BITE user comments - djugly
Comments by djugly
Obviously been renovated by all accounts, nicely tidied up and swept out - menu is fantastic quality and value, astute in its targets and utilising british and farmed fare - the carvery is probably the best in brum for value and quality, at under 7 quid - no heat lamped veg here, always fresh and different to the usual wilted broccoli - variety of meat and complimentary menu - pies are daily and wonderful
17 Oct 2008 20:22
Agree with other posts it's a clean friendly and welcoming spoons. We were travelling back down from Liverpool and knackered so were last minuted to the Brocket Hotel - �48 for the night, comfy well equipped room, with a bath. And to my eternal delight we could go for a curry and pint downstairs and then come back to bed! Dream stuff. The pub itself was rammed as it was a bank holiday but we were served promptly and the hotel is detached enough not to be too noise polluted. After a decent kip it was breakfast and for a few quid each you can't get much better.
28 Jun 2008 15:34
The New Billesley, Kings Heath
Having attempted to book the function room for a wedding reception, when we turned up to view the manager wasn't available despite having made an appointment. We were shown the function rooms about 45 minutes later by the slightly bemused bar maid - the rooms were untidy and we were informed that we would have to use both inhouse catering (fair enough) and inhouse djs for �50 an hour! Don't think so. Despite leaving my number, noone has called back so with that in mind, if the Billesley is keen to turn down business and the new managers ethic is to leave jobs either half finished then good luck to them. I won't be returning. Shame really, you would think that for a new venture they'd be pulling out all the stops and that includes making sure the toilets are up to a standard better than that of a spit and saw dust dump, and cleaning the tagging off the brickwork.
28 Jun 2008 15:18
The New Billesley, Kings Heath
Nice refurb and friendly staff - gaffers are a mother and daughter team - I think the refurb is a work in progress cos the bogs are still a bit of a dump, but the overall choice of decor is smart and very trendy. Such a contrast with the flea pit it was before the smoking ban. The 2 for 1 food offer is worth it, but if you were eating solo for whatever reason it would be steep. A few teething problems it seems with the ordering system, our pudding never arrived cos the kitchen staff didn't know which printer to look at. But the very apologetic manager brought it out and refunded us so props to her. Recommend a visit
6 Jun 2008 18:56
It's been done out about a year ago, polished and washed after the fag ban. Always family oriented but good for a couple of pints of their various ales. Next to the canal and infamous for where Tracey Andrews and her murdered boyfriend used to drink. Menu is predictable and food is a tad on the crap side.
1 Mar 2008 21:18
It's recently had a lick of paint and they do great meat pie. And you can watch people on barges arse about raising the draw bridge as they chug past on the canal. Depends when you go as to the retard quotient.
1 Mar 2008 21:09
Yeah nice carvery, well priced. Not many retards in there and much preferable to the pack horse
1 Mar 2008 21:04
Far from being like a straw dogs kind of place, can't really fault the lion - it's not too pricey, the setting is great in the summer, good ambiance and prompt service. Worth a drive out for.
1 Mar 2008 21:02
Recently refurbed, without gutting the place, just looks a bit snazzier - still reasonably priced scran having just treated me mum for lunch. Friendly staff too. Good to see a bar on Broad St that isn't imminently shutting down and with a bit of class.
28 Feb 2008 19:04
The Goose At The OVT, Selly Oak
I used to drink here when I lived in Selly oak, never a bad atmosphere - little friction that I could detect between locals and students. Bit of a dive as you'd expect from a goose with a smattering of hard core jakeys inside and out, mixed with young waffley uni types. But I wouldn't make a trek to visit it now, I'm sure it's still sound
28 Feb 2008 18:41
This should be the pub beacon of Kings Heath, except for the all new Hare and Hounds. Its not changed much over the years, offers loads of entertainment as others have said. Even though I'm Kings Heath born(ish) and bred, I've never really taken to this place but give it a go
28 Feb 2008 18:34
It's a big old warehouse of a pub - Decent staff crew, except for one rude gobby bar maid - maybe I just don't get her attempts at irony or humour.
Usual spoons fare, food fairly standard, usual mix of red faced men and women, big family section although on occasion kids have spilled out into the pub bit. Dark and a bit soulless even for a spoons and I always end up squinting into the light when I come out although thats day drinking for you. There are two bus stops right outside so if you time it wrong you have to push through a gauntlet of school kids to get in or out
28 Feb 2008 18:31
The Navigation Inn, Kings Norton
This is the sort of pub that feels sticky - atmospherically, on the seats, on the tables... it's kind of local but I went in for one after the Kings Norton mop and it took about 20 minutes to get served despite it not being too busy and there being a few bar staff on. Can't be arsed to go back
28 Feb 2008 18:21
I was driving past this place a few weekends ago and there was "surprise surprise" a fight spilling out onto the street at about 10.30 pm. Loads of young lads and screaming girls. I used to come to the Hib a few years ago quite frequently when I lived in Selly Oak as it was a mates local and it was good craic. Good for watching rugby and footie and that and a good mix of clientelle. I went in a few months ago when I was having my car valeted round the corner and it was dire. It was dirty and looked really neglected - as did some of the dudes in there. We walked out after about 30 seconds. Shame
28 Feb 2008 17:58
Also, the breakfasts have gone downhill which was the justification for going in and having to have a pint at 10 am on a saturday, surrounded by pensioners and jakeys
28 Feb 2008 17:44
Its not that bad.. food is good value and it doesn't fill up before 8. But I wouldn't go out of my way for it but if you're local its fine. My only gripe is that it still has a not trainers policy at night upheld by a rock headed door man. Dick
29 Jan 2008 09:33
The Clifton Inn, Balsall Heath
Can't believe noones reviewed this place. It's good and warm, decent landlord and staff (alebit a year ago..)
CLifton for a few drinks then go for a balti!!
29 Jan 2008 09:29
The Malt Shovel, Balsall Heath
It was quiet when I went there last summer, beer garden was good and big but had a couple of nutters out there which prompted a quick drink up
29 Jan 2008 09:26
The Victoria Inn, Balsall Heath
Been here a couple of times when I lived round the corner - felt a bit like someones front room, quite a welcoming atmosphere and a mixed smattering of locals having the craic. Beer nowt special but worth a quick visit if you're passing through Balsall Heath
29 Jan 2008 09:23
Old Moseley Arms, Balsall Heath
I agree that this is a fine pub, tucked away half a mile out of moseley village and worth finding. Little bit pokey but always a pleasant and warm atmosphere, never know it rammed though.
29 Jan 2008 09:20
Have come here a few times over the years for gigs and that, but I agree that its noisy otherwise and a bit scruffy even by moseley standards.
29 Jan 2008 09:17
Two poor quality and expensive meals in the space of a year, a real let down since it was taken over.
28 Jan 2008 18:34
The Coach and Horses, Weatheroak Hill
Love it, just 10 minutes drive out of south Brum and its a real gem. Good scran and a micro brewery too
28 Jan 2008 18:32
Nice little place, same bunch of locals for years despite management changes. I used to drink in there regularly about 10 years ago and not much has changed since it opened. Tasty pies although the menu is a bit basic but its cheap enough and theres a fairly decent range of beers. There's a large covered decked area out the front for the smokers which is good in summer. But be warned, the main bar is haunted by a consistent pong presumably from the sewers which can be a bit off putting.
28 Jan 2008 18:13
Goose on Two Streets, Kings Heath
I think its a dump but haven't seen the recent refurb so I'll withhold judgement. But it is a dump
28 Jan 2008 17:49
The Hare and Hounds, Kings Heath
Putting Kings Heath on the map! not as prententious as a Moseley joint and now that its had a wash and polish its probably the best looking pub for miles. Presumably the freaks and retards who frequented the hairy mound before its refurb have eloped to the goose up the road, leaving a fairly cool crowd without being too cool. Good sound system and venue upstairs, and a novel scran system of local takeaways delivering to the pub. I've not seen many people eating in there but as an eatery this would be so much more preferable to the goose
28 Jan 2008 17:47
I saw too much trouble in this place in the early 90's which was a shame, cos when it first opened it was a decent and safe place. I've probably been in twice in the last 10 years to have a sniff and nothing seems to be happening much. Maybe its the location, its neither Kings Heath or Moseley particularly
28 Jan 2008 17:28
Safe and busy atmosphere, decent regulars. I never tried the food though, it doesn't feel like an eatery. Good roomy venue upstairs. And if you remember the Traf as it was then this place is a jewel by comparison. But its layout makes it feel a bit stifled when its rammed and I always fancy moving on after a couple of beers to be honest.
28 Jan 2008 17:23
Good craic, bit smelly despite the fags ban and the last couple of times I've been its been quite empty. But if you know what to expect it's probably the best place in Moseley - safe and sound and a good standard of weirdos to talk to when your pished on a few ales. And Martin Mullaney hovers about too, presumably thinking up his next crazy YouTube antics
28 Jan 2008 17:16
Yeah it's a chain and in that respect, not very Moseley but its lasted and kept a loyal contingent of Carling guzzlers. And who ever went to an O'neills for a real Irish atmosphere anyway? The pubs clean, decent for a quiet pint or meeting matess and always good stew. But it does get rammed which means a bit of a wait on a saturday night, as expected.
28 Jan 2008 17:09
Can't be too harsh on this place, infinitely preferable to The Pear Tree as far as Spoons go. Never noticed any trouble here, it does get busy though and manages a balance between freaks, purple faced day drinkers and those in for an after work pint or on the way to Little Italy. But not my first port of call
28 Jan 2008 17:05
Can't take to this place, probably from an experience a couple of years ago when it was full of cocks. Nice enough refurb but maybe my face didn't fit
28 Jan 2008 16:58
Goose At The Fighting Cocks, Moseley
Depends what time and when you go as to service speed. If it's busy expect to wait a bit, it's that logical. Better atmosphere than the Cross and not a dump in the slightest. The novelty of its refurb may have worn off a bit and its quite amusing when the management have to write messages telling off those scamps who have nicked tasteless artwork from the bogs and board games.This place could have stayed a dump as some may wish but its worth trekking up to moseley for although now the Hare and Hounds in the Heath has had a wash my loyalty is divided.
28 Jan 2008 16:55
Typical ember inn, which isn't a bad thing. Very decent pies, quiet but generally a nice atmosphere and close enough to Moseley and Kings Heath without getting too rammed.
28 Jan 2008 16:43
The Station, Kings Heath
What's happened?? The Station is shut? What's the world coming to...
17 Nov 2008 10:33