Abercorn Arms, Stanmore

First visit here since it was redone. On first impression, it looked lovely. The lighting was a bit low, but the seating was comfortable, and I liked the look of the "restaurant" at the back. They market themselves as a bar / restaurant.
We sat near the bar, and ordered drinks and starters - expensive drinks, and the lukewarm food was, at best, average.
We then decided we wanted desserts. The fruit salad was "taken off the menu as too many clients were complaining about it", and the other two desserts had run out. This was offered to us after a 20 minute wait. We then said we would have coffee - again, a 20 minute wait before being told by three different staff that they had run out of coffee beans!!! This is supposed to be a restaurant?? One of the servers admitted they hadn't had any coffee for weeks. When I asked why they couldn't just go to Sainsburys across the road, I was told that they could only use coffee supplied by their suppliers!
Also, the toilets, as nice as they were done up, were obviously not checked regularly - absolutely horrible state.
We left (no tips!) and went to a nearby bar for more drinks and desserts, and when we got chatting to the barman and told him what had happened, he laughed, and went to tell another man standing near the bar - THE OWNER OF THE ABERCORN!!! Who couldn't even be bothered to come over and apologise.
Don't waste your time or money going here.

21 Mar 2013 20:57

The Waggon and Horses, Elstree

This gorgeous pub has been taken over by two wonderful, experianced publicans from the north, who have some amazing plans for it without losing the authenticity of this beautiful building. The pub id gorgeous - all low beams and real fires and wonderful nooks and crannies to hide in. The prices are normal for the area. No TV (thank god) or bostorious groups of football crowds. Gorgeous food, now the menu has been updated. A place that wins hands down every Friday night, and lots of great live acts too. All the bad publicity needs to be forgotton - this really is a place reborn!

11 Feb 2008 15:18