Johnny Foley's Irish House, San Francisco

Dear god, an Oirish American pub - always something to bring out a cold sweat of dread (having lived in Ireland it is fair to say that not a single 'Irish' pub I have ever been to outside that country is ANYTHING like the genuine article.)
But, after sampling this place a few times on a recent visit (it was staggering distance to our hotel) can say it's not too bad at all. The ersatz Oirishness is, thankfully, kept to a minimum - this would pass muster as a lively London boozer and appears to have nothing to do with the Emerald Isle at all. There was a drag act on one night which was so bad it became entertaining. It's pricey if you are an American, but at current �/$ rates it is effectively free for us Brits, so yipee. Nice staff, plenty of places to sit/stand/lurch. A few tourists but plenty of locals too. Beers fair-middling, some OK wines too.

2 Jun 2007 09:44

Bankes Arms Hotel and Country Inn, Studland

Have been coming here since 1972 and it hasn't changed a great deal. The best thing of course is the fantastic location. The best beer garden in the UK? The views over Poole Bay to the Isle of Wight are worth forgiving all this place's faults for.
And there are quite a few faults. The beer, happily, isn't one of them. A superb selection of local real ales. But it goes downhill from there.
The inside is tired and a bit shabby, and smells of vinegar and stale beer. The food though is the main issue. Too much of the stuff served here is bought-in, 'boil in the bag' catering rubbish. The dreaded 'lamb shank in red wine and rosemary jus' often makes an appearance - the sure sign of a Brakes Brothers/3663 menu (this means the food is bought in ready coooked - they just microwave it). The salads are grim and the quality of some of the ingredients dire.
BUT, sometimes they get it spot-on, with fresh locally-caught fish and game stews, roasts and so on. So, scrap the big menu, keep to a couple of main courses that ARE cooked on premises and a few bar staples and it would be fine.
The service is actually pretty good.

2 Jun 2007 09:32

The Square and Compass, Worth Matravers

No, you definitely can't see the lights of France by night (that's cos they are 80 miles away) but everything else everyone has said is spot on. One of England's finest pubs. No music (save the live sort), no telly, no nasty food. Yes it's uncomfortable and a pain to get served through that tiny hatch, yes it's always crowded, but that's because its good.

2 Jun 2007 09:23