The Roebuck, Hampstead

There are only a few rational explanations for the previous reviews (or indeed any positive ones) since my last post below: 1. the owners keep a watch on reviews about their pub and post ridiculously overrated comments totally at odds with REALITY; 2. the reviewers are genuine but had their taste buds burnt off and sense of proportion surgically removed at birth; 3. people are REALLY stupid and get distracted into thinking they're having a good time with a crap meal and zero atmosphere because the furnishings have been changed in the past 6 months. Take a vote people - there really aren't any other options.

24 Jul 2010 18:33

The Roebuck, Hampstead

Let me say this clearly: I-am-not-one-to-post-reviews. But in this case i really felt compelled to register a login, check my email, verify it, etc etc, just so i could actually a) vent my spleen and b) warn off any would be diners from this dismal joke of a place to eat. Sounds harsh? It honestly isn't.

Innocently ordering a 9.95 steak,what actually turned up on my table was the most dismal dish i have ever set eyes on outside of a hospital. (Could there be a tunnel between the Royal Free kitchens and the Roebuck cellar?) The portion of meat was slightly bigger than a poached egg (alas no exaggeration), the salad was old and visibly wilted and the rest of the plate was crammed with tasteless boiled potatoes. Previously in a fine mood from the sunny day, it was such a bad meal that it made me instantly depressed. Where did the chef train? Fawlty Towers?!

With such flagrant corner cutting making this place hard not to remember for all the wrong reasons, its also hard not to wonder what they're thinking and whether one-off trade from Heath visitor blow ins is actually enough to keep the place affloat. Do the locals that frequent (i think i counted 2) have such poor taste or do they just stick to the beer?

Suffice to say if i should ever be hungry and in the vicinity again, i intend to spend 1.19 on an M&S sandwich, that way i know i'll get more enjoyment out of a meal and won't leave the premises feeling completely ripped off.

23 May 2010 19:31