BITE user comments - drambo
Comments by drambo
The William Web Ellis, Twickenham
OK, OK I won't disagree with the raft of comments about the poor bar service but the food service wasn't bad and how about some positive comments on the interior in this tardis of a pub?
When I was last in one lunctime the front part was full of pensioners enjoying the comfy padded arm chairs. And how about the impressive and atmospheric circular fireplace near the back of the pub? With gas prices being what they are these days that must cost a fortune to run!
Beer is decent and cheap, pub is smart and clean.
4 Jun 2008 00:11
The Plough and Harrow, Hammersmith
I'm a BIG fan of Wetherspoons, but this has to be my least favourite. It seems "soulless" and, in direct contrast to the previous comment, I always find it suprisingly dark and dreary inside - it feels as if some of the light bulbs are permanantly blown.
Sure it serves decent cheap real ales but that really doesn't redeem it. Please don't prejudge other Wetherspoons on the basis of this poor offering.
3 Jun 2008 23:58
Our favourite pub for Sunday lunches. We had one bad experience: service was appaulling when we made the mistake of visiting the Sunday just before St. Patrick's Day. Aside from that the service has always been perfect and the food excellent with the cauliflower cheese side dish always welcome. Portions are generous so if you don't think you can manage them order a kiddy portion instead - they don't mind. Puddings seem overpriced for what they are.
There's always three of well-kept real ales on offer, usually including one from the nearby Twickenham brewery.
Never experienced any clients that I'd call rowdy or uncouth. In fact many are friendly, even when we have a (well behaved) toddler in tow.
Small, neat and perfectly formed.
3 Jun 2008 23:43
Sought this pub put after it came out in the top 50 pubs in London in Time Out a few years back. Glad I did as it has become our not so local local. Aside from the wide and changing selection of real ales always on offer it is a real community pub with a local amateur theatre group.
Had been in need of a bit of TLC in recent years. Mercifully the reburb has been symathetic (aside formthe suspect baby boy blue ceiling in the lounge bar).
Attactive beer garden except when Heathrow inbound flight are directly overhead - they're so load you have to pause your conversations whilst they fly over.
The two annual beer festivals are worth attending.
3 Jun 2008 22:52
My local of the last six years, and I'm proud of it! Hidden down a quiet residential side street not far from the popular Globe it is well worth seeking out if you fancy a quieter pint. Being my local may make this next comment sound biased but believe me its not - friends have confirmed it time and time again: I HAVE YET TO ENCOUNTER A BETTER TASTING PINT OF LONDON PRIDE. I don't know what Diane's (the long-serving landlady) secret is but it tastes subtly sweeter than anywhere else. That said ALL the beers are well kept; my wife favours the Chiswick Best.
The interior is cosey, particularly if you can grab the sofas. For the most part is a quiet but on a couple of our recent visits jukebox has been a bit intrusive. Garden is attractive though like many has now been hijacked by the smokers. Good lunchtime food, but have yet to try the evening menu.
If you meet Bubbles the resident dog don't be disconcerted if you can't tell his which end is which - he tends to have one connected to the other most of the time!
Tends to offer seasonal beers when Fullers run these.
3 Jun 2008 22:31
The Magpie and Crown, Brentford
This pub is a bit of a paradox - for years I would travel past before I noticed it and even then it looked shut most of time. Whilst there's no denying that a refurb was needed, especially if it wanted to attract the new more affluent clientelle that was moving into the area, but I can't say its proved much of a success: removing the ornate surround above the bar was a mistake, painting the walls and ceiling pure white has made it too stark, and yet the one thing that really did need to go - the dodgy 70's gas fire - still remains!
Still, its a small price to pay for the decent selection of regularly changing real ales but the real attraction has to be the farmhouse scrumpy or cider that is often available.
The Thai restaurant is a nice touch, although the last dish I had was WAY too hot.
4 Jun 2008 00:41