Hop Poles, Brighton

What can I say apart from if I lived in Brighton this would be pretty much the only place I would drink and eat out.

The food is brilliant, good portions and good quality. The menu is entertaining as a little story is told about how each dish may make you feel or what you might dream of after having scoffed the lot.

The crowd is always mixed, as it Brighton. The quirkiness comes from the extremes, some old school posh jobs come to be part of the cool kids circle where as the cool kids with the hole punched ears and the black protruding nose bungs just read the paper with a pint of ale.

A weird mix of everything always brings me back like a twanged elastic band to this place. I hope it never changes.

31 Oct 2009 15:38

The Barrowboy and Banker, London Bridge

The banker and barrow boy is a great place to go after work or for a cheeky one before running for the train home.

A big stage feel as the mezzanine overlooks the bar, which is shaped like the bend in the Thames we are so close to.

Drinks are London zone 1 prices and the location is great for the local city workers. It�s a great vibe as it�s the classic work drinkers� crowd, no youths trying to get served, no oaps wasting their pensions and no tourists trying to experience a London pint.

I love it there and anytime I�m in the area, or close enough, I get there for a quick one.

31 Oct 2009 15:33

The Goldengrove, Stratford

You know it�s a wetherspoons when....

Every condiment is in a packet
The spoons bend when you look at them
The knife is as sharp on both sides as the bent spoon
2 full meals for 3.99??? ummmmm no

Even so...quick pint not too bad and plus they have everything a good pub should have. Including the oaps and the youths trying to get served for a wkd.

31 Oct 2009 15:27

The Gun, Coldharbour

I live about 10 mins walk from here and had always meant to pop in to see how the pub was. Very pretty front facade with a big hanging sign of a cannon.

After having seen it rated as pub number one for Britain I felt I had no excuse not to go.

Upon arrival I was very impressed at the friendliness of the staff the courtesy with describing the different menus and the different parts of the pub.

I loved how the bar menu was cheap and cheerful but the restaurant menu had some of my faves on it. Oysters being top of my list. And they were pristine and beautiful, perfect shallot vinegar and the wonderfully set up for us.

I would be very happy to sit there in jeans and jumper to have a pint of something but also dress up for the restaurant for special romantic nights out.

The drinks are expensive but I suppose it's part and parcel of being in a nice place. Cant wait to see what its like in summer... will be back for sure.

31 Oct 2009 15:21

The Ship and Whale, Rotherhithe

I have just logged on to find out the correct address for this pub is and was appalled to see such a bad review of the pub. I had a look at the date and lo and behold it's before my time of frequenting this pub began.

With the new owner/landlord starting a week after I went the first time I saw a drastic change to the ambience in the ship and whale.

He has embraced the history of the place and cleaned up the decor a huge amount. You now have a gorgeous velveteen ceiling with art deco lamps mounted high up on the windowsills. The walls are covered in historic photos and the menu doubles up as a mini history lesson if you are interested.

The food has been vamped up to the nth degree, even though the same kitchen staff are present, a kick up the bum with a new boss to impress has made my tummy rumble for more pork belly with green beans and mash or the classic spare ribs with hand cut healthy chips with tons of salad, not just a garnish of wilted lettuce and an onion that would repel a vampire in the slightest.

I love this pub; it's cosy with a fireplace due to be opened up in the next month or two. The dark red, old school library couches beckon me every week and the huge heated patio/beer garden allows even a social smoker like me to sit out with a well chosen sauvignon blanc from New Zealand quiet happily for a few hours in this murky October.

All in all, give it a go. The new guy is brand new to the pub business and has hit the ground running.

I love it, come and join in the fun there!

31 Oct 2009 14:52