The Hoodener's Horse, Great Chart

We found the place by accident towards the end of a 15-hour journey. The staff really looked after my wife and I and our two small kids. No problem with bringing the kids in. The Mexican food is pretty spicy - great if you like it (I do), if you don't, best go for the other stuff on the menu. The Spitfire was tasty. All in all a real find, and if I lived closer it would be my local. And I can't give it higher praise than that.

1 Sep 2011 17:54

The White Swan, Richmond

Two of us went here last night for dinner. The Pride and Bombadier were good (rather than exceptional). I enjoyed the food although it is definitely at the top end of what you would expect to pay. But what I like about this pub is that there's none of the find-yourself-a-table-leave-your-card-behind-the-bar-if-you-want-to-run-a-tab nonsense that seems very common, at least in this part of the world. The waitress and manager declined to take my card up front, found us a table, took our order, asked if we wanted more drinks when they were empty, brought them to us and made sure we were happy with the food. This all contributed to a pleasant experience and let the two of us get on with what we needed to discuss. And that's why I'll be back.

5 Sep 2007 11:49

The Dysart, Petersham

Went here for Sunday lunch and was hugely disappointed. The head waitress/restaurant manager was deeply unhelpful. After grudgingly finding us a table which 7 of us could actually sit down at, and ignoring us for 10 minutes, she refused to take our order on the grounds that we were "4th on the list - I'll take your order in about 10 minutes". The food arrived 50 minutes later and was overpriced and tasteless. The IPA was fine (sadly the Doom Bar was off) but the second pint I ordered never arrived (although made it on to the bill). OK beer, nice location, below average, expensive food and useless service. Never again. If you want a pub near Richmond Park go to the Roebuck on Richmond Hill.

23 Apr 2007 12:01