please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
I spent some very enjoyable late lunches and evenings here a few years back: I hope it's much the same.
The prop books on the shelves had some genuine interest, and the staff were more than happy for me to take away some on trust, including Tom Paine's The Rights Of Man.
Food and beer were both fine.
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Not that great, bit twee and dated.
dazey - 27 Aug 2011 15:59 |
Nice range of lager and ales were well cared for, but was too hot inside, was short changed, and the urinals were all out of order.
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*PLEASE INGNORE MY REVIEW BELOW!*
I've asked BITE to remove this review twice, as it was intended for the Duke of Cambridge Islington, not Battersea. My apologies to the proprietor of this establishment.
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A mixed bag, on the basis - admittedly - of just one visit. The large open space, while likely sparse if empty, was buzzing on a midweek night and had a very convivial air. The main meals looked splendid and the snacks we enjoyed (humuus, homebaked bread, etc.) were excellent. The wine selection was terrific and the sips I nabbed out of others' glasses confirmed their quality.
The beer, however, was another matter. Three Pitfield beers and the St Peters Organic Best. I tried all four, but not one had decent condition - flat as the proverbial pancake. Two beers - fresh on - were soupy. I think the casks had been rushed - we're talking green beer, not stale beer. Worse, all the barstaff (there were three on, I recall) poured the beer without holding the glass but placing it below the tap on the drip tray. This means the beer falls the best part of a foot into the glass. It delivers a frothy head but knocks out condition even in a decently kept pint. With beers in less good nick, this is a real headache. I tried as delicately as I could to mention this - one always comes across as an unbearable arse when geeking out about stuff like this - but the surly reaction from one staff member was OTT to say the least.
Stick to the wine and the food and try not to cross the staff, it would seem
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This pub is wonderful! Full of friendly locals of all ages, but everyone is welcome. There is a brand new bar staff who are all really nice and hard working. The food served is delicious. {Definitely recommend the bangers & mash or sweet potato chips!} The pub is being completely refit at the moment but will be done by the end of next week. Can't wait to see how great it looks :)
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excellent - nice outside area, good character inside and delicious food. not to mention the very attentive staff. really good pub and a million times better than the latchmere over the road.
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Have used this pub a lot over the past six years or so - it has a friendly, laid back atmosphere and a good mix of genuine locals of all ages (though forever in danger of being overwhelmed by the sloaney set and their kids). Very unimpressed with some of the current crowd behind the bar - efficient and reasonably knowledgeable, but several are unfriendly (on occasion to the point of rudeness). If you want something similar, minus the attitude, try the reborn Castle on nearby Battersea High Street. Staff who care about the quality of your experience, interesting range of brews and less expensive, better food.
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Upmarket and trendy food bar which just about clings to the memory of a pub. Chunky wood tables with assorted chairs, leather sofas, high stools and palms with a light and bright atmosphere gives a continental feel. A large and charming painting in the back room shows some of the quaint but aging regulars who still frequent the place among the thirty-something upwardly mobiles. When they turn up people glance at them at though they are film stars (which some of them may be!). The pub is Youngs, which is now separate from the Wells & Young's beers which are sold side by side. The Ordinary was acceptable. The food is pretentious and pricey, though tasty enough. I would, however, have preferred to pay a bit less and not to have paprika sprinkled on the edges of my plate for heaven's sake. The service was pleasant enough, though bland and painfully slow.
This is not an objectionable place at all, and we spent a pleasant afternoon here, but it doesn't have much to recommend it.
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This pub is quite good as a Young's pub - as in good beer quality and just above average service. However, there can be a problem with 18 year old trustafarians at the weekend (the sort called Tarquin et al with jeans round their knees; you know the type).
Major issue as of 03 Feb 07 - pub is now non-smoking despite 4 months left until the ban. I don't know why they want to alienate people ahead of time. Was never particularly smokey in the first place due to large, breezy atmosphere. I will be going elsewhere until the ban unless non-smokers suddenly become interesting.
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This is a great pub! And good food plus Young's beers. Nice fire in cold weather, welcomes dogs so great after a walk in Battersea Park. Has its own, laid-back atmosphere. Women like it too. Lots of locals.
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Great pub... the best take on full english brekkie EVER... good service, good selection of libations I like it, it has locals so not a 'Work' pub
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This is a really nice pub with a good outside area. The staff are really welcoming and the pub quiz we went to was great fun. We ate from their new menu and I have to say the food was nicer than some of the other Youngs pub's in the area. We'll be going back
anonymous - 25 Sep 2006 16:14 |
for some reason this pub has a reputation for good food. I would avoid it. If you want the best food , go to the Masons Arms down the road. Ok for a pint of youngs.
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very expensice pub and unfriendly staff, wont be rushing back
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This pub was taken over in late May by a new landlord, and all new staff. Much better than before! They have had some problems in the kitchen, but have now gotten rid of the chef. The new one is much better!! It is a bit pricey (like most Youngs pubs), but worth a visit, it's got that Casablanca look to it, if you put some fans on the ceiling that is...
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People have complained about the service, which may be valid as they have a high turnover of staff, but I think the landlord's pretty clued up. They had great (if slightly pricey) breakfasts here for the Lions tour last year, and while they don't always have the full range of Youngs what they have is in good nick and it's a nice, cosy place to relax over a pint or two.
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We ventured here as a last resort (in search of a local pub not jam-packed already on account of the rugby!), but were pleasantly surprised. Not having much affection for Youngs in general, we found this pub very comfortable, very relaxed and the staff friendly (if a little slow at the bar). The food was a decent Sunday roast, with good crunchy vegetables and tasty cuts of meat. Slightly overpriced, but enjoyable.
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This is geographically my local, and I rarely venture near it after dark because of the fact that it attracts trendy young things from Clapham. If you are after a good day-time pint of Youngs and a chance to read the papers in front of a roaring fire, installed on a plush sofa, there is no better place to be. The service is pretty dismal, and the bar staff seem oddly chippy and surly. Have yet to try their gastronomic offerings.......
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My local for quite a while I really used to like this pub. A little pricey but tasty food and comfy decor made up for it. The attitude of the staff in the last few months has put me off though: unfriendly, unwelcoming and often rude. Won't be going back, bit of a shame really.
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I thought I would try somewhere different and went here for the first time for Sunday lunch on my birthday at the end of January with a group of friends. None of us will make a return visit. The service was appalling and extremely slow, bar staff were rude and unhelpful and the food was very poor quality and over priced. We complained and refused to pay service charge expecting an apology - it didn't happen.
anonymous - 3 Mar 2005 11:43 |
This place seems to attract the type, who push in front of you whilst you are waiting to be served, they then order 5 drinks with 10 straws & present 4 different pieces of plastic to pay. If you can be bothered waiting then the pub is ok.
The service varies, at the moment its fine.
Overall an ok place
but overrated.
KEVIN - 17 Sep 2004 22:01 |
I thought the service was generally poor, and was especially annoyed at being asked for my credit card before I had even ordered my food (it suggests they thought I was going to run off and not pay!). Some of the food is excellent (the burgers I believe) but the meal I had was dry and overpriced (salmon fishcakes).
Vicki - 23 Mar 2004 12:53 |
Food is excellent although pricey but in my opinion well worth it. Youngs beers available, although no Export the Pilsner is very tasty.
Jon - 16 Mar 2004 21:55 |
Has had a make over in the last year or so, and serves real good food and OK beer. Lovely beer garden at the back ideal for the kids over a pint on a sunday afternoon.
David - 9 Jan 2004 07:56 |
Good food, good service, overall a great pub. Harwood Arms in Fulham is part of the same goup and that too is well worth visiting.
Jason - 16 Dec 2003 11:50 |
Yes, this pub did win "Evening Standard Pub of the Year" a few years ago, which says something about the Evening Standard. Gastro style pub, with rubbish old furniture. No comfort factor at all. Customers are a bunch of twenty-something bores. Only plus point is the service which is generally friendly and efficent.
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I believe it won the London pub of the year in '99 or '00.. it's got a good mix of people, some old local battersea boys who've been around for years, a few sloanes (but they are easily avoided), and a bunch of late 20s normal professionals... the food is pretty decent, the beer is quite good, and on the whole it's a decent boozer..!!
Jacob - 30 Jul 2003 08:45 |
