The Fox, Twickenham

I think The Fox could be a cracking pub - the glass extension on the side really adds to the lovely old original bit, but I have to agree that the staff (whilst lovely) do seem like kids left in charge. There's no sense there's an experienced manager behind the scenes and very often the attention to detail fails. It's busy at weekends regardless so I guess from a business point of view that no-one cares what goes on then, but on week nights TW1 is very quiet and there's not enough drinkers to go round: get the service right and the few punters in town will come here (the food's good so the profit margin is there to be had - owners take note...).

Ale-wise, I like the Windsor & Eton, Twickenham and Ascot Ales; but all a bit predictable - why not have 3 dependable beers and 3 wildcards?

Summary: decent pub, but could do better. Currently a 7/10 but could so easily be a 9/10

26 Sep 2013 19:44

The Kings Arms, Waterloo

Hadn't been for ages, but it was better than ever last night. The beer range was wider than when I last visited, and from considerably more interesting micro and regional brewers, for example, amongst others, the dangerous Skullsplitter from Orkney last night, and two brews from the new Croydon brewery Clarence & Fredericks. Very impressed.

Great atmosphere - a lovely warming welcoming venue, and walking down Roupell Street past the classic Citroens parked is always one of London's hidden gems.

13 Feb 2013 14:45

The White Swan, Twickenham

An excellent fire, friendly staff and good (if uninspiring choice of) beer led to a long, warming, relaxing (and expensive) night here. We've been at the White Swan on two successive Saturday nights now and it's surprisingly quiet - perhaps people have been avoiding it as they're unsure of the tide times and they're unwilling to pop in for a quick drink, only to get locked in?

I hear "it's not like it used to be" ... but I didn't know it then, so on that basis I really like this pub and the landlord is running it well at the moment in my opinion - with a meat raffle (!), beer tastings, currently the food is very good; as I mentioned above, the beer is good but of the 6 pumps, the choice is a bit samey. Happy to drink it though :) And they have a very nice lager from the Freedom Brewery.

21 Jan 2013 14:06