The Capitol, Forest Hill

I am strangely fond of this place. Weatherspoons get a bad rap, but they do a variety of ales, and are good for a cheap (if not gourmet) dinner. Service is usually good, though I've not sampled it on a really busy night.
The atmosphere in the Capitol suffers from its sheer size. It's a shame this fine building is not a cinema, theatre or music venue, but failing that, JDW do seem to be looking after the place. In none of my other locals can you sip beer below a gilded cherub and an enormous picture of David Bowie. It has its share of scary people and lonely alcoholics, but the same can be said of many pubs around Forest Hill.
Not a destination for a night out, but OK for a pint and some grub with a couple of mates.

4 Nov 2009 16:49

The Feathers, St James's

This pub is standard Nicholsons: affordable pub food, traditional decor, OK range of ale. But I would echo what other posters have said about the staff. The bar boys and girls are unsmilingly efficient. Beware the waiters though. On my last visit, on a busy night, my party stood around a tiny table and ordered food. When a bigger table with seating became free nearby, we sat at it and kept an eye out for the waiter. When he came round with the food and discovered we were at a different table, he kept the food and went off to get a lady who came over to shout at us for moving tables. If she is the manager, I understand why the staff are so unsmiling. They are probably terrified. I won't come back. Thoroughly unpleasant.

4 Nov 2009 16:36