BITE user comments - boforbill
Comments by boforbill
Now gone a little upmarket and called The Merchant House
18 Sep 2014 11:24
Closed, no great loss but rumours in town of Mike Purchase (owner of Golden Lion) refurbing and re-opening, however also rumours of Wetherspoons sniffing around so the re-furb may never happen
18 Sep 2014 11:22
Am not a local but a 'manc' who left to join the military in 1969. Daughter now lives just round the corner. As said - am not a local but made to feel welcome by 'locals and staff' alike
15 Dec 2013 20:01
Went to this 'spoons last night with 3 other oldies for a few beers and eats before staying at local Travelodge. Typical 'spoons fare, slightly disappointed with beer choice (London Pride, Abbot, Broadside, Spitfire and one other) but staff very friendly and we loved the little 4-man cubbyholes. Feel slightly guilty about not supporting other pubs in the town, but as we were only in MH for one night and we had a thrifty Yorkshireman with us (is that racist?) 'spoons won the day. As gluttons for punishment we also returned the next day for good value breakfast! Would score this pub higher if beer choice on our visit was a bit more imaginative.
10 Dec 2013 14:37
Went here for a new dining experience, food cooked by yourself on a 420 deg C 'hot rock' so no complaints about under/over cooking. Not the cheapest of places at �10-�20 (fillet steak) a portion, but these are big lumps of meat! 3 real ales with an ever changing beers on show. Was a bit boisterous during our visit but considering the Champions League final was on and it is the village pub, everything was fine. As for previous comments ref charity event, I would have thought that was to be expected as people who do these events are all in it together!
20 May 2012 20:45
The Feathers Hotel, Dersingham
Went to the Feathers last weekend during our stay at Dersingham. Looked on BITE before going and was suprised to see pub nothing like previous reviews. On speaking to Chris the landlord found he had been in just over a year and between him and the much maligned Punch Taverns has spent circa �200,000 on improvements with more to come. If points were awarded on enthusiasm of the landlord this place would rate 10/10. OK food wasn't quite up to scratch (the beef and ale pie crust was hard) Chris gracefully acknowledged this and told us it was being removed from the menu, if you think this is harsh bear in mind one of our group was a chef with over 40 years experience. The rest of the dining experience was excellent, can recommend the pan seared liver. Beer at the time of our visit was Adnams Broadside, Ghost Ship (lovely) and Wherry very well looked after, only criticism was service could be slow in the back to back bars. Chris admitted he was struggling to find staff and adjust the correct levels. All in all, a pub to be proud of in a small rural village.
20 May 2012 20:34
Visited this pub yesterday on way home from short break in Norwich (see Royal Oak in Poringland). Fully endorse previous comments except one of our party thought the food a tad pricey (�9.95 for fish and chips) - well he is from Yorkshire! Actually one of our party has the aforementioned fish and chips and it was well worth it, massive bit of fish, lovely chips etc. All other food we had was excellent and good value for the area. Cheers!
17 Feb 2012 13:18
Welcoming pub, just the job after a round of golf or other physical exercise. 6+ real ales on + 4 ciders. Good supporter of local ales and ciders. Plenty of local photos and memorabilia to please those who get fed up with endless twee horse brasses. If there is a downside there is no food, but............there is an (unconnected) superb chippy next door - the landlords will allow you to bring their wares in and scoff to your heart's content as long as you tidy up after yourself. Best of British compromises!
17 Feb 2012 11:50
Went last sat before help for heroes rugby. As expected v busy and crowded. Real ale choice good and well kept. Food however overpriced and miniscule portions (chunky chips? bits out of the bottom of a mc'cains bag more like) 20Ps worth of food charging �2.50 -�3.00 is taking the mick. Want feeding? try the subway opposite.
5 Dec 2011 10:53
Good pub, friendly staff and good interesting menu. Range of six ales on offer - mostly from local larger breweries. Over 70 gins on offer which, if the landlady is behind the bar, you can have the whole nine yards about the histories and 'tasting notes' of any gin featured. Atmosphere very comfortable, great place to rest after a hard days golf on the local course. Highly recommended, maybe good do with a more adventurous ale portfolio to keep their heads above the rival pubs in the area
21 Sep 2011 11:59
This pub could have so much going for it because even tho' I live less than 400 yds away I'd rather walk the mile and a bit into St Ives. Thought things would get better after recent refurbishment a couple of years ago when apart from the usual Bombardier, GK IPA and GK Abbott, TT Landlord and some other tasty guests were on display. This didn't last long as pub now back to 1st 3 of beers mentioned + maybe London Pride or Tiger. Last time I went (a fortnight ago) the place was busy with the guy behind the bar rushed off his feet. When I asked for peanuts, told they'd 'run out mate'. How can a pub run out of basics like that? Also sus about handpumps as when serving my London Pride the barman just pulled the handpump once and left the glass to fill itself. I may be being unfair, is this a dispense system I don't know about or is it an electric metered pump?
28 Mar 2011 21:59
Further to my post of 29 Jan 11 ref price of beer. I was being a bit unfair - there is usually a 'credit crunch' real ale which is 50p cheaper than the other ales. Also the pub runs a token scheme between 1700 and 1900 during the week, basically between these times, when a pint is purchased you get a 50p 'Olly' token as well as your normal change. These 'Ollies' can be spent at any time - not just during the promotion times.
14 Feb 2011 09:28
Kings of the Belgians, Huntingdon
Agree with above post, good well kept ales) (3) ever changing and always in good conditon. Refreshing to have a pub with to separate bars (although one is more for those eating). Cheap in comparison with other pubs in local area.
29 Jan 2011 20:57
Good local street corner boozer, mixed range of clientele 3 regular real ales (adnams broadside, oakham jhb and woodfordes wherry + 3 guests). Good inventive food and choice of other beers. Downside is price of beer in what is an expensive area anyway.
29 Jan 2011 20:52
The Falcon Tavern, Huntingdon
Re-opened just before Christmas 2014. 15, yes 15 real ales on tap - most from Northants with 5 from the Marstons stable. Owner has a couple of similar pubs in Northants. No food as yet but is planned in the not to distant future. Quiet on weekday eves but busy weekends. No music or pub games (darts etc) just a place to have a drink. Most beers between £2.75 and £3.20. Up to 10 ciders served from the barrel and with only one lager on sale this is the pub to visit in Huntingdon if you like your beer.
17 Feb 2015 20:08