please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Whatever this place is now it's not a pub and is always empty when I go past.
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IT IS CLOSED
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It was ok when it was the porterhouse, as they offered semi-interesting beer, at least.
Now, as L'auberge (part of the massive pub chain -doesn't that fill you with confidence), it has a quasi-french theme. The service is pretty good, and the garden is very nice when it's warm. The beer is a bit ropey ( their ales are often sour and cloudy) and the food is extremely variable, and a little over-priced.
It should improve soon, as the large local chav clientele who come for the TV sports should be driven away by the smoking ban.
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It has been a victim of a series of grossly overblown and badly-run food/drink ventures. They see the site, with its massive visibility, and think that in a legendarily rich burg like Barnes it's a licence to print money. Well, rich poncy people are not stupid. Somebody should get a good manager and make it into a proper mixed pub, with posh bits to make dough, and cheap bits to keep things ticking over. It's too big for a single class business. I am amazed that it hasn't been turned into flats.
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Was there at the weekend for the first time in ages and was disappointed to see that they'd sold of 60% of the garden to some developer - still an attraction for the summer. Food was ok and our waitress was personable enough but still feels a bit like a spruced up Tootsie's inside.
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can anyone explain why no one has ever managed to make a go of this pub?
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Yes, I'm a seventies model I'm afraid so remember it running out of beer in good old '76
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It was the Boileau originally then became the Old Rangoon (about 1984). Then it was the Boileau again for a short while (if I remember correctly), then the Garden House, then Browns. Now, whee, another name change!
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Last time I went to this pub it was called the Boileau Arms...............bloody hell !!
anyone else remember it then ??
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this pub has made more comebacks than Status Quo, with varying degrees of success.This latest incarnation is easy on the eye, if not on the wallet.As a result it is frequented by the local caravan park owners rather than the chavs who live on them.Nice comment from the manager below.I 'definalty' won't be going back
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Bar / Restaurant serving reasonable beer but served by a lousy attitude-filled manager. We were there to watch one of the Six Nations matches and the manager (a French national) put music on half way through the second half of the game despite there being 50 - 60 people watching the game! The Machiavellian half of me wants to go back to see the England - France match but the more reasonable half says go and watch somewhere else where we're made to feel more welcolme!!!
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with reference to James's comments having eaten in their recently I acquiese totally with what he has written as regards it being poor value for money. The food is of a reasonable quality but I find it incredible that they can serve up a main course without potatoes or vegetables. The sweet was the largest course and the coffee was splendid. I was so hungry I had to stop off for a burger on the way home.
anonymous - 12 Dec 2005 13:35 |
The Castelnau is a great place to either go and relax with a beer and watch the cricket or have a great Friday night gathering with your friends. It also has a new French style restaurant which serves a delicious , freshly prepared A'la Carte menu. Definalty worth visiting.
anonymous - 18 Oct 2005 14:04 |
Now shut down and renamed as "The Castlenau". Have not been in yet but surely anything must be an improvement on the Porterhouse. Can anyone recommend it?
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Popped in for a few beers, prior to going to a gig at the Hammersmith Apollo. Can not complain about the beer range at all, plenty of draft and bottled beers. Had the chocolate stout, which is absolutely lovely!! Smells like drinking chocolate powder. Worth checking out if in the area, pub was not busy at all, but I did visit late afternoon during the week. Pub was clean. Bar staff were friendly and attentive.
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well well well... What a disaster after browns. have been there a few times since it opened only becasue i've been forced to by my fiancee! could the male manager be any more rude, he looks like a used car salesman, i think his name is Paul. Last night i sat down after waiting five mins at a quiet bar, staff couldn't understand english and my table was filthy. at 10.45pm it seemed the bar staff were more interested in washing drip trays etc... instead of clearing tables and talking to customers nicely. i dont really see what market they are trying to achieve, i find it pretentious, crap, expensive etc. good selection of beers but more gastro pubs e.g. sun inn now do huge selection and nicer atmosphere... go across road to bridge for better atmosphere, pleasent staff and nicer wine!!! i will never never never be coming back here again. sort out your market, for instance dont charge such high prices and then show football. you either do one or the other, i suggest eliminating the latter for a better clientellie. bring back browns please..........
James - 2 Oct 2004 19:49 |
I like my second visit here, not much bar room but pleasant if you get yourself set up with a table by the bar early enough. Prices reasonable for this area. Woul be nice if they had a late licence as there is nowhere to go around here after 11pm
anon - 20 Apr 2004 21:07 |
Well, Oyster Stout -in South-West London. We are blessed.
when there for Lunch - very pricey not a huge amount of choice under �5... Which makes Lunch more costly then I am happy with.
But the Beer was superb. I am a Guinness fan, but Oyster Stout is growing on me.
More please!!
Mike - 16 Mar 2004 14:57 |
High class, stylish conversion. Good service, amiable when busy. Excellent beers and stouts from the Porterhouse Brewery in Dublin and bottled beers from around the world. Not quite up to the standard of the Covent Garden branch but an interesting choice for the area.
Martin - 9 Mar 2004 12:48 |
Dear all,
Evening of Thursday 27/11/03, decor as described by Ian. Bar area limited, but if early once table was occupied no hassling or hurrying. Seems about 50:50 smoking and non-smoking. Limited disabled access. Beer expensive all draught >�2.50. I got a pint of porter from the bar, seated myself and was allowed plenty of time to get comfortable. Once menu accepted there was no rush to take order. I had mussels ( a la marinaire), a pint of red ale, a bottle of Red Eric (Danish fruit flavoured lager style 6.5%) and a bottle of Boon Gueze.
I spoke to the manager (without mentioning CAMRA) who is doing a personal and staff beer tastings which I strongly encouraged. I felt the waiting staff where slightly let down by bar staff who seemed a bit overwhelmed at times.
It was very busy for a Thursday evening with almost every table taken, booking probably advisable. All food 50% off as Ian said, good portions and excellent quality. Background music subtle and restrained, waiting staff attentive but not intrusive. Unfortunately children are welcome even hyperactive ones!
Personally I think very much like the Teddington Arms - far from cheap but well worth a visit as a post payday treat.
simon - 5 Feb 2004 11:58 |
