The Prince Albert, Twickenham

It's not so much turned the place around, because H and Nadia really had this place working well but it wasn't their kind of pub. Notwithstanding this, Ken has really made big efforts, particularly with the additions of plants, candles etc. We continue to drink here because we like it, not because it is local, because for many years we didn't drink here because it wasn't great and we travelled away for our 'local'.

The food continues to be great, but the special starter dish could be changed perhaps, less packaging and more filling? The mains are excellent, as always, and such good value.

7 Jul 2008 23:35

The Old Goat, Fulwell

Have been using this pub in its new incarnation for a couple of months, enjoying filling in our 'beer card' to qualify for freebies and stuff. We decided to collect one of those yesterday evening, a meal for two, and popped along like normal. The food was very good as usual but we did have to wait a very long time for it which is unusual in our experience, as with the staff forgetting drinks orders also. However, all was going well until we 'retired' to the normal area of the pub after dinner to be advised by one of the waitresses that in future my boyfriend's attire would not be acceptable for the restaurant (he was wearing a black sleeveless t-shirt, jeans and boots). Apparently this was not acceptable in the dining area of the Old Goat. Our friend to whom this information was passed was also wearing a t-shirt and jeans but was told that as his t-shirt had sleeves this was acceptable. I was wearing rolled up jeans and flip flops but apparently this was also acceptable. We had to do a double take to make sure they weren't being humorous - the Old Goat is certainly not the Ritz! Perhaps our clothing was more acceptable in the non dining area where they rarely clean the tables after punters depart, or at the bar where you can always rely on getting something sticky on your sleeves if you are silly enough to lean on the bar when ordering your drinks. The fact that the lady with delusions of grandeur about this eating establishment was wearing tatty and torn trousers herself was rather ironic. Despite having several free items left to claim on our card (for which we have clearly spent a bit in accruing (this is not a cheap pub!!)) we are not returning to this joint. The food was good, but not worthy of the high falluting attitudes of the student staff. Are they forgetting exactly what sort of place this is, the cleanliness for instance and the location!

9 Jul 2007 16:31

The Dysart, Petersham

This pub looks like Noel's House Party, the staff are generally quite down in the mouth and unhelpful, they often run out of beer and it isn't cheap. The location is really all it has going for it.

22 May 2007 16:24