BITE user comments - Glenco
Comments by Glenco
The Jolly Cricketers, Seer Green
I'm a fan of this pub, the beer is very good, the food is very good, the staff are friendly and polite, but having eaten here again recently, it was disappointing to have to wait around 45mins for the pudding to be served on an average lunchtime dining day. Ah well... maybe just one of those things, so I'll be back.
30 May 2010 08:47
Unremarkable... but sadly, unsurprising. Usual UK airport standard.
29 Sep 2008 13:53
Friendly welcome from landlady who, spotting new faces, happily engaged us in conversation on a quiet, early evening start. (Society golf day for the regulars, I think). Beer good. Recently extended and about to set up three rooms to let. Cracking village location, but majority of clientele apparently comes from far and wide. A couple of friendly regulars were also keen to 'big -up' the pub and confirm it's status as 'a proper local'. No food on Sundays or evenings. As per previous postings, not to be missed..! Will make it a venue for one of our up-coming 'one-pub' pub crawls..!
24 Sep 2008 13:13
The Grapes, Mathew St, Liverpool
Stopped for one at Dr. Duncan's before the curry.. so a bit later here than planned. Always enjoy this pub on our Friday night visits.. Music's always outstanding and there's always a good spread of ages here who enjoy it, including ladies of a certain age, or do I mean uncertain age..! Well anyhow, everyone's always in good spirits and out to make the very best of the evening..! Didn't risk the ale, had lager instead, but by this time of night, I'm past caring...! Nothing like a good ole sing-song to put you in a good mood before fallin' into the cab to finish the night off... Brilliant..!
8 Sep 2008 13:38
Well... we were on our way for a curry, but stopped off here for a quick one..! Great pint of Cains, coupled with friendly staff and clientele..! Been here a few times before, but haven't yet managed get as far as the tiled room below. Not sure if I could properly appreciate it this late in the crawl... but always a pleasant stop..! Now for the curry...
8 Sep 2008 13:16
Great little pub, our first time here, recommended by one of our local lads. Beers excellent. (I rarely use that now-popular, much over-used word, so I really do mean 'excellent'). They certainly take a pride in looking after their ales and it pays off. Pleasant and friendly staff, customers too. An all-round good experience..! So... now off for the obligatory curry and then to the Grapes in Mathews St. to complete our crawl with the customary alcoholic musical finale..! I can't remember ever having a decent beer here, so it'll be lager for me..!
8 Sep 2008 12:59
A majestic establishment..! Always a regular on our Liverpool pub-crawls for all the reasons mentioned below. Generally, a good selection of ales available and have yet to be disappointed. A comfortable place to enjoy a drink and company. We're usually here early doors, so catch the Friday night offices turning out and they're always a good crack..! Off now to another pub with 'rooms off', but on a slightly reduced scale..! The Roscoe Head...
8 Sep 2008 12:21
Popped back for another couple of beers. Friendly welcome and remembered from last time, but pub no busier during our early evening visit. Had a bite to eat this time... well cooked and reasonable price. Good value 'Credit Crunch' promotion just started recently, so hope that works.
8 Sep 2008 12:08
Judging by previous reviews, this is a pretty popular place, aside from a recurring arithmetical problem..! However, not for me, I'm afraid. Beer was average. We parked ourselves out front under the canopy, but the area was untidy, littered and grubby. The fact that they can't be bothered to keep it swept and clean may tell a story about other aspects of the pub. Bar downstairs was dark and uninviting. Maybe it changes character in the evening, but not a great stop for an afternoon visit. Someone mentioned that it was originally an old print works or something... they might think of reconverting..! Off to the majestic Philharmonic...
8 Sep 2008 11:38
We usually fetch up in beer garden for our afternoon visit and if you look around, all human life is there..! There's always a diverse collection of characters and we often get to chat to a nearby selection. Always entertaining and humorous which makes for a very pleasant visit, once combined with one, or more, of their well-kept ales. On previous visits, we've taken advantage of the juke-box which carries a great selection of music. Quiet here this time round, so didn't stay as long. Someone suggested a quick one in the adjacent Pilgrim, a new one for us...
8 Sep 2008 11:15
This place is a gem..! It's always one of the first on our list for our regular Liverpool pub-crawl. Wapping beer is hard to beat, although it didn't suit one of our group, and the food is always well-cooked and very reasonably priced. (Mind you, any comparison with London prices will look good..!) Really nice people serving, one barmaid with multi-coloured hair certainly added something to the ambience..! Must try an evening visit sometime... sounds like it could be lively..! Great pub... should be preserved for the nation..! Now off to "The Cracke"...
8 Sep 2008 10:55
Yep... good pub. Haven't been here for many years, but joined the remnants of a Friday wedding party and spent a very pleasant, long, Saturday lunchtime here. Driving meant being very sparing with the 'Good Old Boy', but it was good. Didn't eat, but most did and were pleased with what they had. I liked the comfortable ambience of the traditional interior and the pleasant staff approach. I'll be making the trip another time (45 mins away) and pop into the Beehive as well.
8 Sep 2008 10:38
Warm summer Wed evening, so we popped in for a couple of pints on the decking by the the river. Delightful.
Timmy Taylors and Rebellion IPA, also delightful.
Plenty of crumpet to look at too, even more delightful.
Mix of clientele.. boaters and locals, but a bit full of the Cookham 'Oorays who seem to have adopted the place owing,no doubt, to it's up-market styling, Not so delightful..!
Pleasant, nevertheless.
2 Aug 2008 14:49
Back sooner than anticipated, owing to circs. Barman had cheered up and was positively friendly even..! Beer was much better too. Pleasant enough old place, but uncomfortable, rickety old country furniture. Chairs badly needed re-glued joints and the old tables you couldn't get your knees under without some interesting contortions..! There's something odd about the Brits. We put up with this oldy-fash period-pub stuff in stoic discomfort for the 'pleasure' of soaking up the ancient ambience of these places... Weird..! Still, once the memory fades a touch, I guess I'll be back..!
2 Aug 2008 14:24
The Jolly Cricketers, Seer Green
Yep... strange how small features affect your judgement, but the stripped and varnished floorboards do add significantly to the ambience of the place. Good beer, attentive landlord, pleasant female staff... that does it for me. Earlier posters have mentioned the previous dark aspects of the place... well, all that's now long gone. If you're local, or just a visitor to the area, give it a try... I doubt you'll be disappointed. I'll certainly be back. No opinion on food, didn't eat. (6+).
18 Jul 2008 20:06
'loveofpubs' first posting, having registered the very same day, seems only to lack exclamation marks to emphasize his/her love affair with this place. Hmmm... new manager perhaps..? Not my experience on 28 Jun, I'm afraid. Although living close by, I'm only an occasional visitor 'cos 'inkberrow's' staff observations are typical, with the additional refinement on Fri of two young members of staff havin' a snog in the alcove with customers awaiting service at the bar. Since Michael left, things just don't seem to be the same. Like 'inkberrow', I've been to the others in the the chain and, on our visit, the Alford Arms wins hands down on staff attitude and service. All that said, presently, this place remains popular.
30 Jun 2008 01:50
The Red Lion, Little Missenden
Great food here..! Varied choice listed of half a dozen specials, all priced at �10. If you're eating, try the Shoulder of Lamb... the meat just fell off the bone... delicious..! Have popped in occasionally for a beer over the years, always well-kept, but haven't been here since the pub reopened and this was the first time for eating. It was so good that I returned a few days later with my other daughter and her boyfriend for a second helping..! Seems to have a strong following of locals, all of whom were served ahead of my trying to settle my tab..! Still, it was all good-natured and that's how it is in my local too..! (The Misbourne flows thro the back beer garden and has been widened into pond containing large carp. Plenty of ducks and stuff to feed, so good for families with kids too).
14 Jun 2008 12:24
This is everyone's idea of the archetypal old country pub in an idyllic 'Midsomer' rural location. Low ceilings, beams, comfortable lounge bar, beer garden with good, well-kept ales. And for anyone interested, dog-friendly. Made very welcome on our sunny, 'early doors' Tue evening visit, but no-one else in pub..! Suspect that there's work to do in building up the trade, 'cos only three other customers came in during our hour & a half there, but with the approach we experienced, it's very likely business will look up from here. Recently taken over by a couple who were successful in a well-known Cookham pub, the 'Swan Uppers'. Standard sort of menu at present, but plans are afoot to improve that, they say. Will be interested to see what things are like in a couple months or so, so will revisit.
29 May 2008 11:35
Called in late on for our last drink of the night after a less than pleasant beer experience in the Bel & Dragon. Their make-over has modernised the place, but not for the better. Glass front doors, scant sign of real ale, less than comfortable furniture. Is it a bistro..? Is it wine bar..? Is it a restaurant..? What it's not is a pub..! For the detail, see previous posting..! Won't be rushing back..!
27 May 2008 13:30
Haven't eaten here for years, but from earlier comments, I see they still know how to charge..! The three of us spent most of our 'drinking only' evening here. I started with the Pride. It was the most appalling offering I've had for years... disgusting. That went back via the very dour, unsmiling South African bar-man and even 3 pints of lager failed to get the awful taste out of my mouth..! Nice old place, but beer undrinkable on the night, coupled with miserable service means that we won't be back for a good long while..!
27 May 2008 13:05
This pub has been extended since I was last here some years ago. Very food oriented with the varied menu going through gradual, though continual, change. The very large French-born landlady had to descend to the cellar to put on a new barrel for my very good pint of IPA, so not the greatest start for her at a busy time.
But it got worse... she had to descend a second time to change the barrel for my mate's selection..! By the time she'd finished pulling that one through, she'd been 15mins in the serving process and seemed a touch p*ssed off..!
Ah well... that's the pub game for you..!
Once she'd cleared her customer back-log, she was back to take our food order. Having earlier had sight of the chef, who gave all the impression of being a bit 'spaced-out' on something, we wondered about the quality of our food.
Completely unfounded... the food and presentation was superb and served in very comfortable restaurant surroundings. Prices may be a touch above-average for this area, but good value, without a doubt..! Well worth a visit, especially if a cellar descent is involved..!
26 May 2008 14:06
Like this place.. this time we we mob-handed (5) and all had the Ringwood Best. Landlord is on top of his job and and handled us in proper style.. courteous and obliging. Didn't get 'purpleronnie's' flavour of cliquey locals, but ours was a flying visit (no pun intended) so time was short.
17 Apr 2008 23:24
This is one crackin' pub..! My occasional visits over the years have always been pleasurable. Tonite the selection was Ringwood Best, Butcombe, Pride, Bombadier, Courage Best and summink else that had a logo like the 'Watership Down' rabbit..! My mate and I both had the Ringwood which was superb. The landlady spotted 'new' faces and was keen to ensure that we were properly looked after. I like that.. a really good operator..! The place was packed.. I'm not surprized..!
17 Apr 2008 23:16
Yep.. liked this place..! My previous visit was a few years ago, since when there's been a management change. I had the Rebellion IPA, my mate had the Brakes, both superb. Didn't eat but, for choice, menu looked better than average. Friendly welcome and crackin' view over the valley from the garden. Great on a summers day. This one's definitely on the circuit now..!
17 Apr 2008 12:06
Classic 'Midsomer' village location. A 'quate-nace' gastro pub for the Henley set. Food well presented but there is better available for these elevated prices. Brakespeare's pub, extremely good ales. Will be back for a pint or two on a sunny day, but won't be eating.
8 Apr 2008 11:47
'OutofTouch' is not as 'out of touch' as his name implies. He's spot on..! I've been an occasional visitor here for 20+ yrs, seen a good number of ownership changes, and his review pretty much applies throughout. Popped in for a couple last nite and enjoyed well-kept pints of Badger & Sussex. Welcome fire on a cold nite too..! Staff fine, as usual. Long time since I've eaten here.. same reason, not value for money. To summarize.. nice old-style pub for a couple of pints on a winter's eve or a summer's day.
26 Mar 2008 12:08
The Kings Bar & Bistro, Amersham
This used to be my local in the '70's... it was thriving then and on occasional visits over the years since, always came up to expectations under John's expert touch. Gone now are the barrels racked up behind the bar. What a simple, practical but great touch that was..! I had a couple of decent pints here last nite (Pride & �3-a-pint Greene King IPA..!), but what's happened to the place..? Sanitized, standardized, blanded-up, or what..? Well, I say that, but there was a Goth couple runnin' the bar, so I suppose that mite be a plus..! Hardly anybody in the place at 9pm... I'm not surprized... nice fire on a cold nite though..!
26 Mar 2008 09:49
They seem to be trying hard here since Nov 07 refurb. Good pint of Pride, GK IPA was off, but they're a preferable alternative to the 'fizzies'. Pleasant welcome from staff. Reasonably priced, typical pub-fare menu, but no idea of quality or service 'cos didn't eat. This was a mid-week, mid-evening visit and so was patronised by a sprinkling of well-behaved, sensible clientele. Probably changes character when the footy's on so the 'Raspberry' may have a point..!
25 Mar 2008 23:35
Well-kept ales, Youngs Bitter, Pride & Greene King IPA. Does food, seemingly usual pub fare. Old-style pub, supposedly goes back a few hundred years..! Two bars, public & comfortable lounge bar. Good location opposite village pond & common but shame about the main road that separates the pub from them..! Thought bar would have been a bit busier during early-doors, but maybe there's some reason for that.
25 Mar 2008 23:20
The Poacher, South Warnborough
Oh no.. What's happened to this place..! Thriving a few years ago, run at that time by a young couple who seemed very 'switched on'. Taken over by Indian family, so looked set to become yet another 'curry house'. They've since left and despite refurb, has been dead on my last two visits when in the area. Probably owing to the grumpy landlord..! My mate and I had to leave our bitter on the last visit... it was 'orrible..!
24 Mar 2008 16:03
The Hoddington Arms, Upton Grey
Old-style pub bar/restaurant tucked away in this 'Sleepy Hollow' Hampshire village. Well-kept bitters, Ruddles County/Greene King IPA and run by a cheery Geordie chef-landlord who apparently likes to get his hands dirty racing/ spannering an old Porsche on his days off.! Good food, both choice and quality, with game options frequently available, it seems. I visit occasionally when in the area and beer is always very good. Have eaten less frequently, but again, has always been excellent. Bar decor might benefit from a minor refurb, but it's adequate.
17 Mar 2008 11:37
The Royal Standard, Wooburn Common
What a gem..! Has been on my radar for quite a while now owing to the extensive range of real ales available. Has also been the venue for one of our 'One-Pub Pub Crawls' .. now that's an accolade..! Don't know about the grub, but supposed to be good, according to people I know who have eaten here. If you drink bitter, you'll not be disappointed..!
7 Mar 2008 00:55
The General Havelock, Wycombe Marsh
Delightful family-run pub. Well kept Fullers beers and guest ales. Strong local support, largely honest 'working class' .. a proper local. Enjoyed the Crib team's sandwiches on a previous visit after a fixture confusion..! Comfortable decor and obliging staff. They really have got it right here..! So much so that my best mate, who visits several times a year from some distance away, always insists we swing by for a few pints..! If you like an unpretentious atmosphere preceded by a friendly welcome, give this place a go. By recommendation, the food here is supposedly good too.
7 Mar 2008 00:44
Horse and Jockey, Tylers Green
I've been a local here for many a long year and the first thing I'd say is that 'cynicalbastard' can now relax 'cos the 'estate agent types' have now moved on to the recently re-furbed chi-chi 'Old Queens Head' up the street.! Well-kept beer (Cask Marqued), friendly atmosphere, winter fire and old-style interior are the positives here. Poor internal lay-out though translates into 'uncomfortable', once the place gets a bit busier, so a few inside restructurings would make a big difference . The landlord is not the adventurous sort though, so nothing will change. Menu is rarely changed nowadays so eaters have declined from it's previous peak, when it's 'home-cooked' grub was legend. Good steaks though. So, if you like steaks, banter and good beer or are a one-off eater, then give it a bash.!
15 Feb 2008 17:41
The Fox and Hounds, Chalfont St Giles
On the strength of 2 previous visits, the last about 2 yrs ago, the 4 members of the 'Pub Crawl Crew' made a return visit on 13 Feb. As before, pleasant enough welcome, good beer (Adnams, Spitfire, Black Sheep), 2 ciders, nice ambience in comfortable, beamed old-style pub surroundings. Like a previous contributor, the landlord barked his annoyance at one of us when his mobile rang. If there is a notice, it's not very noticeable.! (Mind you, Micky's phone does have a particularly annoying ring-tone.!) We weren't eating, but a customer that had, complemented the bar staff by saying "those steaks were delicious,just right, thank you". So, looks like the food could be worth a bash.! To again echo a previous contributor, it's worth mentioning the particularly clean glasses. That says something about the landlord's approach to his business. Summing up, well worth a visit. You won't be disappointed, but try to remember to put your fone on 'Silent'..!
14 Feb 2008 17:11
Red Lion, Penn
Pub changed hands a few weeks back and there's apparently been a significant uplift in business. The place has been very quiet for a good few years. Locals say the previous landlord wasn't too popular for a few reasons, but the new couple have seemingly regenerated the place quickly. Local ale Rebellion IPA accompanies Youngs Bitter (new) and London Pride. Nice to sit outside 'cos the front gets the early evening sun. Don't know about food... usual pub menu on offer for average prices.
30 May 2010 08:59