The Holly Bush, Hampstead

Lovely pub in a good location - always too crowded, but for a good reason. Not somewhere to go with a dozen people and expect to sit down together, but to meet someone before moving on for dinner, for example, perfect.

5 May 2008 23:51

The White Swan, Golders Green

This used to be a nice pub. The grounds are still nice, and the food is acceptable, but the staffing has worsened to an unacceptable level.

On my most recent visit, my friends were told off quite rudely for not bringing their empty glasses to the bar (despite the pub being at most a quarter full, and a member of staff collecting glasses - maybe they should buy some?)

Later while playing pool we were accosted by a man claiming to be the manager, whose English was incomprehensible, but who appeared to be accusing us of stealing his cue, of which he only had one.

On suggesting that we were doing no such thing, that he was being very rude, and that at a pricey �1.40 a game the owners could probably invest in a second cue, we were asked to leave.

We did this only too happily, and will, sadly, not be back.

5 May 2008 23:40