Golden Lion, St James'sback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The last call on a mini crawl of St James's /Mayfair tonight. Not bad but surprisingly uncrowded which might be saying something. The Hog's Back Summer Ale was delicious but I wouldn't have bracketed it with other summer ales. I was a bit irked when the barmaid cleared my glass away when I was paying a call of nature and I hadn't finished my drink.
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This is a fairly small Nicholson’s pub. It features some rather impressive leaded lights windows, but it was not clear to me whether they were original features or a more modern addition. It also had an unusual tiled gantry which was no doubt a fairly modern addition. But it’s a nice enough little pub with some fairly decent ale – Sharpe’s Doom Bar; London Pride and Hogsback Summer Ale (I had the Sharp’s Doom Bar, which was fine). The only really negative point for me was the fact that the only seating was high stools around either ledges by the windows or high tables. I just don’t like this type of seating, but that is just my opinion – I suppose there must be some valid marketing justification for it as the trend seems to be spreading. OK for a pint if you happen to be passing, but it won’t become one of my regular haunts – The Red Lion round the corner in Crown Passage is much better.
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It's a lovely old-style pub, I was a regular but the current management disappoints me. The staff is not dressed appropriately given the area, some of my collegues have had avoidable arguments with the manager, the food and the drinks are now too expensive. All the friendly atmosphere of last year seems gone
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A big disappointment! Service was apalling. Two blokes behind the bar but only one seemed to be doing anything. Wasn't that busy but took ages to get served. Beer average to say the least. Will not be returning.
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Excellent traditional London boozer.
The "T.E.A" (Traditional English Ale) was in fine form when we went for a Friday lunchtime birthday bash.
Superb, friendly service and good pub food.
Wholly recommend this place.
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I love this pub. Location is excellent, choice of smoking and non-smoking rooms, beer is good and their Aberdeen Angus burger is the best I have ever had. Staff are, usually, friendly and service is good. However, on my last visit I was a bit disappointed: one of the barmaids was, probably, in a bad mood because we (customers!) arrived and disturbed her watching a recording of her wedding ceremony.
I think that, when an English pub chain employs people who grew up in another country (especially in Eastern Europe), it should give them proper training in the English way of life and in how to be friendly and polite. Otherwise, our wonderful pubs could finish up as Soviet communal canteens…
I am a foreigner myself: I was born and grew up in the former Soviet Union and know whereof I speak. London is a wonderful multi cultural experience – the Capital of the World – and the Pub, an institution I’ve come to love, is quintessentially English and should remain so.
dwlaw - 23 Sep 2006 21:02 |
Nice traditional pub in the heart of St James - badged as a Nicholsons pub. ( Not far from The Red Lion in nearby Crown Passage, which is highly recommended )
Beer in the White Lion was on good form, pricey as might be expected given the location, hence I took exception to being served short measure - not far short of an inch !
Beware - you have been warned
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