please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Yes. This is an Ember Inns pub. So there's probably a focus on food later in the day. But there's a decent range of ales and at least it opened as published at 11:30, unlike the Lucky Rover down the road. Beers on were Rudgate Brew No. 8, Acorn Dead Good, Stonehenge Sign of Spring, Sambrooks Junction, Fullers London Pride & Greene King IPA.
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An Ember Inns pub, what more needs to be said. I had a flat pint which I could not finish, but the second, Sambrooks Wandle, was fine. It can get busy and noisy at times but it is a good alternative to the Wetherspoons just up the road.
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An Ember Inns pub, what more needs to be said. I had a flat pint which I could not finish, but the second, Sambrooks Wandle, was fine. It can get busy and noisy at times but it is a good alternative to the Wetherspoons just up the road.
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Recently visited this pub (on a Saturday night)and it was virtually empty.
I think trade has dropped off since a nasty knifing incident some months ago,and some regulars have voted with their feet.
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this pub has got a lot better as of late - spoken to the new landlord yesterday, brand new cellar installed last week, place looks tidier and was queueing out the door. welcome back north star.
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The pub has recently been taken over by a relief manager i'm told. Think he is still getting his bearings, things are very up and down but seem to be getting better - a lot of new faces up there these past few days
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What is going on with this pub, i went in there a couple of weeks ago and got served by a lady, Her name was Rachel. What a very hard worker and seemed to be on the ball she was serving three customers at the same time. I went in there again recently and the relief manager Alex was doing nothing while i stood at the bar waiting to no avail the girl on the floor was really busy so could not serve. I asked if anyone was serving and he walked straight in to the kitchen leaving me standing there and sent a young lad out to serve five minutes later. I was so disgusted with the service that i will not return to the pub. I recommended this pub to my friends so therefore i feel very embarrassed.
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First visits in some time to here and it's not bad. Again beer is nothing special mostly from major breweries such as Youngs, Adnams, GK etc though not suprising as it is part of the Ember Inns chain. Wonder what Mr Owens thinks of that! However the Adnams I did have was in good form and though I haven't had food here, my parents have and say it's pretty good value, something that Ember Inns does try to do.
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Although this is probably the best pub in Chessington (there is little competition!),it still leaves a lot to be desired.
During the day it feels like one has wandered onto the set of "Cocoon",or a residential care home.
In the evening (we went there last night) it is full of shaven -headed men in crop
trousers and flip-flops -no eye-candy at all!
The food is bog standard pub grub,and the wine selection is unadventurous.
The bar staff are pleasant enough,but always seem under pressure.
It has deteriorated in the years since John Owens departure-he set very high standards,but hey that's how it is these days.
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drink and eat in this great pub three times a week and love it,it has got so much better over the last year and have noticed a 5 star rating on the door,staff are great,don't think the last review was in the same pub they haven't had lamb on the menu since last year,keep up the good work we love it in here.
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Decided to try this as a new venue for a meal out. (1) Had to search for a meal menu from another table. (2) Was a little concerned when a patron at a nearby table called the waitron to say he couldn't wait any longer, pointing to his watch. (3) Wanted to order a cheese and bacon burger, but only selling cheese burgers that night. (4) Alternative choice was the lamb dish - sorry no more lamb! Didn't stay, won't go back.
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Agree with previous comment, used this Pub years ago and couldn't fault it. It was by far the best pub around for miles.That was in the days of Mr Owens and a great Landlady, the service was superb and the beer served to perfection. Have not visited for some time but hear present management has been the best for quite a while !
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No rating, but used to go in here a few years ago fairly regularly and was a decent pub then.
Just posting a comment to say all the best to John (Mr. Owens) who worked at this pub for dozens of years and hope all is well in retirement.
As for the pub - may pop in soon to deliver my rating.
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im glad bevs back the pub went downhill when she left the food turned putrid and you had to wait ages for a drink but nows she back its getting better already. Glad to see you back Bev!
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Ember Inns pub serving Youngs Ordinary, GK IPA, Bombardier, Adnams Bitter and Spitfire with a guest currently Morrissey Fox (aka Cropton) Blonde. Typical Ember layout, large and roomy, with various statuettes dotted around.
Not the most atmospheric but good enough for a beer and a chat.
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In there with a very large party for our Christmas lunch. Food was not good � tough steak, undercooked veg, meals arriving with longish intervals between them, etc. I don�t blame the staff � they did their best and remained pretty cheerful throughout, but I just don�t think they are really geared up to handling large parties. Ales on were Young�s Special, Adnam�s Bitter and London Pride. I had a couple of pints of special, which was just about OK. A friend had said that the food has always been pretty good in the past, so I shall give it another try after Christmas, and when I am not going mob-handed.
Otherwise this is an unremarkable pub, but comfortable enough for a pint or two, but in my view not worth going out of your way to visit.
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Such a shame!? With a recent vivsit to what used to be a very good pub, my wife and I left feeling very dissapointed.
The food served took over 40 minutes to get to us and looked and tasted just awful! Clearly just slopped onto the plate it was obvious that no attention had been paid to the presentation. A huge difference to our last visit only 2 months ago.
The staff serving were clearly unhappy with their jobs and made no effort to hide it!! Moral within the work place was clearly very low and this made for an uncomfortable atmosphere.
As for the drinks.....well two of the real ales had gone which was a real shame as I know John the barman took much pride in them when he worked at the pub, and it is sad to see the lack of pride that is so evident now. I wonder if the land lady has anything to do withn this??? leaning at the end of the bar clearly drunk, swearing and mouthing off to the staff or anyone who would listen does not create the atmosphere we wish to eat and drink in. Highly unprofessional. We will not be revisiting...Such a shame.
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The review below from BIGKATE rings a bell. Let's get the good points out of the way first: they're finally serving full pints, the Adnam's was in good condition and the onion rings were well cooked (shame about the steak, mind).
Sadly, the quality of the food has declined massively (as has the choice of ale), don't know who they're buying meat from but their sirloin steaks were tough enough to sole your boots with.
Service was civil but grossly inefficient; the four staff working the bar were unable to cope with demand and made no effort to serve customers in order - took nearly 15 minutes to order food. They weren't helped by having to squeeze past the well-proportioned manageress who was standing there doing little other than blocking up the bar while others worked around her.
On two occasions they've been unable to serve several of the dishes on the menu - the fact that they can do a chicken tikka but not a korma says a lot about how freshly prepared their curries are. What a shame that a change of management has spoiled what used to be a decent pub.
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had a great night on friday a caribbean themed night dj was brilliant they were raising money for barnardos,food looked good,thoughly enjoyable evening,well done.
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Just revisited the North Star. Why a revisit? Because it was so bloody lovely the last time we went.
Had a meal and a few drinks on a friday. The food was delicious, looked great and was servrd to us by alovely member of staff who couldnt have been friendlier. The overall experience was delightful, so delightful that we came back the following Monday evening. Once again the service we received was fantastic. We didnt eat this time (although we saw the food going out and wished we had), but we were remembered by the staff from our last visit. Not everyday that happens. we were served with a smile and the young waitress was knowledgeable about what we were drinking, and what was on offer.
Thats two visits in as many weeks. Think we might go for the third.
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I've obviously been to the wrong North Star,because the staff in here are now as miserable as sin since the chunky new bird arrived,and as for the poisoned dwarf with the tash Kate i think they call her(hate to think what the staff call her behind her back).They got rid of the old boy after 35 years, just sacked him !! The real ale tastes C~~P now, food average,run by the locals,mind you has to be as Chunky Bird is usually half cut on a Saturday Night!!Blonde Girl still there and still smiling but apparently she has been demoted and Hitler (miserable)Kate (might be Kay not 100%) is now the new Assistant.Kitchen Staffs uniforms are disgustingly dirty and they never seem to wear hats when you see them walking around,outside in their uniforms i might add!!
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i have been coming to The North Star off and on for the last 5 years now, and with the introduction of 'Bev' the new manager i'll be staying (such a contrast to the last one!) the food is still of a high standard of course and the staff are friendly.
if i may be so bold i would like to recommend the steak & ale pie and 5oz gammon, both favorites of mine while my wife enjoys the sausage mini loaf.
happy eating.
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What a differnce! The North Star has always been great for it's food, but has now got even better. After it's refurb only a few months ago the pub has changed hands. And for the better. Agreat atmosphere in there now and a team full of knowledge and enthusiasm behind the bar. Friendly, efficiant and looking like they all genuinly enjoy their work. Bev, the new manager, previously of The Albion, Hampton Court, is like a ray of sunshine(check out the glowing comments from the Albion when she was in charge). Great pub, great staff, great food. What more do I need to say.
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A decent pub with decent staff, most of which are very hard working. A well run kitchen, with a proven track record. Good food and presented well. The NOrth Star has a friendly atmosphere to drink in and everyone there was very friendly during my last visit. Kitchen gets very busy in the evenings now, and have had to wait slightly longer for our meal, but we were informed of the wait at the bar. overall a really great pub with really great food ~
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A deceptively large pub with a spacious lounge that snakes around to an extension at the back. Furnished in typical tasteful Ember Inns style (others may disagree). Good range of cask ales including some unusual ones. Comfortable with a pleasant friendly atmosphere. Reasonably sized car park. Located about 1/4 mile from teh Ace of Spades roundabout. Well worth a visit.
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dont you just lourve the cockney chat..your hear it all here as i have!!!!
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I hope the refit involves upgrading the miserable landlady and the miserable barmaid. Such a joy to order from they are.
It's a nice place but these two miseries put us off.
Was very upset one day when we ordered food and one dish turned up looking and tasting awful. Landlady turned up without asking and asked if it was alright? When told no, she said it was the last one and when she saw it she thought it might not be good enough to be served. So why did we get it then?
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Due to close for 2 weeks from 21st January for some internal changes.
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The pubs in Chessington always used to have a "bit of a reputation", so to speak.
While I'm sure this is still true of some of them (have you been to the Monkey Puzzle recently? A real disappointment), the North Star seems to be bucking the trend. Yes, it does have that identikit feel (a la Ewell's Spring, Ashtead's Woodman, Cheam's Harrow etc), but the staff have a more welcoming attitude that makes it feel more like a local than it looks. I was very impressed with the service.
Beer was fine, food looked OK and the toilets were clean. If unlucky enough to find yourself in Chessington, this is your best bet.
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Have really started to like this place over the last few months. Food is excellent. Cold beers are cold and the seats are nice.
Never bothered with the quiz but who cares its a rather nice place to have an evening drink.
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We would highly recommend this pub. Comfortable seating, efficient and friendly service and a good range of quality beers. The food here is excellent with the cooking at a high standard. Best to avoid Tuesday evenings when it gets crowded with a very amateurly run quiz, unfortunately the lady who runs it is very pleasant but has not got a clue. Overall rating Top of the Pops.
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Excellent food, good beer and efficient service. Well maintained and comfortable with a decent car park. Avoid Tuesday evening when it gets crowded with an very amateur run quiz, he less said about it the better. Otherwise the pub gets top marks
anonymous - 17 Oct 2005 18:27 |
Having had lunch here twice recently, the food has been of amazingly good quality on both occasions (it rivals many restaurants) and the beer in excellent condition.
I am surprised by the negative reviews here as I cannot fault this pub on its food or beer. Admittedly I haven't been there of an evening, but it is obvious that the landlord takes great pride in his pub and that the staff know what they are doing.
Well worth a visit - very highly recommended.
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Not a bad pub at all for a Sunday afternoon, It's friendly and my mate Luke the barman is a diamond geezer.
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New managers are so up themselves it's embarassing!! You can never finish any drinks that you have bought, the pub quiz is a joke, wouldn't waste my money...
anonymous - 29 May 2005 23:59 |
We tried to go in with an eleven year old girl, we'd only just stopped there and were demanded to know if we were going to eat in the place, as we wanted to have a beer and a think first, we were refused service, nil points !!!!!!
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Since refurb is nicer, an old man of 80 tried to chat me up which was a giggle. came 5th in the pub quiz, then left as there is only so much of Chessington pubs you can take.
Emma Houlden - 19 Oct 2004 14:12 |
nice pub, friendly staff, nice suntrap garden - good food
anon - 4 Sep 2004 13:01 |
We came, we drank, we left. It was full of the locals....
anonymous - 6 Aug 2004 13:41 |
Fantastic food & great staff. Recommended a visit.
anon - 15 Jan 2004 09:32 |
Quiz nights a good laugh - expect I can never do better than 5th..!!!
anonymous - 2 Sep 2003 14:21 |
Is much nicer since its been renovated. Quite nice by Chessington standards
Sam - 7 Aug 2003 15:14 |
Very good quiz on a Tuesday. Too popular, can't get a seat sometimes. It must annoy the regulars who aren't quizzers. Don't buy the quiz lady a drink. She has enough trouble reading the answers at the end of the evening already
Nick - 23 Jun 2003 11:15 |
Just undergoing refurbishment.Looks good!
graham - 13 Feb 2003 13:15 |
