The Crown Inn, Oxford

Great traditional Oxford pub. Popular, good range of beers, lovely outside area.

17 Apr 2011 21:16

The Red Lion, Oxford

Sorry can't agree with the previous review. This is now a gastropub, gone has the great pub atmosphere that this place generated in the past. On the plus side the refurbishment looks good but that's where the good points end. The food prices have doubled or in some cases trebled from previous prices without the same incremental rise in value. The pub has a great outside seating area, patrons not eating are herded to one side and not allowed to sit at the majority of tables which are for those dining despite most of these being unoccupied during our stay. We were served short measure pints and the bar staff refused to top up and were rude in the process!! They have been instructed to serve a 5% head inclusive of the pint measure, legally I believe this allowable, but where was the good will, we have never been refused a top up before. We will not be returning to the pub until it changes hands again, which has happened frequently over the years. There are many great pubs in Oxford, try these in preference to the Red Lion.

17 Apr 2011 21:11

The Beaver Inn, Appledore

Visited the Beaver recently for a meal. Having eaten here several times previously we have always been happy with the food, beer and service. It seems though things have taken a turn for the worse. The service was very slow and the staff seemed uninterested in providing anything resembling an adequate service. When we looked around we were obviously not the only guests who were experiencing a long wait. Only one table had food on it the remaining seven had guests waiting patiently. It also has to be noted that the food portions have been drastically reduced, My main course was a very small lamb shank that could only be described as a starter meal. The sticky toffee pudding tasted great but was again woefully small. Admittedly almost all the tables were occupied and it was during the Easter holidays. Was there a problem with the chef? who knows, nobody explained. We did not complain, but won't be returning for a long time. Overall poor value at premium pub prices.

14 Apr 2011 21:00