BITE user comments - Sparky1
Comments by Sparky1
This pub feels oddly out of place in leafy West London. It feels like it should be in Shoreditch and Stoke Newington. It's minimalist mix of old furniture, unpolished rough floors and bare brick walls certainly mean it is not like anywhere else in the area.
On the plus side the beer was good and service swift, however I felt that the place could do with a bit of effort spent on cleaning it up. I'm not talking turning it into an All Bar One, but the toilets need a decent clean, the back room smelt musty and the furniture may look trendy to some but I felt the place looked a bit down at heel.
You need different sorts of pubs for different people, and I can see how this attractive to some, but for me it is not a must visit and certainly not a potential regular haunt.
I bet it would go down very well in Camden, but I'm not a Camden type of punter.
1 Sep 2007 16:52
The Anglesea Arms, Hammersmith
I have now eaten in the Anglesea and all I can say about the food is stunning. I mean really something else, I still can't believe how good it was.
This has to be one of the best pubs in all of London for food and in all other respects, I just wish I lived nearer.
1 Sep 2007 16:38
Brewing your own beer - is it really a good idea? I'm not convinced it is.
Black Budvar - a good idea? I'm certainly not convinced it is.
Saying that the Cock and Hen is certainly an improvement on the old Cock. The bar staff are friendly, it was quite empty when I went in but none of the punters seemed to be the recipients of recent ASBOs and the decor was generally okay. I didn't eat but the menu seemed reasonably priced.
All in all, better than it was before but not good enough to become a regular haunt.
22 Aug 2007 16:32
This is a difficult pub to review - on the one hand it hasn't succumbed to some awful brewery renovations, and as a result it has retained something. However, I don't feel it is a pub with a lot of innate charm. I have a drinking buddy who rates this place very highly, but personally I think that's it is just an ordinary local boozer. Additionally, whilst the thai food seems very popular, I'm not sure it fits in with the general characteristics of the place. I imagine if you live locally you could come to love this place, but I don't thinks it's worth making a special effort to visit.
22 Aug 2007 16:18
The Anglesea Arms, Hammersmith
Best pub in the Brackenbury village area. Well kept beer, great wine list and am told some of the best gastro-pub food in West London.
Staff seem friendly enough and the punters the same. No complaints at all in fact, only problem with the place is that it can be a bit of a mission to get to.
I'll actually go against the general feeling on the site and say I didn't think the food or drink was pricey for what you got - but then again may be I've lived in London for too long.
22 Aug 2007 16:10
Revisited the Distillers last Sunday lunch to try its food - it was excellent.
Five meals ordered, all really well cooked and well priced. The Sunday Lunch looked superb and is very reasonably priced for the area. Staff were great, including a very friendly manager who chatted to us about the plans for the pub.
On a personal note, I think you can judge a lot about a pub by their approach to their burger. That is, thin and obviously not freshly made from real mince = dodgy chain pub, with food either deep fat fried or microwaved. Open burger made of something other than beef, served on a slice of ciabatta and covered in some weird sauce = pretentious gastro pub with ideas above its station. A nice thick beef burger, made fresh, served in a proper bread bun with real chips = decent pub. The Distillers falls into this category.
31 May 2007 15:49
Went in to this place on Bank Holiday Monday with a friend. The pub was dead, nearly empty with very little going on. Normally would have gone in search of a more lively place but they had the cricket on the big screen out the back. So my friend and I sat down with a couple of pints looking forward to an afternoon watching the test. After about ten minutes the screen went blank, so I went over to be asked what had happened?
Was told that they'd "decided to put on a film on the DVD".
Now no-one else in the place was watching the test, but then again there was hardly anyone in. We moved away from the big screen and watched as they played some trailers. No-one in the pub moved to watch the film, no-one seemed to come in to watch it, it isn't advertised that they show films (or at least I couldn't see any notices). We sat there finishing our pints slightly mystified.
When we left they still hadn't started to show the film and no-one seemed remotely interested in the prospect of a film. I mean they weren't about to make loads of money off me and my friend, but surely as the place was empty they shouldn't be driving customers away? Also, as my friend pointed out, we didn't think you were allowed to show DVDs in public places without license? They may have one, but nowhere was it advertised (that we could see) that they had a cinema in the back.
31 May 2007 11:40
Gordon's Wine Bar, Charing Cross
This is gem of a place. Its a great place to take visitors to London or even just go for your own sake and sanity. This is no "trendy wine bar" and its charms are directly related to this. Excellent wine, I've never had a bad bottle and the selection is great (I've had a few too many bottles and ended up with a hangover, but that's my own fault). Always found the staff to be polite and helpful, suspect any complaints regarding surliness at the end of the evening are due to people not drinking up quickly enough - re. a few old comments below, is Canadian even a "race" anyway?
Have to say in all my visits I've never tried the food, and this may be as a result of the problems lots of people identify.
1) Its busy, and I think it would be uncomfortable to eat in Gordon's.
2) It gets smokey inside, but hey there's a ban from the 1st July!
Gordon's is great, its unique, but its busy! In fact I should give this place a bad rating and hope less people go as a result.
24 May 2007 17:15
The Chancery Bar & Kitchen, Fulham
Have visited this place a few times since it reopened.
All-in-all have been reasonably impressed. Beer is kept well, if a little on the pricey side, and the couple of things I've order (snacks and sandwiches) have been pretty good - in fact the steak sandwich was great.
I'd agree with the comment about the problem of a lack of atmosphere because its so large. However, its summer and its got a great beer garden so who cares.
15 May 2007 17:06
This pub looks perfect. Inside its done out like a proper English country pub and it has got a great beer garden. However, in line with lots of the other comments I'd agree it has two major flaws:
1) The staff. I'm not actually sure they mean to be rude, I just think they have a very poor command of English. The service is slow, the waiting staff seem to range from the incompetent to the incomprehensible.
2) The food. It really is just barely average. We went in last Sunday for lunch to be told (after the food was served) there was no Yorkshire pudding; we then found that the roast potatoes were the frozen kind - you can tell, trust me - and the veg in general was of fairly low quality and badly prepared. They also forgot to add gravy to one of them.
The question of course is, don't the management know there's a problem? Well may be they do, but the place was full on Sunday, so perhaps they don't care?
Oh, and last Sunday the ceiling was leaking water in numerous places - a sign of a pub suffering general neglect?
15 May 2007 17:02
I have to say I didn't think this was the worst pub in the world when it was an O'Neill's, not brilliant but it had an acceptable level of mediocrity. However the change is still to be welcomed. The beer was very reasonably priced, we were paying �2.85 for pints of Peroni, and whilst we didn't eat the menu seemed to well priced also (�10 for a Sunday roast is pretty good going in this part of West London). All in all I found it a decent place - staff were good, beer tasted fine and the decor post the refurb is interesting and reasonably faithful to how I imagined it once looked. Looking forward to visiting again.
13 Feb 2007 16:20
Pub has now reopened.
When a run down pub closes down there is always the chance that it will reopen even worse - another no character theme pub etc. However, in the case of the Distillers the make-over has been a huge improvement. The pub has been completely restored to what I imagined it looked like a very long time ago and its a vast improvement. You can barely imagine its the same dive as it was previously. The beer was well kept, the staff friendly, the place clean. Indeed everything about drink in this place was a real pleasure. Didn't eat, but the menu looked good and was well priced - indeed I'm looking forward to trying it. My only concern was that it wasn't very busy - perhaps people don't realise its reopened and changed to such an extent - and there's always the chance that as its turnover doesn't match expectations and the managementowners let standards slip. Anyway lets hope not!
21 Dec 2006 16:32
The Arbeiter has only recently opened so when I visited I was expecting that there'd be a few teething problems. However I found none, the bar staff were very friendly and efficient (why is service so slow in so many London bars?) and the beer was well kept. I didn't eat, but the food that passed the table looked fine and was reasonably priced. Pub itself is quite small with limited seating, I didn't venture upstairs I have to say, and is decorated in an eclectic style which gives it a modern feel. Only issue I can see is its position on the less than salubrious North End Road - so they'll have to be careful to get only the right sort of clients. However, all in all a welcome addition to the area and worth a visit.
20 Dec 2006 14:16
Thanks god they've changed this place! The old Durrell with its 2-4-1 pizzas was hell - poor standard food, poor beer, poor clientele, poor place. Anyway, the new refurb in some improvement, only stayed for a drink but seemed okay. Only problem is that its a big place and the centre at the front always seems a bit too open meaning it doesn't have much atmosphere. I await other peoples' comments on the general standard.
14 Dec 2006 15:49
Well everyone is right about one thing the Ship does get busy, both on sunny days and not so sunny days. I'm not sure I agree regarding the pricing though, I always thought the beer prices weren't bad.
A few years ago I felt this was a great pub, but as its got more popular there has been a slide in the overall quality. Food has taken over completely as the main point of the pub, and as it has done so the quality has gone down. Also they use to have a proper beer garden at the side of the pub but this was replaced by a restaurant (honestly the food isn't good enough to deserve a separate restaurant, its bar meal standard). Still it ain't a bad pub as you crawl down Hammersmith Mall and the food is still acceptable. As for the Antipodeans, well it is West London and they're not the absolutely worst people to share a pub with - some of them have English ancestors you know.
14 Dec 2006 15:30
Seems this place hasn't had a review in ages, which is odd. The Grove is a strange place, not quite a restaurant, but not really a pub or bar. You might think that would make it a Gastro-pub, but because of the way its set out I'm not sure it qualifies as that - most of the downstairs is devoted to dining and isn't really a place you'd sit and drink pints. The outside area is very nice in warmer weather. Food wise, a couple of my friends adore this place, whilst I think its only around average to good for the price. Never really had any issues with the staff, and I've always found the beer drinkable. Certainly a good option if you're in Hammersmith.
14 Dec 2006 14:55
Interesting local pub for local people. Certainly not got a threatening atmosphere you might associate with local pubs on council estates. The clients and bar staff do tend to be getting on a bit, but that at least means there are a few "characters" - and I don't mean in a bad way. Had an excellent toasted sandwich there. I think an area needs a good mix of pubs to cater for all ages and so I hope this place keeps going and doesn't suffer a dreaded refurb.
14 Dec 2006 14:34
If your idea of a good night out is to go to the Bar 38, then you really need to reassess your life. A bland, soul destroying bar on one London's biggest roundabouts. Its really jjust boring and its sad that the owners, which ever pub chain it is, acn't think of something more interesting to do with the place.
14 Dec 2006 14:29
In terms of the bars near Fulham Broadway station this is in my view the best. Never seen it heaving (may be I don't stay out late enough) and the staff are always friendly. The Guinness is good, and the place in general is pretty tidy. If you're arranging to meet up with some one in Fulham and want to find a half decent place to start out.
14 Dec 2006 11:16
This bar has been around for a while now and is in need of refurb. May be you don't notice it when its heaving, but if you go in when its quiet you realise how shabby its become. In terms of clientele, its just the usual Fulham crowd; bar staff are adequate; focus is on bottled beer, cold largers, "cocktails" (cocktails should not be served by the jug) and shots.
There's a large outside area which is always worth remembering on a sunny day.
14 Dec 2006 11:13
Firstly you're not likely to stumble across the pub as its out the way off the Munster Road. With this in mind, the question has to be is it worth making a special trip to visit? Well, my friend who had visited said it was an interesting old fashioned boozer, but he'd no idea what it looked liked post-refurb. On the Sunday I visited it was dead, I mean really empty, like it was a Monday afternoon. The inside is do out in the standard refurb format, though they have kept some of the original features. It is a big pub (which made the fact that there were only four punters in even more obvious) and they seem to have a beer garden (it was too cold to use when I visted). Beer was adequate and reasonably priced; the menu was standard chain pub stuff, which I suspect relies on deep fat fryers and microwaves - this isn't a Gasto-pub. Anyway, since the refurb is it worth visiting? Well there's nothing wrong with it, but very little to recommend about it. Just an average back street boozer.
14 Dec 2006 10:51
The Fest - Octoberfest Pub, Fulham
Whilst wandering round Fulham with a friend looking for somewhere to watch the football I stumbled across this place. An Aussie-bar themed on the Munich Beer Festival - well its an interesting concept to say the least. Have never been to Munich for the beer festival, but I have lived in Germany and its safe to say the bars at the other beer festivals I went to weren't like this! However, the beer is quite authentic, by which I mean there are beers on tap that you've never heard of and can't pronounce, and whilst the food was basic it wasn't the worst I've been served. As it was a Sunday there was the obvious entertainment on - jelly wrestling. The opportunity to watch slightly chubby Eastern Europeans slip over in a paddling pool seemed to attract the more unsavoury elements of Fulham, so I'm not sure I'd recommend it on a Sunday after 7. Anyway, to sum up, its probably not a bad place to go with a group of blokes for a beer swilling evening, but not the place to take a girl on a date.
14 Dec 2006 10:35
The below quote is from M&B's website, the owners of the Edwards chain, and is their description of an Edwards. Can someone find any connection between this and the place in Hammersmith? "Seductive design, funky music and unlimited service have made Edward�s bars the place to be for a touch of style and glamour on the high street.....A stylish crowd of regulars join handpicked DJs for �flirt-central� at weekends when the gorgeous cocktails and slinky music help wind up the atmosphere for some serious hedonism......So for gorgeous people and gorgeous times, try Edward�s. Better bars by far."
9 Oct 2006 17:27
Hammersmith doesn't do trendy bar (does Edward's count as trendy, I think not), so Hit's attempt so be welcomed. The bottled beer is, well bottled beer so its not really going to taste any different from anywhere else. The cocktails are adequate though not inspired. I've only used it on a week night, but I suspect it gets quite busy on a weekend.
9 Oct 2006 17:21
Ahh the Old Trout! When the developers of the Broadway thought "now what does Hammersmith really need in its shopping centre?", the answer was obvious - "a really bad pub, because Hammersmith doesn't have enough of them". There is one good thing to say abouts existence though. Imagine the scene, you're dating a girl and frankly you want to dump her, but you haven't got the courage - what to do? Simple take her for a date in the Old Trout. Why you ask. Well firstly its in a shopping centre, so strike one; secondly the beer is generally awful and the food terrible, a strike two; thirdly its rarely clean and the toilets are horrible, a strike three and you're out. She'll dump you, you don't have to feel bad and you haven't wasted your hard earned cash on an expensive date. Thank you the Old Trout you have performed a great service to all men.
9 Oct 2006 17:16
The Old Suffolk Punch, Hammersmith
I'm afraid the stripped pine and dodgy decor makes me shudder. Not sure exactly who this bar is suppose to appeal too as its lost its "locals" feel, but still doesn't count as cool by any stretch of the imagination. I'm not sure what this pub could do to improve as its in a bit of a no-man's land on the Fulham Palace. On the positive side the beer was okay last time I visited and I saw Everton thrash Liverpool! Can't comment on the food, I try not to eat in places with laminated menus.
9 Oct 2006 17:07
This pub is rather odd, its a bit rough but at the same time non-threatening. The beer I've always found to be a bit dodgy and the food....well its two for �6 or something, so lets just say you get what you pay for. I'm also not sure i'd describe it as clean as it could really do with a refurb. Am sure its a fine place for a pre-drink before going to the Apollo but I'm not sure I could find another reason to use it.
9 Oct 2006 16:57
This is the best pub on the river in Hammersmith by far in times of setting and beer. It has the ability to be both romantic if there is just two of you or fun if there's a group of you enjoying a lazy Sunday lunch. It can get crowded, so your only really options are to turn up early or be prepared to stand (once people have secured a table they rarely leave quickly). The food has in the past been a hit or miss affair, but it sounds like its improved. This pub is also a really great place to take overseas visitors (especially our American cousins) as its steeped in history and ye olde world style.
9 Oct 2006 16:50
Reasonable local boozer in Hammersmith, with large beer garden. Not much really else to add. I agree with the strange mix of clientele comment and I have had a couple of dodgy pints there. I wouldn't say this was a pub that you must visit, but if you're in Hammersmith its not a bad option.
9 Oct 2006 16:40
The pub crawl down the Hammersmith Mall is one of the easiest and best in West London on a sunny day. However, the Black Lion somehow never seems to be as packed as the Dove, Ship etc. May be its just a bit too far away from Hammersmith Bridge or perhaps its because its not actually overlooking the river. The pub itself is fine, retaining some old features and the beer garden is large. Quality of beer and food is adequate and the staff are pleasant. I wish I could recommend this pub for something exceptional but there's nothing really too special about it. Saying that ther's nothing wrong with the place either, so its worth a visit if you fancy whiling away a sunny afternoon.
9 Oct 2006 16:36
The Churchill Arms, Kensington
This deserves its reputation as one of West London's best pubs, but I have to agree with the crowded comment - the price you pay for success I dare say. Never eaten here, but I�ve only heard good things, and the Guinness is very good.
Certainly worth a visit, though if you�re going on purpose to sample its delights I�d suggest choosing a quieter time of dayweek. However, if you just happen to be wandering by, nip in and saviour one of London�s best pubs, crowded bar and all.
9 Oct 2006 16:26
n.b. that between September and April this place is used on a Saturday by a hockey club as their club house, so expect lots of kit bags, sweaty socks and drunks. However, as this may on occasion include me, I'll not say anything too bad about their behaviour. This pub has improved markedly since the new management took over last year. And, in view of its position on the "Kilburn Boarders" isn't as rough as it might be. However, saying that, unless you're a local I can't think of a reason to visit, and if you're just in the area the Warrington is a more interesting experience and better pub.
9 Oct 2006 16:21
I thought I'd give this place another try as it�s near and from the sounds of other people's reviews may be I wasn't giving it a fair crack of the whip. However to further reinforce Egon's review, I was also there on Friday night and had another disappointing experience. It was fairly busy downstairs so when I ventured in with a couple of friends we couldn't decide whether to eat off the bar menu or go upstairs to the restaurant so we could chat. Inevitably one of us wanted something off the bar menu while the other two wanted to go upstairs. So I went the waiter and asked if it would be okay if we could order one main off the bar menu and two off the restaurant menu and eat upstairs (it should be noted that the bar menu main we wanted to order was �9, and the two meals upstairs were each over �15, so we weren't asking to sit in the restaurant whilst eating bread and olives). However, I was told this wasn't possible as the chef was, and I quote, "a pedant". I then said but surely the customer is always right, but no we couldn't eat upstairs because the chef is "kind of picky about that sort of thing." Now as far as I'm aware the chef is not a world famous Michelin starred cook and the restaurant is usually pretty empty, so why turn down custom? This place is okay for a drink but they have some very odd ideas about service, including adding 10% service when you order food at the bar - I was tempted to ask whether this wouldn't be applied if I went upstairs to the kitchen to pick my food up from Marco Pierre White in the kitchen.
9 Oct 2006 16:05
In order to create that tropical vibe they've decided not to bother with any ventilation.
Its hot, damn hot; its hot and wet, well sweaty. Its also expensive and crowded. If the worst comes to the worst and you really need to keep drinking into the wee hours this still isn't a good choice.
3 Oct 2006 13:18
A slightly out of the way Fulham pub, lets face you're not going to just walk passed it randomly, that serves good quality food in a reasonably nice environment. From the other reviews you may have guessed that the standard of service is variable, which I believe is fair comment. With regard to the braying toffs, I think that's rather a matter of opinion as I've found the clientele rather mixed. Also, I say again, you're in a nice part of West London - what do you expect when you walk into a bar, the Krays?
3 Oct 2006 13:11
High quality gastro-pub. Reasonably priced beer and wine, with the pricey good quality food. Excellent little beer garden and the pub has retained its character.
3 Oct 2006 12:56
The Hammersmith Ram, Hammersmith
This is the best pub on King's Street, but frankly what's the competition?
The beer is fine, the pubs reasonably clean and tidy, and the food was okay the one time I tried it.
If for some reason you're shopping on Kings Street (the Primark being its sole attraction) and you fancy a pint try this place.
25 Jul 2006 12:01
This used to be my favourite pub in the area, but the last few times I�ve been disappointed.
One Saturday I booked a table for me and a few friends for a catch up dinner, but had to relocate elsewhere as inexplicably there was deafening house music blasting out � may be they�re trying to appeal to the School Disco crowd?
The food has gone down a bit in the last few years, but is still passable. If the Dartmouth is full, the Stonemasons is a reasonable alternative.
25 Jul 2006 11:58
The Dartmouth Castle, Hammersmith
I often bemoan the renovation of pubs into soulless bars, but the change in the Dartmouth is to be welcomed.
Previously the undrinkable beer was matched only by the strange regulars in terms of reasons not to visit, now however the pub has become one of the best places in Hammersmith � I accept the competitions not stiff!
The food is now good, with fair portions and some inventive dishes (its not cheap however). The beer is always drinkable and the staff friendly. If you�re arranging a drink with friends in Hammersmith I�d say the Dartmouth is about your best option.
25 Jul 2006 11:52
I really fine it hard to say anything good about this pub.
When it was a rough dive you could at least get a seat, albeit one stained with an unidentifiable sticky brown substance.
Now its just another boring pub with no history or appeal. The landlord, or at least the guy in charge last time I visited, also is a bit strange � kept rearranging tables and chairs, may be he�s got an obsessive compulsive disorder?
25 Jul 2006 11:47
What makes the Mitre worth a visit is the beer garden, but be warned it gets packed at even the faintest sign of sunshine.
The beers okay, but the food isn�t worth the money generally.
A half decent place to spend a sunny evening, but not really a winter pub � I agree with the description �soulless�.
Of interest is the before and after photos of the pub�s interior as you walk into the men�s loos.
25 Jul 2006 11:42
It all started with a Cottage Pie, as most good stories do.
On a reasonably sunny Sunday myself and a friend decided a spot of lunch was in order so we headed down to the Salisbury, which used to do fairly good food and not a bad pint.
After inspecting the menu I opted for the Cottage Pie at �9, which seemed quite reasonable (I know I�ve lived in London too long when I think nearly a tenner for a Cottage Pie is reasonable, but there you go).
Anyhow, when it arrived I realised the menu was accurate, you really did get just a Cottage Pie � no veg, nothing. To add insult to injury it was only about four inches in diameter and two inches thick. It would seem the owners of the Salisbury took advantage of their good reputation.
Other than the pie, the pub is actually half decent, though it does occupy something of a no-man�s land between Fulham and Hammersmith.
* I should point out that the pie incident was some time ago, but its taking me this long to get over the shock.
25 Jul 2006 11:39
The old Queen�s Arms wasn�t great, I live round the corner and used it twice in as many years, so I was hopeful when they started to renovate the place.
Sadly I�m disappointed, this a pub done in manner similar to painting by numbers. The light wood finish, the �gastro� menu, the over-priced Hoegaarden � why does anyone drink this by the way, in my student years I worked in a pub and we were encouraged to push the filthy stuff as it had such a high mark-up.
The menu is so expensive its ridiculous, and from the reports I�ve received the price of the food as an inverse relationship to the amount you get on your plate.
Whilst Barons Court is a pleasant area, you can�t get anyway from the fact that you�re eating and drinking at central London prices whilst enjoying the views of the council block opposite.
Its not that I won�t use the pub - it�s a lot larger than the far superior Colton so for meeting up with big groups its better - its just I feel that it�s been a wasted opportunity.
25 Jul 2006 11:28
The Famous 3 Kings (F3K), West Kensington
Not a bad pub to watch sport in, but not the place to go for a quiet drink. Agree with the comments below about the bouncers, though how many nice door men have you met? On the wrong night it can have a slightly threatening air, as the less desirable elements of West Ken seep in - then again the Colton Arms is my local, ergo I must be a braying toff.
18 Nov 2005 16:37
Excellent position and the food use to be quite good. However new menu is distinctly below average, my "Spanish" Chicken was of a standard somewhere between a Harvester and a school dinner. On the plus side, its got a big beer garden and some seating bar the river. I have to also say that the majority of the times I've visited the staff have been good. Agree with the point about Fulham playing at home, though as someone once pointed out - chelsea fans are skinheads beacuse they're thugs, Fulham fans are skinheads because they're 40 and bald.
17 Nov 2005 13:40
Watched Everton to lose to some Eastern European side whilst a Crowded House tribute band serenaded me. If Hell is other people you'd meet them for a drink in the Puzzle. Rarely clean, often filthy, the food is woeful and the beer something of hit and miss affair. It is quite good for watching a big match, as there aren't a lot of pubs nearby which show the football. Regarding someone's comment about the lack of nurses, I'm assume its because they have some concept of hygiene.
17 Nov 2005 13:33
The Curtain's Up, West Kensington
Two problems with this bar, one they are always running out of something - no guinness, stella, nuts or crisps last night for example - and two, the staff are slow. One chap in there last night was very good, the other were just dopes. When I asked my friend why we met in there, she replied that it was equi-distance from our respective houses. And that, I'm afraid is why I go - convenience alone. Shame though, with a bit of work this pub has a lot of potential.
17 Nov 2005 13:21
The point about this pub is that isn't hasn't been decorated to "maximise" its potential - that would just make it a naff gastro pub. This pub isn't done out like a country local because someone thought it would be fashionable, this is a country local (albeit in the middle of London). The staff are great, John the landlord is a star (seriously how many landlords are you on first name terms with in London), and the beer is good. As for the "braying toffs" you're in West London for goodness sake - what do expect coal miners and lumberjacks? I can't recommend this place highly enough.
17 Nov 2005 13:14
The Eagle, Shepherds Bush
A pleasant surprise of pub. Obviously recently done out and still the right side of quirky rendy. Service was swift and beer drinkable - should be said that although it was a Saturday night, it was empty but that's London in August.
Food looked unpretentious and well priced and generally was reasonably impressed. Do agree that the garden needs a clean up, but is still a very attractive feature.
1 Sep 2007 17:01