BITE user comments - bcalvert
Comments by bcalvert
If this pub was run by JD Wetherspoon (and from a distance it looks just like a Wetherspoons) then it'd probably be fantastic. The staff would be friendly, there would be good local ales at good prices, and the food would be both good value and acceptable quality.
HOWEVER it's not a Wetherspoons, it's a something else a bit like it, so the pub has some very un-interested staff who are far from welcoming, the selection of beers is pretty limited and not that cheap, and I don't think it scores highly in any area.
To be fair I've only been in half a dozen times in a couple of years, always with other people, but I can't remember anything positive about this place, and I've never wanted to go back by myself.
The best thing about the Hereward is that in the evenings, it becomes a magnet for the chavs, so you can go elsewhere in peace.
13 Sep 2012 10:51
Genuinely expensive - a tourist trap that exploits its prime location to charge an extra 20% on the drinks prices. Always packed out and busy on a summer's day due to the boating crowds and the tourists out for a walk along the river. Quality of drinks is fine, but paying �7 for a pint and a soft drink is never that welcome.
Food is quite good (not amazing, but better than average), and the restaurant area is quite nicely done. They've spent a lot of money doing up what used to be a tatty riverside pub into a fairly posh gastropub, but in doing so, they've picked up an eliteist attitude where the staff are not particularly welcoming and the prices are hiked. There's nothign exactly 'wrong' with it I guess.
There are many better pubs in Ely, however if you're not local, The Cutter is the one you'll come to first as it's got prime position.
13 Sep 2012 10:47
The Town House does a good job of having local beers on, at reasonable prices too. The pub is an unusual layout - you go up some stairs from the street level to the bar area, then it has a conservatory area off the back of it, and a large outside paved garden. In the evenings there's a DJ and a good atmosphere, though it gets quite loud and roudy at night. It's quite a fun place though.
13 Sep 2012 10:42
A good local pub with an excellent little garden. It's a lovely place to spend a summer's evening. As an ale drinker, there are normally 4 or so real ales on, a couple of which change each time I go. Seems to be national selections of beer rather than smaller local breweries, but the ales are always served well and in good condition (turnover of stock is fast).
The staff are pleasant and friendly, and they have 2 nice jack russells running around. They seem tolerant when we turn up with our baby too.
All in all, a pretty and pleasant local pub.
13 Sep 2012 10:39
A good local village pub. It was our local until we moved (although we only went every few weeks or so). The selection of ales tended not to change much, but the landlord was friendly and welcoming, and his wife cooked a small menu of excellent home-cooked food, using local meat and ingredients (pork stroganoff was especially good). They also ran some good pub quizzes.
13 Sep 2012 10:35
A classic old pub down a residential street. You normally get a friendly welcome, and the landlord knows his ales and is happy to recommend. The bar area doesn't have music or distractions, but the regulars tend to be quite chatty and friendly. The day's papers and a selection of books are normally left on the side if you fancy a read with your pint. There's a long narrow garden out the back with some rather dilapidated benches and tables, but it's fine on a nice day. The main reason to go here is for the selection of real ales - there's always 5-6 on, they're served in perfect condition, and the prices are reaasonable. A bit of a connaiseur's pub for the ale drinker.
13 Sep 2012 10:33
We popped in here from our boat for a quick drink and some lunch this weekend. I ordered 2 x lime cordial & soda waters at the bar, with the intention of ordering beers and bar food shortly, but when the bill for 2 x lime cordials (as in a glass with water, some ice, a dash of lime cordial from a plastic bottle, and carbonated tap water from the coke machine, not a bottle of mineral water) came out, it was �5.20 for 2 glasses. �2.60 a glass. I�ve had cheaper pints of beer, and a lot of beer is duty & tax. I can�t believe it cost them more than 15p, which is why in most pubs it�s like 50p or �1.
Ridiculously over-priced drinks, combined with rather surly service, meant we just enjoyed our soft drinks and skipped lunch and beer. The food looked quite nice, but I don�t appreciate being RIPPED OFF for soft drinks, so they can forget my business in future.
If you are looking for recommendations of pubs in Croperdy, do yourself a favour, save some money, and go elsewhere�
1 Aug 2011 16:26
The Minster Tavern, Ely
This place always seems a bit dark and dingy inside. It's the kind of pub where old men arrive before lunch and go home when there dinner's ready at night.
13 Sep 2012 10:53