BITE user comments - lipster
Comments by lipster
Hadn't been for ages, but it was better than ever last night. The beer range was wider than when I last visited, and from considerably more interesting micro and regional brewers, for example, amongst others, the dangerous Skullsplitter from Orkney last night, and two brews from the new Croydon brewery Clarence & Fredericks. Very impressed.
Great atmosphere - a lovely warming welcoming venue, and walking down Roupell Street past the classic Citroens parked is always one of London's hidden gems.
13 Feb 2013 14:45
An excellent fire, friendly staff and good (if uninspiring choice of) beer led to a long, warming, relaxing (and expensive) night here. We've been at the White Swan on two successive Saturday nights now and it's surprisingly quiet - perhaps people have been avoiding it as they're unsure of the tide times and they're unwilling to pop in for a quick drink, only to get locked in?
I hear "it's not like it used to be" ... but I didn't know it then, so on that basis I really like this pub and the landlord is running it well at the moment in my opinion - with a meat raffle (!), beer tastings, currently the food is very good; as I mentioned above, the beer is good but of the 6 pumps, the choice is a bit samey. Happy to drink it though :) And they have a very nice lager from the Freedom Brewery.
21 Jan 2013 14:06
As an update to my previous comment regarding dogs, all credit to The Sussex for their new dog policy - fairly worded and shows they listen to comments online and in person to their staff. (Basically they request that dogs are kept on leads - and that's all I was hoping for)
We had another lovely night in here just before the recent snow and it was again fantastic, sitting right by the fire - the best seat in the house. I had pints of Timorous Beastie from the Strathaven Brewery - delightful. Being in the same ownership as the Fox, they both hold the distinction of being the cheapest pubs in Twickenham (barring the Wetherspoon abomination).
The Sussex deserves its high BITE rating, as it has the "formula" just right.
21 Jan 2013 13:40
This is just about the nearest pub to my new house and I'm happy with that. It's not a pub to necessarily spend all night in (not cosy enough), but the food is excellent (and yes, why would you eat out, or at home even, on a Monday night when it's 50% off all food?). The Shep Neame beers a good (only a couple of choices, usually something like Masterbrew and Spitfire) and the wine is also good (apparently according to my other half - the wine reviewer..)
As the nearest pub to the station (and it would have been even closer to the original station which closed in the 1930s), it does have that "passing through" pub feel. Good for a beer after work. It is very good on a sunny evening - the huge windows make it feel very airy.
15 Dec 2012 08:42
I've taken my time before adding a review on the Sussex. To have such a fantastic beer "Mecca" in the town I've just moved to makes all the hassle and stress of moving worthwhile. It's the other end of Twickenham from where I live but I feel drawn to it above all the other (excellent) pubs in the area; in fact we travelled here from Croydon on occasions before we actually moved to the area, so I can understand how this place is becoming popular with the beer tickers.
While there are several pubs around London that can match the Sussex for beer range and quality, the staff really set the place at the top of the list. I get a sense of enthusiasm and happiness - no world-weary cynicsm here. Plus as mentioned before the presence of the deck behind the bar really is the cream on top - Bobby Womack was being played last time I was in. I also like that when beers get towards the end of their barrel or shelf-life they reduce the price. This must really help the turnover and keep everything fresh.
The only criticism I have is that a couple of the regulars bring in absolutely massive dogs - they might be happy treating the pub as an extension of their house, but the pub should not let such potentially dangerous dogs roam off their leash among customers who don't share their love for dogs. My fiance is petrified of these dogs and as such is resistant to us visiting such a wonderful pub. So a message to the landlord - please make sure the dogs stay on their leads and we'll be back more often.
15 Dec 2012 08:32
Being in a country pub with good food, good beer and a welcoming atmosphere that hasn't had a Farrow and Ball gastro makeover made me smile. Smile a lot in fact.
Big portions (esp the whitebait starter) sorted me out properly, and a nice surprise was the "free top up" on the coffee. We tried to extend this to beer but failed :)
This place doesn't need a makeover as it seems well liked and busy. Other similar pubs take note, and save on the interior design bills.
15 Jul 2012 18:59
You simply can't beat the location, and the drink pricing reflects that. Seriously wallet damaging prices, not only on wine, but beer too. On the major plus side, they had Otter beer from Devon on at the weekend - not sure if it's a regular, but I'd still pay the tourist tax and make a lengthy detour to have a couple of pints of that in London
26 Mar 2012 13:09
It's a small cafe bar that serves an unfeasibly large selection of beers. Marble beers are always a winner and this is no exception. Combined with an excellent cured meat and cheese choice, this is a great early evening venue- either for pre-gig fodder for the Northern Quarter types or pre-train fodder for the return-to-London types. Friendly service too. I will definitely be back soon.
26 Jul 2011 20:44
After many visits to Yetminster I finally managed to find a time when I was thirsty and it was open - shame it's not open on a Sunday night but I guess there's no point opening just for me.
Very welcoming and friendly with well-kept Butcombe on draught when I was there. Definitely will be back for a longer session.
Aside from good beer and friendly people: on a purely aesthetic note, it's got a dark, warming and solid feel to the interior, but there's far too much of the red velour that makes it look like something from the 1970s, and the fluorescent cardboard cutout stars attached to the spirit optics.... for goodness sake...
4 Apr 2011 11:36
The Westow really seems to have raised its game recently. Food is excellent pub grub and the beer range now includes some slightly more unusual lagers and a good selection of ales (including 3 from the Pure Brewery on my visit this week). And the beer was served in a dimpled old-man mug - extra brownie points for that.
Still the same grungy dark funky (non) decor, and I imagine it's a still a pretty good late night venue as well, although my most recent visit was early evening.
I still like the Grape and Grain over the road, but I wouldn't say one was better than the other, as they're quite different in vibe. Westow is a place to take a date perhaps, G&G is the place to go with a mate.
14 Jul 2010 10:04
If you can survive the evil potholes on the approach road, it's well worth finding this place. I took the "ignore national beer" option and had a local Isle of Wight beer - Goddard's Special - which was delightful and perfect supping for the sunshine. The duck wrap I ordered was good too. Despite the food queue, the food came quickly. Not the most obvious area to go to, but we could have stayed all afternoon had we not had the small matter of a wedding to attend in the nearby church. Boaty, but in a good way!
10 Jul 2010 23:43
We visited on a Saturday night in January and had a fantastic 3 course meal in the lounge bar, coupled with well kept Doom Bar and Otter Bitter and a good choice of wine. The end bill was a bit lumpy, but overall I have no complaints as the service was brilliantly helpful and the food was spot on - one of those meals you rave about for ages and bore your mates about. An intelligently put together menu that clearly uses local ingredients where possible, with a helpful chef who happily catered for my gluten-free partner which marks it up several notches in our book. That's judging it as a restaurant... as a pub however the lounge bar doesn't quite cut it - just a little bit too cold (literally and decoratively), despite the log burner in the hearth which in the recent cold weather draws me like a magnet to a pub. There are too many reflective stone or painted surfaces . On a previous visit we noted how noisy the restaurant side was with a crowd of diners eating, obtrusively noisy in fact; I understand in a previous decorative setup there was carpet over the flagstone floors - yes the stone looks lovely, but a nice thick rug or two would do wonders for sound absorption as well feeling a bit more homely and, well, 'pub-like'.
The other bar got extremely lively later on in the evening, so that must be where the party's at - next time we'll pop in that side for a beer if we're not eating. The landlord and his staff seem well liked in the area and attract people from far and wide, so they're onto a good thing and it's a cut above the average country gastro pub.
I'd give it 9/10 for food and 7/10 as a pub
1 Feb 2010 10:32
The Grape and Grain, Crystal Palace
The Grape and Grain is establishing itself firmly as a beacon of quality in the whole area of South Central London, not just Crystal Palace. Always a good selection of real ales - good ones like Woodfordes Wherry, Pure Gold and Darkstar Hophead, not just whacky seasonal beers (which are often hit and miss and breweries should think twice before making them!)
We go there every week after our band rehearsal and the welcome from the staff is always fantastic and friendly. The landlord even put on a Christmas spread for us this week and we returned the favour with some carols. Not many pubs in London with this sort of friendly atmosphere - I wish there were more.
With the opening of the East London Line link to Crystal Palace this year putting South London on the radar of tube-focused North/East Londoners, this pub should be a good destination pub worth travelling for the beers alone. Just a shame the other pubs in the area don't make it "crawl worthy".
18 Dec 2009 12:27
The Seven Stars, Chancery Lane
Well kept beer, over-flowing hanging baskets and an eccentric cat. Almost says it all really...
14 Aug 2007 17:04
The Fox and Hounds, Stony Stratford
Bland decor and virtually devoid of atmosphere in the daytime, but comes to life at night with a well supported local music scene.
Interesting selection of ales add to the beardy pleasing quotient.
Had an enjoyable and friendly Saturday night in here; worth travelling to if you want to catch a band and have a good natter over a beer.
17 Oct 2006 14:38
The Vaults Bar, Stony Stratford
A "proper" pub decorated with tons of clutter on the walls and ceiling. Hope it doesn't succomb to the IKEA makeover effect.
Several "mainstream" brewers represented on the 8 or so real ale pumps. My Bass (increasingly rare these days) was in good condition, if a little cold; but I'd rather have it that way than tepid. Had some good satisfyingly stodgy and good value bar food.
Probably the pick of the drinkers pubs in Stony. My only suggestion for improvement would be to have a bit more variety (guests) on the beer lineup.
17 Oct 2006 14:33
Not quite what I was expecting from a pub before I walked in - much more a restaurant/art gallery than a pub in atmosphere. Some of the art on the walls was quite good... but I'm a musician so what do I know??
Staff and regulars were certainly suitably friendly. Shame about the beer though; bitter (Wadworth 6X) was decidedly suspect and the lager was nothing to write home about either.
The overall impression was of a "venue for more mature people" - the passing chavs carried on passing the window which is probably a recommendation in itself.
17 Oct 2006 14:24
I also loved the steak burger, the service and the staff. They even did us a burger as a take out for our useless, late mate who rang us to order food for him but didn't make it in time before we had to move on.
Didn't think much of the cavernous, empty atmosphere - it's a refit that wasn't thought out well. The pub is simply too big with too few customers. Bring in some modern "snob screens" or partitions to create some booths and the atmosphere will be more intimate. My pub interior design services are available .... consider this a free consultation.
6 Sep 2006 11:13
I went in here for lunch before going to a county game at the Oval. Good service and a huge and delicious burger - I'm glad I made the trek into the Kennington badlands for this place. We had lunch in the garden and it was very pleasant indeed.
A solid performance - a modestly improved backstreet pub that hasn't become too trendy. Just a little bit.. Nothing amazing about it, but if you're in the area, worth a visit.
4 Sep 2006 14:23
The Maid of Muswell, Muswell Hill
Nice enough bohemian chic place (love the sari-style drape over the tv!). The curved window seat isn't as comfy as it looks.
When I was there the background music was extremely eclectic; it seemed to match the atmosphere of the area and the punters. I had a quiet afternoon pint in there, and the beer was served in old man style glasses with handles. Slightly out of place, and slightly worrying ... I'm not that old and wrinkled yet!
This style of pub is becoming increasingly common: others like it that come to mind being the Garden Gate in Hampstead, The White Hart in Crystal Palace. Ostensibly individual, but suspiciously chain-like with similar beer ranges. I like the style, but I suspect we'll be seeing more pubs looking like this and it'll get tiresome quickly.
4 Sep 2006 14:04
Dear oh dear oh dear. I don't often write negative reviews, but this place is awful. I was warned not to expect much, but after a walk up on the old railway line from Finsbury Park, I felt like having a pint.
Walking in I was presented with the sight of a pump clip for Timothy Taylor's Golden Best (a rare sight in London) so I duly ordered a pint. The barmaid attempted to pour it, but after consulting with her collegue she told us that it had gone off the night before. Minus points for not turning round the pump clip. My second choice of an interesting looking Italian draught lager was minging, and the barmaid didn't seem to have heard of it, even after I'd said "the one in the big funny looking pump on the bar" - I had to physically point to it.
Drinking outside with the fantastic view suggested to me that it could be run as a destination pub, to which people would be willing to travel to for the view, good atmosphere, drinks and food. Transferring inside to the glasshouse area got my hopes dashed again when the "licking-their-own-ear", muttering nutbar punters rather spoilt the atmosphere.
In summary, a bit like the dregs of the Wetherspoon empire without the range of beers and cheap prices. If they can't improve it, then it should be closed and put out of its misery.
4 Sep 2006 13:51
I went in on a quiet weekday afternoon after a county match. It's a pretty big place, the staff are friendly, the beer is OK and it's a short walk from the Oval. It's not a pub for the real ale fanatic or the gastropub-trendy set, but it's a good backstreet boozer.
4 Sep 2006 13:41
Not really my cup of tea. It has a good view of the sea and the harbour, but it's got more of a Butlins holiday camp atmosphere, with a splash of motorway service station. I probably would appreciate it if I was visiting with kids; but I wasn't so I didn't. It's good for a large group of people though which is why I was there, and we had no problems getting seated even when we had to come inside because of rain.
The beer was good though, and I've no complaints about the service.
4 Sep 2006 13:31
The Fox and Hounds, Great Wolford
I went there on a Saturday night with my band (we were playing at a local country house for a wedding). It is an absolutely gorgeous little pub, with some of the best kept beer I've had for quite sometime - it was refreshing to have 3 ales from local brewers, without a Greene King IPA or London Pride in sight. The "biggest" brewer represented was Hook Norton with Old Hooky.
The food was excellent but over-priced, even accounting for the obvious presence of extremely loaded punters. 5.50 for half a round of beef sandwiches and chips? It was lovely though, I'd just have preferred a slightly larger portion. A glance at the blackboard for the main courses showed the high prices there too - 16 quid for a steak!
It is tiny, and clearly geared towards dining these days rather than being a drinkers pub. Despite the high prices, there appears to be no problem with demand so I can't blame the landlady for that. I can however take issue with her attitude to the 8 of us who had spent 80-90 quid in total. We weren't exactly made to be welcome in return for our custom, mainly because the table we were on was required for a reservation later on: understandable given that it's a small pub, but she could have handled it better. Maybe we're just used to big city customer service.
On the whole an excellent pub well worth going out of your way for.
4 Sep 2006 13:17
The Prospect of Whitby, Wapping
I was here on a quiet Monday afternoon, sitting on the balcony by the (quite surreal) noose, overlooking the Thames and Canary Wharf, with the water lapping against the "beach" below us. A very pleasant way to while away an afternoon.
Only downside according to my girlfriend was the ladies toilet which had been transformed into a changing room for a fashion shoot!
23 Aug 2006 12:32
Long may the St.Austell beers and piano be found at The Golden Eagle. Unforced character and personality like this would be bottled and mass-produced by big BrewCos if they realised the viewing public liked it..
Definitely a port of call on any trip to the area for me. And if you're feeling hungry, don't miss the Golden Hind fish and chip restaurant round the corner.
23 Aug 2006 12:26
Nice pub, attentive staff and a good mix of clientele - fortunately on my visit the braying media types were coming and going on a regular basis so the more mellow longer-staying visitors like myself weren't subject to over the top mobile phone calls for long.
Big enough to get a group of friends together in and not as difficult to find as some people have suggested.
Probably the pick of the Sam Smiths pubs in the area, if that's not damning it with faint praise.
23 Aug 2006 12:16
As a tall person this pub is more dangerous than most for me after a few beers - I can imagine a few mysterious bruises appearing the next day from table/knee incidents and maybe even head/doorframe incidents.
Nonetheless, very nice, quaint; food portions were good and the beer seemed pretty good, but why have 3 very similar beers like Adnams, Pride and Youngs? Why not something that tastes a little different? I'm sure the market is there for it.
I also think this one will be lovely and welcoming in the winter, even with the outside toilets! I will definitely be going back to this one.
23 Aug 2006 12:06
The dog portrait is scary, especially after a few beers!
Nice enough pub with a good atmosphere - even on a Sunday evening. I'm convinced the layout (and some of the punters) were the inspiration for the Queen Vic in Eastenders; but I might be alone on this as my drinking partners didn't necessarily agree..
17 Jul 2006 11:50
At the time of writing, this place is at an average of 7 out of 10 - I'm not sure how. It's big, it's clean they've got a decent set of tv screens so good for watching sport, and the prices aren't bad.
However some of the clientele are a bit on the scary side - I've been in there when a nutter bought the entire pub sambuca shots (OK it was Monday so it wasn't a big round!); during the World Cup 2 guys were chucking water over each other in the Gents using traffic cones (!). On the plus side last time I was there we struck up a conversation with a visiting Frenchman who was very nice and who endearingly wanted know about local "discos". Ahhhh, quaint..
Looking back at what I've just written, I'm not sure why I have negative feelings towards this place - it is probably the best night out in Purley... although it's only 2 mins from Purley station and I'd rather hop on the train to town given the choice.
6 out of 10 would be closer to the mark in my mind.
14 Jul 2006 19:11
The Ship and Shovell, Charing Cross
I went into the quiet no-smoking half last night and was pleasantly surprised that it was air-conditioned: a real bonus in the muggy July evenings. Also a clue for how traditional pubs in the capital will be, once the smoking ban kicks in.
It's rather quaint in there, with a tiny snug, and a tiny bar which still manages to get 3 draught ales and a couple of lagers.
Surprisingly a lot of my London based friends have never heard of it, let alone found it (a mission in itself if you're not familiar with it already). Definitely worth a visit. But remember that mobile reception esp T-mobile is non-existent in the shadow of Charing Cross... that may be a blessing in disguise for some commuters who "miss their train".....
14 Jul 2006 16:49
The Charles Dickens, Southwark
If you're a bit of a beer spotter, you're in the area and you can't face the crowds at The Market Porter, head on down here. Seen (and drunk) some cracking beers here. It is a bit smokey, but hey, enjoy it (or not) while it lasts before the nannys change our pubs for ever.. (and I'm not even a smoker!)
My partner enjoyed the wine as well.. but this is BITE after all so I won't comment further...
Would be a perfect entry in the Camra GBG if there's space in the SE1 section (rather full of good pubs already!)
20 Jun 2006 17:22
Good London boozer. Great staff, marshalled well by the amiable landlord. I didn't have to wait long to get served during an England match at the World Cup, which has to be a good measure of bar staff efficiency. I went to a leaving drinks in the upstairs room, and it was a bit rammed but it felt like being in a house party - great atmosphere; I was looking for the kitchen for the traditional "kitchen party"!!
Nice simple pub, does everything right - bottom line: good beer, nice place.
20 Jun 2006 17:14
Well, it's got a great view (across to the back of Wapping High Street and the Prospect of Whitby), and you can watch cormorants fishing on the Thames, plus there is tons of outside seating which makes it a summery sort of place.. Apart from that, this is a soul-less chain pub with a nice side-line in below average staff and nothing interesting beer-wise on draught. As posters below have said, a means to an end pub. Worth popping into on a pub crawl along the Thames perhaps, but not going out of your way for.
20 Jun 2006 17:02
Good beer, with recommendations from a helpful barman. I was in there on a quiet Sunday afternoon and it felt a bit lacking in atmosphere, but I imagine when there's a good crowd in there it's a pub I wouldn't want (or need) to leave. From the chalk board of upcoming beers, I wish I was more local..
Worth the walk up from the city centre.
30 May 2006 12:16
The Bells of Peover, Lower Peover
A beautiful pub in a semi-hidden location, worth seeking out if you're in the area. Great for Surrey exiles like me if you're home sick..
From my perspective of not being local and not knowing the other Chef & Brewer pubs mentioned, I couldn't comment on the uniqueness of the menu. But the food I had was lovely even if it is available elsewhere.
And the well kept beer went down well - not an amazing range though. I had Bombardier and it was just right.
The only thing against this my pub in my book was the slightly dim bar staff who short changed me and then couldn't work out what the change should have been. The waiting staff were very pleasant and on the ball though.
30 May 2006 12:11
The White Hart, Crystal Palace
Agreed this is definitely the best pub in the area. In fact I travel quite a few miles to make this one of my regular haunts. It has a buzz to it at the moment which is unlikely to last, but the varied age range in the punters is quite promising.
Any place in South London that serves good Yorkshire beer like TT's Landlord gets my vote; together with the draught lagers (proper ones not pseudo-Aussie pish) this pub has one of the best draught beer ranges around without going to a Belgian-type beerbar.
8 May 2006 01:11
We were in the area playing a gig at the Grosvenor House and, from past experience, we weren't expecting much from a pub in this area - but we really enjoyed this pub.
Good beer (Harviestoun Navigator), hugely over the top ornate Victorian decor (well maintained), we actually got a seat on a lovely late Spring Thursday evening and it wasn't nearly as Hooray Henry as expected.
Full of Americans though, presumably from the embassy nearby; although to be fair to them, they did seem to understand the standing at the bar and getting served thing. To the extent of venting frustration at the inefficient barsteward(esse)s.... Not the worst service, but could do better.
Overall, next Park Lane gig, the band will be back in here. Filed for future use.
5 May 2006 13:35
I recently returned here for the first time in ages.
Around about 1997-2002 I used to go here a lot to meet friends as it was convienient for out of towners who live by the tube map.. Then it went seriously downhill, with mouldy flaking paint on the walls and truely dreadful beer.
I'm pleased to say that the decor must have been tarted up in the last few years, and it still has the pseudo-Greek freezes on the wall; and more importantly the beer is pretty good actually. Taylor's Landlord and Deuchers IPA were in good shape on my 2 recent visits.
The bar staff are potentially the problem for all the other negative comments - Eastern Europeans fresh off the back of a refrigerated truck I think. I was served a pint with almost an inch of froth (not even a proper head). It was topped up on my smiling request, but I shouldn't have had to ask.
Still a place to visit on a crawl or to meet friends, but not a place to linger, but why would you with so many other gems in the area (Nell Gwynne, Harp etc).
11 Apr 2006 10:50
The Crown and Sceptre, South Croydon
One of those pubs where nothing much happens and nothing ever changes - that's a great thing! Always friendly staff (low staff turnover which is rare), consistently well kept beers (both real ale and lagers), friendly regulars and quiet atmosphere conducive to good conversation.
1 Feb 2006 13:27
Big, bright, foody, beery - love it. Not a place to bring the lads for a night out, but great for meeting a mixed group or for a date if your partner likes the finer things in life.
Service in the restaurant was a bit slow (or was it intentionally unobtrusive?). But food has been good on the times I've been there so far. The beer is great (from the Meantime Brewery mainly). Definitely not a cheap place, but generally OK price wise bearing in mind the poncey end of the market it's aiming at.
1 Feb 2006 13:19
The Fest - Octoberfest Pub, Fulham
Was really looking forward to this place, having been to the "real deal" in Munich last year. With an oompah band and Paulaner beer in 2 pint steins, on paper it was a good night.
Unfortunately, despite the blue and white checked flags, there is more of an Aussie theme to the place. Nothing against Aussies at all, but why have a huge Australian flag behind the bar of a German theme pub? The beer was OK, if a little warm, but HUGELY over-priced at �6.30 for 2 pints. The oompah band did pretty well (impressed by the trumpter who was clearly a bit of a screamer) although their repertoire was a bit limited.
Biggest disappointment was the gents toilets. Am used to scummy facilities but wading through over an inch of wee ? Disgusting. On the other hand, about as authentic as the bier tent's loos in Munich...
We may go back to try out on a less busy night if there is such a thing.
1 Feb 2006 12:48
The Purley Arms, South Croydon
A locals pub; has gone through many management changes over the past few years. Seems to be on the up at the moment - last night was surprised to find well kept Harvey's Sussex Best on tap, alongside Green King IPA and Courage Directors. Will visit more often if this quality is maintained.
Still isn't quite as nice as the Crown and Sceptre for atmosphere, but deserves to be supported more by lovers of proper beer.
1 Feb 2006 12:40
The Fox, Twickenham
I think The Fox could be a cracking pub - the glass extension on the side really adds to the lovely old original bit, but I have to agree that the staff (whilst lovely) do seem like kids left in charge. There's no sense there's an experienced manager behind the scenes and very often the attention to detail fails. It's busy at weekends regardless so I guess from a business point of view that no-one cares what goes on then, but on week nights TW1 is very quiet and there's not enough drinkers to go round: get the service right and the few punters in town will come here (the food's good so the profit margin is there to be had - owners take note...).
Ale-wise, I like the Windsor & Eton, Twickenham and Ascot Ales; but all a bit predictable - why not have 3 dependable beers and 3 wildcards?
Summary: decent pub, but could do better. Currently a 7/10 but could so easily be a 9/10
26 Sep 2013 19:44