please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Down the road from the Antelope. Gastropub, but the inoffensive type. Had a Sharp's Coaster for £4.15 which was rather nice. Aside from a large group eating lunch rather quiet at the time of my visit.
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Just been re-opened after a refurbishment and I have to say they have it got it spot on. Just what the area needed. Unlike Gordon Bennetts , the most over-rated bar in Surbition. This place has good ales, beers , great food , friendly staff and nice decor. Surbiton has been waiting for a pub like this for years. The food is slightly above average prices for such an establishment but the quality so far is excellent. Didn't see a TV anywhere, which is a god send.
Good work
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Not for me dirty and un-atmospheric
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definitely a summer pub, when it has a really happy feeling in is voluminous garden. We walked past it first, and it was the sound of peple enjoying themselves that drew us in. Not so sure about it in the winter though, as previous reviewers have pointed out it is not really a nooks and crannies sort of pub, the interior is quite open and the tables large. Ate here a lot this summer, and never had anything to complain about. Not really an ale pub, so I stuck with the Hoegarden, which I enjoy but was pricey. Wine is much better value here by the bottle, which most of the summer diners seem to take advantage of.
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I recently visited my trusty local for one of their hearty Sunday Lunches. I walked into the pub with my dog (Which may I add is smaller than a cat and has previously been in thhis pub with me and my friends). I thought out of courtesy as I hadnt spoken to this particular 'Bar Man' to just make sure it was still ok.
I walked up to the bar and waited about 4 mins for the gentleman, ahem, I mean 'Man' to even acknolwedge me. As I got fed up of waiting as he was faffing around with a glass, I said excuse me and proceeded to ask if dogs were still allowed in. I hadnt got to the 3 rd word when I was rudley snapped at, he contineued to be rude to me in such an arrogant dismissive manner. I asked for his name, so I could notify the manager of the disgusting manner of his staff. I must say the manager was very understanding but my Sunday was ruined by a complete biggit call Mike Bolton.
I have since spoken to the Brewery who are looking in to this, I am not normally one to complain however, Mike was so rude to me I feel that no one else should have that level of servcie from a Bar Man. Afterall, they are there to deliver a service, not abuse.
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Nice pub with a hint of an upmarket feel. Pleasant, vast beergarden.
Good choice of beers, excellent Grren King's "Abbot" on tap.
Service is fast and always nice, prices very reasonably considering the place.
My only negative remark is about the seating arrangement, rather meant for big groups particularly on the inside.
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Thriving place with a lot of younger clientele and families. Good range of food, and some special two-for-one offers, but only two real ales (Greene King IPA & Abbott - the Speckled Hen was off when we were there).
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?GK IPA, Hen and St Edmunds. Large gastro-ish pub, sizeable beer garden and family friendly.
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I quite like this pub, it's fairly relaxed, fantastic big garden, quite a nice interior.
Not eaten there, but it's a nice modern place for a drink. Not one for the Ale fans though.
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Often B.I.T.E. reviews are either wholly negative or positive, the middle ground doesn't get much of a look-in; the consequence perhaps of the obvious apathy in posting something that simply says 'average', let me redress the balance.
A bit like Gordon Bennett's down the road, The Grove appears to have a policy of limited seating to encourage a standing and mingling crowd. This is fine on a busy night when atmosphere takes over but when you go in on a sunday evening and there are just enough people there to take up all the seats so you're the only ones standing, it can feel a bit sparse.
I quite like the decor inside since the re-fit but concede it's not to everyone's taste. It's more of a spring-to-autumn pub now as the lack of furniture and curtains means it feels a little cold during the winter when black windows look out onto the street. However, The Grove provides a healthy alternative to chintzy chain pubs and isn't so 'gastro/wine-bar' to have lost all charm.
The staff are generally quick, take cards for small payments and on the occasions I've been i'd find little to complain about. It's not going to blow you away or even become your regular drinking hole but it will often tempt me away from the high-street and even Gordon Bennett's from time-to-time.
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i like this pub. quick service, nice decor from what I have tasted the food is great.
Great outdoors area cannot wait for the summer to ecploit it!
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I ate here a few weeks ago and thought the food was excellent - superior pub grub perfect after a few pints. Service was fine although they almost forgot to take our money. Went back the other night and got a rotten pint of Abbot, however.
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Having left this pub half an hour ago, I have to say that it is probably the worst food I have ever experienced in 18 years of working in pubs. The service wasn't as bad as the food, the draught Peroni had a nasty metallic aftertaste. The risotto was, amazingly, a cheesy sauce to which a small amount of cooked rice had been added to. The steak, which my wife sent back, arrived well done having been ordered medium rare. The burger was 'middling to poor' and the thai prawn curry overpriced. All in all, shockingly poor. This place does not deserve to do well considering that there are many decent pubs serving good food in the area. If you are considering going there then don't. we went straight to sainsburys and got puds just could't bear to be there another second now you'll forgive me as i get stuck into a sticky toffee puds
cheers
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Please see below the complaint I sent to Green King which they have failed to offer any sort of genuine appology or compensation for: I suggest you take your money and custom ANY WHERE BUT THE GROVE.....
I feel it necessary to write to you to following our visit yesterday (Monday 28th August) in regards to a number of points;
1. On arrival at the pub we were informed we would be unable to pay by card (after the drinks had been poured and served), I did later notice a very small card / note to this effect which had been taped onto the front of the bar, however, this was located at the service point where customers leaning on the bar waiting to be served were completely obscuring it.
2. We were unable to order the food we wanted, one of each of the �sharing platters� so we had to settle for 2 of the ham and prawn platters instead.
3. On arrival the food was ok, albeit over warm: the additional dips which included olives and smoked tomatoes were ridiculously small in size (3 olives and 2 tomato quarters per platter) due to this we ordered an additional 2 bowls of chips to accompany the platters.
These arrived approx 20 minutes later and each bowl contained 8 chips, pro rata cost of 30p per chip.
It also transpired at this point that my partner on having gone past the bar to use the bathroom while we were waiting for these to arrive a member of staff had asked him to pay for the chips (�2.45 per bowl) which he politely did, in cash.
4. When the waiter came to clear the table I explained I was unhappy with the amount we had been charged, he said he would speak to the manager he returned on 2 more occasions to pass messages backwards and forwards to say the manager would offer replacement dishes but no refund and after 15 minutes of this game the manager Jody Morgan eventually came to speak to me in person.
Mr Morgan was rude and aggressive in his tone and manner as well as happy to have the entire conversation with a raised voice at the table in front of my guests despite my suggestion we should move away from the table.
He was unnecessarily sarcastic stating we had obviously �liked the taste of them or we wouldn�t have eaten them� and refused point blank to offer in his words �either a refund for one bowl or nothing�.
He also actively encouraged me to write to you to complain providing me with your address and his full name.
Despite several request for receipts for our other food and drinks I was not given these and eventually told the printer wasn�t working, clearly not true as I was given the one for the chips.
I am left a day later feeling totally let down by my visit as well as offended by the way Mr Morgan spoke to me.
Having worked in the pub industry myself for InBev in the on-trade for the last 5 years I understand the huge value that Green King place on their consumer�s experience, this is one I hope I never have repeated.
I look forward to your response and also reasonable compensation for this spoilt bank holiday afternoon.
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It was my first visit to The Grove Tavern and have to say never again will I return. The food was uunpalatable, cold and hot food was served on cold plates. The waitress repeatedly came to our table to enquire about the food - once would have been enough! Our hot food was so cold we returned it to the kitchen only for it to be returned a few minutes later having been put into a microwave which totally detroyed the texture of the fish. The tuna nicoise was made with lettuce which was black and dry at the ends and the tuna, which I presume had been freshly cooked was so dry and tough you could have re-soled your shoes with it ! I am not sure if they could have really spared the one anchovy that accompanied that meal!
anonymous - 7 Sep 2007 13:02 |
Having watched the refitting of the Grove into a 'Gastro' establishment i decided to eat there in the evening which i bitterly regret.
The food presented was stone cold and the apathetic waitress took it away to a microwave and reheated it (all of two minutes).
My partners dish was tepid but he was too polite to say anything. They then mislaid my debit card and took ages to retrieve it and never had the grace to apologise for their mistake.
This place is full of loud white van men and drunken builders, all the old patrons of before.
They need to spruce up their act and attract a better type of clientele,that should not be difficult its a nice area.
anonymous - 7 Sep 2007 12:35 |
Perhaps the new owners have been reading the comments on this site. I went to the opening night on Friday, and it looks as though they have got it pretty much spot on.
The refit is very nice, they have a good selection of beers, and quite a nice wine list. Free samples of the new menu went down well, and it is certainly a step up from the old food offering.
There were a few things which harked back to the old Grove still in evidence - a fruit machine which now looks extremely out of place, and quite a lot of kids toys still hanging around in the garden.
I will defintely be back, as I am interested to see how this pub 'beds in'.
anonymous - 28 Aug 2007 12:59 |
This will be reopening on 28th August according to the website.
Having walked past a few times, the refit looks very nice, and points to the fact that this may be a pub that will actually be worth going to.
As mentioned by others, the thing that they will need to do is change the custom that they attract if they are going to succeed.
On a weekday evening, this pub used to attract loads of builders, who usually seemed to just stand outside swearing and shouting, rather than drinking inside.
On the weekend, it would attract a hideous mix of chav Chelsea football fans, and parents who would let their kids run amok in the garden whilst they drank in the pub.
If they reduce the parking, make the garden less child focussed, and not show sport ALL of the time, it should improve. The area directly surrounding the pub is packed full of youngish commuters who must be looking for another pub to add to the few goods ones already in the area. Gordon Bennett and Harts Boatyard always seem to do well, so there is no reason why the Grove can't as well.
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This pub has been pretty bad over the last few years. White Van man loves to come to it because there is plenty of parking for vans and cars. however, the pub is currently closed for what looks like an extensive refit. Most of the inside has been ripped out, the garden is being redone and the whole place generally renovated. An application was made to the council to have decking around the outside which may mean less parking for white van man. I think I heard it is under new management so lets hope that it turns out to be somewhere decent to go soon.
anonymous - 1 Aug 2007 16:09 |
This is a waste of what could be a great pub.
The location on Maple Road puts it right in the middle of the best catchment area for a pub in Surbiton. Gordon Bennett, Rubicon and now even Harts Boatyard seem to know how to attract the local 20-30 somethings with a bit of cash to spend.
This place seems intent on attracting only football fans and families. That is fine for a pub near the Cambridge Estate or in Berrylands, but not for the middle of Surbiton - perhaps that is why it is always empty.
The building itself is quite nice, and the garden is great in the evenings when there are no screaming kids about.
Worth checking out in the summer if you want a guaranteed seat outside for a large group, but the food is poor and the selection of beers generic.
There are much better place locally.
anonymous - 12 Apr 2007 13:57 |
Good grief what was I thinking. Actually of the wonderful Spring Grove. Agree with all the negative comments below. It's like a creche but one where the adults only leave the kids from a mental, rather than also a physical, perspective
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Great big Newfoundland woofer to play with. Your hand will stink but hard to resist.
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We call this the 'Gatwick Village pub'. Completely anonymous and prepare to be glared at if you're not a WASP!
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some people have got the wrong impression with regards to this pub.
we had sunday lunch there 2 weeks ago at a very reasonable price for this area and it was suprisingly good there were none of the so called "chavs" in there it was very relaxing and my wife and i would recommend this place to any civilised people wanting to sit and unwind on a cold winters afternoon.
anonymous - 29 Dec 2006 16:13 |
Big beer garden but not in best of conditions. I go with the kids as loads of room for them to run around. Always found cider/soft drinks to be flat and uninspiring. Inside is also a disappointment - loud, bad music and focus on watching sports - if this is your thing you might enjoy!
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For some reason a few of my comments about certain pubs in Surbiton keep getting taken off. I thought this website was set up as part of free speech to warn others about the dangers of certain drinking holes? Still, this pub is rank as is the service and etiquette of not just the staff/'managers' but the clientele in general. Lots of abandoned children running all around the shop whilst their parent(s) get drunk. Avoid
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i like to come here to watch the football, richards a good guy and that women manager is mighty fine, always got some mates down here too. its usually pretty empty though. quiz is quite good although u need to be over 50 to know any of the music questions. nice food.
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It said IPA but I wasn't impressed with my pint. TV was way too LOUD to hear the person next to me although no-one seemed to be watching (to be fair, I think they were waiting for the football to start). Not planning to return.
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Half the pub is now no smoking. All this seems to do is draw the "builder type" chelsea fans to the front of the pub. leaving the back (airport lounge bit)spookily quiet.
Sport is piped at a ridiculous level even on a monday
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This place is quite nice in the summer, but it attracts all the chavs of Surbiton.
anonymous - 30 Dec 2005 09:47 |
This pub was great until the dumb new management took over.
They have banned children in the garden (which is a playground) after 5 - smart business move ! Cleanliness has deteriorated and so has the beer.
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Nicely tuned out and under new management.
Please PLEASE !!! turn those lights down a bit tho !!!
Need sunglasses in there !!!!
Theres something I cant define missing from the place as well. It has an Airport lounge feel, needs something to make it more homely
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Full of Chavs and has an American Pool table....Might as well take a 2 minute walk up to the Antelope
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Having previously criticised this pub I felt it only fair to take another visit after seeing the 'Under New Management' sign.
What a pleasant surprise! It's amazing what a lick of paint and a new carpet can do. The layout remains the same, but the atmosphere is much friendlier and the new menu is a hundred times better than the previous third rate offerings.
I always wanted this pub to be a decent local and at last I think it's managed it.
The fact that this pub is now attracting people from Gordon Bennett's and Rubicon speaks for itself
crazyfunster - 22 Apr 2004 00:19 |
The grove tavern has the best garden/childrens facilities in surbiton.As a parent with a child it provides an area for relaxing and socialising with families.If the drunks you referred to dont like children there are pubs in the area where you can get plastered/beaten up/sport/bad language and barred.
Why should we be penalised as parents by people who have all the choice in the area ?
A regular ? - 14 Apr 2004 19:30 |
Freezing when it's cold outside, not many places to sit and WAY too smokey, at least on a Friday. Not going to make this a regular stopoff.
Atz - 1 Mar 2004 13:51 |
Depressing and atmosphere-free on a cold Thursday night - scruffy, empty apart from the 3 blokes propping up the bar, and lit by fluorescent strips!
Amber_Nectar - 1 Mar 2004 13:46 |
This pub could be great....But sadly it lets itself down in so many ways.
The lighting is too bright; there's too many drunks kicking about in there with their bored kids; the beer garden in inhabited by yet more screaming kids; there's too many football promo posters (inside AND out); and on the rare occasions there is live music at the moment, it's third rate.
I hoped the new manager would make this pub the success it deserves to be. They just need to go back to basics a bit and ask themselves whether they want drunks, kids and football posters; or a busy restaurant and bar? I'm sure the locals would prefer the latter.
crazyfunster - 1 Nov 2003 17:44 |
Covered in promo posters.
Lit to levels inducing snowblindness.
Pity...everything else seems good.
Seem to have lost the plot regarding what makes a successful pub. Cut the daft posters, X-box comps, and jam nights ?!?. Concentrate on providing a relaxing convivial atmosphere with great staff.
Much like it was as Sean O'Gradys !!
Fingle - 5 Aug 2003 12:41 |
Come and see 'Peach' play great rock and pop covers here on Saturday 289th June. From 9pm. Don't miss it!
anonymous - 6 May 2003 15:10 |
Was nicer when it was Sean O'Grady's
Briony - 6 May 2003 15:00 |
great pub, bit shitty inside though and the bloke bogs... !!!!!
had several great evenings in there. two pool tables. live music
they also have this thing that looks like a gaint bong, holds 8 pints - get charged for 6, carry it back to your table - no need to get up.
good old fashioned boozer
jim - 23 Apr 2003 14:35 |
Nice pub, but floodlit inside to uncomfortable levels and populated by drunks in 80s council estate leather jackets
weasel - 4 Mar 2003 09:38 |
Should be good, but gets full of single mums, complete with screaming kids. Garden probably very good if you're in the family way, but otherwise a pretty fdreadful place.
ElDickster - 3 Jan 2003 15:57 |
Nothing special about this place but I was there when England beat Germany 5-1 so I have fond (but blurred) memories of it.
DeviousDave - 1 Nov 2002 11:27 |
its quite good
i work here, and its a laugh
you shouod come here
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