Conan Doyle, Edinburgh

Was in this week for a couple of pints - what a stunning makeover this place has had! I've never seen the Conan looking so good!
Really good selection of real ales on, my favourite was "Dark Island" from Orkney. The usual suspects were there (Cally 80 and Deuchars) and a few rarer ones including Brew Dog "Punk IPA". For the top shelf lovers there was a healthy selection of malts taking up half the bar.
Didn't eat on this visit, but all the food coming out looked really good - and edible!!!
Bar staff were looking really crisp in shiny new uniforms - a welcome change to the random t-shirts of old! I bet the owners are kicking themselves that they didn't spend some money and TLC on this place before the summer - would have been packed every day...
Looking forward to going back in again to see what other ales they'll have on...

15 Oct 2010 18:12

The Machrie Hotel, Gleneagadale

Pricey, but a fantastic selection of malts and always good food....

31 May 2010 00:41

The Tattershall Castle, Embankment

Just spent an evening on here with friends... Not a warm evening in London, so it wasn't too crowded. But we started off on deck, ordering from the outside bar, which was fine - if a little expensive. (�8.20 for a Kronenburg and a bottle of Kopperburg cider, but I suppose you're paying for the view!) Our friends ended up getting a table inside on the deck below, so we joined them and the first comment was "Is your beer cold? Try mine..."
It was very warm, but I said maybe it was just a warm glass to start with, etc, etc. All night we made the trek upstairs to order and get the cold beers until that bar closed. Our first round from inside came up warm on both beers we ordered, but the bottled stuff was icy cold. When we asked the barmaid to compare the two she just shrugged and said "So? Bottles come from a fridge and are colder...."
Note to manager: Check you cellar cooling!
And this is one of those places that only ring one bell signifying "Bar closed" not "Last orders" - just a heads up. The 6 people already at the bar were instantly turned away....
On a positive, we all ate and the food was very good. But beware of the burgers - �7.75 for a 6 ounce burger and chips on a small plate was not good value!!!

31 May 2010 00:18