Roebuck, Chiswick

This is a beautiful place. I happened to visit because my friend used to go to school with the manageress. I was really impressed by the decor, the friendliness of the staff, the general quality of wine and food (ok so the chips and olives were all I had, but the Sunday Roast looked unbeatable!). This is one passionate couple about creating the perfect gastro experience, and I'm booking my birthday lunch here in October. I love discovering places like these, they make all the difference between an average Sunday pub in London and a really, really lovely one which you will have happy memories of and want to return for times to come. Could have something to do with being based in Chiswick...but it wins my vote.

4 Sep 2009 11:17

The Curtain's Up, West Kensington

Oh and one thing more, thank GOD the awful American self-obsessed monkey with that terrible laugh has disappeared...

4 Sep 2009 11:11

The Curtain's Up, West Kensington

Wow. Indeed what a turnaround.

A totally new, cleaned up (in terms of staff and decor), brighter, cheerier, more helpful and worthy gastropub. This is now a place I am PROUD to call my local watering hole! The Manager served my friend Dave and I on BH Monday, table service, smiles, professional attitude. A clean sweep.

4 Sep 2009 11:10

The Curtain's Up, West Kensington

Service is definitely NOT king in this establishment, the staff are generally cliquey and arrogant (the manager with the white lightening bolt fleck of white in his fringe a case in point), the food is less than impressive, and the theatre downstairs could do with a massive overhaul. This place needs new management.

1 Jun 2009 18:09

The Coal Hole, Strand

I went here with a group of friends on Friday night - we sat upstairs and there was plenty of space for a good get together, generally good selection of beers and spirits.

The only thing that was a bit offputting was the food - the burger I ordered was well done, and the bun it was served in close to carcinegenic (sp?) proportions, i.e. charcoal black. This is a bit disappointing, a few other friends ordered pies too, and their pastry was well done.

One comment about the staff, I didn't appreciate being told that when still hungry: "Didn't you order chips earlier? You know what'll happen if you eat a burger, you'll get fat". This was said to me by some rather masculine-looking short-haired cocky blonde barmaid. I also didn't appreciate being told by the same barmaid that I was 'being trouble' by ordering a couple more drinks on my bill when a couple of friends arrived. This is not the service I expect.

Anyway, to sum up, the place is ok, the staff just need to ease off on the London attitude and not burn the food.

1 Jun 2009 18:02