BITE user comments - Islander
Comments by Islander
An attractive village pub, plenty of room inside and the food looked good. Everards Tiger, Brunswick Rocket and White Feather on the front bar. There's a new 'micro pub' bar called 'Djangos' to the rear with a glass fronted cellar (beer served by electric pumps?). London Pride, TT's Landlord and Courage Directors. The Pride was the best I've had in years, full of condition and flavour - just like I remember it tasting when I first drank it in the 80s - obviously well kept, perhaps the dispense method helped.
13 Mar 2016 19:02
The usual food offering although at airport prices. A good pint of Pedigree to wash my lunch down. Very fast and efficient service.
5 Jul 2015 13:20
An interesting interior, the sort of building conversion that Wetherspoons do well. A good selection of well kept, well priced ales - no complaints!
2 Feb 2015 19:35
A pleasant village pub. Well kept beer, welcoming staff and a diverse group of locals at the bar. Well worth a visit.
25 Jan 2015 21:14
I'm pleased to see that The Talbot is doing well once more. Called in for a few pints this evening; very busy at the bar, pleasant staff and the Badger beer well kept. The food looked good and there was a mouth watering aroma of steak and kidney pie about the place!
1 Aug 2014 21:04
The White Hart Inn, Havenstreet
Changed hands about a year ago, now owned by John and Anne-Marie, a really pleasant couple who know how to run a good pub. The food is good value and always spot-on for quality. Two ales normally available, of late one has been from Ringwood with a second from either Goddards or Island Ales, always well kept and served. Close to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway station and worth the five minute walk up the hill.
15 Jul 2014 19:04
A cosy, traditional and busy bar at the front with a dining room and pleasant beer garden to the rear. The staff are really welcoming and the food good value, unpretentious pub grub. The Badger ales were on good form, they are far tastier than some on this site would have you believe! Well worth a visit if you are in Blandford.
15 Jul 2014 18:56
Wye Valley and Old Speckled Hen were the beers, both in average condition. A Titanic ale was 'off'. The bar is getting very shabby; water stains on the ceiling, chairs worn etc. On a positive note, the young staff were enthusiastic and polite. Bar meals were good value and quality.
5 Mar 2014 19:36
A real contrast to most of the modern style pubs/bars that I walked past in the town centre; a good range of well kept beers and friendly staff. The customers were a real mixed bag of young and old. A traditional drinkers pub.
2 Mar 2014 09:00
The Great Western, Wolverhampton
Busy but comfortable on a Friday evening. A large part towards the back is given over to food but, unlike many these days, there are still separate areas around the bar for drinkers. Great range of local ales and efficient staff. I was only in Wolverhampton for a few hours and was really glad I visited the Great Western, its a top pub.
2 Mar 2014 08:53
The first time I've been here for about 5 years and thankfully it remains unchanged. Great beer, great atmosphere, and very friendly bar staff. I tried the food here for the first time, good quality and prices for the area.
14 Feb 2014 19:10
Another pub that retains its original character and has a good range of mainly small brewery beers. My pint of Dark Star Festival was good, but then it should be for £4.50! At those prices the Landlord should be able to invest in some training for the mainly young bar staff who, from observation during my visit, don't quite understand what a full or even 95% full pint looks like; amazingly very few of the customers asked for a top up!
14 Feb 2014 19:05
Unspoiled proper pub, well worth a visit. My pint of Masterbrew was excellent, and only £3.25, which helped my recover from the shock of a £4.50 pint at the nearby Kings Arms!
14 Feb 2014 18:58
I'm not sure if it's because I don't have a taste for Old Mill beers but, having tried a selection here over a few years I can't rate the beer here as anything other than average. The pub itself is an OK fairly busy place, don't be put off by my opinion of the beer, it may be to your taste!
23 Nov 2013 18:16
Appears to be closed. Maybe changing the name of the village pub to 'The Wild Garlic' wasn't such a good idea after all...
12 Nov 2013 21:20
Called in this afternoon and only had time for one pint, TT Dark Mild, top quality! 5 TT ales, two guests and a cider. A basic pub with good ale, worth a visit. There are a number of good pubs within easy walking distance in this part of York, good for an outside of the city walls crawl.
27 Apr 2013 18:32
A refurbished although unspoiled pub, now aiming upmarket but not overly pretentious. One bar serves a number of rooms. The front room is quiet, except for the buzz of conversation; jazz music was being piped through the back rooms when I visited. A good selection of ales, all very well kept. Comfortably busy with customers of all ages on a Saturday evening. Still retains the traditional Gentlemens toilet! Well worth visiting.
13 Nov 2011 00:02
An extensive and well kept ale selection, my Castle Rock Black Gold was very good. This pub could do with a bit of TLC, it was rough around the edges when I first visited in 2004 and it's not got any better.
12 Nov 2011 23:49
This is one of my favourite pubs in York. Full of character and a friendly Landlord who knows his beer. I had an absolutely superb pint of Batemans Mild, had to stay for a few more!
12 Nov 2011 23:45
This is one of my favourite pubs in York. Full of character and a friendly Landlord who knows his beer. I had an absolutely superb pint of Batemans Mild, had to stay for a few more!
12 Nov 2011 23:44
This is one of my favourite pubs in York. Full of character and a friendly Landlord who knows his beer. I had an absolutely superb pint of Batemans Mild, had to stay for a few more!
12 Nov 2011 23:44
Just ignore the 'Private Party' signs, they appear every weekend. I think that they are displayed to put off the Hen/Stag parties for which York is well known.
12 Nov 2011 23:36
A rather workmanlike place, the exterior is inviting but the interior does not live up to the promise. A couple of beers available. Nothing wrong with The Gillygate, it just doesn't compare well to its nearby competitiors.
12 Nov 2011 16:24
Yet another good York pub with a sound selection of ales available. a number of compact rooms off of the main corridor, a pleasant and sociable crowd at the bar on a Saturday evening.
12 Nov 2011 16:17
Although food orientated, there is a good selection of beer available here, as already mentioned by His Lorship below. The front bar was crowded with an enthusiastic drinking crowd whilst the diners used the other two rooms. The back bar was really hot and, as a result, there was a strong smell of the 'great unwashed' - at least cigarette smoke used to hide some of the less pleasant odours that now have to be endured.
Worth a go, but keep to the front bar!
12 Nov 2011 16:11
I also visited on a Saturday night, I would describe it as comfortable rather than quiet. A good range of well kept beers on the bar. Efficient, friendly staff and a good mix of customers; diners at the tables and drinkers chating at the bar. A good all-round pub
12 Nov 2011 16:02
Pleasant enough place, although a little crowded and awkward to move around in on a Saturday evening. One fairly small bar serving a number of other rooms. I'm not sure who the loud music in the bar, which made communicating with the bar staff a challenge, was supposed to benefit - the staff seemed to enjoy it though. Well kept beer.
12 Nov 2011 15:50
Aiming for the top end of the ale drinking market, a bit of a pretentious feel about the place. That said, it's comfortable enough and a decent selection of ales available.
12 Nov 2011 15:45
The Yorkshire Terrier Inn, York
A small pub with friendly staff and very well kept beers from York Brewery and further afield. Pleasant, sociable atmosphere on a Saturday evening whilst Hen Party Hell reigned outside on Stonegate!
12 Nov 2011 15:37
No pandering to tourists in here. A wide spectrum of mainly local customers, very busy and lively on a Saturday lunchtime. A bit shaby around the edges, as 'real pubs' sometimes are, but certainly nothing to complain about. Not selling itself as a real ale destination pub although the three ales available are well kept. Worth visiting before someone decides to turn it into a Gastro Pub!
12 Nov 2011 15:30
I found it an OK pub on a Saturday afternoon but not particularly inspiring, although the beer was up to standard.
24 Jul 2011 19:42
Doesn't look particulary special from the outside but it's worth going in for the good beer selection and interesting interior design.
24 Jul 2011 19:38
Called in for a pint and ended up staying and chating with the landlord and some of the locals. A really friendly pub with very well kept beer.
24 Jul 2011 19:36
I like it in here; a decent selection of beers and an interesting interior which includes 'proper' gentlemens toilets! Very much food orientated but still serves good ale.
24 Jul 2011 19:24
Refurbished earlier this year, now a single large room - not sure what it was like before. A good selection of well kept beers and a Real Ale loyalty card scheme.
24 Jul 2011 19:12
I've been in The Dolphin twice this week. Some of the staff may have changed but they remain a helpful and happy bunch. Beer still well kept with a good selection of Piddle and other beers, the boss was keen to let us have a few tasters as we made our choice. Good quality pub food. No complaints!
4 May 2011 19:56
The Crown Hotel, Blandford Forum
The Pickled Partridge and Golden Best were both in good condition today - temperature seemed OK. Not the most atmospheric of bars, another unnecessary refurbishment victim.
18 Dec 2009 20:23
The Dolphin's lease has been taken over by the Piddle Brewery. Today there were four Piddle beers on, including a very tasty porter, alongside London Pride and Ringwood 49er. The new management seem enthusiastic to develop the Dolphin's reputation as the beer drinkers pub of choice in Blandford. The new bar menu includes food for the dog!
18 Dec 2009 20:17
Only one ale, Old Speckled Hen, on offer so didn't bother going in. Ten years ago this was one of the best beer drinkers pubs in Ryde, I used it regularly when I lived up the road. Successive changes of ownership have totally changed it's focus, not for the better in my opinion.
28 Nov 2009 16:11
Still as busy and lively as ever, a thriving back street locals pub with all age groups represented. My pint of Goddards was not as could as it could have been, an unusual experience here as the beer is usually good.
28 Nov 2009 16:05
Surprisingly dead on a Saturday evening but had hosted a Children in Need night on Friday and there was to be a band on Sunday, so maybe the regulars were having a rest. Still a good selection of beers, I had a Camerons winter ale which was up to the mark.
28 Nov 2009 16:00
A good range of ales, the one I had was in good condition. Gets very busy with on Friday/Saturday evenings but quite comfortable (for a 'Spoons!) at other times. Typically the upstairs family area doesn't get the glass collecting and table clearing/wiping that it should.
28 Nov 2009 15:57
An old fashioned town drinkers pub that always seems to be reasonably busy, it's customers are generally in the 30+ age group. Now re-branded from Gales to Fullers and has had a bit of a freshen up inside. As far as I can remember it is basically unchanged since I first used it in the early eighties. The hand pumps have been replaced recently with a new bank of four, the beers on offer were Chiswick, Pride, HSB and a Gales Winter ale - the three I had were all in top condition. Well worth a visit.
28 Nov 2009 15:47
The Lord Moon Of The Mall, Whitehall
First guest ale requested was 'off' but the pump clip not turned around. The second attempt was declared 'off' after one tug on the handle. Luckily the Spitfire was very good although one of the shortest measures I have ever seen, but quickly put right. Probably just an unlucky day, most other visits have been far more satisfactory.
27 Mar 2009 19:00
Good choice of well kept beer. Short measure pints but that seems to be normal for central London.
27 Mar 2009 18:49
The Prince Albert, Bexleyheath
Under new management although the bar staff seem to be the same. Still a decent pint of Shepherd Neame beer in a comfortable bar.
12 Dec 2008 17:27
Fairly typical town Wetherspoons, reasonable selection of ales although I don't feel that it has demonstrated the consistent high quality required to earn a GBG entry. The guide description says that CAMRA members are amongst the bar staff so maybe that explains things!
12 Dec 2008 17:23
Good range of ales, never had cause to complain. Good for a few beers after work but gets very busy and loud later on.
12 Dec 2008 17:16
This pub remains on top of it's game, the other reviews say it all really. I always have a pint of Harveys and it's always been good. Quite how The Rose managed to be dropped from the latest GBG and The Wrong Un', a rather average Spoons further down the road, got in I can't understand.
12 Dec 2008 17:13
Not sure what the last review is all about, it's still called The Woodman. It changed hands earlier this year and has definitely improved. Food is now available and they have entertainment on some weekends, not sure I am that keen to see the 'Fat Bottomed Girls' though! They have even installed a hand pump with a decent pint of Youngs on a two for the price of one offer last week. I don't find it tatty although the White Van Men are still there every afternoon.
12 Dec 2008 16:57
Went in there last night, as usual the Mild was excellent. No sign of any London Pride being purchased!
10 Oct 2008 20:21
The White Hart Inn, Havenstreet
A good refurb although now only one bar. Excellent food, I've eaten there three times now and not been dissapointed.Usually two real ales, Ringwood and Bombardier. More foody now than it used to be but there is still space at the bar for those that just want a beer.
22 Feb 2008 17:34
The Prince Albert, Bexleyheath
A comfortable pub, good atmosphere and a decent pint of Shepherd Neame beer. Another pub in which to escape the nightmare of the town centre!
22 Feb 2008 17:28
An excellent pub - clean and tidy, a Landlord that is really on the ball and excellent beer. Generally an older crowd. A great pub for a decent pint in sensible surroundings - unlike the rest of the Bexleyheath town pubs!
22 Feb 2008 17:25
Congratulations to Sam Smith's on a superb job, a pity that some of the other pubcos don't put the same effort into there refurbishments. I quite like OBB so no problems there, well worth a visit to see what has been achieved.
22 Feb 2008 17:21
I've been in here quite a few times now. When it's busy there's the usual 'Spoons problems - not enough staff, grubby tables etc. A big plus is that there always seems to be a good range of guest ales - four on yesterday - and I've never had a less than good pint there.
22 Feb 2008 17:17
Decent enough but not special. Yes, it has got a pleasant garden and the interior is comfortable but the toilets need some attention. Beer quality was not particularly special and the service a little random.
22 Sep 2007 22:10
The Hare and Billet, Blackheath
Decent beer, service and surroundings. No loud music and the TV only on for major sporting events. Possibly the only real pub left in Blackheath.
22 Sep 2007 22:04
The White Hart Inn, Havenstreet
Currently closed for a refurb, expected to be open again in the autumn.
13 Aug 2007 18:34
Best traditional pub in Blandford. Good location next to a small green, cosy atmosphere and good ale. The refurb has not changed the character of the place at all.
13 May 2007 17:37
The White Hart Inn, Havenstreet
Now has a new Landlord and things are looking up. The menu is improved and the food still good. The beer range is now Ringwood Best and Goodards Fugle Dee Dum. It seems there are plans to extene/improve the kitchen and eating area but may involve the loss of the public bar, which will be a pity if it happens.
13 May 2007 17:04
Went in last Tuesday afternoon. A comfortable atmosphere and a very tasty pint of Pride. I'd agree that it does seem better than the average 'Spoons.
13 May 2007 17:01
An interesting pub. The OBB is currently bing served quite cold but is still a good pint.
13 May 2007 16:58
The Prince Albert (Rose's), Woolwich
Went in there a few weeks ago. The beer was good and it is very traditional in style but unfortunately bordering on the grotty, especially the Gents toilet. It really needs a good clean up!
I have read in the local freebie paper that this area of Woolwich is due for redevelopment in the next few years - could be the end for Rose's?
30 Apr 2007 22:08
The Langton Arms, Tarrant Monkton
Went there for a Christmas Party in the function room/skittle alley last night. The food was spot on and the staff dealt with our thirty-strong party efficiently and with good humour. The house beer is now brewed by Hidden Brewery,(it used to be by Hop Back) and was on good form. Its the first time I've eaten there for about six years, I was impressed.
19 Dec 2006 20:52
At least The Railway is consistent - I last went in there in 1991 and the beer was awful!
12 Oct 2006 23:11
Worth a visit, had Hop Back Entire Stout on when I last went in, unusual to find a stout/porter or mild around here. Traditional pub although they have changed the carpet from the days of my youth when it was known as the 'Claggy Mat'!
12 Oct 2006 22:37
Luckily no fight, but also no beer, the First Gold and Tanglefoot were 'off' - none of the staff looked like they would know what to do about it.
12 Oct 2006 22:33
Went in there at around 7.30pm on a weekday evening. Bar full of what looked like a posh rugby team or a bunch of estate agents, they were loud and the music was very loud. Very smokey. Couldnt get served so left. I'd heard that it was good these days - not on that night.
12 Oct 2006 22:31
The Still and West, Portsmouth
A good place to watch the world go by but very touristy as a result. My pint of Chiswick Bitter wasn't too clever.
16 Sep 2006 10:34
A friendly place where the locals go, and a good jukebox - don't bother with the pubs along the hard if you want a decent pint.
16 Sep 2006 10:31
The Isambard Kingdom Brunel, Portsmouth
Average choice of beer last week - only the usual 'big brands' and no guests.
16 Sep 2006 10:28
The True Lovers Knot, Tarrant Keyneston
Went there for lunch on Saturday. The food we had was good quality, tasty and well presented. The Badger First Gold was good although perhaps a little too cold. As myviews has already said the old bar area is pretty much as it was although now opened out into the restaurant at one end. The new area is ok, it just needs a few years to blend in with the older part.
I suspect that if small village pubs like the TLK did not try to build their businesses with new restaurants, rooms etc they would end up closed, quite a lot of the pubs in the area have gone down the extension route - I'd rather have it as it now is than not at all.
14 Aug 2006 13:56
Although there have been some improvements over the years and an extension at the back it's still very much as it was when I first went in there as a youngster thirty years ago! A good mixed crowd using two bars, Badger beers. The food is supposed to be good although it's years since I last ate there. The current landlord is about to leave so things may change!
24 Jul 2006 20:26
The Bear has had a bit more of a refurb done, the dinning area has been opened up into the bar - it's not as bad as you might imagine. It always surprises me that The Bear is still open, it has been through some very lean times in the past. Now busy with friendly staff and a good selection of ales. Worth a visit if you are in the area.
24 Jul 2006 20:20
The Langton Arms, Tarrant Monkton
I agree that the two front bars have lost most of their character but the change was forced by the fire, a few more years hard use may see the previous traditional atmosphere return. The staff were very helpful last time I visited and the beer good.
17 Jun 2006 22:36
The White Hart Inn, Havenstreet
A traditional pub, still has a lounge and public bar. The lounge is mainly for those eating the very good food - meat pies a speciality. Badger Bitter usually available, other beers at busy times. It's well worth a visit - it doesnt seem to be as busy as it was few years ago, it deserves to do better. Only a five minute walk from the Isle of Wight Steam Railway station.
17 Jun 2006 22:29
Although out in the sticks this is seems to be a thriving pub doing a good job of serving the local community in a rather rural area. Regular entertainment keeps the place busy on weekend evenings. The garden has been improved this year, new tables and a decked area overlooking the small river at the rear. Three well kept west country ales on tap when we visited. From previous experience the food is relatively cheap with good sized portions but this year the service was a let down - the bar lady gave us a numbered wooden spoon to disply and told us the waitress would take our order at the table, two pints later she had still managed avoid doing so despite passing our table several times, this was only at 7pm and not particularly busy! as a result we went elsewhere. I'ts a pleasant traditional pub, I'll be giving them another chance next time I'm in the area.
17 Jun 2006 22:18
Castle Inn, Ryde
A proper drinkers pub on the high street. Well kept Fullers ales. How traditional street corner locals used to be!
30 Nov 2016 16:57