please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Having passed this pub on Preston Drove and thinking it looked quite nice from the outside with a half decent menu, we looked it up online and read a few reviews here and decided to give it a go last night. First impressions when we walked in weren't too bad but that was the only high out of a lot of lows. We found the surly bar girl a turn off as she could barely raise a smile let alone anything resembling customer service. The tables were dirty and sticky and there was a really mixed clientele including some noisy chavs. Foolishly, we persisted and thought we'd at least try the food. Mistake. We ordered the venison burger thinking it would be difficult to get a fairly basic meal wrong. It turned up burnt in a crap white bun with a token bit of lettuce and tomato and some chips thrown on the plate. Terrible presentation and a less than average taste, A rip off for £8.50! When the stroppy waitress asked if our food was OK we gave her our feedback but clearly she only asked us as she's been told to as she didn't seem to give a toss that we weren't happy. Not wanting to spend any longer in there and certainly not spend any more money we paid (reluctantly) and got out of there never to return.
Nil points.
|
All was going very well, good, friendly service and a good choice of drinks whatever your pallet... I'd ordered a pork roast and was naturally thinking along the lines of a roast dinner.
Then it arrived, a rice crispy cake sized piece of meat sitting on a similarly sized amount of mashed potato and a few small rings of crackling around it. It was good quality and I don't want to sound like a philistine but this was food for people who like looking at food not eating it, if you went in hungry you'd come out hungry too.
Its trying too hard to be arty really and get away from any notion of being an old man pub, the decor and atmosphere was contemporary and relaxed and comfortable and I'd find it a good place to go for a drink if it was closer to home, a trip there to eat out was just a bit disappointing.
|
This is a quick message just to say how impressed i was with the park view this week. i have always lived locally to preston park and have found that this week the park view out-did itself... after not visiting for a while i decided with the weather turning that i would go to the Park view and not venture too far. I had been speaking to some friends at work and they had said that it had changed from a builders pub back to being fairly nice again.. so i gave it a try. well done to the new manager as the builders have all but gone and the roast i had with my wife was delicious... congratulations i was very impressed and will be returning with friends this week.. what a nice pub again. regards Jim
|
This is a good local in an area without a lot of choice. The ale can be too cold sometimes and they need more bar staff at busy times but they do usually have good interesting guest ales on as well as Harveys. The pub has a nice feel to it - apart from when local idiots are in the place (normally Fridays).
|
One of the better pubs in the area, staff can be trying, but they do try I suppose. Slowly getting back into shape. Nice beers, food is ok-good. Can make for a pleasent evening. Breakfast is worth a try....strangely excellent value £5???
|
fair play, the park view goes all right for a good quiet beer in a sip of a shy whim. bar staff could do with a jolly good roger to cheer the poor chaps up a sconce, but the space is well and good for what it is.
there's a lot of bad press about the food here. i thought it was alright - nothing bad afoot in my eyes, or stomach for that matter. might just be lucky timing on my behalf or unlucky on theirs.
jolly good show chaps - keep up the good work.
|
I love this pub, it's got a fun relaxed atmosphere in the day and really livens up in the evening. The beers on offer were really good (I'm a lager drinker bored of Carling and Stella in every single pub I visit) and really reasonable. I've eaten there and the food was great, so not sure if the other reviewers were unlucky or very picky.
|
I have been to this pub loads of times and think its great. One of the best nights I have had is during Gay Pride when a silent disco was held downstairs - I definitely threw some serious shapes on that dancefloor!!!
I have always found staff to be friendly and the food tasty. I also like the fact that there is not a footie game in sight!
|
Honestly, this pub served up the absolutely worst Sunday Roast we have EVER had in our lives. Utterly disgusting and inedible, I cannot fathom how they had the face to send it out of the kitchen. Let's be honest, meat and two veg is pretty hard to screw up, but to do it in such style is pretty amazing.
The pub itself could do with a spruce up, the staff could do with a kick in the ar$e and the chef needs a slap. Gross. Will never go back.
|
Had to register just to voice how disgusting my Sunday Roast was last week.
The menus on tables and board near bar stated they did a Pork Belly roast, but staff denied it didn't exist and said they do a 'hog roast' instead. I went for Beef instead but my friend went for the hog.
Turns out later the Hog was leftovers warmed-up from an event on Saturday. Fine - but be honest and say it is leftovers when you sell it.
The biggest problem was the rest of the meal. Roast potatoes which were rock hard and tasted like they had been cooked 2, maybe 3 times before - and had a strong taste of chlorine. 2 tiny slices of overcooked beef, which also seemed cut cold and then warmed up. Overcooked carrots and undercooked yorkshire pudding.
If the meal was under £4 each I would have been disappointed, but it cost £16 for the both of us.
We complained about the potatoes as they were the worst part of the meal but just got a mumbled apology.
Beer was Harveys and was kept OK.
|
We were regular visitors to the Park View because they allow dogs so it is perfect for an early evening drink after a walk & several bowls of moorish chilli puffs but we made the mistake of eating there. We had Sunday lunch & although my husband said his roast was ok my terrine was so disgusting that I swear they had run out of terrine & a tin of dog food came to hand! I hate to be so mean but it is such a shame that this pub isn't better.
The bar staff could do with a lesson in customer service, they look miserable the minute you walk in the door & barely acknowledge you.
They offer a good selection of beers & wines so someone there has some enthusiasm, perhaps the brewery isn't giving them the support they need?
It has so much potential perhaps in the right hands it could be so much more.
|
After all the reviews I was scared to enter, I was pleasantly surprised. Yes it is part of a chain, but name a pub that isn't? I had the Roast Chicken and was presented with half a chicken!!WOW!! The beer is averagely priced, but the staff were all friendly and with great food I'll go back.
|
Crap food sack the chef ASAP!!!!!!!!
|
This is a chain pub but disguises it well. The Drinks are OK but expensive but as before the food is stupidly expensive & poor.
|
Don't eat here, don't drink here, actually just don't go here at all – it's revolting. I have been here a few times as its a local of mine but I have been served raw potatoes, raw chicken and gone off beer. They have now run out of chances.
I am surprised that they don't get closed down!
Liz_v - 19 Jan 2008 12:59 |
Could be a good pub. Decor needs a bit of attention. Staff could be a bit friendlier and try to give the appearance that they know what they are doing and care. Menu is varied and vegatarian selection is good and not overpriced. Quality of the other food can be a bit hit and miss. The only really good thing is the selection of real ale. Always have 3-4 on offer and are of good quality. Deucahrs, Black Sheep, Crop Circle etc.
|
Couldn't agree more.
|
head somewhere else,or, drink at home!
anonymous - 6 Nov 2007 16:19 |
Went there last night with my missus. Large Sauvignon, pint of lager and packet of crisps £9.20p.
Say no more, there's plenty of better and cheaper pubs. A RIP OFF.
|
Can't agree that the Park View doesn't cater to the local community; I've been drinking in there, off-and-on, for over 15 years with various friends and family memebers who are lucky enough to have this pub as their local. The current incarnation is the best yet but they still have a lot of work to do...
The younger bar staff can be a bit gormless at times, though the older ones are generally very good, but they all don't seem to cope well under pressure when it gets busy. The various chalkboards detailing the wines and food available are not always accurate or up-to-date. Sorry but no one; Torres Vina Esmerelda is NOT a Gewürtztraminer and should not be listed as such. Sorry but no two; I should not have to ask for a non-available wine cooler when I order a bottle of white wine for Mrs Workhard and her girly friends.
The ale is generally well kept and usually there is a decent selection on, however the lager louts of my acquintance often complian that the lager isn't cold enough. Very pleasing selection of bottled Belgian beers for sale. Good pub quiz on a Tuesday which always seems to be won by the same pair!
Prices compare with the rest of Brighton i.e. it's expensive, food is popular but inconsistent
|
Has been done up in gaudy decor with African paintings. Overpriced drinks and unattentive staff. Good outside seating area. Like so many pubs, seems to cater for young trendies and dirsregards the needs of the local community. Plenty of seating and not too noisy, but could be so much better. Worth a visit though.
|
Good enough pub I suppose, especially if it's warm and you can sit outside, but food very average, with everything obviously cooked in the microwave. Staff young and inexperienced so be prepared to wait if it's busy.
|
Mixed feelings about the place. Large and spacious which is good but oppressive purple decor. A relaxed atmosphere though. Went in Sunday lunchtime and it was heaving. Harrassed and glum looking bar staff were not very welcoming or friendly and did not alert us that food was taking an hour. I do think if pubs are gearing themselves up for Sunday lunch crowds they need to resource their kitchen appropriately and/or offer a 10% discount (or more) for waits of longer than half an hour. If pubs purport to be pseudo restaurants like this one, they need to perform at the resturtamt level too - you wouldn't wait an hour in a restaurant for food .. so why in a pub?
|
This is a Mitchells & Butlers branded pub in a brand called Castle. It's supposed to not look like a corporate clone - it is. Beware - you've all been profiled!
anonymous - 16 Feb 2007 21:09 |
Beer Ok but a little expensive. Food acceptable - but you would be better off eating at home or ordering a takeaway.
Popular in Summer due to large outside seating.
anonymous - 2 Nov 2006 15:40 |
I must say i totally disagree with previous reviews... This is possibly my favourite pub ever, great selection of beers and ciders, great food, very friendly staff and nice modern decor. I couldn't praise this pub enough!
|
Dreadful industrial food and dodgy beer. Good if you want a bowl of tarted up olives - which says it all really.
|
Really nice place near Preston Park. Serves food - not the best but ok. Has expanded a bit and so become a little more bland but good for groups as they have plenty of outside tables.
DMB - 14 Nov 2004 11:50 |
