BITE user comments - mally
Comments by mally
Just about everything, for me, that a pub should be:
- excellent ales and bottled Belgian beers
- great ciders, and a large choice too
- a huge range of unusual spirits
- landlord and staff who take a pride in what they are doing & the quality of what they are selling, all done with friendly approach
- great location
If this place is not in the 2011 GBG, something has gone badly wrong
Pay a visit - you will not be disappointed.
19 Jun 2010 11:34
After the bright dawn the early signs of storms ahead. Penbro's unacceptable treatment is symptomatic of a chaotic and disorganised attitude to customer service caused largely by insufficient staffing levels.
The food prices are at restaurant levels but without the corresponding personal treatment. People will not wait and wait to get a drink, order food, or get fed having ordered. They just won't come back.
The Oak is not entitled to customers and if things are not sorted out soon the place will be empty (again)
24 Apr 2010 11:01
Have visited for lunch a couple of times recently. Very good value - an excellent homemade tomato and basil soup sticks in my memory. Well conditioned Youngs and a very friendly atmosphere. Recommended
12 Apr 2010 00:29
Yes, open again and the early signs are encouraging. It's good to see the place getting busy again. There are plans for a beer festival soon. The food is very good, if somewhat ambitiously priced. Beer quality is consistantly of a high standard - at least when Fullers can be bothered to deliver it......!
12 Apr 2010 00:24
Easter sunshine, watching life from the table at the front of the pub.
Great lunch (local sausages, mash,peas and gravy) and several pints of perfectly conditioned Rebellion's 'Recession Blues'. A lovely place.
12 Apr 2010 00:16
A really good pint of Tring's Ridgeway; somebody here evidently knows how to keep beer. It's a pity similar standards are not applied to the customer service training for bar staff. Our lunchtime visit today was soured by a rude and disinterested barmaid whose attitude calls into question the 2010 GBG's assertion that this is 'a welcoming and friendly local,......'
12 Apr 2010 00:08
Grim. Avoid.
Area Manager - time to earn your salary and get it sorted.
11 Mar 2010 22:27
So,it's re-opened, the ale is very very good and the landlord is keen. Early signs are good.
An 8 on the basis of 2 visits.
11 Mar 2010 22:04
Judging by some of the previous comments this pub must be doing something well. We were very optimistic when four of us called in on our 'visiting the island' cycle ride. What a disappointment. Very cold & reluctant reception from the landlady, she seemed quite annoyed that we had turned up; a little strange since we were the only customers.
Room temperature matched the welcome.
Only two beers available, both 5%ish, a little strong for a lunchtime session.
A local arrived and sat at the bar gawping at us, in the manner of a man who hasn't seen many strangers.
Left as quickly as decently possble.
A very curious place indeed.
20 Feb 2010 11:31
Had just about the best conditioned pint of London Pride that I can remember. Friendly and welcoming pub. Just how it should be - doing the basics well.
20 Feb 2010 11:09
The Crab and Lobster, Bembridge
Arrived by chance during bike ride. Very warm welcome, the place was busy but they seemed genuinely pleased to see us. Excellent food (if somewhat pricey) and well conditioned local ale. Left reluctantly but well fortified for the ride ahead.
20 Feb 2010 11:02
Craig, thanks for your more than fair response. It is decent of you to react in such a positive manner - a sign of your high standards both for beer and customer service. Looking forward to drinking in the Bree Louise for a long time to come - have already been back for some Wandle. Will say 'hello' next time I see you. Cheers.
20 Feb 2010 10:53
I'm a big admirer of what owner Craig has done with this pub. The turnover of good quality ale is remarkable and the support to CAMRA members is generous and appreciated. I like the table reservation idea and the quick service behind the bar. I alway recommend the place to people.
What I do not like, and didn't expect, is to be verbally abused by a female member of staff for having a folded Brompton bike next to me as I sat by the door near the toilets. I fully appreciate that in a crowded pub (which it wasn't) every inch of space is at a premium. However nobody was inconvenienced by the presence of the bike, except this woman. She returned for a second time and agressively insisted that I should move. So I have done, permanently. Despite this, I still rate this place highly for almost everything and will miss drinking here several times a week. Do visit - but remember not to take your folding bike.
7 Feb 2010 10:43
This pub dines out on its undoubtably glorious setting. I can't comment on the food but on my last visit the beer was awful, stale and completely out of condition. The bar staff's attitude was as bad: curtness combined with disinterest. The staff know, as they do in other tourist spots, it doesn't matter if standards are low and rudeness prevails - there will always be another coachload tomorrow. Well I won't be amongst them.
How this place got into the Good Beer Guide is very hard to understand.
2 for the setting alone. CAMRA branch, you need to get this place de-listed.
7 Feb 2010 10:25
Closed this Saturday lunchtime. Recent beer quality very variable and choice often limited to one ale. Despite best efforts of bar staff and kitchen, this place is floundering on the rocks and it shows. The locals in the ale bar are a friendly & loyal crowd and will continue to support their pub - but we all know things cannot continue as they are.
Its a great place but it could be so so much better.
7 Feb 2010 10:03
The Betjeman Arms, St Pancras International Station
Generally moving in the right direction despite slightly haughty staff having a tendency to serve short measured 'pints'. But effort to promote decent ale via their beer festivals is most welcome.
31 Mar 2009 22:02
The King Charles I, Kings Cross
What a great little place and only 3 minutes walk from the office. Nice choice of ales, especially those from Brodie's. If this place doesn't make the Good Beer Guide this year then something is wrong with their system. Gets crowded, so best get in early.
31 Mar 2009 21:54
Saw advert in 'London Drinker', otherwise would have never stumbled in by accident. A very good find indeed.
Called in between Christmas and New Year. Very impressed with the quality of the beer and the warm welcome from the staff. There is obviously a lot of hard work taking place here to ceate an excellent local. A sure fire entry for the GBG this year.
18 Jan 2009 10:43
The Basketmakers Arms, Brighton
Excellent pub, very good beer quality, a proper drinkers establishment. Correct but friendly staff and some of the best cod and chips I've had in a long while. Just the sort of place you'd want to have as your local. Shame it's not mine.
4 Sep 2008 21:25
Had one of the best pints here...well a few actually. The beer 'Ploughman's Pride' is brewed to the landlord's recipe by the village brewery (Oxfordshire Brewery)and was very good indeed.
With bar lunches at
�8.99 for two this is a pub that is making a big effort and deserves support from the village and further afield.
26 Apr 2008 12:37
Ihave always had a pleasant welcome here. The beer is local and always in perfect condition.The multi-award winning Gravitas from Vale Brewery is frequently on offer. Cannot comment about food.
26 Apr 2008 12:26
No ale on offer this Friday evening and no delivery until Monday, and they didn't seem too bothered either. Shame, used to be quite a decent place.
2 points for of ease of parking.
26 Apr 2008 01:03
Rog, Matt, calm down. You are both right. The Angel is dull, but isn't that the point? A dull,old fashioned pub serving good cheap beer in the very centre of the capital. Fantastic! I took some French friends in there on a cold icy day. We sat by the coke stove and knocked back the beers.They thought that was great.And so did I. A world away from the world outside.
And Biker: you are badly wrong about the other Sam Smiths pubs that Matt mentioned.
8 Jan 2008 00:12
Food very variable. However, the beer, staff and decor make the Island Queen an excellent pub which has a very nice local community feel about it.
It would be near perfect if they could sort the food out, i.e. serve a small range of quality bar snacks rather than the over ambitious current menu, or, get a new chef.
1 Jan 2008 17:29
Called in here with a group between Christmas & New Year. Excellent beer quality, friendly staff and an open fire. A very pleasant place indeed.
Food was snacks only due to kitchen fire.
Also wide range of bottled beers from various countries.
Recommended.
1 Jan 2008 17:20
Just about the best pub in the area for beer quality. I like the staff and the food is not bad. Be content, however, with your own company, because this is very much a local pub for local people.
17 Oct 2007 00:19
The Anglers Retreat, Marsworth
In decline. Last two visits were disappointing for beer quality. Recently caught the tailend of the beer festival and rather wished we hadn't bothered. When its gone, its gone. The final drops should not be pressed on the public when the only honourable thing to do is bin it, or send it to Sarsons. A GBG entry should be an assurance of a top pint - its not always the case here. Having achieved the standard, it's a shame to let complacency set in.
17 Oct 2007 00:05
A very good pint, not particularly cheap. But the welcome was warm, aswell as the October sun on the outside terrace.Looking towards France and reflecting on the rugby victory. High tide, fine views, good beer;what more could a chap want? Apart from a feisty woman of course.
16 Oct 2007 23:48
Blood-heat temperature beer was a diappointing surprise on my first visit recently. Not acceptable in a GBG listed pub.
Better bet for a pint of consistantly good quality can be found 30 seconds away in the Edgar Wallace.
21 Jul 2007 00:16
Have been here a few times lately, after an absence of many years. Happy to find a really good beer selection. The quality can be variable ranging from perfect to badly out of condition. But generally it is a good pint - consistency is the key. The beers on gravity look like they could be a bit of a nightmare in warm weather. Overall however, if the beer quality can be consistently good, and it is evident that there is a lot of effort going in to this objective, this place is a realistic alternative to the Doric Arch and a contender for the GBG. Keep up the good work.
23 Jun 2007 13:03
Beer quality very variable. Took a French visitor there recently and we were told they had no beer at all, real ale anyway. The pint of Adnams that I had there this week was awful and expensive;got it changed without too much fuss, but the IPA replacement while somewhat better could not be described as 'in condition' Pity, because otherwise I like the place. Thai food was OK
23 Jun 2007 12:42
The Charles Dickens, Southwark
Unfortunately this place has declined significantly. It should be removed from the DBG immediately as the standard of ale served is pretty poor indeed. While the variety is good, it is not enough just to stock beers that do not sell in sufficient quantities.
Its a shame because I had high hopes of this pub, but it would appear that profit taking, without looking after the product quality, means that the Dickens joins the pack of expensive and mediocre establishments that form the majority in the area.
23 Jun 2007 12:23
I assume that the 'lovely expert beer man' was not the landlord who would probably prefer to drink his own urine rather than wreck a decent ale with lemonade.
This is an excellent pub both for beer choice and quality Frightening mirror that does a performance in the Gents - even before I've had a pint. Useful function room upstairs for 20 or so
17 Feb 2007 14:09
The Ship and Shovell, Charing Cross
Missing, for some inexplicable reason, from the Good Beer Guide. I have never had a bad pint here and the Badger range makes a welcome addition to beer variety in the area. Get in early if you want a seat.
17 Feb 2007 13:51
Rather unfriendly; a pub or a restaurant? Either way, the attitude is rather 'we're doing you the favour, so be grateful....and don't enjoy youself too much'
17 Feb 2007 00:24
Nip along to the Shepherd's Crook at Crowell, only 2 or 3 miles. Beer,food and staff will reach the mark I think you will find.
17 Feb 2007 00:17
A classic country pub combining the best of ale and food. A landlord who loves his beer and can keep and serve it. A chef who can cook a piece of beef and knows more than a little about fresh fish.
Never is the saying that 'if the beer is right everything else follows' truer here. Well worth a detour if you are not local, and if you are: deserves all your support,places of this pedigree are becoming rare.
17 Feb 2007 00:08
Not much spent on the refurb but the beer prices quickly adjusted upwards nevertheless. Beer quality is still there, the variety is not. The staff as wackily miserable as ever. A place in gentle decline, but still well ahead of local competition.
12 Jan 2007 00:18
The Hole In The Wall, Waterloo
If this place was anywhere else than under some railway arches it would be correctly categorised by any sane person as a filthy dump. The standards of hygiene, from beer,to food,toilets,tables,glasses are as low as the standards of customer service;and the customer service makes Aeroflot look good.
But hey, its under some arches: so its full of character because it rumbles when a train passes overhead.Well maybe, but a good pub it is not.
9 Jan 2007 23:26
A perfect pint of Castle Eden. Quiet on a Wednesday mid-afternoon. Friendly people on both sides of the bar. Sunshine streaming through the tiny snug window. Entertainment provided by the resident dog.
Only a short visit for me but it is easy to see that this is a very good pub.
2 Sep 2006 10:12
This is an excellent example of a threatened species: 'the basic local'. It survives in private hands unthreatened by brewery 'improvements', loud music and overpriced food.
You can get good quality (& value) beer,service and conversation. These are the essentials that define a pub for me, but are increasingly hard to find.
2 Sep 2006 10:03
Visited a couple of weeks ago on a Friday evening. Brilliant beer quality, good service, food menu looked appealing. In short, just about everything you could want, but...... I have never been in pub anywhere in London at 18h00 on a Friday evening and been one of 4 drinkers - three of whom were with me.
I hope this place gets the support it deserves, but when I saw 20 or locals relaxing nearby on the pavement drinking Red Stripe, alarm bells start ringing. The Pembury deserves success & hopefully it is not the right pub in the wrong area.
15 Aug 2006 23:29
The Bay View Inn, Widemouth Bay
I liked this place straightaway, not least because the staff actually seemed pleased to see you - rare in Cornish pubs if you are a casual tourist customer, in my experience at least.
We sat on the sunny terrace and enjoyed great quality local beer. The food menu looked good for a 'gastro-pub' type of meal. Some 'basic pub' hot snacks might be an idea.
A discount/loyalty scheme operates for regulars giving 10% off purchases.
Free newspapers and an area with comfortable lounge chairs. Children seem welcome with good play area outside.
Minus point:Gents toilets could do with an odeur reducing 'once over'
All in all: my sort of place and I wish I lived a little closer.
11 Aug 2006 09:51
Like a quiet and introverted Holborn sister to the nearby 'Princess Louise' the Angel has a brooding external appearance. However,further investigation reveals a gem of a pub that Sam Smith has preserved to great effect on a number of levels:
The excellent ale,both in quality & value (Good Beer Guide entry should be a formality)The real fire, the unusual 3 room arrangement. The quiet,relaxed atmosphere that exists regardless of the number of drinkers. A rare place,in London or anywhere else.
4 Mar 2006 18:17
The Charles Dickens, Southwark
The beer is still very good and the staff friendly. This place really does deserve to be GBG listed,
18 Feb 2006 00:19
I enjoyed this pub with it's old fashioned landlord and his high standards. Beer was good and locals friendly.Made a hash of trying to play bar billiards.
A real local with character.
11 Feb 2006 01:22
Still good but not as good as it was. The beer choice follows a fairly predictable rotation ( obviously what Dave is allowed on the Fullers choice list) but even that is halved by the permanent Fullers inmates.
Where is the adventure and variety that used to be a defining feature of this place?
11 Feb 2006 01:17
The Hole In The Wall, Waterloo
A classic case of the 'emperor's clothes' seems to apply to this pub : everybody seems to be dazzled by it's undoubted quirkiness into believing that the beer is great. Well it is not, poorly kept and flogged to the last rancid centilitre. They were serving the dregs of the Battersea on Friday afternoon according to my two unfortunate friends. they won't be back & neither will I, the place is a disgrace.
PS While you are waiting for the sloppy service you can watch the odd mouse zipping from kitchen area to bar. Mmmmm
12 Dec 2005 23:22
The Bricklayers Arms, Whittlesey
Restores one's faith in the traditional friendly local serving great beer at reasonable prices.("get it down yer")
The Sunday lunchtime chatter & rattle of dominos as the Fenland storm raged outside made this pub the perfect refuge. A rare place indeed.
13 Nov 2005 10:09
A beacon of style,good service and value quality ale.Sam Smiths in top condition at �1.70 a pint. The question is: if Sam Smiths can do this in a central area at these prices and still make a living,then what mugs are we for frequenting the �2.50+ a pint merchants? Support those who keep the price of good beer down!
10 Nov 2005 00:00
Fears confirmed.Shut Monday & Tuesday next week for 'Fullerisation' of cash systems and suchlike. Apparently 3 Fullers beers to be stocked & 6 guests.Wait & see
28 Jul 2005 23:26
I tend to agree with the previous comment concerning the service - it is awful,very slow. The young female staff seem almost unaware of the presence of customers and when they do notice they usually pick those who have beem waiting the least time. However I would persist here because of the beer: always a varied choice,good quality and reasonably priced ( for the area) �2.50 for bitter. I avoid The Wellington for the poor beer at high prices but agree King's Arms is a great alternative.
White Hart get your staff sorted out.
25 Jul 2005 18:14
Rumour of sale to Fullers very soon. Hopefully just a rumour. If I want Fullers there are plenty of places where it can be found. However this place is almost unique in Central London for beer quality and variety. Does anybody know more about the sale?
23 Jul 2005 13:42
The Triple Crown Inn, Richmond
Well worth a visit. Good beer and pleasant atmosphere.
23 Jul 2005 13:21
The Plume of Feathers, Greenwich
Not far away from having everything: great beer,locals are friendly , barstaff pleasant & helpful, excellent food,pretty garden at rear.Also handy for Maze Hill station. In short all a good local should be.I wish I lived closer.Well done to all involved. Recommended
23 Jul 2005 13:17
The Greenwich Union, Greenwich
Excellent place. Young and enthusiastic barman took time to explain about the beer and offer samples while we tried to choose from the impressive array of delicious beers. Recommended.
23 Jul 2005 13:01
Had a great time here last night on my first visit - great beer,friendly staff, welcoming & chatty locals.
Well worth a visit
23 Jul 2005 12:50
The Magpie and Crown, Brentford
Interesting place with a gothic air.
Very good beer quality and a variety too. Seems like a really decent local where effort is made to keep standards high - congratulations.
23 Jul 2005 12:21
Good quality Youngs beer and a pleasant garden at rear for summertime quaffing. Very smokey inside however - a major negative point.
23 Jul 2005 11:46
The Express Tavern, Kew Bridge
Interesting traditional place with a beer perfectionist landlord -"Life is too short to drink poor quality beer" he said.I couldn't agree more - well worth a visit
23 Jul 2005 11:42
Good quality Fullers beer.Great riverside location with seating virtually in the water on a high tide.
23 Jul 2005 11:37
By far and away the best pub in Aylesbury & a complete oasis from the tired,drab cloned town centre:
- no smoking
- no louts
- original & tasteful interior & customers to match
- very friendly sevice
- beer from Chiltern Brewery, including the latest Summer Ale 'Cobbles' which is light, fresh & full of flavour
- good food
- town centre historic building
Make the effort to visit;highly recommended
26 Jun 2005 15:36
Wonderful interior. Absolutely heaving - but that is my own problem for going during the Friday evening rush hour. Beer was very good - seasonal range available too.
21 May 2005 19:04
The Pride of Spitalfields, Shoreditch
One of the last bastions of a community & culture in retreat.A priceless place where the beer was impeccable (Crouch Vale) and the company genuine & friendly. A perfect haunt to reflect on by-gone East End days.
21 May 2005 18:57
Excellent pint of Nethergate - barman was fine.Mixed clientele. Can recommend
21 May 2005 18:45
As an regular vistor to this traditional pub I am concerned at the direction it is heading. Always known for it's real ale my last visit found the Hogs Back Tea "off". I decided to try a London pride instead and what I got amounted to one of the most insipid pints of real ale I've ever had the misfortune to be served. And the price was �2.55 too!
I know the pub has had a series of managers and I don't think the care and attention is there at the moment. Evenm the excellent beer garden is starting to resemble the amazon jungle.
Let's hope this is a blip, as the world needs the Old Ford in its former glory! I won't give up though I'll try again and let you know how things are going.
16 May 2005 13:04
The Charles Dickens, Southwark
Adventurous real ale stock. Fresh beers were spot-on. Be careful landlord: your enthusiasm for the real ale is commendable but trim the number of pumps to what you are selling quickly, thus keeping the quality level high. Don't fall into the same trap as 'The Hole in The Wall' at Waterloo: large real ale choice ,mostly stale because they don't shift enough
Deserves support. Local CAMRA have a look here
15 May 2005 00:07
The Pump and Truncheon, Blackpool
Marvellous find right next to the police station. Very welcoming with a cross-section of discerning customers who are able to sample a great range of perfectly kept ales. Live music last night with a really impressive Motown/Blues singer. Had a great night. No yobs/hen/stag parties - now that is a real find in Blackpool town centre
24 Apr 2005 21:37
The Swan Inn and Bistro, Olney
Good value high quality beer -guest ales. Staff efficient but friendly & welcoming.Sheltered patio area at rear & food menu looks good. A ideal place to have as your local
21 Apr 2005 23:39
Pleasant place but you certainly pay for the privilege drinking in pretty surroundings: ordered a pint of ale & was told "3"... er yes she meant �3. I don't pay this much for decent equivalent 5% beer in good central London pubs - so will not be back. A shame, such greed spoils an otherwise good pub
21 Apr 2005 23:31
I agree with Martin on the friendly service & beer quality.Perhaps not the best for miles around but certainly one of them.A local beer would be a good move
Haven't had the food for a year or so but remember a massive portion of cod & chips - very good too.
In summary: plenty of effort going into customer service & beer quality. Deserves support
18 Apr 2005 23:31
I enjoyed my visit here. It is a slightly unusual place but all the better because of this. The beer was good even though I am not a great fan of Courage Best.There is a nice welcome and a good selection of 'real' people (if you understand my meaning)
Good to see that the gents is handy for the bar & the ladies have to trek down the stairs;makes a change
16 Apr 2005 13:53
The Skinners Arms, Kings Cross
Deserves to be successful:friendly landlord & very tasty IPA. A good place to have on your list
16 Apr 2005 13:44
A wonderful place - great Young's beer, the St George was on top form recently. There is an atmosphere here that has not changed in the 25 years of my occasional visits. One of the great London pubs to hideaway in: sample the beers & consider the history
16 Apr 2005 13:35
Tried after a long absence based on previous report by Microman - thanks good tip.
The beer here used to be unspeakably awful. Now however the quality is very good with an interesting line in guest ales. The refurb is a bit trendy for me (sad old git)but the atmosphere is friendly & the deep armchair makes an ideal spot for an early evening session. Keep up the good work
8 Apr 2005 22:39
Fantastic interior, good qualty beer. Well worth a visit. Staff can be a bit on the miserable side
4 Apr 2005 18:15
Ale quality & staff attitude variable but there is usually a lively & friendly clientele. Speed of sevice is generally slow.
4 Apr 2005 18:02
Friendly,sporty type of place spoilt only by the poor ale quality
4 Apr 2005 17:31
Q:Where do you ever see the first pint of the session being pulled to clear the pipes?
A: Virtually nowhere except here
Q; Where do you ever see bar staff examining glasses for stains from the washer & then deciding to do an extra rinse to guarantee that they are 'just right'?
A;Virtually nowhere except here
The staff also ask if you enjoyed your pint AND the beer is top quality - what a great pub. Lucky locals. Everybody else:put yourself out & make the trip.
(there is even a happy hour between 5 & 6 )
30 Mar 2005 22:00
Congratulations to Fullers for creating a new pub. Beer usually of good quality but pricey.
The place is at it's best when you can sit outside- the inside is a bit predictable & bland, somewhat a wasted opportunity. Food OK but not cheap
29 Mar 2005 22:34
Beer of good quality, ideal place for an early evening pint with the chaps. Handy for the station
29 Mar 2005 22:28
Lovely blend of old & new. Gastro-pub style is nicely worked. The Brakspear beer is very well kept & the food menu looks good. friendly & efficient service
Excellent refuge from the hideous Bicester Village Shopping Centre ( if that is where you have been marooned with eager-spend family ) - don't bother looking any further into town because the rest of the pubs are pretty mediocre
29 Mar 2005 22:12
Excellent beer quality & good choice. You can take your dog in too. Well worth a visit. I found the service fine
26 Mar 2005 00:40
Urban hellhole of a pub. Complete lack of taste in all departments. Avoid
26 Mar 2005 00:33
The Bricklayers Arms, Aylesbury
Pleasant sort of place, spoilt by crappy beer quality & barmaid who managed a complete transaction without speaking a word.
26 Mar 2005 00:27
Friendly. Landlord is making big efforts to turn pub back to a proper local Always a good pint of Pride. Others variable.
Food can be iffy
26 Mar 2005 00:23
Great quality ales, always a local one on offer. Light lunch in peaceful garden with pint made for a idylic English moment.
26 Mar 2005 00:13
The Anglers Retreat, Marsworth
Vastly improved pub with excellent beer quality, often a mild and/or local Tring beer. Food menu looks good
26 Mar 2005 00:10
Very pleasing pub with beer quality usually good if rather expensive. Good upstairs function room for small groups.
25 Mar 2005 13:26
Having now got their act together with beer quality The king's Arms is everything a back street local should be.
25 Mar 2005 13:21
The Sekforde Arms, Clerkenwell
Absolutely the best pint of Young's in London ( or anywhere else) Very friendly - a really excellent pub
25 Mar 2005 13:10
Beer pretty ordinary served with loads of attitude by vacant-eyed staff
25 Mar 2005 13:05
This is what it should be like: spot-on beer,varied choice,nice staff who put a lot of effort into making this the sort of pub that everybody would love to have as their local. Salt beef sandwich makes a fine beer companion.
25 Mar 2005 12:59
This is a wonderful pub. There is a permanent beer festival at reasonable prices. There are enough odd characters too keep oneself entertained if drinking alone. A place where they have got their priorities right by concentrating on beer quality & variety. Bar food available, Sky TV can be a bit noisy
25 Mar 2005 12:47
The Hole In The Wall, Waterloo
Character pub verging on Dickesian seediness. Very handy for Waterloo railway. Wide range of real ales;in fact too many because the quality varies from great to undrinkable depending on how long it has been sitting there. Not a great pub for decent beer.
25 Mar 2005 12:37
The Oak, Aston Clinton
The curtain comes down again after a brief and largely unsatisfactory act that featured the disinterested and generally incompetent Fullers and some fly-by-night wanna-be pub-co. The locals are again (to continue the theatrical analogy) waiting to see if there will be an encore or whether the run is finally over.
19 Jun 2010 11:54