BITE user comments - griffo59
Comments by griffo59
Used to be a vary characterful pub. Really traditional. But at some point (2009?) some interior designers got their mitts on it and turned it into a generic semi-trendy bar/eatery.
Nice rear garden.
Bar staff more concerned with watching the horse racing on the TV than serving on my last (and final) visit.
30 Jul 2011 19:00
The Mad Hatter Wine Bar, Cirencester
Never seems open whenever I pass by nowadays.
Used to pop in for the odd pint or glass of wine with the missus on Saturday shopping excursions. It had a nice, local scene then.
30 Jul 2011 18:55
Cirencester is pretty poor for town centre pubs and the Black Horse is no exception. It is about as average, by any metric, as any town pub, anywhere.
Characterless. Snooty service. Bland.
30 Jul 2011 18:53
Shame to see another pub go but the Rodourne hasn't been much of a pub for many years now. It looks a right eyesore all boarded up and derelict.
I don't think it fits Wetherspoons profile - too far out of town. Demolition is probably the kindest outcome for all concerned.
30 Jul 2011 18:37
The Plum Tree has now been taken over by Ringside Taverns - a new player in the pub game.
The place remains pretty much the same as ever. Neither particularly good nor bad. The 'unsavory bloke' is still there propping up the bar. Perhaps he's a major shareholder.
30 Jul 2011 18:27
I could not care less what their ale is like.
The sight of the 'clientele' swaying and staggering around outside this dive (on a weekday lunchtime) would prevent me from ever entering.
The dregs of humanity.
The could give the beer away and I still wouldn't go in.
15 Jul 2011 20:28
Unlike most of the pubs in the vicinity, the Manor Farm is a genuine old farmhouse which has been extended and converted into a rather nice pub restaurant.
Situated close to the Orbital shopping park, the Manor Farm is a welcome oasis away from the temples of mamon and consumerism on the other side of the road. I sometimes sit quietly here reading the paper while the missus abuses her credit facilities over the road.
The MF is a fairly large pub with a main bar area, dining area and some odd little rooms you can lurk in if you want a bit more privacy or (God knows why) want to play a fruit machine.
There is a large back garden which is lovely in the summer and als0 a good-sized outside seating area at the front. The pub is just off the main road and has an unnecessarly vast car park.
There are normally about 4 real ales available on the pull, and they have always been in good form on my visits. I generally stick to the Wychwood Hobgoblin which is tip-top.
The bar service is friendly and efficient and they always seem to have enough staff on to cover when they have an 'event' of any sort.
The food is good and reasonably priced for this type of establishment. They sometimes have good deals (e.g. free bottle of wine with two fillet steaks - type of thing).
The staff seem to work as a team and you see the same faces - unlike so many pubs where the staff churn endlessly.
The Manor Farm is a very good pub indeed and I highly recommend it if you are in the area.
15 Jul 2011 20:01
A large, busy, new pub near the Orbital shopping park on the north western corner of Swindon.
Nice enough, and done in the traditional style, but understandably a bit characterless. Bar service was efficient but rather impersonal.
Plenty of nice outside seating and interior very pleasant on the whole. The emphasis is mainly on food of course. This is pretty average fare (stale chips, overdone steak, mushrooms dripping with oil). Perhaps it was just an off day in the kitchen as I have heard good things from locals about the place.
Worth a look is you're passing.
Didn't try the ales but Thatchers Heritage cider was good, if you like that sort of thing.
15 Jul 2011 19:40
Huge pub. Extensive gardens helpfully segregated into kids and 'no kids' zones.
A typical 'spoons really, but very clean and tidy. Staff were nice, if spread a bit too thinly.
Good prices and ale was good. The food was tasty and fresh, if basic.
No complaints.
17 Jun 2011 20:35
Scotia001 below nails it: -
"The pub attempts to be all things for all customers, and fails by trying to meet too many customer profiles."
It's a typical 'IKEA Self-Assembly Pub'. Oozing with invented tradition, manufactured atmosphere, and artificial community (just like the Blunsdon Arms a mile or so away).
There was never a pub on this site before 2003(ish) - it was all green fields. The designers obviously wanted the Tawny Owl to exude 'character' and that goal might have been achieved had they not decided they wanted to attract pool playing lads AND slot-machine playing oafs AND, family diners with kids AND local chaps popping in for a swifty and a read of the paper.
The Tawny is ALL things to ALL customers but fails because of it.
On the plus side (yes there is a plus side): -
It is a large, clean, well maintained pub. I did not find the staff rude at all, but they were rather run off their feet so not much time for pleasantries. The place was busy on my mid-week lunch time visit so they must be doing something right.
Food was good, hot and prompt despite only one (very efficient) lady dealing with all the covers.
If they would get rid of the excessive gaming machines and odd gumball machines (in the lounge!) then this could be a very good pub indeed.
Ale selection is limited but in pretty good condition. I'm not an Arkels fan but I'm sure those who are won't be disappointed.
It's a fair pub. I'll go there again.
17 Jun 2011 20:07
Since my last review, I have been lucky enough to spend many hours in this pub. It really is one of the very best pubs that England has to offer in my experience.
I can be heaving in the summer and practically empty in the winter. But all year round you'll get a good welcome, lovely food and top ale.
Being where it is it's quite touristy and a must for the boating crowd on the Thames and is therefore not cheap.
In my mind, it's often worth paying a little more for a good experience and the Trout never falls short of expectations.
It's one of the best small venues for Jazz and other music in a very wide area (several counties).
1 Feb 2011 19:41
Recently revisited the S&D after a long absence. Weekday afternoon about 1pm-ish. The place was deserted, and a bit smelly!
Bar lady was very nice but was being distracted by some junior brewery manager type going through stock lists and so on.
Shame. This pub used to be fairly lively at lunch times. Seems like that trade is dying off as in so many other places.
Will give it a month or two and visit again. Maybe in the evening.
1 Feb 2011 19:28
A charmless, soulless, drinking shed popular with Giro Jims and young mums with yelling brats in perambulators.
On the plus side, the ales seem to be well kept and the bar service is fairly friendly and efficient. Also, it is never totally packed, unlike the Sir Daniel (which is a short stagger down Fleet Street).
It's ok for a quick pint or two.
1 Jan 2011 16:57
For interior comfort and atmosphere this is the best of the three 'Spoons in Swindon.
Over Christmas it was packed and the bar service was less than spectacular.
In the upstairs bar, the ales I tried were not quite on form and the Guinness was absolutely dire.
Hopefully standards will return to normal after the Christmas / New Year frenzy.
1 Jan 2011 16:50
The Old Vaults may not have bags of character but it's well managed with friendly and helpful bar staff. Clientele are all sorts but generally from the respectable end of the populace.
The food is pleasant enough, if unexciting. The Brains SA and Dark were in excellent order on my last visit.
A good pub to watch the rugby in.
Recommended.
7 Dec 2010 15:03
The Goat is a marvellous pub.
Traditional, friendly, nice mixed-age crowd of serious beer drinkers. Also very convenient and central.
SA Gold was particularly tasty on my last visit. I shall be visiting again soon. You can't go wrong with this one.
7 Dec 2010 14:55
A gay friend of mine call this place the 'Elephant's Graveyard' :)
8 Aug 2010 16:19
The Sir Alexander Fleming, Paddington
Seems to be full of depressive medics from St. Mary's a lot of the time. Souless and empty - even when it's full.
8 Aug 2010 16:16
The Monkey Puzzle is an old after-work haunt of mine. Hasn't changed much over the years. Pleasant and relaxed, if unremarkable.
@CKelly:
Well I for one am glad it's not "dog friendly". Why do you think you should be able to impose your foul smelly pet on everyone else. It's bad enough having to step around the pooh on the pavements.
8 Aug 2010 16:10
I have to say I'm with Thirstyboy on this one. The GW is a dump. Known it for many years and it's alwasy been one to walk past.
8 Aug 2010 16:06
Not a bad pub. Food is expensive but quite good for this sort of establishmemt. Bar service is efficient and friendly.
It is however, one of those pubs that has an unsavoury 'bloke' who you can guarantee - whatever day or time you go in - will always be propping up the bar in a state of semi-inebriation. I think he must live in there - probably in a cupboard.
8 Aug 2010 15:55
A horrible cellar of a pub - unless you want to sit outside with the numerous alchoholics who are drawn to the place like flies to excrement.
Bar a mile long with two vary vague and confused barpersons on. They serve whoever shouts loudest or looks like they are in immenent danger of collapse due to lack of alchohol.
Food is cheap and mostly edible. That's all.
2 May 2010 17:02
Nothing much in the way of character or fine ales, but has a good welcome, and a sense of community.
2 May 2010 16:54
It was never a great pub, but it's worse now. Another Burford tourist trap.
2 May 2010 16:42
Can only agree with Mallard's previous post.
The Angel used to be very good for food but was never very good value for money ('Burford' and 'value for money' do not belong in the same sentence).
Now it's just like all the other places in quaint olde Burford: gouging the tourists in the traditional Cotswold style.
Walk up the hill to the Cotswold Gateway Hotel. This is mediocre and expensive, but a quantum leap improvement from the Angel.
2 May 2010 16:38
Far From the Madding Crowd, Oxford
The more I visit the 'far' the more I like it.
Ok, so it doesn't have much in the way of Olde Worlde charm, but the interior is quite practical - I especially like the raised area to the right of the bar with seating on one side of the table only. Great for when I'm on my own and want to read a newspaper or do a bit of tippy-tapping on my laptop. The far has excellent free wi-fi internet access too.
The beer is varied and always in top condition. Something for everyone's taste.
Service is always friendly and efficient. A friendly crowd with a pretty good local scene. Never too packed, never empty. A worthy winner of POTY.
The Far has now replaced the Turf as my favourite pub in central Oxford. If you're in that neck of the woods, do pay it a visit.
2 May 2010 16:22
Not bad.
I go in the Tap quite often when waiting for a pick-up from the station.
Very cliquey though. I can never seem to engage the bar staff in polite small talk, even though they are all too willing to chat away to the soaks who permanently inhabit the place.
Good beer, cold service.
18 Aug 2009 15:02
The G W Hotel Bar and Grill, Swindon
Expensive, characterless, noisy, but handy for the station.
18 Aug 2009 14:58
Doggetts Coat and Badge, Southwark
Bloody awful pub.
No character. Rude and inefficient service.
Avoid!
18 Aug 2009 14:52
Great, no-nonsense pub.
Views are brilliant (despite SilkTork's comments).
Food is reasonably prices and tasty, and arrived promptly, even when they are busy.
Ales are normally in good nick.
I love the Tate Modern, but when I've had enough, I head over to the Founders, rather than being robbed for a morsel and a sip in the TM restaurant.
The Founders is a great pub. It may not have much in the way of architectural heritage, but the staff work hard, are friendly and efficient.
Top pub!
18 Aug 2009 14:45
The Blue Anchor, East Aberthaw
Delightful on a summers day.
Good food and ale.
Bar service is rather rude and impersonal.
18 Aug 2009 14:36
LittleFamilyFish -
"Due to it's location a lot of the clientelle are locals rather than passing tourists."
You are joking, aren't you? The Turf is the biggest tourist pub in Oxford - it's in all the guide books!
18 Aug 2009 14:28
Visited again.
Despite offering great food and drink, I don't think this pub actually wants any customers.
Customers are a bit of a nuisance at the 'Olde' Black Lion.
Bar and table service is fairly prompt, but frigid. Their faces would fall apart if they cracked a smile, or engaged you in small talk.
It is as if it is beneath the staff to treat you as a fellow human being.
This is a mighty shame as I had some great times in this pub under friendlier staff.
18 Aug 2009 14:22
Quaint. Had lots of diving helmets and other seafaring memorabilia last time I went there.
Good food as I recall, and good ale.
Worth a visit if you're in the area.
18 Aug 2009 14:06
Odd but good.
Have visited many times. Usually a good crowd. Food is nice but pricey.
Bar area is small and eating area is large, which indicates the priorities of the Benbow.
Had a great Friday night in there though.
Decent!
18 Aug 2009 14:02
Grailhunter: -
"Forget using it as a restaurant, treat it as a pub."
Erm... but it's awful as a pub OR a restaurant!
There are so many great pubs in Oxford that it baffles me why people who know the area would ever eat or drink in this place.
18 Aug 2009 13:34
The Kilvert's Hotel, Hay on Wye
edtheduck -
I presume you are the proprietor of Kilverts.
Golden Sheep? What the hell is that? Do you not even know the names of the beers you are selling?
I had a pint of *Black Sheep*, which was utterly rotten!
The consumers of the other 67.5 pints must have drunk it in better condition or had so sense of taste or smell.
Bullshit.
Avoid this place like the plague.
18 Aug 2009 13:24
Wendy Richard used to drink here (practically every night), holding court with her starstruck hangers on.
Was my local in the early 1990s. Last visit was summer 2008.
A very characterful pub. One of the best.
14 Aug 2009 19:30
Pretty awful.
Despite the makeover, the Goose (Red Lion) is one of the crappest pubs in the OX postcode.
Bar staff do their best, but the weight or history hangs heavy about this place.
The clientele are mostly ruffians and elderly drunks.
The only possible advantage is it's proximity (2 min walk) to the bus station.
14 Aug 2009 19:24
A good, straightforward pub.
The beers are varied and in good condition. Can't comment on the food as I've never dined there.
Friendly service and regulars.
You can't go wrong.
14 Aug 2009 19:15
Crap!
Great location, but don't they know it.
The make no effort. A bloody awful pub in a city of great pubs.
Avoid at all costs.
14 Aug 2009 19:11
Used to be my local 20 years ago. It was a lovely pub then. I could cry - I really could!
8 Aug 2009 19:43
The Wyndham Arms, Merthyr Tydfil
DANGER!
Previous poster remarks:-
"This is a fine, Welsh pub, filled with characters and great charasmatic staff. Cheap beer, good service and lots of atmospher."
It is a tiny shyte house, filled with aggressive, drunken pensioners, who seem to be mostly ex-bare knuckle fighters. They will either punch you into oblivion, or bore your there, with their tales of "when Hard Men ruled the Valleys".
On warm days, the inmates of the Wyndham sway and posture outside the tiny establishment, shouting randomly at passers by.
A shit hole. Avoid at all costs, unless you are an anthropologist used to dealing with isolated, cannibalistic tribes.
8 Aug 2009 19:23
Y Dic Penderyn, Merthyr Tydfil
Merthyr town, nowadays, has no decent pubs at all.
For a town that once boasted more pubs per head of population than practically anywhere, the place is a shadow of its former self.
"Y Dic Penderyn" occupies a corner plot opposite the rotting Town Hall. It was formerly some sort of low grade commercial premises built in the 1960s. Not your actual historic Merthyr pub (almost all of these have been demolished or have changed use).
Barman (bar-boy more like) poured my Guinness in one fell swoop and when it settled left about 2 inches of head. I offered to 'take a sip' for a top up, but he had no idea what I meant.
The Guinness was terrible. God forbid you would try any ales in there.
The regulars were mostly on cans and bottles - RTDs (Ready to Drink) in the trade speak.
Dire. But not the worst pub in Merthyr. You have to dig deep to go there.
8 Aug 2009 19:16
Prime riverside location. Lots of outside seating overlooking the Thames, and also at the (quieter) side of the building.
Service friendly and generally prompt. Food is average but acceptable for the price.
When the pub is less busy, you tend to find the manager entertaining his coterie of regulars at one end of the bar so you may have to wait to get served.
Could be a brilliant pub with the right manager.
8 Aug 2009 18:26
Nice traditional pub in a good riverside location. Food consistently good but pricey.
Friendly service. Gets packed at the weekend in summer, but in quieter times can be a great pub to relax in and let the world go by.
No local ales unfortunately, but some excellent Cornish beers (Doombar). Guinness a bit variable.
Highly recommended.
8 Aug 2009 18:21
Corporate blandness overload. Exactly the same as any other O'Neills anywhere.
That said, the Guinness is good and you won't be poisoned by the fare.
8 Aug 2009 18:06
A bit soulless, like most modern redevelopments, but has some good points too.
I always frequent the Yard when in Cardiff. Usually when waiting for a train to somewhere else.
Food is consistently good, and prompt, if unsurprisingly pricey.
Decor and atmosphere is pleasant, clean and neutral.
The excellent Brains beers are tasty and in good condition, and the Guinness is top notch and clean.
There is very little to object to in Yard. It may not be a mirror of the Cardiff pubs of yore, but it is clean, quite relaxed and friendly.
Recommended!
7 Aug 2009 19:28
Expect to be treated as a second class citizen if you are not a regular.
If you get over that hurdle, it's quite a good pub, in a nice location, with good beer.
This could be a great pub if they would only get over their parochial (locals only) attitude. I mean, nobody actually speaks Welsh in there!
7 Aug 2009 19:14
A God-awful tourist trap.
Ghastly, smelly, rude-service, inedible food, utter rubbish.
Use your legs and walk around Oxford, and you will find a dozen far superior pubs within about five minutes.
7 Aug 2009 19:06
Excellent trad pub right in the historic heart of Oxford.
Still has little nooks and corners where vague old Dons can sit on creaky seats that are older than them, and sup a decent pint for a peaceful hour.
Get's incredibly busy though, but is a very efficient pub, in terms of layout and food ordering.
Food is normally above average, but can be variable. Prices are generally good value.
Bar staff are helpful, friendly and efficient. The boss (well I assume it is he) is a good bloke and runs a tight ship.
Highly recommended.
7 Aug 2009 18:47
Very interesting interior - worth a half of some Sam Smiths slop just to admire the woodwork and carving (on the upper story).
Great location, just off Cornmarket in a quiet street. Could be a *great* pub under the right brewery and with a good manager.
However: slack and impersonal service, mediocre and limited food, and top it all off with Sam Smiths undrinkable beer.
Fail!
7 Aug 2009 18:37
Always very popular with both 'town and gown', as well as hoards of American and Japanese tourists who confuse it with Startbucks, by ordering various lattes, mochachinos and flavoured mineral waters.
However, still the best pub in Oxford for ale and character. The food is good, and prompt, if a bit pricey.
Bar staff are usually knowledgeable and friendly.
Avoid at busy times, but if you can make it 'off peak' it's great.
If you look closely in the shadows, the ghost of Inspector Morse can be seen, sipping a pint of Wychwood Hobgoblin.
7 Aug 2009 18:30
Far From the Madding Crowd, Oxford
A pretty good pub is the FFTMC.
As the name implies, it's a bit of a bolt hole, down an alley, next to Borders bookshop.
Wide range of ales and I've never had a bad one.
Used to hang and sell some pretty good paintings and photographs on the wall. A sort of boozer cum gallery, but haven't seen the art change for a long while now.
Haven't seen the old guvner there for a while so he may have uped sticks and retired. Staff are (I think) mostly Eastern European, but very pleasant generally.
Worth a visit.
7 Aug 2009 18:15
Probably time for an update since Oxfordboy's comment in 2006.
I found the Antiquit Hall a nice, mellow pub. Quiet (but in a good way). Not tried the food or ales, but Guinness in good condition.
Attentive bar people. Very nicely furnished with comfy sofas. Nice ambiance. Good location between the centre and the station if you're on foot. Maybe a bit sterile and quiet for some, but I like it.
7 Aug 2009 18:05
Exemplifies all the worst aspects of town centre pubs whose only reason to exist is to loot teenagers of their cash, ply them with copious rubbish booze, and remain oblivious to the social consequences.
7 Aug 2009 17:57
Not a bad pub at all.
Always seems to be a long wait for food at whatever time of day (which, to be fair, they warn you about when you order). When it does arrive it's rather good for a town centre establishment.
Not tried the ales, but the Guinness has always been in pretty good nick on my occasional visits.
Bar staff are quite attentive and friendly. Clientele are all sorts but a decent lot on the whole. The mood is relaxed and unhurried.
Toilets are a bit of a problem sometimes, but I think this is due to the building and plumbing rather than any failing on the part of the staff.
Although it isn't a 'top-notch' pub, for a town centre pub, I find it's rather pleasant and consistent.
7 Aug 2009 17:50
Nice pub. Has a little bit of everything. Good setting just under the Brecon canal. Well-geared to walkers and outdoors people.
Friendly landlord and locals. Good range of ales. Had a pint of Rhymney Export which was excellent.
Toilets could do with some serious improvement, but otherwise a good solid pub.
28 Jul 2009 19:55
A great pub. Visited Monday 27/7/09, mid-afternoon-ish.
Good selection of ales, but felt like living dangerously so ordered a pint of Moles Black Rat Cider, on draught.
Pub was obviously fairly quiet at that time of day (and on a Monday) but there were a few customers dotted around.
Barman was friendly and knowledgeable. Pub is very traditional with few frills but bags of atmosphere.
Thoroughly enjoyable and highly recommended.
28 Jul 2009 19:48
The Kilvert's Hotel, Hay on Wye
What is the hype about Kilverts all about?
Visited on a Monday afternoon (27/07/09).
First impression was of being sternly warned by the surly barmaid that "you know we're not doing food, don't you?!" before I had even opened my mouth.
Having eaten a rather excellent lunch at the nearby Black Lion, this was not an issue, thankfully.
Attractive pub from the outside, with exterior seating, in the heart of Hay. Used to be good years ago and had a big black old tom cat called Kilvert who lounged about and looked menacingly at you at you sat an supped.
This was my first visit for about 5 years.
Tiny bar, with locals sat on stools so you can only get served at the one space where there isn't a stool. Snooty, smug locals making remarks about how crowded the pub is with visitors and openly wondering "wherever do they all come from?".
Kilverts is seemingly lauded for it's fine ales. This is amazing given my recent experience.
Of the four ales available, I chose a pint of Masham's Black Sheep.
It was simply filth! The worst pint of ale I have had the misfortune to taste in many years. It was sour, cloudy and reeked.
One of our party had an innocuous half of Carling. That too was rotten - with the distinct and unmistakable sourness of dirty lines.
"Top Top pub" ?? I think not.
Perhaps they were having a bad day, but I can safely say I will not be visiting Kilverts for a good long while. Too many other good pubs in Hay to waste your time with crappy ale and awful service.
28 Jul 2009 19:27
Visited on a Monday lunchtime (27/07/09).
The pub looked shut. Door was closed (despite it being quite a fine day). No A-board. No sign at all that it was open.
Tried the door and found it was indeed open. A few customers scattered here and there, but not exactly buzzing.
Our party of 3 arrived at about 13.45 and were hurried into ordering our lunch by the barman (they stop at 14.00). Menu selection and specials board offered a good variety of tempting dishes.
Food was excellent, tasty and hot, but service was rather impersonal and perfunctory.
Had a pint of Reverend James, which was excellent.
A great pub if you want to eat, and enjoy good ales, but don't expect a friendly atmosphere or personal service (unless you are a regular).
28 Jul 2009 19:11
Far From the Madding Crowd, Oxford
Not sure what's happened here.
The Far used to be one of my favourite Oxford pubs. Not been in for a while and it seems a shadow of its former self.
The place is looking very shabby and tired, which I can forgive. However, the food seems to have taken a nose dive.
Partner and I both ordered 1/4-pound burgers with cheese, salad, chips. What could possibly go wrong.
Apart from the chips being stale and greasy, the salad comprising nothing more than two limp lettuce leaves and a slice of tepid tomato, there was the 'beef burger'.
Whatever this burger was made of, I swear most of it had never seen the inside of a cow. It was like the worst, pappy, flavourless, textureless, excuse for beef I have ever come across. It did not smell, taste or feel like beef - even remotely.
More like a fried patty made from the cheapest sausage meat and breadcrumbs. it was horrible.
Never again, Far. Never again :(
4 Apr 2012 20:13