point out when and where we go wrong, when necessary.
As for Snarling Mallard - I recognise that different people look for different things from their pubs, and I appreciate that not everyone will totally agree with what we do, but I respect their right to voice their own opinions. Of course, I very much hope that all visitors will appreciate the hard work, time and effort we are putting into saving the Adam and Eve.
Look forward to meeting you over a pint when it's ready to be drawn!!
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So! New management already trying to seduce would be customer to his premises before even opening!! Very enterprising! This shows you may have good business sense or a good advisor! Either way most useful.
You have current experience of the game, according to the newspapers, so should have a head start. A few points.
Currently called "Bar and Eating House" what does that mean? Call a spade spade. Whats wrong with "Adam and Eve"?
Please employ staff that like people and pay those staff correctly. A wander around the chain pubs in the area will show young men and women who think they are behind bars (prisons) rather than behind bars (pubs). Most look like they are desperately seeking parole! Most are intelligent but uninspred by their management "team". Inspiration to perform well does not come from multifarious leafets placed for public viewing that tells the customer about "our enthusiastic team members" or "please ask one of our experienced enthusiastic team members" or what ever the latest twaddle is! One of my pub spies informs me that a public house not to far from your once glorious establishment has advertised for chefs by bluetacking a notice above each individual urinal! This treats both existing staff and customers with utter contempt. Always assume your customer (not client) is a fairly bright spark who wants to be looked after and entertained whilst visiting your premises. Finally have a wander to the Rising Sun and see how things can change. You will have a different format I'm sure but another good pub in the area can only be a blessing for the locals. You may however, have a more difficult time persuading Snarling_Mallard who seems to visit a lot of the pubs that I do. It goes to show we all have different preferences but on some things we all agree. Good beer and good service.
Finally please please look after your beers! Good luck and happy squaffing!
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Would you Adam and Eve it! Lease has been, apparently, bought by two ex Mill Hill School boys. Oh ya! According to newspaper reports the out going Landlord has retired. It dosen't say from what but not from working in this pub I wager, as he never ever got started! They are going to try and restore the original sign which the out going burke painted over with black paint. I hope they acheive this as it was a lovely old sign. Could be open by Christmas 2010. We will see.
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Not the best of pubs but it was Mill Hill's last proper old fashioned boozer. The end of an era as I doubt the new incarnation (if it happens) will see a proper pub returning to Mill HIll.
anonymous - 31 Mar 2010 23:30 |
Another one bites the dust. Absolutely no effort over the last few years and is now closed. Shame really.
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Needs a lick of paint. A bit of an old mans pub but friendly.
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Trudged alonf to here from the public house up the road at 8.00 pm. Wasn't open. Probably says it all!
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Decent enough pub, but in bad need of some tlc on the inside. Starting to look rather tired and dog-eared in places. Also lacks atmosphere when quiet (which seems to be rather too often).
Lovely garden in the summer.
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Had three ales on when I visited today, including Youngs, for which I opted. Well kept pint, and when my fiancee complained as her beer came in a glass coated with lipstick, they didn't just pour the drink into a different glass, but got her a fresh beer instead.
Friendly staff who actually seemed interested in the clientele, as well as whether you were enjoying your food... which we certainly did. Generous portion sizes and decent pub grub (around �7 for a main). I'd definitely recommend the pie, which was very good.
Proper log fires, mixed clientele, including kids, and one TV screen in the corner which was showing Sky News.
Would make the detour to go here again, especially in summer, as it looks to be a nice place for enjoying a beer outside.
Definitely the best pub in Mill Hill.
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We were out for a long Saturday walk and the wife was being all girly & wanted to go to the three hammers - now an embers inn - no kids. Back to the the adam & eve just before 2 (when they stop serving food). Although the pub decor is a bit dated I was pleasently surprised by the staffs helpfulness, the food portions were generous for the Kids - they get smaller (not much) adult meals. Highly recommend the pub and will definetly go back
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The downsides for me with this place are it's badly thought out interior layout and the poor choice of real ales. This could be so much better a pub given a little thought and understanding to it's overall layout. However, having said that, it is now the ONLY place that remotely resembles a proper pub left in NW7.
anonymous - 29 Aug 2009 16:42 |
The Adam and Eve pub is one of the few real pubs left in the area. It has the charm and warmth of a proper pub and maintains the standard expected. It offers decent beer and the food is good value and tasty. The staff are bright and friendly and the atmosphere is always warm and relaxed. The garden with its decking and large grass area with tables offers a good outside place for eaters to enjoy lunch or a bowl of chips and a pint. There is also plenty of shelter should the weather not be at its best.
It could do with a bit of a make over in the toilets but apart from that it is well worth the visit.
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On the face of it this is a nice enough pub with a good beer garden, but I found it a little stuffy and uncomfortable. The barman was nice enough in a formal kind of way and the three other people in the pub on my Wednesday night visit seemed pleasant. The Pride was good and Abbot was also available alongside a standard draught selection. There was also an unused hand pump that could be hooked up to something a little more imaginative in the ale department.
There is a plasma screen and I found the dance music playing on the sound system to be a little out of place. The sign outside purports this pub as being a �Bar and Eating House�, but I would have said that it is a pub rather than some gimmicky restaurant.
I should have enjoyed it in here, but I just didn�t like the atmosphere so I doubt that I�ll ever return.
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A vast improvement on it's former incarnation though the 'proper' beer could be better. It's gradually starting to 'feel' like a 'local'and not the morgue it used to be.
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Nice pub with a large outdoor garden area for smokers, comfortably busy without ever being packed or empty, good beer and food though the rising sun offers better sandwhichs. barstaff are friendly. parking can get limited on occasions. live music nights are good with both young and old playing. a good atmosphere overall
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nice pub, been in couple of times in the evening and there i was, me and the bar staff. great place to go if your having an affair you will never be seen by anybody.
anonymous - 3 Nov 2006 17:41 |
where's the dart board gone, adam @ eves darts teams have won every cup that could have been won in the local and district dart leagues. i hope the dart board goes back up again, it brings alot of income at no cost to the pub, everytime i drive past the pubs empty. I hope mary all the best.
anonymous - 28 Jul 2006 15:42 |
no pool table.. no juke box.. no darts or fruities.. no debit/credit card access.. hopefully they might get a few of these to save my boredom.. (others may see it as a plus)
great food, nice refit with big plasma.. beer garden is best in mill hill-very secluded and catches the sun. nice and polite bar staff. the most charming pub around, just a bit out of the way for my liking.
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the pub re-opened on the 26th May and it was a great night crowded, live music and good beer. Mary has certainly turned it around, no more bad comments from people like anonymous and old growler, not founded, great garden great pub great atmosphere. The pub has never looked better.
anonymous - 3 Jun 2006 09:13 |
the pub has reopend and now run by Mary( formaly of the sun )the food and beer are great and so is she. worth a try now(the pub not mary)
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Shame about the pub. Walled beer garden is lovely and worth a visit.
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used 2 b great small pub in the 90s, but yet again new brewrey, new managment, what a waste, empty during week, not much better weekends, expensive, �2.95 guiness, kronburg �2.80. fosters �2.60. wine from local asda store. used to be nice pub in summer with BQs in beer garden and the odd live band. listed building in classy area could do better.
anonymous - 22 Mar 2006 23:40 |
BORING
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Used to get pissed in here after playing Sunday football for the Village. Nice and cosy. Mind you, it was years ago.
anonymous - 21 Aug 2004 20:35 |
Pub is a bit small but enter big Daves quiz on a wednesday night very entertaining
simon - 11 Nov 2003 17:30 |
Used to be a nice place, has gone down hill in last couple of years. Cheap drinks, can be very noisy. Not tried food. Not a pub of choice.
NICHOLAS - 28 Sep 2003 08:51 |
good for a sunday lunch, bit small (dont start swinging cats) quite place
stuart - 19 Jul 2003 14:20 |
