The Plough, Cock Marling

Hello. My name's Richard and I am a part time barman at The Plough, and I thought I would quickly answer a couple of negative comments about the pub.

First and foremost, Dick the Landlord has been extremely ill on and off for the last few years, so you might have had to forgive him the occasional off-moment. Dick tends not to do so much front of house work these days as his health often won't allow it, but deep down he is rumoured to have a heart of gold...! Nice to hear that Robert The Rambler would go back in spite of his slightly unsavoury greeting from the �older chap with a beard, (I think Father of the landlady)� � that would be Dick!

I am surprised and disappointed by arrabellalupin's comments though. Yes, the tables are all in the bar, as this is a pub, not a restaurant. There is a quieter area to one end near one of the two woodburners, should you choose to be a bit further from the bar.

As for the menu, it is unfortunate that you visited the pub only days before a new website was launched, complete with an up-to-date menu. As such, I am sorry you were disappointed that the menu on the website did not match the actual menu on the night. I am afraid we don't have individual menus but instead the menu is written clearly on a blackboard for all to see. I've worked at The Plough for three years now and not once has anyone been unable to read what is "scrawled" on the board.

The food is ALL fresh, and cooked to order, as it always has been (there isn't even a microwave in the kitchen) so it is perhaps a bit more expensive than other pubs in the area. It is definitely not "drastically overpriced", and there are several items on the menu priced at well under �10.00. Similarly, none of the bottles of wine on offer are "inferior", indeed I think you would struggle to find any wine for under �12.00 in a pub or restaurant today so in reality �13.95 for a decent South African Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot or a good Rioja Crianza 2007 (the two house reds) is excessive.

I have not rated the pub because I work here, but I also drink and eat here regularly as a customer and have yet to be disappointed. My favourite � the 12oz ribeye steak washed down with a pint of Harveys Best. Try it. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

3 Mar 2011 17:37

The Fox and Hounds, Battersea

Great pub, good food, much smaller and less commercial-feeling than most pubs in the area.

I do, however, have one major gripe - they serve Harveys, probably the best ale on the planet, but they keep it so badly it's almost undrinkable.

PLEASE Nice Fox & Hounds People, clean the lines, don't mess with the barrel once it's in place and leave it to settle before pouring pints. Most pubs treat Harveys with the respect it deserves, and this is the only pub where I have found Harveys and yet I can't drink it.

Aside from that, it's a great pub so go there and drink the Deuchars instead.

18 Oct 2006 15:58