BITE user comments - jwillis
Comments by jwillis
The Royal Standard, Portsmouth
Home at last! Well, that was the feeling I got when I walked into this lovely old pub again tonight. Absolutely brilliant.
6 Feb 2010 22:11
Very interesting idea but not really my sort of thing. I agree with others that the staff didn't seem to be at all friendly when we arrived - put me off straight away really. Won't be bothering again but i'm sure I won't be missed.
6 Feb 2010 20:42
I can only agree with Zumo and Petebuddle, what a wonderful pub this is. Had an excellent Sunday roast there last weekend, couldn't fault it. Excellent range of ales too, at fair prices. I travel a lot with my work and it is a comfort to me to know that pubs like this still exist. Well done!
6 Feb 2010 15:01
Very surprised to re-visit this pub and find that Wetherspoons had taken it over. The surroundings are a lot nicer than they were (I last visited about 3 years ago), the food was the usual standard for the chain (fair value for money but not very interesting). Beer seemed good,nice selection of real ales made me sad that I had brought the car with me! Staff seemed friendly. Only problem was, they have the usual dreadful attitude to dispensing Lagers -all three pints ordered (at seperate times) were poured from a great height into a glass which was placed flat on the counter underneath. This had the predictable result of beating all of the gas out of the lager, which then went flat almost instantly. More training on this is needed for all staff, I think!
26 Jan 2010 13:57
Visited this pub over Christmas, first time since re-opening. The place has been decorated to within an inch of its life and now looks shiny and tidy, floors and walls have been 'straightened out' and are now smooth. The original solid wood interior doors and frames have, without exception, been replaced with ridiculously modern ones, very out of keeping with the age of the building. Gentle kinds of vandalism, but vandalism all the same! As to the place not being anything to do with Southwick Brewery, one of the few locals mentioned that Greg (the landlord) is part of the Bazely (sp?) family, the family I thought owned Southwick Brewery? I'm sure someone will put me straight if that is wrong. The beer I received was of good quality and fairly well kept as far as I could tell, although it was served by a grumpy, offhand 'Aussie' barmaid. The best things about this refurb are the marvellous fireplaces, which have been exposed in both lounges, the worst things about this pub are ... everything else. Not sure if I will venture back to try the food, even though I hear that The Florence has a reputation for food. I just found the whole experience unwelcoming and cold (despite the vastly uprated heating!).
2 Jan 2010 18:30
The Golden Lion, Southwick
Another visit, another disappointment. "Beer was okay" is the best I can say about this place. The staff were, as noticed also by Regularpubuser50, behaving rudely and were not at all welcoming. The 6 of us went in to book Sunday lunch. However, once we'd all met the staff, we decided not to bother and went down to The Red Lion to book in. (review to follow once we've been!).
Locke - when I commented on the Aussie barmaid, I was trying to convey a sense of how the place felt, not to "name and shame" anyone! I have visited the place many times over the years and known many of the staff, including thatone. Ray and Janet employed many good staff. This is not, however, the place to discuss favourites by name!
Mitme ... get over yourself! I have had interesting conversations with members of the Bazeley (thanks for correct spelling btw) family. It seems you may need to make a closer check of your facts. (are you a "real villager"? ). I may not try this pub again, perhaps in the summer.
12 Feb 2010 16:40