The Roebuck, Kennington

I've visited this pub twice now for the Sunday roast and have had a pleasant experience both times.

You get a generous amount of roast and the vegetables are served on a separate plate. The desserts are also very nice. The chocolate fudge cake and toffee apple pie were both delicious. The staff were quick and friendly on both occasions.

There are some interesting local characters about the place. The ageing rocker mentioned by the previous reviewer is harmless enough. He sits at the bar and drinks his bottle of rose. If you watch carefully he waters down the rose with a jug of water he keeps nearby. He might look a bit dishevelled but on both occasions I've visited he doesn't go round bothering anyone. I reckon he adds character to the place.

There is a sheltered smoking area outside and what appears to be a very nice beer garden. There is also a lovely conservatory.

My only problem with the last visit was the rap music that played inbetween every Perry Como type track. Less rap music and more Perry Como please!

21 Mar 2011 10:56

The Walnut Tree, Leytonstone

I really like this Wetherspoons. The staff are always polite and friendly and there's always a good choice of drinks and food.

The selection of books on the bookshelves are quite interesting reads. 1920's law books and loads of books from the 70's. And Sister Wendy's Book of Meditations. (oops, sorry, I stole that one for my Mum). But I've spent a lot of money in here over the years so I hope they treat it like a Christmas present to me.

Sometimes I go in here at 9am for a pint cos I work night shifts. It's good that no one gives you weird looks in here if you're drinking alcohol at that time. There's always a few old men drinking too and I've had many an interesting conversation with the locals in here.

I agree with the last person though, they could clean the tables more often but this seems to be an ongoing problem with all Wetherspoons pubs. Service is sometimes slow but that's more of a Wetherspoons on the whole thing as well.

Other than that, great for a cheap pint and I do like the booths at the back of the pub so you can just sit quietly if you don't want anyone talking to you.

25 Nov 2010 11:10

The Sun and Doves, Camberwell

I've visited this pub on numerous occasions over the years and have always found it to be an enjoyable experience. There's something going on more or less every day of the week and there are regular art exhibitions that grace the walls.

They have a lovely garden out the back and sometimes a fiddler comes to play on a Sunday afternoon in the summer.
It get's quite lively on a Friday and Saturday and I've met some interesting people in here, all quite arty types but not up their own arse types.

The food has always been good and you get quite a lot of it so I reckon it's good value. I do like their selection of hot toddies too.

Last time I came here on a Monday and bangers and mash was �5, I think it's a Monday special. And excellent bangers and mash it was too although I could have done with a bit more gravy but I like gravy.

I've always found the staff to be friendly. I've had no complaints. Just a bit more gravy though.

23 Nov 2010 15:17