BITE user comments - Tracerfire
Comments by Tracerfire
Four of us visited this pub having spotted it tucked down an alleyway opposite the entrance to Borough Market. On Friday afternoon arount 2pm it was pretty quiiet with a few people eating what looked like decent pub grub (Fish & Chips, Lasagne, Steak & Kidney Pud etc) from a reasonably-priced menu. The one large bar (with a function room upstairs, apparently) was not overfilled with tables and there were plenty of bar stools, too. Two of us went for the St Austell's Proper Job which lived up to it's name - it was in utterly perfect condition and will live with me as one (actually, I think I had six) of the best pints I've ever had. Also on offer were Doombar, St Austell Tribute and Harvey's Sussex Best. The barmaid/landlady was friendly and took clear pride in her ale offerings. Later in the afternoon, the pub filled up witha mixture of workers ("No soiled work clothes") and businessmen. Behind the bar also filled with staff and the service remained excellent. A basic boozer and all the better for that.
7 Jan 2012 11:54
The Maidenhead Inn, Basingstoke
Yeah - don't bring your mum unless she likes swearing drunks. For those with a thicker skin and a liking for beer, it's the best place in the town. Good range, good turnover. Food is as good as the price; no Michelin stars (that's called 'Irony' if you're American (or from Lancashire). Nevertheless, consistent. Like a Little Chef. If you're a snob stay away; basic is the watchword. Actually, F**k is the watchword.
29 Jul 2010 20:10
The Quaker Coffee House, Darlington
Back up to Darlo for the weekend & of course spent much time here. Met ex-landlord Steve who has passed on the keys to no ill effect. Ten (!)!) pumps with a glorious selection & turnover, faultlessly kept. To my shame, I cannot remember the new landord's name but he was friendly and accommodating and I must apologise for my lapse of memory. The downpoint was turning up after a supper in the local pizzeria with a pizza box containing our leftovers. We were refused service by the barmaid because they 'don't allow outside food' (what happens if you are on your way home with a bag full of Taylor's pies??). TEN hardened drinkers then met elsewhere and spent the evening buying beer at a higher price. I expect that the Quaker lost around �200 in turnover as a result. Should anyone connected read this, please take note & clarify the rules for your staff. Having said that, if you visit the town & enjoy your beer, this is the place.
29 Jul 2010 18:58
Another great town boozer that makes it's name from wet sales with no food excepting snacks. fff beer in cracking condition according to my colleague and I was on the Pompey Royal by Oakleaf.
Colleague recommends a mix of Pressed Rat & Alton's Pride - have to say it works well. The boss is Adam who was knowledgeable & friendly. Big recommendation given that it's my first visit.
10 Apr 2010 16:07
Can't add more to the previous except to endorse all of it (including Toby & the 'cuddly' barmaid) - and this was my first visit. Not the last.
Beer: My colleague had excellent Bowmans Swift one and i a Palmerston's Folly. All good stuff.
10 Apr 2010 16:03
The Quaker Coffee House, Darlington
Always the best real ale pub in Darlington & despite strong competition from the Britannia & Ralph @ 22, I personally prefer the atmosphere here. Steve the landlord never fails to recognise me on my (extremely rare) visits to my home town & I don't even have to specify a choice - he makes it for me & is invariably correct. I keep hearing the odd rumour about if being sold & that has been going on for years; I hope that never proves to be the case. This is how all pubs should be - welcoming, friendly and comfortable for regulars, exiles and strangers alike.
6 Apr 2010 15:24
The Great Western Hotel, Basingstoke
Oh......My......God
I've been in some dumps but this takes the biscuit. Screaming kids climbing on the bar, a couple of yobs swearing at the top of their voices because there was no music on. Even the furniture is like camping stuff.....Please - if you have any self-respect, never, ever go there. I was tempted to rate it '1' because the Guinness was drinkable and it's Chrismas but then I thought better of it.
24 Dec 2007 21:49
Well, GF & I returned here after 4 months from our first and up-to-now, only visit & the manager not only recognised us but remembered what we drank!!!
The place is spotlessly clean with a good pool table & they let children in. A range of seven real ales, three from Bath, three from Sharps and another that escapes my memory. Brilliant little place, although they can't do food yet until the kitchen is redone - seek it out anyway it's worth it.
3 Oct 2007 15:56
The Filo (First In Last Out), Hastings
On an impromptu crawl around the town I made a point of coming here on the basis of BITE and a strong personal recommendation - to be honest, I was a little disappointed but it was mid-week during the day. You can see the brewery in the back and watch your food being prepared in the kitchen that is more an extension of the bar. The beer was in good form but not to my taste and - boy-o-boy - what a miserable 'barmaid'! I would expect that evenings & weekends are far, far better but it's a bit quiet during the week.
7 Jul 2007 12:15
As a 'foreigner' from Hampshire, I had an impromtu 1-day, mid-week crawl around the town and this was the only pub I returned to; fantastic military/naval stuff all over the place and a friendly reception. Beer was good too if Shepherd Neame is to your taste. What I saw of the food wasn't appetising but it isn't an eatery by any stretch of the imagination. Small & cosy - probably gets packed on summer weekends!
7 Jul 2007 11:51
The Maidenhead Inn, Basingstoke
This place gets shabbier by the day and boasts an increasing number of the types that failed their auditions for 'Shameless'. Pity, because they have a good ale selection that turns over pretty well but the disgusting, foul language - usually at high volume - is an off-put; if it wasn't for the ales, I wouldn't cross the threshold. Their sister pub, Lloyds (down by the cinema), has caught up on the ale front & now offers a similarly well-priced selection of ales with rather more civilised surroundings. Service in both remains traditionally indifferent Wetherspoons, so expect to be ignored for long periods and the occasional pint of sludge from the bottom of a cask. Generally, though, the ale is reasonably well kept. Rated 4 because they have the ales.
7 Jan 2012 12:08