The Fox and Anchor, Smithfield

The food is very poor the price, as is the somewhat warm real ale. Fish and chips at �12.50, yet cod was a thin fillet that had clearly come from freezer, and I suspect the fryer hadn't been cleaned in some time. Frosty service from staff adds insult to injury. A pint of Scotths bitter cost over �4! Bad experience.

5 Apr 2010 20:09

The Southampton Arms, Gospel Oak

To Heather, John Bonser and Mr Alastair, who variously but similarly complain about this pub offering too few places for lone drinkers to lurk and contemplate their lonely lives (Heather), or complain no-one kissed their arse because they were sitting like an oddball making notes on their surroundings (John Bonser) or suggest one gets there before it gets too popular (Mr Alastair) ...

PUBS DON'T MAKE MONEY OUT OF LONELY, FRIENDLESS NO-MARKS CLOGGING UP A WHOLE TABLE WHILE THEY DRINK A HALF BY THEMSELVES. Pubs make money from normal people, who have friends, coming to have a good time with said friends, rather than scribbling in a notebook and fretting because others around them are younger, better-looking, and more sociable.

I visited here with my boyfriend to discover a lively scene full of people in large, fun-loving groups enjoying ale and cider. That's a good thing.

10/10

21 Mar 2010 18:30

The Old Fountain, Old Street

I'm afraid this won't be your cup of tea if you aren't a fan of dated pubs. Some people seem to love that kind of thing, however, so the place seems to do a moderate amount of trade.

The beer is good quality and the choice is outstanding, but ultimately a pub is about more than beer and consequently this place doesn't appeal.

1 Mar 2010 15:10

The Jerusalem Tavern, Clerkenwell

This pub is a 1990s fabrication so the history isn't there. The beer is warm and flat here and it isn't even cask conditioned - it arrives "bright" from the brewery.

27 Feb 2010 14:38