The Uplands Bar and Brasserie, East Dulwich

jeez bertrand, you shouldn't let your dog use the computer

18 Feb 2008 15:24

The Crown and Sceptre, Shepherds Bush

I have a big soft spot for the Crown and Sceptre but I've got a very important piece of advice for anyone who wants to eat there... don't go on match day.

I also love football and even to an extent QPR so to me it seems unfair that they should lower their standards just because the place is crowded - but they do.

We had had several excellent meals here but when visiting on a busy match day the 'food' we were served showed utter contempt, it was an inedible disgrace. I had even sensed the panic in the kitchens and ordered a simple fry up, but it was utterly disgusting with clearly salvaged lamb sausages, uncooked bacon and unsalted eggs. When we were asked by our waitress if the food was OK we said no, it was not, and she just shrugged. Why ask?

I do sympathise having worked in bars affected by football crowds but what they should do is simplify the menu - not serve shit on a plate.

27 May 2007 18:22

The Tabard, Turnham Green

I love this pub, it rocks bells. Quiet, friendly, efficient and basically perfect for a proper session on the beer. The food is boring but then, any proper session around this corner of London deserves to get crowned with an Andy's Kebab.

4 Jan 2007 16:47

Nambucca, Upper Holloway

flipping good, it may offend some ear drums but this place has a couple of regular acts who represent just about the best folk you could hope to catch in this country. it might be a bit of a cult venue, and yes it's noisy, but that sound that you think is distracting from your real ale is great music, and those kids you think are a giggling clique of coke heads know more about guitars and lyrics than you will ever know about barrels, pipes and the correct procedures for storing and serving old ale.

3 Jan 2007 18:06

The Oxford, Kentish Town

Went here on a Saturday night for a surprise party, the pub coped really well with a big crowd of loud drinkers and they have great music but when we ordered food it all went pear shaped. The food took about an hour and a half to arrive despite the group sitting down in three seperate easy to manage tables of 6. The staff were completely frazzled and forgot many things - BUT they had the decency to apologise. However when it came time to pay my table asked for a discount or a free bottle of house red since we'd been waiting so ling and had the worng food served. Cue the manageress coming out from behind the bar and shouting at us. She called one of our party 'stupid' when he made a funny joke about the situation, he was actually trying to make light of her terrible attitude.

The food was delicious - but incredibly slow. The manageress is an idiot. I have run bars before... if I caught myself using foul language at a customer I would kick my own ass then sack myself.

20 Nov 2006 12:11