The White Lion, Dunstable - pub details
Address: Watling Street, Dunstable, Bedfordshire, LU6 1RS [map] [gmap]
Tel: 0871 951 1000 (ref 39901) - calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras
Leagrave (4 miles), Harlington (5.1 miles)
> Current user rating: 6.6/10 (rated by 5 users)
other pubs nearby:
White Lion, Dunstable (0.0 miles), Bird in Hand, Dunstable (0.8 miles), Old Red Lion, Houghton Regis (0.9 miles), Kings Arms, Houghton Regis (1.0 miles), Eight Bells, Dunstable (1.0 miles) - see more nearby pubs
user reviews of the White Lion, Dunstable
please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
| Having been to most of the family-type pubs / restaurants in and around Dunstable we called into the White Lion about 6 months after it had opened. As others have said, the busy car park was an initial attraction. The decor was clean, airy and refreshingly contemporary; way above anything else in the area. The staff were friendly, attractive (always a plus) and intelligent which just added more points. We hadn't booked but asked if we could eat and were led into the raised dining area. Another breath of fresh air with superb decor and really inviting tables for two, three, four, six, eight... The actual menu itself looked like someone had bothered to employ a designer to create it unlike every other one I've looked at in a long time. The food was outstanding. I can't remember what we ordered on that first visit but we've eaten quite a few different meals since, to be able to say that. The Specials are not the usual warm-ups from yesterday but were told by the staff that they are fresh fish and sea food, meat and produce bought that day. And if fish is your thing then I can hand-on-heart say you will find no finer dining room within miles. In my opinion, the quality and refinement of the dishes towers over those of comparable places including Woburn's excellent Paris House and Ivinghoe's King's Head. But the thing that really sets this place apart is the consistency... Every time we go, we're never disappointed - maybe because it seems more familiar and homely to us and the staff recognise us and make a point of acknowledging it. We visit The White Lion about every two or three weeks or so; sometimes just for a drink or for one of their popular chef's evenings (too much to say on that here... just try one out! Awesome!). In summary, the White Lion is way above anything you'll find in Dunstable or the surrounding villages. Yes, if it gets busy, the staff hurry around more than usual and might not be as chatty, but remember it could be you they are hurrying around after!. It is a success because they do things properly. Attention to detail is everywhere (just take a visit to the toilets and you could be in a five-start hotel!). Yes, it's a little more expensive but the quality is outstanding. It significantly raises the bar for any local eateries and looking at their packed car park - even on a rainy tuesday evening - is testimony to their hard work. presley77 - 3 Apr 2011 21:09 |
| A little time ago we were diverted off the M1 onto the A5 and toward Dunstable, the traffic was heavy and slow so we decided to pull off into a pub. The pub was called the White Lion. The car park had a lot of cars in it, sometimes a good sign. As it turned out it was a really good sign. This place was like a breath of fresh air, clean, warm and the staff, even though they were very busy, greeted us so cheerfully. I only had a half and my wife a tonic water and we studied the menu. That was just like the pub, good, different and interesting and the prices were OK as well. We could have stayed around the bar but decided to go into the raised restaurant area which was slightly quieter and well appointed. I had another half and my wife a glass of lovely Pinot Grigio and she had the Sea Bass from the specials menu, which looked and tasted superb whilst I stuck to good old English Battered Fish and Chips: Harry Ramsden eat your heart out, it was really good. We were tempted by the selection of puddings but with a load of miles to do thought better of that. I must compliment the cheerful staff for really good service despite being so busy. We spoke to the owner�s wife and asked if they were always this busy and she told me they were fairly busy most times. The owner, who is also the Chef, has created a terrific establishment here which I am sorry I haven�t noticed before but we will go back and divert ourselves to do it next time. BeerTeller - 21 Mar 2011 14:39 |
| An excellent pub that caters for everyone. This is a pub with a restaurant rather than a restaurant that is posing as a pub. Very friendly staff, good beer and excellent food made for a really enjoyable evening. I have been here on a number of occasions and each time I have been very happy with the service and quality of food. MTurner601 - 1 Mar 2011 13:08 |
| We arrived at just past 8 on a Saturday evening. The place was buzzing yet we asked for a table. We were told they were busy but they would accommodate us at the bar. The owners wife was so friendly i even considered buying her a drink. I am now pleased i didn't. Our stater finally arrived and was followed by our main at 10:04. We made comment to the owners wife and was met with a blank wall of how dare we make comment! This is the reason I have gone to the trouble of writing this. Her attitude. As we had printed a discount voucher from the Internet she said that we had to expect a reduced service. She did retract this when i screwed up the voucher. I explained we were paying London prices and the service and attitude was the worst I have come across in many a year. There was no offer of compensation or a real apology. I was presented with the bill and when i said that it was not mine, three times the amont, i was told it was and not to argue. Finally the owners wife arrived and explained that the barman's mum had died a couple of weeks ago and her daughter who ran the restaurant had a day off. Her husband worked in the kitchen. The only credit is that the food was very good. When it arrived! There were a number of loud drunken youths around the bar, but they were friendly drunks. Nevertheless, they did not fit in with the ambiance. We left with the feeling that the owners were money grabbing and will not last long. We ask that as a gesture to the many other diners kept waiting and emptying their own tables, that you avoid this pub, save a fortune and go elsewhere. jeeves51 - 30 Jan 2011 22:19 |
