BITE user comments - Torquemada
Comments by Torquemada
The only thing that is missing here is a stripper on Friday lunchtimes. Horrible looking from the outside which is matched by both the interior, and the clientele. One of the few pubs I've ever gone into and then done a very quick 180 degree turn.
Someone should report the sign outside to the Council.
13 Apr 2006 15:29
The lunchtime menu has slowly been downscaled of late, but it's still a nice pub with a good atmosphere. Very children-friendly in the day, and relaxed adult-boozy in the evenings. Good choice of wines and beers, although the toilets are in a bit of a state - a common feature in Greenwich and Blackheath pubs for some reason! The garden in summer is excellent and barbecues are a regular occurrence.
All in all superb alternative to the madness of Greenwich central, but not a place to choose if you're in a hurry (- that's not a criticism, by the way).
13 Apr 2006 15:24
The Princess of Wales, Blackheath
Totally agree about the barstaff looking (and behaving) like they haven't been to bed, and some of them look like they could do with a bit of a wash too(!), but this place has a certain charm and is probably the best pub in Blackheath at the moment.
I've lived in the area for 5 years now and there's never really a wrong time to come here. It does good lunches, is good for an evening session or even a Leo Sayer, and is also a great place to meet friends or bring visitors to the area. It gets a little overwhelming on hot summer afternoons, but the evening barbecues are good, and they've certainly taken on-board alot of the criticisms made in the past.
My only outstanding criticism is of the prices - not so much for the drinks, although they are pushing it a little (especially on the wines), but of things like pistachios (they don't have peanuts - Blackheath eh?!) which cost �2 for a small glass, and crisps at a quid.
That said, the choice of beers is excellent and if you want somewhere to relax and read the paper on your day off work this is a fine spot.
13 Apr 2006 15:02
The Royal Standard, Blackheath
This is the nearest pub geographically to my house and it's a total pit! Even with the refurb nothing has changed - it's still full of smoke so thick you can hardly see the bar (although this may change with the anti-smoking legislation next year) and the clientele are mainly neanderthal to say the least.
It does have some reasonable wines but the beers are pretty unexceptional and the prices are average for Blackheath.
I'd best describe it as a down-at-heel Walkabout full of chavs, thugs and brickies, and as such it is best avoided. Given that both The Princess of Wales and The Vanbrugh are both within easy walking distance, there really isn't any point bothering with the Royal Standard.
13 Apr 2006 13:21
Richard I, Greenwich
How anyone can enthuse about this pub when you've got the Greenwich Union and The Prince Albert next to it is beyond me. The bar staff are miserable and po-faced, and the majority of the clientele are self-obsessed Tim "nice but dim" types who speak with extremely loud voices.
Good beer, but the positives end there. Avoid!
13 Apr 2006 16:51