BITE user comments - mousefan
Comments by mousefan
Closed now; going to be converted to a Tesco Express, a fate that has befallen quite a few Bristol pubs. As I posted a few years ago, this could have been a good pub but as things ended up, it's no great loss.
3 Aug 2012 15:32
The Black Swan, Westbury on Trym
Pleasant pub, recently taken over. Three real ales, Courage Best and Doom Bar are constant and the other is a guest beer, usually from small local breweries. The is a blackboard where you can put in your guest beer requests. Good value lunchtime food and the landlord makes his own Scotch Eggs.
3 Aug 2012 15:26
The Post Office Tavern, Bristol
Some good guest beers on recently. Wye Valley Butty Bach and Cwrw Dewi Sant, Sharp's Pilsener and Ashley Down Primrose. Currently the most interesting beer range in the area.
19 Mar 2012 19:55
I was at the GBG launch too. Don't know what Dandilus was drinking but I tried quite a few of the beers on offer and I didn't get a single flat pint. I didn't hear any complaints from other drinkers either. Phil and Jackie have worked hard to get this pub back into the GBG and deserve a huge amount of credit.
17 Sep 2011 20:15
The Post Office Tavern, Bristol
I was at the beer festival too and agree that the Tawny Owl was flat. However, the other beers I tried were fine. Milk St Funky Monkey seemed to be the locals' favourite and it's returned as a guest ale.
30 Aug 2011 12:30
The Warren House Inn, Postbridge
A truly magnificent pub in the middle of nowhere. Wood panelling, two fires, one of which has apparently been burning sice 1845. Doom Bar, Otter Ale and Ringwood Old Thumper on when I visited; Otter in perfect condition. Didn't try the food but it seemed decent and good value. Cosiness is something I value in a pub and this is well, well cosy. A perfect 10.
25 Jul 2011 19:27
Now re-opened under new management. It's had a major refurb and the back bar is now a restaurant. However, the front bar is still available to people who just want a pint; Otter Bitter and TT Landlord when I was there, both in good nick, if on the pricey side at �3.30. (Average for Clifton, I suppose) Haven't tried the food but it looks good quality and they do a set lunch for a reasonable price.
17 Jul 2011 11:33
Amazed Dandilus paid �3.60 for a pint of Butcombe. It must have been a mistake on the part of the barmaid because it's normally a reasonable �2.60. (When I was in there yesterday, anyway) Agree that the beer selection is dull though
12 Jul 2011 11:38
This is a tea room, not a pub. If you want beer in here, in the evening or any other time, you will be disappointed. However, the Trwellard Arms over the road will sort you out royally.
30 Jun 2011 19:47
Was in here last night for the quiz and had a thoroughly pleasant evening. Beer range a bit unimaginative (6X/IPA/Horizon) but in good condition. The place was pretty busy for a Wednesday night. I'd give this another go.
30 Jun 2011 19:31
Gave this another go the other day and was glad I did. Food on this time; good quality and value. Butcombe Gold on good form. Staff and locals friendly. Agree with TWG that they could make more of the stillage behind the bar but at the end of the day it's a Butcombe pub and they're bound to major on that.
16 Jun 2011 21:42
This pub should be better than it is. It's an old building yet strangely lacking in character and atmosphere. Was there yesterday for their annual beer & sausage festival. Aforesaid beer & sausages were fine but it didn't seem particularly festive. Most (not all) of the staff seemed vaguely uninterested and there were too many young kids running around while their yummy mummies swigged chardonnay. A bit of a disappointment.
31 May 2011 16:19
The Crown Inn, Frampton Mansell
If I lived locally to this pub, I'd be very pleased! Place was packed when I visited, three ales on and the two I tried (Elgood Golden Newt and Uley Laurie Lee) were excellent. Delicious food at a reasonable price, given the quality. Only one room of the three is set out just for eating so you can go just for a pint
31 May 2011 16:12
Hello Jellytot76, my one-posting friend!
1. The For Sale sign wasn't up when I visited, although I've seen it since.
2. Agree Sky expensive, but it does get the punters in. Hopefully it'll be back.
3. Agree better than Wetherspoons. Most things are.
4. The street market closes at 2.00 pm. (I should know, I work on it) I was in at about 12.30 pm. Agree some of the customers are of the knit-your-own-muesli variety but plenty of them are normal and might fancy a lunchtime pint.
In conclusion (please note the spelling), I always saw this site as somewhere where we could just leave our own impressions of pubs we use. I didn't think it was necessary to go in with a questionnaire and clipboard and interrogate the staff. I hope this pub does well under the new management and will carry on using it when in the area.
28 May 2011 21:45
Agree with Blackthorn; this feels a bit like a chain pub although it actually isn't. Had decent pint of London Pride (Butcombe Gold & Otter Head were the other two on) and empties at the back from Arbor Ales and RCH shows they ring the changes a bit on the beer. Lunch was two mains for �9 and very good too.
28 May 2011 21:28
Wanted to have lunch here but when I asked to start a tab the barmaid looked at me as if I had sprouted an extra head and replied "We're not doing food today! We've got the morris men in!" Oh well. Had a pint anyway and very good it was. This was my first visit and despite the food knock-back, would give it another go as it looks like a lovely little pub.
28 May 2011 21:22
The Rudgleigh Inn, Easton In Gordano
Agree with previous poster; it's a restaurant now. Always had a big food trade but functioned as a pub. Not any more. No atmosphere. Beer was OK though.
26 May 2011 16:42
Loses points for not having any real ale but otherwise, a good little pub. Reminds me of pubs I used to drink in 30 years ago and I don't mean that as a criticism. This is a proper little locals' boozer. If only they'd put some proper beer on...
26 May 2011 16:37
What a lovely pub this is. Tried Blindman Golden Spring and Wickwar Cotswold Way and both were spot on. Had the best shepherd's pie I've eaten in ages. Selection of interesting books that you might actually want to read as opposed to random crap bought by the yard just for decoration.
3 May 2011 19:28
Easily overlooked, which is a shame as this is a very pleasant little pub. Four beers on when I last visited, all from the "Breweries Taken Over By Marston's" stable. I tried Ringwood Best which was perfect and a mere �2.50 a pint.
2 May 2011 20:47
I've known this pub for a few years and it's one of the best in Wells. Loved the exchange between the landlady and the couple who seemed so far up themselves. Definitely on landlady's side.
7 Apr 2011 00:27
I've been getting in here a bit more recently and I find the locals to be pretty friendly. The beer is always in good nick although the selection is a bit unimaginative. The best thing about this pub (in winter anyway) is that it has two real fires, one in the main bar and another in the snug, which gets, well...snug. Decent ale and a warm fire on a cold day, what more could you want?
5 Apr 2011 21:34
Agree previous comments about failing to live up to its potential. This is a beautiful old building in a fantastic dockside location. I hear it's recently come under new management so hopefully things will improve. I had a reasonable pint of Hobgoblin (other beer on offer was Milk Wood, which I think is from Brain's). Shame about the extremely inebriated ciderhead at the other end of the bar (at 3.00 pm) but at least he was trying to be friendly.
5 Apr 2011 21:13
Last time I was in, there were a few small signs that this place might be in trouble. Big plasma but no Sky (on Cricket World Cup Final day). Daily papers cancelled. Barmaid struggled to pull pint I ordered, checked barrel and said it was half full but when she finally managed to produce a full pint which wasn't half froth, it was off. She changed it with no bother but I got the impression they're not getting the throughput. Finally, only three punters in on a Saturday lunchtime with a busy street market just down the way.
5 Apr 2011 21:04
It's shut now. Shame. However, I got the impression that the owners couldn't work out whether it should be a sports bar, a food pub or just a street corner boozer. Hopefully someone else will be able to make it work.
5 Apr 2011 20:56
The Robin Hood's Retreat, Bishopston
Forgot to put this in previous post; pint of 3.9% beer was �3.25. If you go up the Annexe, there's no ale over �2.80. At the moment anyway.
5 Apr 2011 20:51
The Robin Hood's Retreat, Bishopston
Eight beers on when I last visited but seven were from the same brewery, ie Cottage. Nothing wrong with Cottage beers, far from it, but a little more variety would be welcome. This used to be a sad old man's pub but then went down the gastro route. Have eaten here a couple of times; yes it's pricey for a pub but good quality. The front of the pub is still set out for just having a drink so it's not just an eating establishment.
5 Apr 2011 20:47
Lovely pub situated behind the cavernous and not very nice Sportsman's. Eight pumps and seven beers on when I visited. Tried Wye Valley HPA, Quercus Spring Oak and Wood's Special, the latter two being guest ales. All in top form. However, don't really understand why they tie up two pumps with Courage Best and Doom Bar. Some Doom did get sold while I was there but not a single pint of C/B, while the guests were flying over the bar. Didn't try the food but it looked good and very reasonably priced.
5 Apr 2011 20:36
Wouldn't have chosen this pub normally but Mrs M needed the loo! However was pleasantly surprised. Typical modern chain pub but three real ales on offer and the Pedigree I had was perfect. Didn't try the food so can't comment. Don't think I'd want this place as a local but perfectly fine for a quick pint.
3 Apr 2011 10:08
What a superb pub. Excellent beer, good food and a cathedral among smoking shelters. Dog-friendly, no idiots, warm and cosy, the list goes on. I've never done this before but credit where it's due; a perfect 10.
30 Dec 2010 20:46
Was in here yesterday; only two ales on, Betty Stogs (not great), Tribute (spot on). However, the new menu needs to be checked out- the food is superb and reasonably priced
17 Oct 2010 10:49
Agree all previous comments re beer; truly superb. A bit lacking in atmosphere though, albeit we were there early evening and it would probably have picked up later.
1 Aug 2010 10:40
Cracking street corner boozer; good beer and food (all the meat comes from the proper butcher over the road) and very well priced. Living proof that you don't need to pay over �3.00 a pint in South Devon. (Yet)
1 Aug 2010 10:36
Royal Seven Stars Hotel, Totnes
�3.30 for a pint of Doom Bar? YOU ARE HAVING A LAUGH! Go to the William IV up the road instead.
1 Aug 2010 10:32
Lovely unpretentious locals' pub. Great beer and good food at sensible prices, a rarity for South Devon. I'd be more than happy to have this as my local.
1 Aug 2010 10:28
The Waterman's Arms, Ashprington
Stayed here. Was made instantly welcome by landlord & locals. (Good luck with the "extreme kayaking", Scott!) Agree previous comments re Palmer's beer but it is a brewery tied house after all and Palmer's is half decent. Fantastic breakfasts, good service and an all-round pleasant time was had by all.
1 Aug 2010 10:24
Was there for their July beer festival; 12 guest ales and the three I tried were spot on. Very relaxing just to sit looking at the river. I think this would be a good winter pub too, I can imagine it being well cosy on a cold night.
1 Aug 2010 10:16
More of a hotel than a pub. Had a remarkably nasty pint of Dartmoor. Nice garden though.
1 Aug 2010 10:09
Agree pork pies in Kings Head are good but the beer's a tad expensive. Anyway: the proper pork pies are back here now!
19 Feb 2010 21:56
Further to my last post, the pork pies in here used to be superb; proper hand-raised jobs from the West Midlands. The new regime (not Luke) has replaced these with pre-packaged industrial things like you might get in a motorway service station if you were really starving. Save a little money but lose a lot of sales...what kind of business plan is this?
3 Feb 2010 20:41
I only stop at this pub when passing through on my way to and from North Wales, so I can't pretend to be a regular. However, I've been in twice recently and find previous comments about unfriendly service, mediocre beer etc very surprising. Each time I was in, the bar staff were very friendly and the beer (Holden's Black Country) was spot on.
27 Jan 2010 21:31
What is it about this pub and small breweries in Wiltshire? First the Tisbury debacle and now fresh nonsense with the Hidden Brewery! Who came up with the idea of closing from three to six when the pub is surrounded by offices where people knock off at five? Luke has put his heart and soul into this pub and it's tragic to see how the idiots at Hidden are treating him and it. Let's hope someone can come in for this place and treat it with the care it deserves.
27 Jan 2010 21:22
First visit since the refurb and this pub goes straight into my list of Bristol favourites. Warm and cosy on a vile afternoon, sausage rolls and breadsticks on the bar, comfy seats and good atmosphere. Beer in perfect condition, although points are lost for the unimaginative selection. I hope this place does well.
22 Nov 2009 20:15
Only two real ales on, which was a bit of a disappointment but good atmosphere and the food looked good. Nice and cosy on a vile day.
1 Nov 2009 18:36
The Golden Heart, Nettleton Bottom
Some mixed reviews here. Visited last Monday, had excellent pint of Otter and a good meal. The pub is food-orientated but there were a fair few locals in for just a drink and a chat. I've never had a bad experience in here but obviously other reviewers have: maybe I've been lucky or they caught the place on a bad night, who knows? I'll be back.
31 Oct 2009 11:39
I've never knowingly come across the landlord but the landlady seems very friendly and always gives our dog something to eat. The beer is excellent and the Staffordshire Oatcakes are wonderful. The opening hours are, however, very, very silly.
25 Oct 2009 19:16
I avoided this pub for ages for the reasons given by curioushistory below but wandered in the other day and was very pleasantly surprised. Reasonably priced, well-kept beer, comfortable surroundings and a nice seating area at the front. Didn't eat but from what I could see, the food looked good and well-priced. Worth another visit.
4 Oct 2009 11:56
Went in the other day and was met with the following cheery greeting from the barmaid:
"I've got no Foster's or Stella and the lads tell me the Best tastes like shit!"
When I asked for a pint of cider, she said:
"Sorry the gas has gone on that."
I left.
4 Oct 2009 11:31
Was in there yesterday lunchtime (Saturday) and there were quite a few in, so hopefully the Neeld Arms is weathering the recession. Superb beer (Ramsbury, 3.6%, perfect for lunchtime) and lovely food. Not sure about best pub in Wiltshire, Mr X, as there are a few other strong contenders but this place has to be up there in the top 5.
4 Oct 2009 11:26
The Bowl Inn, Lower Almondsbury
I agree with previous contributors that this pub used to be ridiculously expensive. However, I was in there a week ago and had a pint of Everard's for a more than reasonable �2.20. In again today and the excellent Butcombe was �2.75. Must be under new management.
12 Sep 2009 19:12
Cracking pub in the middle of nowhere. Teignworthy beers in perfect condition and superb food. Mostly reliant on visitors but the locals get in too. Worth finding.
24 Jul 2009 19:24
Totally agree with last review. Popped in on a saturday afternoon recently; beer on top form and staff extremely friendly. Went back the next saturday evening with m'good lady wife and the food was excellent. I really hope the new management succeeds here.
10 Apr 2009 13:04
This used to be a great pub years ago and it could be again. Good luck to the new landlord, he's taken on a helluva difficult job.
20 Aug 2008 10:04
I picked this pub virtually at random from the GBG. It looks a bit of a 1970's throwback but it was comfortable, friendly and the beer was spot on. I didn't eat there but the food looked good too. I would certainly make a detour to visit again.
20 Aug 2008 09:50
Stonking good pub in a beautiful village. Good beers and food and friendly atmosphere. Nice rooms too if you want to stay the night.
30 Jul 2008 20:41
This a nice cosy pub and while the beer is a little unimaginative and not exactly local, it's a Marston's house and it's not the landlord's fault. It's all in good nick too.
30 Jul 2008 20:39
Can't really add much more to previous reviews of this superb pub other than to urge people to try the pork pie special and wash it down with Wye Valley Bitter. It's a great place to stay too.
30 Jul 2008 20:34
I agree that it's friendly although given that everyone was drunk at the time of my mid-afternoon visit, the experience was somewhat bizarre. No hassles though and I'd go there again.
16 Mar 2008 00:39
Nice comfortable wood-panelled pub with good beer from Robinson's. One of the few reasons for spending any time in Ruabon.
16 Mar 2008 00:35
Superb. Two fires, beers on top form, excellent food (pheasant breast wrapped in ham and stuffed with mushrooms! �8.95! Fill yer boots!) Insane small black dog roaming around. I think I could live here.
16 Mar 2008 00:23
Thoroughly decent locals' pub. Theakston's Best on top form. Warm and friendly on a vile night.
16 Mar 2008 00:19
Cracking pub. Good beer and food, dog-friendly and good accomodation. Highly recommended.
16 Mar 2008 00:08
The old bar is fine, great atmosphere and good beer. We had the dog with us and they let us eat off the restaurant menu in the bar which was brilliant. The food was good too. The rest of the place looked a bit bland but who cares when the old bar is so good?
14 Mar 2008 21:26
The Black Bull in Paradise, Masham
Not really a pub but good ale and a nice roaring fire on a vile day
14 Mar 2008 21:23
Haven't been in there since posting my last comment but it's the only pub near my office that has a telly and I wanted to monitor my modest each-way investment on the Gold Cup, so any port in a storm. I had a pint of Greene King IPA and I have to agree with "an ecumenical matter"; it was pure vinegar. Overpriced vinegar too.
My horse came third though, so it wasn't all bad.
14 Mar 2008 21:20
The Butchers Arms, Farmborough
Proper country pub festooned with rural memorabilia. Nice & friendly, superb pint of London Pride and the best bacon sarnie I've had in a long time.
26 Feb 2008 20:50
I don't think personal comments are helpful. If people have a problem with beer quality, service etc, it's better to take it up with the management rather than whinge on sites like this. Yes, there have been a few blips but the beer is still good, the company is still convivial and the pub has not suddenly become bad overnight. It's been a lot worse than this.
21 Feb 2008 19:51
The Sailors Return, East Chaldon
Lovely comfortable country pub and the beer was spot on. Was impressed by the menu but didn't eat there as it was the wrong time of day. Given some of the other comments posted here, it could have been a lucky escape! They let dogs in though, which is always a plus in my book.
26 Jul 2007 20:02
It's so good to have this place back. The Hidden Brewery seem to want a balanced policy of showcasing their own beers (fair enough, especially when they're so good) and also providing other good beers from micros not often (ever?) seen in Bristol. Food will be served soon once they've got the kitchen sorted. Happy days are here again!
6 Dec 2006 20:06
I agree entirely with bargroper although not so keen on the non-smoking. However, I suppose we're going to have to get used to it, dammit.
11 Aug 2006 20:33
Good though Okell's and Bushy's are, I think this place brews the best beer on the island. Well-priced too, both for beer and food.
11 Aug 2006 19:58
Did the same as Paradise Alley! Top beer and check out the nachos.
11 Aug 2006 19:56
I have to agree with Skeet. I had a decent pint though, before moving rapidly on.
11 Aug 2006 19:53
It's shut.
This is the way the world ends. Not with a bang but a whimper.
19 Jul 2006 19:50
Lovely cosy pub on a winter night. Good beer selection and friendly locals.
5 Mar 2006 20:15
Well modernised, retaining proper bar area. Superb food: check out the home-cured ham.
27 Mar 2005 19:50
Please don't even think about going to this pub. It's full of students and drunken union reps from the local Inland Revenue office. The beer's awful and your feet stick to the carpet. Go to the Cornubia or the King's Head instead.
12 Mar 2005 20:05
Oh God. This used to be a wonderful pub with one of the best selections of real ales I've ever come across. Now it's been "done out" as an identikit kiddie's lager emporium. Don't go there.
26 Feb 2005 20:18
The Pierhead Restaurant and Bar, Voe
A bit off the beaten track but worth looking for. Warm, friendly and a wonderful view
26 Feb 2005 20:05
An oasis in the wasteland that is Brae. Top food and a lovely pint of Guinness.
26 Feb 2005 20:03
Unpromising exterior (looks like a portakabin) but nice & friendly. Good pint of Guinness and good value food.
26 Feb 2005 20:01
It's changed management, it's safe to come back! Same superb beer, lovely food and unfortunately the same horrible carpet! Give it a go.
26 Feb 2005 19:49
The White Horse, Westbury on Trym
The main bar and snugs are wood-panelled and full of character. I've never had a bad pint here. However, the atmosphere and clientele make a drink in here a profoundly depressing experience.
3 Aug 2012 15:38