BITE user comments - jorrocks
Comments by jorrocks
Postively rammed with people when I stopped in for a visit on a Wed night. Getting to the bar took both effort and an age. The wait staff were swamped and doing their level best to keep everyone served.
Probably the cloudiest pint of ESB I have ever laid eyes on. Tasted okay (maybe a tad yeasty) so I stayed with it. They were moving so much ale I am surprised they could keep up with demand.
My wife had the Pride and it was in excellent form. (It went off shortly thereafter).
15 Aug 2007 17:38
Last visit the beer was in particularly fine form. The TEA was solid, the Pride excellent and probably the best pint of Bombardier I have had. Busy but not rammed.
15 Aug 2007 17:30
"The staff had that arrogance that comes with working in what by reading some of the delusional reviews here, is supposed to be a decent pub." Anon.
Surely you jest
4 Jul 2007 14:19
The place was heaving on a Friday night. Definitely a local hang out. The Pride was off but the Hobgoblin was fine. Nothing particularly memorable about this one.
2 Mar 2007 20:25
The Old Manse Hotel, Bourton-on-the-Water
The Old Manse is okay. The usual GK suspects on the pulls. I went with the Abbot.
Service was okay to indifferent. Place was busy. Nice location next to the river. In the right weather sitting outside as the river flows by would be nice. thousands of tourists may make it less relaxing however.
2 Mar 2007 20:21
A nice proper pub. No surprises as to the ale (hint: it is on the Donnington Ale trail). Nice enough ales. Pleasant little pub full of old school charm and pensioners to boot. Another pub worth a visit.
Menu seemed attractive but did not sample the food.
2 Mar 2007 18:50
Nice variety of ales. A freehouse set up for conversation.
2 Mar 2007 04:11
Nice pub - is much larger than it appears from the street. Nice variety of beers on offer. Always somebody about to play pool.
2 Mar 2007 04:10
The White Hart Royal Hotel, Moreton-in-marsh
A traditional pub. Enjoyed a venison burger and chips there. Okay service and okay beer. The atmosphere was the best bit of this pub/hotel. Green King IPA, Abbot are your only real ale options.
2 Mar 2007 03:42
The Queens Head, Stow on the Wold
A nice find. Your choice of Donnginton Ales.
Nice interior. Comfortable enough. Staff were helpful. Dog friendly. I enjoyed a nice lunch of sausage and mash. Worth a visit.
2 Mar 2007 03:25
The Duke of Wellington, Bourton on the Water
Dire service and food to match. Staff unfriendly and interested more in playing pool and gassing with their mates.
I would go elsewhere.
2 Mar 2007 03:14
The Farmer's Arms, Guiting Power
A right and proper country pub. Your choice of the entire Donningtons range! (both were well kept). Amazing food. Friendly landlady. A skittle lane in the backroom for those so inclined. Reasonable prices. The mandatory old local ready and willing to talk on any and all topics.
A must stop (preferably to eat).
2 Mar 2007 03:11
The Plaisterers Arms, Winchcombe
An easy place to strike up a conversation. Dog friendly pub. Sampled some Goff's Jester and TT Landlord enjoyed both.
Would definitely recommend a pop in if in the area.
I drank my supper so I can't speak to the food.
Pub interior was nice and snug.
2 Mar 2007 03:05
A steady stream of visitors in for a pint or ramblers stopping to eat. Donnington Ales on offer. Cricket memorablia everywhere. Great place to sit outside and watch time pass you by. Usually a fire to warm you up as well.
Worth a stop if you are in the area.
2 Mar 2007 02:58
Nothing particularly memorable. Nice enough sign.
The Old Hookey was okay and Boddingtons on cask.
2 Mar 2007 02:56
The Crown and Trumpet Inn, Broadway
Rather nice pub.
No surprise but rammed on the weekends. Stanway seasonals (Wizards Brew when I was there and hobgoblin amongst others. I had a nice enought steak pie here.
2 Mar 2007 02:55
The Bakers Arms, Broad Campden
Cracking pub.
They care about their cellar and their grub.
Always a nice crowd. Has some outdoor seating.
2 Mar 2007 02:50
I had low expectations from the Turf that were turned on their head. Had a couple of nice pints of hobgoblin (I don't drink this stuff enough), the staff were friendly without being annoying. Loads of people ambling in and out but it worked at the turf. I am always a sucker for a pub tucked down a narrow alley way. If your tall be prepared as the ceilings are amazingly low. I obviously never experienced the Turf pre-Greene King so can't comment on any changes.
2 Jan 2007 17:48
Stopped in for the typical tourist reason. Unfortunately every other person in town evidently had the same idea. Despite it being a slow day almost everyowhere else in Oxford the Bird and Baby was full (not rammed). It was impossible to find a seat until one retreated well into the new bit which rather defeats the purpose of being there. Drank a surpisingly tasty pint of Brakspear and listened to undergraduates whine about the future when they have to support themselves(the horror!).
2 Jan 2007 17:44
The Bear was my priority in my recent trip to Oxford. Was a bit of a let down. It was a nice snug little place but seemed empty and tired. Staff wasn't to interested in my custom either. Had a pint of Brakspear and found it be be average at best (from a cellar stand point).
However my experience may have been tainted by the fact that hardly anyone else in the pub and I went with my wife who didn't like the tie bits particularly one box on the ceiling that had what appeared to be a nice mold growth going.
2 Jan 2007 17:39
Spent a night here in October. The staff are brilliant. They made me feel right at home, were helpful and friendly.
As a pub - love the location on the river, staff were oustanding, solid pub grub and the Pride was in fine form. Had my first pint of HSB there. It was pleasantly busy the night I was there. It sounds like a victim of its own success on a warm summer day/night.
2 Jan 2007 17:35
Great pub inside and out. Enjoyed the skrumpy on over as well as Old Hooky and Tribute. Staff were friendly.
31 Dec 2006 04:51
The Black Bear, Moreton in Marsh
A very forgettable experience although the barman was a decent guy.
31 Dec 2006 04:50
Had a couple of okay visists here. Nothing wrong with the place but nothing stands out. Decent pint of Tribute. Punters at the bar seem comfortable talking about anything.
31 Dec 2006 04:49
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, Fleet Street
Sitting in the cellar is always a treat for some reason. Like the pub and am warming to Sam Smiths. I went with the Stout.
28 Dec 2006 03:09
Maybe it was due to the fact that it was the end of the night but the Olde Bell just seemed old to me. Its a bareboards boozer (which I usually like) with a horseshoe bar.
My pint of Pride was nondescript.
28 Dec 2006 03:07
Nothing about this pub stands out in my memory regarding this pub other than the service was slow and rude. Old Speckled Hen was okay.
28 Dec 2006 03:03
Hard to take a look around as the place is packed everytime I have been there. I had a tough time being recognized at the bar as a customer but eventually I got a Theakston's Best Bitter which seemed past its prime.
I would not go out of my way to drink here.
28 Dec 2006 03:01
Like the location, like the pub and the staff. Friendly customers although my experience was the opposite of the last poster almost everyone on in the place was a tourist.
Bass and Adnams on offer.
28 Dec 2006 02:59
Gave it a go on a slow afternoon. The woman behind the bar was much friendlier than she appears. Easily struck up conversation at the bar and was left alone at the tables (except by the house cat which is fair enough).
I like this one. A nice place for a pint no more no less. Nothing particularly special about the pub itself but was in a better mood when I left than when I entered. Masterbrew and Bishops Finger were both good (not a fan of Masterbrew generally).
28 Dec 2006 02:56
St Stephens Tavern, Westminster
Caught lunch crowd during a recent stop.
Not a seat to be had for some time. Eventually managed to grab a stool as my food arrived. Not the most comfortable seating in the world. Ham, eggs and chips were fine but not many places can muck that order up.
Fursty Ferret and the Tanglefoot were both fine. Staff were friendly and talkative which was suprising given the crowds.
28 Dec 2006 02:52
Nice seeing some snob screens. The service was average. The Youngs, Youngs Special and Bombardier were all solid enough.
19 Dec 2006 04:42
This one never disapoints service, well kept cellar and looks the part. The best of the best.
19 Dec 2006 04:41
The only thing better than spending time jawing with the old man tending bar downstairs was going upstairs and enjoying the company of the younger more attractive bar staff up there.
An solid pint of Chiswick.
19 Dec 2006 04:39
No worries at my last visit. Service was unremarkable. Beer was fine.
19 Dec 2006 04:38
Went in on a slow afternoon. Nice time to go and check out the furnishings. The beer was okay. The food less than impressive. The service surly at best.
19 Dec 2006 04:36
The Hour Glass, South Kensington
Found this to be a bland and rather unremarkable pub. Limited selection of beer on offer. Was a bit packed when I was there.
3 Jan 2006 01:18
Had an enjoyable time here on a Sunday afternoon. Sits right next to St Barts the Great. Staff was nothing to write home about but a nice enough place. The barkeep was playing darts with his mates but was helpful.
3 Jan 2006 01:13
The Volunteer Riflemans Arms, Bath
Had a lovely lunch here back in September. Nice place. Found the barman to be friendly.
3 Jan 2006 01:08
The Shakespeare's Head, Holborn
Not a bad place for a cheap beer and a tolerable meal. Rather large interior with little soul.
23 Nov 2005 00:21
An okay pub. Staff wasn't that friendly. Food and beer of average quality.
13 Nov 2005 18:54
I should mention that although some of the beer is served via a beer engine there is no cask conditioned ale but kegged beer only (plus a good selection of bottled beer).
8 Nov 2005 04:10
Refurb sucked the soul out of this one. It is a sad empty grey room.
27 Oct 2005 04:21
The Marquis of Granby, Westminster
Nice comfortable interior. My Adnams Flagship tasted a bit off. Locals not overly welcoming but not dismissive or rude either. Pub seemed to fit the neighborhood. Would definitely go back.
26 Oct 2005 02:27
Mawson Arms/ Fox and Hounds, Chiswick
You can't get better beer. The locals did not seem to be the most welcoming lot but most seemed to be Fullers drivers who were back from their route. The barkeep was a helpful and friendly lad. I had the best pint of beer in my life at the Mawson Arms.
Even better than the Mawson Arms is taking the brewery tour and ending up sampling the Fullers line in the Hock Cellar.
26 Oct 2005 02:22
Prince of Wales, Hampton Court
Lovely staff, the young woman who seemed to be in charge provided great friendly service. Beer was properly looked after (Green King products). Nice locals. I liked the food well enough - decent sausage and mash.
26 Oct 2005 02:20
Wandered in during a big match and was lucky to find a table. Not sure if the decor is supposed to be American Wild West or Green Acres. Wanted to make it upstairs as understand that bar is more interesting but couldn't make it thru the masses. Nothing of interest on tap.
26 Oct 2005 02:16
The Frog and Forget-Me-Not, Clapham
Not really a pub so muc as a restraurant. Only one cask ale - London Pride. Large place that does a lot of business. The worn sofas don't do much for me.
26 Oct 2005 02:14
Place was packed when I was there. Seemed like a nice enough place but to busy to evaluate. The beer is okay.
26 Oct 2005 02:12
The Windmill on the Common, Clapham Common
Interior was okay, staff was okay as well. My beer was the best thing about the experience - a good pint of waggledance. The pub is not one of my favorites but it did not seem as bad as described in some of these reviews.
26 Oct 2005 02:09
Proper old pub. Staff efficient and friendly without annoying. Beer well kept. Best place in Clapham to spend some time with some good beer.
26 Oct 2005 02:06
A huge place to drink. Loud - odd mix of people (not surprising being so close to Victoria station). Staff completely uninterested in their jobs. Did not enjoy the experience at all. Surprisingly my Greene King IPA was well done.
26 Oct 2005 02:03
The Pride of Paddington, Paddington
Found the crowd to be surly and unwelcoming. The staff were not much better. Beer did little for me.
26 Oct 2005 01:57
Enjoyed this quiet Victorian pub. Fair mix of tourists and locals. Beer was good not great.
A decent boozer - worth a visit.
26 Oct 2005 01:55
Traditional pub - enjoy it whenever I am in the area. I have been fortunate to be there during off hours so have been able to enjoy the pub rather than fight the crowds. Fits Westminster well.
26 Oct 2005 01:53
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, Fleet Street
Roger B sums it up nicely. A touristy enough place but it still is a treat. Sam Smiths is far from my favorite but still worth a go.
26 Oct 2005 01:52
The Old Bank of England, Fleet Street
Nice commercial refit. I usually am not a fan of the bank turned pub but it works here. Can get a bit loud. Worth a look and a pint just to soak it all in. Not a classic pub but works at its own level. Has an outstanding ESB here.
26 Oct 2005 01:49
The Hung, Drawn and Quartered, Tower Hill
This place didn't do much for me. Seemed like the locals were enjoying their time there. Nothing jumped out about the pub - seemed a bit dull and drab. Decent pint of Chiswick.
26 Oct 2005 01:47
The Crutched Friar, Tower Hill
Surprisingly large. Agree with the sentiments that it has a chain feel to it and is rather bland.
I didn't like as much as some Nicholson pubs. However a minor mix up with my girlfriends starter was quickly righted by the manager and soothed over with a 1/2 on the house.
26 Oct 2005 01:43
The Bridge House, Tower Bridge
Not a fan of the gastropub so this one did not do much for me but the cellar is well tended. The clietele were much to trendy for me as well. Staff tolerated me well enough! Seemed a friendlier place 5 years ago.
26 Oct 2005 01:41
Didn't do much for me. The decor was okay. Fun to say you had a drink in London Bridge. Had a pint of Davy's Old Wallop Bitter in a tankard. Better boozers nearby.
26 Oct 2005 01:38
Did not notice anything remotely gay during my recent visit to the cockpit. My girlfriend laughed at the suggestion but we aren't locals so will defer to those in the know.
Regardless the pub was full of character both inside and out. The barkeep was a friendly and knowledgeable enough man.
Supposedly they used to have cockfights here back in the day when that passed as sport.
The beer was okay. Agree the carpet could use a replacement.
26 Oct 2005 01:33
Williamson's Tavern, Mansion House
Work your way to this one and enjoy yourself. Agree with much from prior reviews. It is a nice pub tucked down a quiet alley. Like the food well enough (but I tend to like the Nicholson menu). Much roomier than one would imagine on the inside. The front bar is the most interesting. Had a 1930s feel to it to me (although weakened by the 80s music playing). Staff was not terribly friendly.
26 Oct 2005 01:22
Pleasantly surprised. Had lunch on a friday at 1 pm and it was not overly crowded. Enjoyed the pub grub on the first floor as well as the view of the Dock. It obviously caters to tourists and is set up to get you in and out.
Better experience than anticipated.
26 Oct 2005 01:18
Agree a bit dark but a nice boozer in the traditional style. Bar staff was okay. Enjoyed a couple of pints in a comfortable and relaxing setting. Will go back!
26 Oct 2005 01:15
Nice little boozer that I warmed up to the longer I was there. Decent interior and friendly enough staff.
26 Oct 2005 01:13
The last of the galleried inns in London. Sservice is not its strong suit - just soak up the atmosphere. Decent beer. A must see.
25 Oct 2005 02:08
Gone downhill since the renovoation. Now feels like a themed pub. Some of the older bits are nice enough. Some attractive eastern european women serving up pints but not friendly nor did they seem to know anything about beer. It could be so much more. Don't care for the big sign on the outside either.
25 Oct 2005 02:01
An uninteresting pub. Staff was indifferent, decor lacked any charm. Rather cold and impersonal. Did enjoy a pint of Waggledance. Also can't beat the view when sitting outside and taking in the river and St Pauls.
25 Oct 2005 01:58
This is the exception to the rule. I typically avoid pubs near train stations and tube stops. This one is a must see. The marble, alabaster and reliefs of the Monks is pretty cool. The Timothy Taylors Landlord is worth going back alone. Standard Nicholson's menu items.
25 Oct 2005 01:55
The Old Doctor Butler's Head, Moorgate
Love little pubs tucked down an alley. This one doesn't disappoint. Dark wood abounds, the plasma was off during my visit. Bar staff was not the most welcoming. Shepherd's Neame best bitter and Master Brew both made up for the staff's lack of interest. Didn't meet the landlord or get shorted so was luckier than most! Will go back.
25 Oct 2005 01:51
Agree with the statement below. Very laid back pub - both staff and clientele. Introduced myself to Brakspear here. Well worth a visit.
25 Oct 2005 01:48
Royal Oak looks good inside and out. It feels warm and welcoming. Friendly enough staff with well tended beer. Liked the decor and the clientele.
25 Oct 2005 01:46
If you only have time for one pub in Windsor this is the one. Low slung ceiling, interesting memorabilia on the walls (without being annoying). A nice warm place to waste away an afternoon or evening. Well kept cellar as well.
25 Oct 2005 01:44
Had a nice steak and kidney pie. Found plenty of tourists inside but a decent crowd. Rather large establishment but broken up some so not overwhelming. Had a surprisingly good pint of Cain Bitter. Okay bar staff.
25 Oct 2005 01:41
Nice enough place - a bit worn but comfortable enough. A bit wide open for my tastes with bar in the middle and big open room around it.
25 Oct 2005 01:39
The Surprise at Chelsea, Chelsea
Nice enough place. Bar staff was a bit harried when I arrived and watched them short customer after customer. They topped off my Adnams when I didn't pick up after I was paid! Lively enough place. A couple of Chelsea Pensioners gave the place some real character.
25 Oct 2005 01:35
The locals don't see exactly thrilled to see you when you walk in the door. Can't say that the staff were much more welcoming. That being said after sitting down and making ourselves at home things got comfortable shortly and soon it was a warm enough place. Had a nice Youngs Special. Cozy little place - looks good inside and out. Worth a look if you are out and about.
25 Oct 2005 01:32
The Spanish Galleon, Greenwich
More of a large bar than a proper pub. Chuck full of people both times I have been there. Did not find the beer objectionable although have had better Shepherds Neame ales elsewhere. No lovelys to be found when I visited excepted the one I brought (you never know when she might check up on my posts)
22 Oct 2005 05:06
Nice Youngs establishment. Invaded by Morris dancers whilst I was there but their accordian player was a nice change of pace. Good looking food and I enjoyed my Youngs Bitter. Garden looked inviting.
22 Oct 2005 05:03
The Ship and Shovell, Charing Cross
A wonderful treat - wander thru the Arches and up to the pub. Liked the Fursty Ferret on offer. Busy but not overwhelmingly so. Particularly considering the masses thundering up and down Villers street. Well worth a visit.
22 Oct 2005 05:01
Sam Smith's attempt at a Gin House. A big bar with ornate light fixtures and mirrors about. Not a big Sam Smiths beer fan.
The highpoint is the Victorian masterpiece of a urinal down in the gents. It looks lovely (its twin can be found in the London Museum). The urine runs down the edifice into a trough beneath your feet. The combined stench of 150 years of use fills the air. One wag upstairs claimed that the trough drained into the cellar . . . Sam Smith isn't that bad!
22 Oct 2005 04:54
The Bunch Of Grapes, Knightsbridge
The pub could be so much more - Nice enough interior in the gin house style but there is nothing to back up the building. No real ale. No pub feel. Felt more like an airport bar than a pub.
22 Oct 2005 04:49
Music was impossibly loud (stayed on the ground floor). Not a place for conversation or good beer.
22 Oct 2005 04:46
Decent pub - appeared small from outside, surprisingly large inside. Interior did not wow me. Nothing wrong with the place but nothing special either.
22 Oct 2005 04:44
Nice proper pub. A friendly wee place that I would include on a Bath pub walk.
22 Oct 2005 04:42
Unremarkable inside. Tolerable staff - was dead when I was in there so didn't mind the Red Hot Chili Peppers blaring on the sound system. Nothing special wonder if was more geared to a younger crowd.
22 Oct 2005 04:42
This one deserves all the attention it gets. CAMRA's description is spot on, "rare and unspoiled pub interior of outstanding historic interest". Listed on the national inventory of pubs. Very friendly and accomodating manager. The Abbey Ales were superb! Bellringer has a great finish. A must see if in Bath.
22 Oct 2005 04:40
Brilliant place to spend an afternoon. Friendly staff and interesting regulars. A nice snug bar to waste away the hours enjoying a pint and forgetting about the rest of the world. Keep your watch handy as the hours will just melt away in this place.
22 Oct 2005 04:37
Almost dead on my visit. Not big on Sam Smiths but is cheap. Better alternatives in the area but not a bad place. Some 40 something women trolling the premises.
22 Oct 2005 04:34
The Horseshoe Inn, London Bridge
A true local. A nice place to get away from the hustle and bustle. Larger interior than one would guess.
22 Oct 2005 04:30
The place was packed when I visited. A ringing endorsement for the pub. Nice location. Well kept cellar. Spent most of my time standing outdoors with the rest of the herd.
22 Oct 2005 04:27
Nice location down a side street but was there as the offices closed. At least 100 people standing milling about outside. Hard to judge the pub with such a crownd.
22 Oct 2005 04:25
Struggled to find this one from Hyde Park Corner. Was worth the effort. Enjoyed a pint of Greene King IPA on a slow afternoon.
Other than one overbearing American blathering on about how great the lager it was a great experience.
22 Oct 2005 04:24
St Stephens Tavern, Westminster
High Victorian style pub, a recent refurbishment has paid off nicely. Grade II listed pub. Excellent Badger Ales on tap. Well worth a visit if your in the area.
22 Oct 2005 04:20
The Lamb and Flag, Covent Garden
Can be tourist central at times but a nice enough pub. When tourists conjure up an image of a pub it looks like this one.
22 Oct 2005 04:15
Nell of Old Drury, Covent Garden
Found the staff very friendly on a recent Wed night.
The downstairs was full so went upstairs and enjoyed my Spitfire.
Nothing wrong with Nell but nothing that sets it apart either.
22 Oct 2005 04:13
Traditional pub. Used to have clandestine Catholic masses upstairs back in the day.
Was a bit disappointed in my Theakstons Best Bitter during my last visit. It was a rather dull pint. Can't comment on the cellar as do not frequent the place often enough to judge.
22 Oct 2005 04:10
Not your typical pub. Nice lounge bar up front but the back bar is what gives the place its reputation.
Snug little booths for conversation. Booths have always been full when I have been there (at the end of the work day). Interesting decor. I think it is a well done pub.
Sam Smiths is not my favorite beer but the Old Brewery Bitter was okay at my last visit. Hard to beat Sam Smith prices!
22 Oct 2005 04:08
Classic old school boozer. When not to crowded it is a great place to spend time drinking well kept adnams and friendly staff.
It isn't near as hard to find as people claim.
This is a must visit.
22 Oct 2005 04:02
The Seven Stars, Chancery Lane
Nice snug pub with loads of atmosphere. Had a nice pint of Adnams Bitter here. The stairs to the upstairs toilet are a challenge!
22 Oct 2005 03:58
The only pub in all of Iowa. Decent selection of beer on tap (Beamish, Harp, Guinness, Bass, Newcastle Brown, Boddingtons, Tennents, Fullers ESB, London Pride, Fuller's London Porter, McEwans, Young's Double Chocolate).
Nice atmosphere, diverse crowd and good grub.
Shockingly smokey on weekend nights but well worth the crud that invades your lungs!
1 Sep 2005 01:27
Ye Old Mitre, Holborn
Surely the structure is Georgian at best?
19 Dec 2007 20:27