BITE user comments - Norealaleinorpington
Comments by Norealaleinorpington
standard selection of ales????
Not sure you see the glory that is Wherry as a regular in many other London pubs.
Problem is (ok not a proper problem,) there are too many brilliant pubs in the area!
23 Oct 2009 15:52
The Square and Compass, Worth Matravers
A website!
What ever next? Flushing toilets , electricity, drainage. Well there goes the neighbourhood!
12 Mar 2009 14:08
The Priory Tavern and Refectory, Orpington
Went in the other Sunday, the pub was freezing, there was no one there aside from a few hardy souls (possibly eskimoes,) watching the footie on the TV and a few families.
The much trumpted choice of real ale was not there and it all looked a bit sad.
It seems odd as there are now only 3 pubs on quite a busy high street and it seems that whatever anyone does, no one cann make a go of this place.
This is a real shame but if there is no decent beer, the punters won't come.
A short walk round the corner to the Cricketers found a pub that was warm and buzzing.
15 Jan 2009 20:09
An quick update on the Woody, new (old) management been there a while now and the beer quality is back to its absolute best. At the moment its Kents best, Masterbrew, Spitfire and Bishops Finger and all are superb.
The new team are putting the pub back where it was, at the heart of village life and I can not praise this place enough.
If you've not been there for a while and fancy somewhere different, give it a go.
The Woodman has to a certain extent restored my faith in local pubs (as opposed to pubs for locals!) Around here they all seem to be a bit samey. Its refreshing to see someone doing something different and for that the team at the Woodman deserve aplause and custom! (Would even comtemplate a 10, but if I did what room would there be for improvement!?)
22 Dec 2008 14:17
Not that I want to rain on anyone's parade here, but I visited the Wenlock this afternoon and much to my hge disappointment found it very underwhelming. By about 2.30 it was clearly a local pub for local people and was not a friendly welcome.
The beer range was as always superb but having just moved on from the fountain close by, I found the Wenlock lacked its customary sparkle.
I would love to say I was only there for the beer but it's always nice to be made to feel at home, but today I went home disappointed.
Shame really but even some of the more impersonal Borough boozers seemed a better option today
5 Nov 2008 22:29
At time of last post a change of ownership had not (recently,) happened, but it now has and this has led to a few changes all for the better. Beer quality improved and a kitchen refit should mean the food offerings get better.
As for the beer being cheaper elsewhere, well quality costs and the Spitfire in the Woodman is currently top notch
22 Jun 2008 18:11
Well done Youngs! Managed to spoil a perfectly decent pub with the replacement of a decent freehouse serving unusual (for the area,) beer and good reasonably priced food, with bog standard overpriced (and not particularly well kept) Youngs Ale and an o psuedo gastro pub menu.
Now I accept that the family side of the pub was not welcomed by everyone, but that side of the business has also been wiped out.
All in all a real shame.
22 Jun 2008 18:07
The Priory Tavern and Refectory, Orpington
Oh dear, this didn't last long did it? It was always empty when I went in but in saying that the beer range if not exciting was at least served well.
One of the problems seemed to be that it was a bit of a fish out of water, neither a real ale boozer nor a gastropub nor indeed a music venue. It tried to be a bit of everything and failed. Perhaps they missed a trick here as what Orpington is missing is a decent family pub serving good beer and good food to the (quite large ,) family market that exists in the area. The only pub in the area that welcomes (if you can call it that is the Wetherspoons and whilst that has its plus points, it also has drawbacks.
I hope someone else gives it a go as that part of the high street needs a decent real ale outlet to rival spoons.
Only time will tell.
10 Jun 2008 17:26
Alas the interior is not a victorian original it is a later copy but lets not take anything away from what is a top pub!
18 Mar 2008 16:04
Now reopened as The Priory.
Only time will tell if the formula is right as when I walked past on Saturday at around 5pm the place was spectacularly empty. I wonder if a psuedo gastropub is what Orpington needs?
It would be hindered by the fact that the premises that was Ram Ba Ba/Mr Jacks has now reopened as a nice looking Mexican restaurant, but only time will tell if this is a winning formula
19 Nov 2007 16:09
The last two comments have made me chuckle, one clerly written by an angry (and possibly flatulent,)punter (it's picnic by the way,) and one by the owner landlord, the clue being in the phrase 'THE BEER AND WINE IS VERY GOOD I HAVE NOT HAD A COMPLAINT,'
But on to more serious things, whats with the proliferation of pop ups?????? I want to know about beer and not Pepsi or Gambling sites. The linls established (for money?) currently render the site so annoying that it's virtually unusable. Everytime you skim through a review you get another pop up, its madness!
24 Oct 2007 14:36
The food here is ok, provided you are actually not very hungry and possess the patience of a saint.
Went a couple of weeks ago and ordered food at just before 6pm. Was told it would be about 15 -20 mins. It took over an hour!
So nice venue, but as folks have said, poor service.
21 Oct 2007 09:20
The Fox and Hounds, Romney Street
A superb pub. Went in yesterday as if appears in the new CAMRA guide and did not look too far from the delights of Shoreham. A bit off the beaten track, but two decent and good value local ales and a cider.
Food took a while but was clearly freshly cooked and very good value.
Looks to have a decent garden and caters for families.
Will be back there soon!
6 Oct 2007 11:22
Looks to be all change at the Maxwell.
The landlady Anne has (I gather,) bought the pub from the Spirit group and so now really is the guvnor!
New range of beers and � ales on tap.
Lets hope all goes well for her in a brave new world of owner management
11 Sep 2007 10:12
Ye Olde Cock Tavern, Fleet Street
I would have to agree, a venue that flatters to deceive.
Was in there again at lunchtime and noticed ( a further ,) drop in quality.
6 handpumps with only 3 in use (Greene ing IPA, Youngs Ord and Adnams Broadside, none of which were on decent form,) and by the number of glasses placed over the taps, a limited selection of fizzy beers. A selection of staff whose indolence bordered on fascinating and a manager discussing loudly how much they could bump up the price of the Xmas menu.
All in all a shadow of its former glory (much missed.)
Oh and as I have no desire to play poker, the prominent oushing of what in the old days would have been known as a card school is also a bit grating!
6 Sep 2007 13:24
When this pub re opened after the Firkin days (which were once great when Firkin pubs sold Firkin beer and were decent ale houses.) it was ok. It normally had two decent ales served from the barrel on stillage behind the bar.
Since then it has gone way downhill in the ale stakes but fair play that is clearly not the audience they are going for (as the Crown and Sceptre has that niche pretty well tied up.) The food is good and it is a decent boozer with little or no pretention to be anything else.
26 Jul 2007 14:28
Interesting as the pub has had a chequered history of late.
I have mixed feelings about this news. Yes the pub could do with a bit of an injection of life and the beer range does need freshening up. (As long as that is they keep Wherry as this is one of the only places where you can regularly get it in London.) Equally I quite like it as it is unchanging. You know what you are going to get and that predictability is sometimes comforting..........
My one gripe (now they have removed the friut machine!) is the prices. At nearly �3 for a pint of ale the prices are steep even for this part of town. (However the arrival of a few decent beers from micros may soften the blow of steep prices!)
18 Jul 2007 14:20
This is great to see. I spent my university years in Colchester and this was a great pub then (around 20 years ago, in the days when Tolly Cobbold had a few very good pubs in the Colchester/Wivenhoe area.))
Glad to see it remains on good form.
Will be back one day............
3 Jul 2007 15:59
If this is a good range of ales then well.............. The pub is ok, and little more than that, what it does have going for it is that it is an old fashioned boozer as opposed to anything else.
The ale range is nothing copared to the other pubs in the vicinity (unless of course you only drink Adnams!)
29 Jun 2007 15:26
If this happens it will be a welcome adition to the High street, which has become a bit dead of late.
What we need is something different, not another Wetherspoons and not another White Hart. A decent boozer with decent beer. Lets hope this comes off.
27 Jun 2007 12:32
Not wishing to get all NIMBY on the place, I see a fruit machine now takes up a fair bit of what little space there is here.
Why(oh why)? One of the pleasures of this place was that it did not have such things.
Taking a point off for shabby behaviour!
15 Jun 2007 12:55
It's all about barrel size (a kilderkin is a big barrel.) Obviously the bigger the barrel the more beer it contains and it lasts longer.
Problem is barrels are expensive and a lot of the smaller breweries find this a big ongoing cost. a lot of the smaller lines don't accomodate the larger size of barrel and they also cost more to put in the distribution network. The costs all add up for a small brewer.
Just be thankful that places like the Wenlock exist and if your favourite beer runs out, you'll just have to either go more often or get there a bit earlier.
(mind you it's not as if there won't be another equally nice brew in its place!)
24 Apr 2007 14:50
Went in today in the hope of a pint of Twickenham Ale (as not a long enough lunchtime to make it across to the Hole in the Wall.) Not on, so tried a pint of LBW. (The cricket is on after all.) It was a pint so off and sour as to make it undrinkable.)
Needless to say I raised this with the bar staff who informed me that it was a real ale and as anyone knows, when an ale is off it is cloudy. As the pint was clear it was fine so they refused to change it. (they could not taste it as it would apparently be against the rules.)
Avoid.
17 Apr 2007 14:51
There used to be one of these in West Kensington. It didn't last long, (not much call for Roman Theme bars in that neck of the woods!)
28 Mar 2007 16:17
Once upon a long ago this was my local. I have never found a pub to rival it's quality beer and atmosphere since.
Enough said.
28 Mar 2007 15:24
Wadworth 6X tainted with an eggy aroma and taste? In my experience that's what it normally tastes like these days! (Rumour has it that it doesn't travel as opposed to it just being not a very nice beer anymore!)
26 Mar 2007 17:11
I have finally found a saving grace for this place. They will sell you a container of their draft beers pulled from the handpump so you don't have to drink in this souless barn. I got a 2.5 l container for �10 the other day and very nice it was to.
(Rating goes up now I know I can get the beer without having to sit in the pub!)
14 Mar 2007 15:46
My god! I am shocked to read these reviews.
When I were a lad (mid 80's)and went to school down the road, this was one of the pubs we used to use (when we were all old enough to drink naturally!) and it was well nothing special.
I am nothing short of damn well excited to hear that the pub has become a seller of decent beer and am resolved to re live my youth with a trip there soon.
Fantastic news!
8 Mar 2007 14:38
The pub has not been an Everards house for some time and retained Tiger as it was pretty much what everyone drank.
(And I drank a fair bit of it in my time working next door!)
22 Feb 2007 10:28
There was definitly a pub on the site years ago, but not sure what it was called.
The building was then empty for a while before H & W reopened it (much as they did with the Ship & Shovell nr Charing X
22 Feb 2007 10:26
It's not a Wetherspoons.................The Goose pubs are a seperate chain.
14 Feb 2007 16:26
Looks like it's gonna be a major job as the pub is going to be shut for 9 months. Lets just pray that they don't rip the heart out of the place, (at a time when many of Londons historic pubs are closing and being destroyed (e.g. The Barly Mow.)
8 Feb 2007 14:58
Went for Sunday lunch yesterday. looks like the place is under new ownership. Ale still as good as ever and food gets better everytime.
Pub is also getting more popular as was packed out by around 1 pm yesterday.
A great place to stop for a pint and a bite to eat. (but if you are tall the low ceilings can present a challenge when you've had a few.
5 Feb 2007 10:25
I find the recent comments on the PL interesting, as it is not the pub I know and have been using as a lunchtime haunt for the last year or so.
I think that perhaps the last poster hit the nail on the head when he pointed out that all of the (alleged,) incidents took place in a period of late December when the (excellent,) landlord was away in Austrailia watching the debacle that was the ashes.
I have always found the staff here to be cheery and approachable myself.
I to have heard that the pub is closing for a refurb soon and it does need it as it is getting a bit tatty. However lets hope SS's does a sympathetic refurb as it has with the nearby Lyceum.
Oh and you can't review without mentioning that the pub has the finest Gents in London!
Lets hope that the landlord reads this and is savvy enough to realise that whilst he was away his staff appear to have let him down badly.
25 Jan 2007 12:44
I can but agree with previous post, (the author of which has to my mind imppecable taste in both beer and barmaids!)
9 Jan 2007 16:53
The Nell Gwynne, Covent Garden
Fantastic pub smack bang in the middle of London, mind you not the best place for a session as after a few when you need that inevitable trip to the loo you are faced with a trip so hazardous that it should only be undertaken after a few weeks instruction on a local climbing wall!
4 Jan 2007 19:06
The last post does not reflect the Woodman I know, (and I am by no means a local.)
Yes the pub is well used by the locals but they are a friendly lot and I have never had any problems getting served.
Good range of Sheps beers to boot.
18 Dec 2006 16:37
The Anchor and Hope, Orpington
Am surprised to see this place open again, but it still seems as empty as before.
looks to be an old pub and a bit different from the rest in the high street, as previous poster said, looks like it could be so much better, if only someone tried.
18 Dec 2006 16:33
Beer seems a bit flat and out of sorts in the WH these days.................
14 Dec 2006 16:48
Beer still great but the pub is not as good as it was as the inside is starting to get a bit tatty.
The gents is falling to bits and the place needs a bit of a spruce up.
However still the best in the area by miles.
11 Dec 2006 15:52
Ye Olde Cock Tavern, Fleet Street
Now open again, (Can't see much change inside, you have to wonder why it took so long!)
But in the scheme of things BIG disappointment as the ale range has gone fron a good selection with an imaginative guest ale policy, to the usual dull range of london Pride and the GK standards.
Pity, as one of the reasons to go here was to see what beers thay had on.
10 Dec 2006 19:05
Ye Olde Whyte Lion, Locksbottom
Great pub, friendly staff, nice beer and now made even better by the fact that there is a nice man selling seafood that comes round of an evening!
Top notch!
4 Dec 2006 10:56
Nice boozer, good beer and friendly locals. Does get crowded but not so bad as to make it a no go issue.
Heartily recommended
24 Nov 2006 14:27
Metropolitan Bar, Baker Street
I always find that this, like certain other 'spoons in the centre of town, often smells of vomit.
Aside from that, no complaints.
23 Nov 2006 13:28
Ye Olde Cock Tavern, Fleet Street
Appears to be shut for a refurb (yet another place that didn't look as if it needed one.)
Lets hope things don't change too drastically.
9 Nov 2006 14:35
I would have to say I disagree with the last post (but one mans nectar is another mans poison so this is not a criticism!)
The fact is that they have a good variety of beers (in terms of style and strength,) that far outstrips the Ship & Shovell (where I think the beer quality is ordinary.)For example THe S & S has $ (and the same 4 pretty much all the time, the Royal Oak has At least 6,most of which you rarely see elsewhere in London.
As for the Sultan................I only wish those nice people at Hopback would open a central London watering hole.
8 Nov 2006 16:09
Like a few others, reading this made me feel really sad. First went here in 1997 and remember it well as it was the first holiday we took my eldest daughter on. It was a great place decent ale, food and whiskey (and was really family friendly.) went back a few years later and it was in the process of changing (I gather that in the meantime the family who built up the business retired, sold it to someone who had never run a pub who subsequently ran the business into the ground and went bust.)
It was then taken over by H & W who have changed the layout and character of the place beyond all recognition. This is really sad as H & W as a firm have a history of maintaining and enhancing old pubs.
Not sure now if I want to go back, but there will always be a place in my heart for the Wight mouse Inn
2 Nov 2006 16:37
Beers are normally Harveys Best (superb,) Spitfire and Greene King IPA (can't really vouch for the latter two as the Harveys is so good that I don't tend to try the others!
Also not a bad wine list
26 Oct 2006 10:37
The Seven Stars, Chancery Lane
Now now children there appear to be a few people here suffering a sense of humour failure (on both sides of the bar.)
The Seven Stars is an institution an old pub recommended only for those who either don't drink a lot or with a bladder the strength of an elephant (well those stairs are not to be attempted after a good few pints.)
Sure the place is small and also unique. Yes it has its locals/fans but everyone is made welcome. Yes the staff are (seemingly encouraged,) to break away from the bland corporate norm and like all of us can get the emphasis wrong and make an inappropriate comment. If they do, tell'em and they should (if they are human,) take it with good grace. As for the landlady well I agree sometimes her reputation might just run away with her, but take her with the pinch of salt she deserves and you won't go far wrong.
I am not a regular, but find that in the Seven stars if you treat the incumbants with good natured respect, you won't go far wrong.
Oh and they serve a cracking pint (and I have never been refused a top up.)
25 Oct 2006 15:21
Popped in for the first time last night after a couple in the Market Porter and thought it was ok. No problems with beer or staff. Perhaps this is a case of an area that is known for good boozers dragging up the quality of all those around. (Something we should not be moaning about!)
24 Oct 2006 10:48
The Marquis of Granby, Covent Garden
Was a bit sad to se this one go as it had a nice interior and a fairly relaxed vibe.
I hope it stays as a pub as it would be a loss.
23 Oct 2006 10:32
No, overpriced in the extreem and a set of staff so arrogant that they seem unable to even consider either that the beer is on the turn or that hey made a mistake with your change.
Avoid and go to the Radnor (or even better the C & S
20 Oct 2006 15:32
Regarding my comment below and the helpful reply , i was unaware that this was a Greene King pub. (Mind you there are a lot of them about these days.) i always assumed it was a free.
In that case the Landlord needs to be applauded for standing up to the corporate shirts at the brewery.
Anyway this is still one of the nicest in Bromley.
Cheers
17 Oct 2006 14:01
I would have to agree that the annonymous review is not the Old Jail I know (and my last review did find fault with the speed of service.)
Went there again last week and again the food was of a superb quality as were the beers. Am also pleased to say that the spped of service had picked up.
All in all a great family pub.
12 Oct 2006 16:12
Agree with below, but for ESB (always a bit cloudy but not so bad as to kick up a stink. A busy pub that suffers from ? Wish I could pinpoint what was wrong as this should be a cracker. The beer is so so and the staf are efficient but unfriendly.
A better bet seems to be the Viaduct Tavern at the moment
9 Oct 2006 15:00
No, I've been to lots, thank you very much.
If you care to read my review, you will note that I have said that the beer varies. It can be great, but can be poor. When its good its some of the best Youngs in London, when its off form as with all badly kept beer, it's just plain bad.
Yes the building is an eyesore, but its a question of location, which if you sit outside watching the river on a warm summers afternoon, is wonderful.
2 Oct 2006 16:11
Top pub and certainly not typical of the grot you normally find near a station.
Only drawback is a lack of decent ale. They usually have Green King IPA (passable,) but have now moved away from a choice of 2 or 3 that they had a while back.
So come on Anne get some decent beer in!
Food is very good value.
28 Sep 2006 11:21
The Ship and Shovell, Charing Cross
This is a bit of an odd one for me. On the one hand it can be fantastic, yet on the other can be deeply disappointing.
I can not rave about the beer, as I have found it at times variable both in quality and sometimes it is served a little too warm for my liking. The staff can also be a little disinterested and also it is always full of braying accountants!
However it is an unspoilt boozer ideally placed for the station and it does a fine pickled egg. When its on form it can't be beaten and when it's just ordinary, well its still the best of the bunch
21 Sep 2006 16:18
Jimmy1, interseting view, that I only partly share.
The founders is is a cracking location (but I would agree is architecurally a bit dodgy!) but the quality of beers and welcome can be a little variable. It's one of those pubs where the beer is either top notch (and It is one of my top 3 Youngs pubs in London,) or v poor. (I have had one pint here that bordered on the chewy!)
What I don't agree with is this 'it'll taste the same when its brewed in Bedford,' stuff. It won't as the water will be different. Beers never do taste the same when they move. It might be better, it might be worse, who knows, as whilst Youngs beers are now being trialled at Bedford, they are not marking up what vcomes from where, so a realistic comparison can not be made.
It's just a shame to see another London brewery close and for that reason alone I feel a bit fed up.
18 Sep 2006 16:26
Nice pub, unspoilt with good food and great beer. Friendly staff and events make this one worth a bit of a journey.
18 Sep 2006 11:16
The Crown and Sceptre, Kensington
Fantastic pub was my work 'local' for a number of years. Really miss going there now I work in the city.
11 Sep 2006 15:54
No, it's awful! The beer is overpriced and badly kept and its like drinking in a departure lounge.
There are lots of much better pubs nearby suh as the Crown and Sceptre.
The wrong place full of the wrong crowd with the wrong beer at the wrong price. (Food was ok mind.)
11 Sep 2006 15:53
Perhpas it's wrongly described to keep the chavs out!
(Or as a protectionist tactic by the CAMRA posse.)
30 Aug 2006 14:04
Isn't 810 a bit on the generous side for a dim and distant memory from 60 years ago???????
Has this place reopened? Anyone been in and can objectivly say what it's like?
30 Aug 2006 11:38
Has re opened (in spie of my doom laden previous posts!)
Very little seems to have changed. One can only assume that the owners wanted the prevoious tenants out. (but not being a student or ever on the receiving end of one of the sharpest tougues in the area, I can not see why myself!)
29 Aug 2006 16:10
Looked in last week as wanted somewhere for a quick drink and a sit down before the flicks.
What a god awful place! Full of sad locals nursing a sad pint.
Had no inclinations to stop and sup
22 Aug 2006 14:36
Oh dear. Godd job I checked the site as i was planning a trip here on Bank Hol Mon (went a couple of years ago and it was fantastic.)
Yet again we see the demise of a good family pub.
Yes I accept that not everyone wants a pub with kids running about but surely there is a market fot decent pubs selling decent food for families?
All so often those of us with kids seem to get stuck with poor pubs, poor food and bad service.
22 Aug 2006 14:33
Ican only agree with all previous comments. If this was the only pub for miles around it might just be ok (not actually good, just ok.)
However it was probably opened in London Bridge to capitalise on the fact that Borough has a concentration of some of the best pubs in London and that makes this place quite frankly not god enough.
People are going as its still fairly new but only seem to go the once. Unless it ups its game it won't be around for long.
2 Aug 2006 10:53
I don't wish to appear either negative or as a beer bore, but went last week and it wasn't as good as it used to be. (Last weeks visit was first for a couple of years.) Why? Because the beer range was , whilst well kept a bit average.
This used to be one of the few pubs in the area where you could get a pint that was not one of the Fullers/Youngs/Greene King variety. It was a true free house and the eclectic range was just brilliant. Last week there was only one 'unusual' beer and that was a shame.
Still don't want this to detract from the fact that this is a good pub with well kept beers and one of the best in the area
1 Aug 2006 16:37
You've got to wonder about this pub, as it has been shut for a while now and shows no signs of life.
Yes it was a bit grim for a long time (they even had a machine selling porn DVD's in the gents!) but when the a new couple took it over it looked like they could have made a go of it.
Still if it has closed for good (and if anyone knows what's going on I would like to know.) It is the loss of another pub on the High Street. This is a shame as to a certain extent all there is at the top of Orpington High Street are pubs and retaurants and it has the makings of a vibrant place, but they all seem to be closing down.
Shame really
1 Aug 2006 16:24
A cracking boozer. Went last week as part of a walking tour of Bromley pubs, (some good, some bad!) This was a gem. Mind you saying that, first pint (of Whitstable Ale,) was well off. Still they changed it without fuss.
Was a bit concerned thatwhile I was there, there seemed to be a NIMBY meeting about the pubs application for a late licence. Hope it doesn't cause too many problems for what is a gem of a pub in the area.
31 Jul 2006 15:16
Interesting to read other comments about beer quality. Went today and a few things leap out.
1.) Service. Poor one guy not big on the use of English, another chatting to his mates and one actually serving. Problem was he did not serve you in the order of waiting, he was rooted to the spot and only served anyone who was standing in front of him.
2.) Beer. Tried a pint of Stinger. Yes I know its hot but it was so so off. Took a bit of debate to get it changed and then another arguement to get a refund (as the replacement cost less.) The reason for no refund? I don't know how to do it!
Shame as last time I went here it was a cracking pub and I am a big fan of H & W.
Will try again though
26 Jul 2006 15:50
No one knows. It's all very mysterious.
All I know is that the lease has been terminated and the tenants are as of tomorrow on the street.
It's a scandal.
Open all day tomorrow for the last time.
Come out and support a lovely couple who ran a lovely pub.
If it does go (and I reckon it wil be absorbed into the LSE,) it will be a tragic loss.
5 Jul 2006 16:00
Sad ,sad news.As of tomorrow the White Horse is no more. The end of an era for one of Londons great unspoilt locals.
Get down there and say a fond farewell to a great pub swallowed up like so many by corporate greed.
A very sad day.
5 Jul 2006 15:27
If this is one of the best in Orpington, it can only reflect on what a beer desert the town is.
It is ok for a quick pint, assuming you are happy to run the gauntlet of builders at lunchtime, drunk old folk of an afternoon and chavs of an evening.
They also can not keep their beer! (Either because it goes off as no one buys it or off because of poor cellermanship.)(I suspect this might also be linked to JDW's policy of buying cheap beer close to the end of its shelf life.)
I can't think of the last decent pint of ale I had in here.
Oh and it's dirty.
29 Jun 2006 16:27
The Freemasons Arms, Covent Garden
For a Sheps pub, this is poor. Not necessarily poor in itself as there are a host of other pubs around it that are so much worse, but poor because it could be so, so much better.
Has the three 'standard,' Sheps beers (Spitfire, Masterbrew and Kent,) on handpump but then has the more unusual ones (Whitstable, Bishops and 1669 at last count,) in keg form. For a pub that is a flagship for it's brewery in London this is a real missed opportunity, (as you can get Spitfire in most places these days.)
If you want Sheps beers, take the scenic route to Mabel's Tavern in Euston, at least they have the full range.
Disappointed as this could be so much better.
27 Jun 2006 15:34
Re opened a bit over a week ago and rather lovely.
Only problem seems to be that it doesn't actually look open and Sam Smiths have hardly advertised the fact. (Rather silly if you ask me.)
Would also add that the quality of ale has improved since the refit, possibly as all the staff have changed.
19 Jun 2006 15:06
A fine all rounder and all the better for being a bit out of the way.
Has a family room so can take the nippers along.
One of the top boozers in the area
9 Jun 2006 15:55
Ye Olde Whyte Lion, Locksbottom
It is nice but a bit pricey for the area. More of a place to take the mother in law than for a night with the lads!
9 Jun 2006 15:53
What a sda place. Went out with the Mrs. for lunch a few Fridays ago and planned to go to the Bricklayers, however the nice people in charge of Bromley had decreed that 'thou shalt not park your car in the area on Monday - Friday lunchtimes', so went up the road to the 'Bells. Not the first time ever been (as Mrs Norealaleinorpington used to work in the area. However on the day we went everything was off. No real ale (off,) no Guniness (off,) but a sumptuous choice of two lagers (oh sorry one of which went off whilst I was there!) As for food a small menu, most of which was either unknown (e.g. What is in the 'mixed combo? - Don't know, no ones ever asked before!) or, you guessed it off (no burgers as buns were off!) They did have a choice of potatoes (jacket - though most fillings off ) or skins (like a jacket but cut into 4 bits.)
Avoid, there are better pubs in the area.
22 May 2006 13:14
The Square and Compass, Worth Matravers
Agree with all of the above, but watch out! Whenever I go there (once a year religiously wether I need to or not!) my mobile decides I am in France! Mind you had the last laugh as the boss decided to call once and his bill was huge (as it cost the firm money to ring me and the mobile (also a work one!) money to receive the call.
Pasties are too nice. Always have to have two, (to soak up the beer!)
22 May 2006 12:52
This is a fantastic pub, well kept beer and very good food, but my one complaint is that it seems to be a victim of its own (deserved,) sucess.
Went recently for Sunday lunch with friends and assorted children. As they were busy got a late (in the day as opposed to last minute,) booking but was asked (as we have been on a number of occasions,) to 'reserve,' the sunday roasts we wanted. Was more than happy to do this but despite the fact that the staff knew 1.) what we were having and 2.) When we were sitting down the meals still took 50 minutes to arrive. By this time everyone was starving. When it did arrive the food was of it usual high standards (easily the best in the area,) but come on guys if you know what people are having and when we want it then it should not be rocket science to plan ahead and get fod to table within a decent timescale.
Oh and it took so long that by the time we were ready to order desert the cheese option, which I had been looking forward to (and it was my birthday treat!) had sold out!
Despite this still a great pub. Beer and staff 9 but food knocked down to 6 as it takes so bloody long!
15 May 2006 14:04
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Ye Olde White Horse, Aldwych
FFair enough, not good then (particularly as I have a fondness for Wherry.
Bring it back I say!
23 Oct 2009 22:17