BITE user comments - celt7
Comments by celt7
We walked in, got to the bar, looked at each other and without a word turned and walked out. And yes we felt like the mam and dad too!
13 Oct 2011 09:58
The Brownswood Park Tavern, Finsbury Park
Has been completely revamped and gone quite 'gastro-pubby' if we can still use that term! The revamp will divide punters I am sure as there is a very different feel to the place. The upstairs room is light and airy and there were lots of people eating. The main improvement is the beer garden at the back - it's huge, better furnished and is a much nicer space. I am sure there will be lots said about it and for what it's worth i liked the old pub but understand why it has gone the way it has - they need to make money - and will carry on going.
13 Oct 2011 09:55
Wonderful. wonderful, wonderful - lovely little pub with customers and staff who know how to make someone feel at home. Well worth the 'journey' to get there.
13 Oct 2011 09:39
This could be a nice pub, nice space, situated centrally but constant turnover of passing through staff let it down - they don't know what they are doing, not very knowledgable (helps to have trained them in how to work the till) and really have a 'shrugging shoulders' attitude. Actually felt sorry for the duty manager yesterday on a busy lunchtime trying to cope with yet another new member of staff who just hadn't a clue.
13 Oct 2011 09:34
The Marlborough Arms, Tottenham Court Road
Wow - have just read the last review. I can happily report that it all seems to have dramatically changed. Started visiting in last two months but have worked in the area for three years - so know the other bars well and can compare. Great staff, girl I spoke to the other day said she has been there a couple of weeks, was smiley, happy and knew her stuff. New manager it seems and a much happier place, quick service, food seems to whizz out. All in all seems that they got rid of previous team and brought in new blood.
20 May 2011 17:39
Re-opened last month after a big refurb. Perfectly pleasant to look at and nicely decorated, but prices all shot up ... the food menu has been altered ie smaller tapas style ideas and higher prices. Usually empty lunchtimes during the week.
20 May 2011 17:31
The Edinburgh Cellars, Newington Green
Been back twice since last post and food still very good. As Imp says a little dearer than you might expect but having eaten there three times I can say really fresh, quality ingredients. The reason I have been back is simply had out of town mates staying and they wanted somewhere for nice relaxed lunch. Can't comment on beers as have stuck to wine and vodka so far but getting busier and deserves to do well.
20 May 2011 17:22
The Edinburgh Cellars, Newington Green
Ignore last post - I am always very dubious about people who have only one post to their name and it's slagging off a bar and praising the nearest rivals!
Anyway they have just started serving food, it was fantastic if anyone can remember the late lamented Centuria on the Balls Pond Road in it's heyday it's like that. Staff couldn't have been nicer and friendlier.
The refurb looks great and this pub deserves to be a success, it's clean, welcoming and it will definitely do well.
26 Apr 2011 16:15
Was in yesterday late afternoon (Bank Holiday Monday) and it was just horrid - two barmaids who really didn't have a clue, the place could do with a clean, they hadn't switched the toilet lights on - I saw a couple of people have to go and ask for them to do it - at 4pm! I mean I wouldn't have liked to seen the state of floor. Desperately wants to be in Hoxton - such a shame as I remember it ten years ago as somewhere you actually wanted to have a drink. There are plenty of other pubs in area ... avoid.
26 Apr 2011 16:09
Have to say tend only to nip in on a Sunday pre cinema usually for cheap food as well and on whole always find it to be clean, plenty of staff about and not really much of a wait at bar. Probably very different on Friday/Saturday nights but worth a look for quick drink at quieter times.
12 Apr 2011 17:09
Beauty is but skin deep as they say and this very much a case in point. Looks good but unhelpful, surly staff who look at you as if you should be grateful they have acknowledged your presence far less offered to serve you.
12 Apr 2011 16:54
Have to say been in several times over last six months and always found staff and management to be pleasant, happy to serve you and chat. Food good and decent price. Some people may be unhappy because an old style boozer pre football is what they want but this caters for everyone.
12 Apr 2011 16:49
The Swan and Edgar, Marylebone
Met there for a birthday last weekend. Possibly the worst service I have encountered in years. It's a tiny pub two barmaids on and yet having gone upstairs to prebooked table after 30 mins had to go downstairs and say we were ready to order. Food took forever to come, though was very nice. Once every half hour a barmaid would appear and ask 'more wine' and make no effort to clear plates.
Was very quiet for a Saturday night which is a shame.
I suppose most damning thing is that I wouldn't recommend it to anyone which is disappointing as expected much more.
I predict will be converted back into a house within next 12 months if that standard is kept up.
13 Oct 2010 13:10
Definitely found it's feet again after a dodgy spell - temp manager maybe? - Staff try their best and always full of characters.
17 Sep 2010 17:16
I live round the corner but have only been in a couple of times.
It's a nice normal old style local. Staff from the tube station (Turnpike Lane) drink in here and most of punters are locals. Staff always friendly and smiling, small outside area at back for smokers.
It's really just fantastic to have a normal pub where you can sit and have a drink and chat.
17 Sep 2010 17:09
Now reopened as Tee's Wine Bar! Same clientele but stranger decor
17 Sep 2010 17:06
The Rising Sun, Tottenham Court Road
If you have to use this pub try between 12-2pm weekdays it is usually empty so quick service - all the others in the area are usually full with people who work in the area but we all avoid this one. We normally nip in for a bottle of wine - they can't get that too wrong.
Re the comments about the staff - there is one dark haired barman with a goatee who has a terrible attitude. We too have had run ins but he seems to be senior and never works lunch hours - hurray.
Though he was around last week telling staff about how drunk he had been the night before and couldn't remember getting home. Classy.
The rest of the staff are very nice and it's okay if you want a quick drink - but avoid otherwise.
17 Sep 2010 17:02
Was in here today and met new manager - really nice bloke who is taking an interst in the place. Food was fantastic, nice atmosphere and welcoming. Hope it continues as early this summer it was terrible.
16 Dec 2009 17:59
They stop serving lunch at 230pm prompt except on Sundays. Was in on aSaturday recently and disappointed to find no food at 245pm ... weekdays I can understand it but Saturday? Looks nice but not particularly welcoming ... maybe it's because we weren't local.
8 Jun 2009 11:09
Two years on from the last post ... what has happened ... last visits have been completely underwhelming, went in on a Sunday night - as usual restaurant empty, bar less than half full but for some reason the staff wouldn't serve on one side. Very, very disappointing and to be honest only reason we tried on Saturday was the Railway Tavern was mobbed!
27 May 2009 14:23
The Theodore Bullfrog, Charing Cross
Agree with previous posters ... feels like a typical 'close to train station' bar - after work crowd sinking a few before going home. Doesn't open Sunday's. Bit dull really.
27 May 2009 14:07
At the risk of upsetting everyone who has a problem with chains pubs ... this is actually quite a decent place. I will qualify that by saying I am coming at it from the point of view of needing somewhere for a glass of wine, decent food and a sit down on a Saturday/Sunday afternoon when everywhere else in the area is packed. Food well cooked and drinks fine.
However, weekday nights and especially Friday the place is rammed with people getting hammered after the office ... best to save it for weekend when you are taking elderly parents etc out for a quick drink.
27 May 2009 14:00
Interesting that the previous poster registered as a member left this message and nothing since ... personally don't recognise the place from his descriptioon but then I'm not staff or management there.
24 Feb 2009 16:28
Booth's Cafe Bar, Stoke Newington
Just horrible - can't really say more than that. Such a waste of a potentially great space.
23 Feb 2009 14:21
The Florence Tavern, Islington
Was in the other night and it was fantastic, warm, freindly - really nice Scottish girl behind the bar. Busy but not overly so and everyone seemed happy.
23 Jan 2009 13:42
Fantastic food and great service. It really is a restaurant that you can have a drink in, nice in summere to sit at tables outside but have to say no somewhere you would pop into for a pint with mates. Visit if you want really good food though.
23 Jan 2009 13:23
Food fine, apparently about to change hands, hopefully new management will install a little atmosphere.
4 Dec 2008 16:30
Went in last night and sad to say attitude of staff hasn't changed. After waiting 10/15 mins (it was not busy) asked for a pint and glass of white wine ... 'What kind of wine?' was the reply ... fair enough ... 'What have you got?' ...'Chardonnay' ... 'Anything else?' .... 'No' (with a smirk and real ha ha see what I did attitude and glance to the punter next to us).
So we turned and walked out ... this was actually me giving the place one last chance ... it's all very well hiring the barstaff because they appeal to a core punter, but to be honest they need to actually behave with courtesy to the customers who are maybe less likely to but them a drink every round.
The venue itself has a lot of potential ... though the toilets could do with cleaning up ... it needs a new broom in there who will make sure everyone is catered for.
4 Dec 2008 16:22
Woodins Shades, Liverpool Street
Was in Sunday lunchtime, great scampi and chips, as with most places nowadays the house wine was unavailable and so was the next cheapest ... getting to be an interesting ploy to encourage us to spend. Was very busy but pleasant pub and great people watching from windows. You wouldn't go out of your way to visit but pelasant enough.
24 Nov 2008 16:06
I wish I had read these comments before visiting. Went to see a mate who was in a short play on Saturday afternoon. The rugby was on but it wasn't mobbed. After 10 minutes queuing at the bar the barmaid, who bless her hadn't a clue, glanced at me and then served someone else ... he had just walked to the bar, myself and the two guys either side looked at each other in disbelief. I walked out and across the road and bought a bottle of water.
Have to say that the ten minutes watching operations behind the bar was hilarious. As well as forementioned barmaid there was a barman who had all the time in the world and wandered slowly back and forth with no sense of urgency.
However, my favourite was the completely confused looking studenty lad who seemed to be in charge of taking food from the kitchen to the punters. He had to ask someone behind the bar everytime where to take the food and I did watch him spend at least 2 minutes stanidng with a plate of chips looking utterley bewildered - eventually a woman waved at him said 'i think those are for us - but they're part of a bigger order' his response 'this is all that's ready' - she didn't smile.
Avoid this place at all costs - shame because a nice looking place from outside.
24 Nov 2008 15:51
Decent enough pub with friendly staff. Only query is why the special offer wine is never available ... at leats not on the last three occasions I have been in. If you are going to pride yourselves on these offers then make sure punters can get them.
6 Oct 2008 17:05
The Famous Cock Tavern, Islington
Since refurb is very nice, great for meeting mates in. Single female friends more than happy to pop in there to wait on their own rather than stand at station. Clean, nice food, decent wine. Staff polite and friendly. Mobbed on matchdays but then so are most of the pubs in the area.
6 Oct 2008 17:04
I think the reviews below explain why it has closed down!
6 Oct 2008 16:58
Wandered in on a Sunday recently coming back from Crouch End. Nice enough place, much bigger than you expect, clean and decently priced. Not sure how welcome we were as not regulars, glowers from couple of people at bar, but then every pub has a couple of people like that. Not really inspiring enough for a return visit.
6 Oct 2008 16:53
The Hen and Chickens, Islington
Has a really nice atmosphere now. Mixed crowd and the staff are really friendly and happy to serve you - a pleasant change from the horror that is the Alwynne Castle down the road.
24 Jul 2008 14:28
Do the staff actually care about serving customers - have now officially given up on this place which is a shame as the food has really improved. However, sick of standing at bar waiting for some affected pseudo-student type wander about behind not bothering to serve as they have a cappucino to make for a mate. Last time I was in Sunday afternoon, not overtly busy but watched five or six people give up at bar and leave pub before we followed ... there were four people behind bar, one making that coffee, one serving and two chatting to each other very obviously avoiding catching the eyes of the drinkers.
11 Jun 2008 17:34
To be honest doesn't put me up or down, the refurb is overdue and works well, staff are pleasant enough. It still seems pricey to me though.
11 Jun 2008 17:28
Going downhill again, it seems to be up for sale again ... why doesn't someone buy it - spend a bit of money, take it slightly more upmarket - and by that I mean toilets that work!
11 Jun 2008 17:13
The Railway Tavern, Crouch End
Was in yesterday for Sunday lunch. The place has been completely revamped. The TV and pool table have gone and the decor freshened up. Quite a few people in and the food was amazing, huge portion, fresh ingredients and really nice menu. In the evening the menu changes to a lighter tapas style with a few trusted mains as well. I had a huge burger with masses of salad and 'rustic fries', my mate had a veggie thing involving mushrooms which she raved about. Definately worth checking out as not too busy, nice unobtrusive music and good atmosphere.
14 Apr 2008 17:08
Have to be honest - it's got better. Think smoking ban helped (controversial to say I know!). Staff much improved in past six months. Punters are the usual strange mix but its cheap and cheerful - there are far worse places.
4 Mar 2008 16:03
Very variable in there, lunchtimes very nice chilled out. Some evenings absolutely awful as the music is far too loud, actually saw several couples and groups finish drinks and leave as it was blasting out so badly the other night and this was after the barman had been asked several times by different people to drop noise. HAving said that on other nights perfectly okay. Maybe it depends on who is doign which shift.
21 Aug 2007 09:56
Don't tell anyone about this place. Some negative comments below but I didn't know about it untill early July, just moved to work in Charing Cross and a mate who knew the area took me there. Since then been back many times usually between 6-8pm weekdays ... easy to get a seat and the service is quick. Very popular with ENO/Coliseum staff ... it is a real haven from the hell that are the pubs in the area which are on the whole full of tourists and noisy afterwork people - nothing against them but when you just want a drink and a chat this place is ideal.
21 Aug 2007 09:54
Been completely refurbished and been reopened for about a month. Really gone to town on the menu which is a huge improvement.
15 Jun 2007 11:51
Truly bizarre experience ... was in on weekday lunchtime with a mate as had been to the post office next door and reckoned we would grab a drink rather than hurry back to office. Has so much potential ... hopefully it will be refurbished and become somewhere people want to go to. Ideal location.
7 Mar 2007 18:51
Been in a couple of times daytime on Saturdays ... seems a really nice pub ... not eaten there but the portions looked good and everyone seemed to tuck in. Great to see the original features and bar too.
7 Mar 2007 18:19
Walked in here at 12 noon on Saturday with a mate looking for something light to eat. After sitting down we were told that brunches were off as they didn't have all the ingredients. Now brunches are not difficult and there is a Tesco 200m away and a M&S 50m away. The place had about ten customers at the time and six staff, you would have thought the manager would have had the sense to send someone out for the eggs/sausages/mushrooms whatever? As there was nothing else my veggie mate fancied on the menu, we left and they lost about �30. There are plenty of places to eat and drink in this neck of the woods - might explain why it is empty though.
7 Mar 2007 17:29
The Florence Tavern, Islington
Embarrassed to say that having lived in the surrounding area for 14 years have only just visited this one. Me and mates really impressed, barmaids were really helpful and smiled (a rarity in a lot of places nowadays). Had a nice atmosphere and was really busy (Wednesday night about 10pm) ... we were just so pleased to find a normal bar in the vicinity of Upper Street which is gettign worse by the day.
10 Dec 2006 12:08
The Stapleton Tavern, Finsbury Park
Have been in here once 18 months ago for a Sunday lunch it was fine and I might pop back just to see the relaunch which has caused so much debate. One thing don't refer to other reviewers as "freaks" because their view is different to yours ... especially if your post is anonymous. It doesn't show the pub in a good light far less yourself.
5 Nov 2006 16:32
Me and a mate have watched the Grand National in here for the last five years, one of the worst things about her moving to Edinburgh is that we can't do it anymore ... it's a fantastic pub and a great crowd. Evenings are smoky crowded but fun - what pubs used to be like.
5 Nov 2006 15:57
Went in here for the first time yesterday lunchtime (Saturday). Fantastic to see all the orginal features, staff were pleasaant and service was quick ... tables were constantly being cleaned and empty glasses removed as tables became free. Food looked decent enough and seemed reasonably priced. Restaurant side was busy and overall liked the place. However suffered from that perennial problem ... bloody kids running around .. if your brats can't sit still on a seat for the duration of a meal don't take them into what is principally an adult environment. I have no problem with kids being taken out if they can behave if not take them to Pizza Hut, McDonalds or some such establishment ... there's nothing worse for the rest of us than having to put up with the shrieks of little Tabitha and Josh. Rant over.
5 Nov 2006 15:39
Decent pub and none of the usual Islington style attitude. Handy for the tube, good place to meet people.
29 Oct 2006 20:58
I have also moved further away from this little gem but when I get back nothing has changed, still same friendly atmosphere, great staff and decently priced drinks. So un-Islington its amazing.
29 Oct 2006 20:44
Lot of students true ... but I was one once and am sure probably had nights where I was as loud and pretentious. Really hit or miss place but the staff try and the toilets are clean - which is unusual in Islington!
29 Oct 2006 20:39
The Hen and Chickens, Islington
�5.10 for a glass of wine!! Usually it's a buy two glasses and get the rest of the bottle job in here - you must have ben done. Nice pub to have a couple of drinks in on Sundays. Busy in the evenings and keep an eye on who's appearing upstairs at the theatre, quite a few comedians have played here on there way to the obligatory C4 show.
29 Oct 2006 20:37
Have to say this is possibly the grubbiest Wetherspoons I have ever been in. Dirty glasses, manky toilets, staff not fussed at all - but then looking at the state of most of the customers I understand their apathy. Stay home with something from the local off licence.
29 Oct 2006 20:15
Upstairs has had the most hideous redecoration ever seen .... ruined the whole look of what was a traditional, comfortable pub. Still spectacularly busy which at least means most of the decor is hidden.
29 Oct 2006 20:07
The Pig and Butcher, Islington
I remember when it was Minogues - run by the wonderful Ethel and the place to go on Sunday for brunch which always developed into an all day session.
23 Oct 2006 01:37
The Captains Cabin, Piccadilly
Food may not be great but ideal hidden little pub in centre of town... the tourist's haven't found it and neither have the Saturday in town brigade. Wine by the bottle very good and great value. Miserable barmaid has gone! When you just want a sit down, a bit of peace and a drink after hitting the shops its perfect.
19 Oct 2006 11:21
Ruined is an understatement .... I went into shock ... revisiting old student haunts (I am talking 17 years ago) I walked into something that looks like an American idea of a golf-themed bar ... it is horrid ... truly horrid . Euurrgghh.
16 Oct 2006 17:32
Thank god for a decent pub in the area. It is packed with Arsenal fans on matchdays as they all are, but attracts a relaxed mixed crowd rest of the time. Nice atmosphere and friendly staff.
16 Oct 2006 17:06
The William Morris, Merton Abbey Mills
Don't ever try to order food during a lunchtime ... you can wait an hour! Okay weekday evening for a quick afterwork drink but on the whole this place needs closing down and revamping ... the potential is huge.
13 Oct 2006 10:41
Nice enough to meet in and grab a quick bottle of wine - but in recent months service plummeted. Staff can't be bothered prefering to gossip at end of bar and make sure you check what they charge you.
13 Oct 2006 10:36
Visit West Bridgford a lot to see friends and often pop in, usually tended to be when it was quieter on Saturday mid-afternoon ... was in last time on a Saturday night - busy, friendly and clean. Worth a drink.
10 Oct 2006 11:21
The Rising Sun, Tottenham Court Road
15 months on and what a change about 5 months ago new management took over after stream of temps (he came from The Stage Door in Victoria and brought his head barmaid too) and now really busy. Staff remember regulars - on TCR a miracle - are pleasant and service far better.
Still can be packed out with toursit parties having a meal early evening but that's a minor niggle.
Definitely worth popping in.
24 Feb 2012 16:12