The White Hart, Whitton

This is by far the best pub in the world, and what ever happened to that fantastic DJ they used to have down there? :-)

1 Nov 2008 14:50

The Pope's Grotto, Twickenham

Having been a regular haunt of mine until the mid 80's, I was glad to have arranged for my wife and kids to meet up with my father in law at the Popes Grotto on Fathers Day 2008. Disappointment soon set in however, the interior decor is looking somewhat tired, despite having been refurbished twice in the last ten years or so, and for a place that now likes to be known as an hotel, the cleanliness of the wc's left a little to be desired. Shabby decor I can deal with, but what left me more than a little dissatisfied was the food. The kids had sausage and mash, having ordered steak pies, to be told that they had run out, which I understand were OK, Father in Law had Mussels, which whilst being served in a nice sauce, out of a bottle I suspect, the size of the mussels ranged from mediocre to 'surely should have been thrown back in the sea for a year or two', as they were less than the size of an old half penny!. The real disappointment was the Baked Shoulder of Lamb, as ordered by my wife and I. With a price of �15.95 we expected rather more than the piece of dried out lamb chop that arrived on a bed of dried out mashed potato, which given the way the heat dispersed out of it, I imagine had been prepared in a microwave. Ok, the red wine jus was OK, home made? I doubt it. I am not usually one to complain whilst eating out, but I was so shocked by what arrived, I did. The waitress said she'd have a word with the chef, and returned saying 'that's just how it is'. In summary, the Popes Grotto remains a great place to enjoy a pint of real ale, but charging restaurant prices for less than average pub grub is not acceptable. If you�re looking for somewhere to eat, there are plenty of better places in the area to go to.

16 Jun 2008 12:32