The Woolpack, Ipswich

The Woolpack changed hands in Summer/Autumn 2013 and I can only say that the reviews below are now out of date! New landlady apparently pushed owners Punch hard on full refurb and her efforts have paid off, the pub's got a really nice cosy, friendly feel to it and couldn't feel less like a 'Punch Tavern'.

Always have four, usually five, cask ales on at anyone time, including Adnams Bitter (permanent), and when I visited Fuller's London Pride, Oakham Citra, Woodforde's Wherry and Sharp's Doom Bar. All beautifully kept by a cellarman who knows his stuff. I've also seen TT Landlord, Adnams Broadside, Crouch Vale Brewer's Gold. Strong regular drinking trade.

Excellent food - I've eaten here two or three times and enjoyed the Woolpack burger and a tasty pork cutlet special, plus great roast beef on a Sunday. Really friendly staff, nothing's too much trouble. Overdue for a BITE reassessment!

10 Feb 2015 00:39

The Chequers Inn, Aylesford

I'm writing this from the back terrace of The Chequers, the view from which I've uploaded. The building and location mean this pub should be stellar, alas it's far from so. All ales off apart from Bombardier, which I should've gone for as this Guinness is fizzy. A huge rack of boring lagers and gimmicky spirits I can't believe sell well.

The interior has a layout which could be interesting and cozy but instead is awkward and unwelcoming, with a Sky Sports TV that's utterly unsuitable for the space. The barmaid was polite enough, but I didn't feel welcomed.

This place needs a real wake-up or there'll be no pubs in this village in a few years.

7 Apr 2013 16:57

Smithy's Wine Bar, Kings Cross

Ah, Smithy's. As a local worker, this is one of about three 'default' places for works drinks, the others being the Euston Flyer (God help us) and the Betjeman Arms (good, but pricey).

It's always been over-priced for beer, but then the clue is in the designation 'wine bar', which is really what most of the punters come in for, and they arrive by the drove most nights. What ale they do have (invariably TT Landlord and Sharp's Doom Bar) is moderately well kept, but not top flight. The bar staff are really variable with an apparently high turnover, from smiles with Ps and Qs right through to downright surly. The building is worth a quick pint though: really very interesting, although you're on your own: there's no information about it.

My main rating is for the drinking only. As for the restaurant, that's awful: the food is OK for lunch, and they do lunchtime offers, but good stops there. Some of the staff are unfathomably rude, and, echoing 'scarter451' below, unable to apologise. Meals arrive incomplete and take twice as long as they should to arrive (15 mins for sausage and mash?). One waitress is unable to communicate and sees every comment and question as a personal attack. And beware any voucher: the 'R-in-the-month' Ts+Cs attached to them mean the end discount is tiny and has to be fought for; they exclude drinks, VAT and service (which is added automatically). The 'caff' round the corner is quicker, friendlier and more reliable. 2/10.

24 Mar 2011 10:50