BITE user comments - The_Puzzler
Comments by The_Puzzler
Not sure why the landlord has left, but the pub seems to have been sold to the people behind The Cask near Pimlico. They're opening a similar establishment next month called The Craft Beer Co. to replace The Clockhouse.
20 May 2011 17:41
I went here for the first time yesterday having been "dragged" out to the wilds of southeast London for a Sunday roast by one of my best friends. All my grumbling about the fuss and buses stopped the instant I walked through the door though.
The interior has to be seen to be believed. A marvellous mix of seafaring paraphernalia, tools, taxidermy, and other assorted fittings made for one of the most interesting inns I�ve ever been in.
London Pride, Speckled Hen, and Black Sheep were the ales on and several pints of the latter were had with a great value Sunday roast. Not really a place for vegetarians, apart from the assorted mammals adorning the walls, but there were two dishes for those who don�t eat meat.
We were also regaled with some most excellent renditions of "The Wheels on the Bus", "Run Rabbit Run", and "Norwegian Wood" on a keyboard.
14 Jan 2008 11:10
Naturally, everyone has their own personal view of a pub, and mine is rather bias in that I was their with my parents over the Christmas holidays. They had wanted to try this place for at least 5 years but had never got around to it.
The decor was to my taste, as I love a traditional but eclectic pub, and the people on either side of the bar were all very friendly.
The ale was lovely, if deceptive. I tried several Goacher's ales which had been well-kept (inc. a light ale and the mild). The stronger their flavours, the weaker their alcoholic content. I should think that this means that the more potent pints slip down quickest. Perilous stuff.
Good fun all round.
14 Jan 2008 10:44
Not so much out in the sticks as a bit further on from the sticks and turn left. I love this place though and wish it were closer to where I live. Friendly staff and local punters, great food, and well-kept beers that are regularly rotated in a traditional pub. Heard a rumour that somehow the village actually own it and they put managers in, not sure if this is true or not though. Thoroughly recommend this pub.
12 Apr 2007 14:22
Good staff, good food, and good beer in a good-looking pub. Definitely the best pub in Surbiton although that's against pretty dire competition. Like Gordon Bennett's it suffers from being so good by getting so crowded, especially when there is sport on the box.
12 Apr 2007 14:08
Gordon Bennnett bar + kitchen, Surbiton
One of the few really nice places for a drink in the area. Gets really crowded as a result though and few beers.
12 Apr 2007 14:03
Good food, bottled beers and foreign draughts. Mighty pricey. I wouldn't go here just for a drink.
12 Apr 2007 13:42
Nice decor and great food. Gets very crowded though and I've been in twice and been kept waiting for over 10 minutes to get served. Fair enough, it gets really busy, but there are places just as good around the corner where I'd rather spend my time and money. Overhyped in my opinion.
12 Apr 2007 13:23
Very nice pub, looks good and the garden is great in summer. Agree about the the food and the staff being hit and miss. My main gripe is how long the food can take it can take. Good beer though.
12 Apr 2007 13:19
Good beer, good staff, and really great-value food if you like Thai. Gets a bit crowded upstairs but there's more space in the basement.
12 Apr 2007 12:05
Good food, OK beer, bit cramped but then I usually went on a Friday lunchtime. Staff are very friendly but the decor's not to my liking personally. I wouldn't go there in the evening given some of the better pubs in the area but it's very pleasant for lunch.
12 Apr 2007 12:01
Nice looking place with friendly staff, had very vocal locals (depends if you're looking for a quiet drink or a bit of badinage), and some good ale (especially Hopping Hare). Food is very good but then so it should be for prices that wouldn't be out of place in Islington.
12 Apr 2007 11:50
Not sure who's running it now, think he used to run the Ypres in Rye, but the food is excellent and the beer's OK. Great place for a Sunday lunch but I cannot comment on what it's like during the week given how out of the way it is. They could make a lot more of the beer garden.
12 Apr 2007 11:43
Good food, OK beer/Guinness, I like the decor, and if you're going there for sport on the TV or a lively time then you've gone to the right place. St Patrick's Day, 2002, I went in there with �4.80 in my pocket at lunchtime. Ended up leaving at kicking out time feeling pretty pleased with myself.
12 Apr 2007 11:38
Used to be a bit of a dive until the current landlord took over (Jerry?). Now it's lively, has plenty going on, and you get a bit of banter with the your beer.
12 Apr 2007 11:28
Great pub but a shame it has been run by businessmen instead of publicans for as long as I can remember (about 20 years). Lost many locals to The White Hart up the road but don't let that put you off if you're not looking to be there every other night. Hard-working, courteous family run place last time I looked.
12 Apr 2007 11:26
Little enthusiasm shown by the current owners due to one of them having a serious illness. As a result I believe they are moving on at the end of this month. I wholly agree that the menu should be cheaper and some of the decor could do with a change too � much as I like the Ypres, the stools at the bar are really uncomfortable and don't fit the character of the place.
12 Apr 2007 11:22
The Bricklayers Arms, Putney
Obviously depends on what you like in a pub, as many reviews below state.
Food here used to be good but they've stopped doing that now.
However, they have 10 pumps for real ale and they know how to keep it. The staff are unfailingly friendly, useful and polite, and there's a reasonably good-sized beer garden.
A perfect bit of peace and quiet away from braying Ra Ra Ruperts and plastered football fans, as far as I'm concerned.
27 May 2011 17:32