please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
One of Oliver Reeds Wimbledon 8 and now a Gastro-pub.
Would not come again.
More info at my blog - http://bit.ly/1Tf0AGO
|
My lunch there speaks for itself. Can I just say at the outset that this was a works Christmas meal; I would never normally be seen dead in a place this expensive.
We were seated in the corner. Five of us cramped around the table. When my meal was served the staff got cross because they had to reach across me to set my fork, as if it was my fault we'd been seated at a table that was far too small and didn't allow them the access they required.
We asked for water, and were given a bottle that only contained enough water for 4/5 of our party. Our request for more water took another ten minutes to action.
One member of staff came and asked if we wanted salt and pepper. We said yes. Another came over and asked the same question.
And how much did it cost, for one course and a non-alcoholic drink? Think of a reasonable amount, then double it.
I thought it was bad before (see my previous review, back when it was just about, marginally, a pub not a gastropub/restaurant)....
One final detail. Even the pictures on the wall have price-tags on them. A steep three-figure amount for a lacklustre painting of Wimbledon Common. Says it all.
kid_b - 16 Jan 2015 23:13 |
Nice little boozer tucked away down a side street. Good couple of pints of doom bar or some other ubiquitous ale, and friendly batman. Food looked great but phenomenally expensive. That said, ale not too pricey. Good for a pint or three if in the area.
|
The new nickname for the pub is 'two for a ton' alluding obviously to the high prices.
We visited on a Saturday, pleasant meal but meagre portions & the eyebrow raising bill.
Obviously filling a niche as it was busy enough. I wouldn't recommend it .
|
I went along to the Fox and Grapes this afternoon with a friend who had not been there since the refurbishment and subsequent inflation of the prices. We ordered the beef roast dinner at �19.50 and hoped it would be good! When it arrived the meat was extremely fatty, the carrots overdone and the green beans untrimmed. When we complained the person we spoke to (presumably the manager) was extremely confrontational and informed us that this cut of beef was very fatty and that the food was definitely worth what they charged as it was a very good cut of beef. They eventually took 20% of the bill, but the air of the person who spoke to made us agree never to go there again. Definitely a pub that thinks it's a lot better than it actually is, completely over priced and absolutely not worth a visit.
|
Enjoyed this on the last visit...gave up trying to get parked for the tennis, and watched it all afternoon in the pub instead !
|
Had a very poor experience on Friday evening.
Started off ordering the Lamb, but when it arrived it was grey, dry and tasted bitter. The waiter assured me that it was indeed served the way it was intended, so I asked for the rib-eye, medium to rare instead. That promptly arrived around the time the rest of my friends was finished eating - grey with a touch of pink in the middle - In other words, extremely overdone.
This prompted the head waiter to be overheard saying "now they are just being disrespectful" at which point I gave up on getting something decent to eat.
Frankly, I can take the mishaps with the food, but not the snooty comment.
I should point of that the rest of my party was happy with their food.
|
Really poor. Sorry to say that as was expecting great things. But the refurb has left the place cold - all bare walls and stripped wood. There is nowhere you would feel comfortable just having a drink - bar is tiny, all tables set up like a restaurant, no soft furnishing, so feels like a canteen.
Food prices are high for no discernable benefit - some dishes were good, some were just plain bad. Portions can be mean, especially the pathetic burger (They should be ashamed!). Steak was poorly cooked and tough. Fish was good, as were the chips.
Service was inconsiderate. We were left hanging at the door for ages, orders were taken slowly. They've parked an ugly storage unit right outside too, so had to elbow my way past smokers leaning on it.
Seems to be lots of fake positive reviews here so I'm deducting an extra mark for that.
|
What's happened to this place is a disgrace. Pos-refurbishment, the Fox and Grapes now encapsualtes the atmosphere of the dining room at a minor public school, with food to match.
Last summer this pub was a delight - friendly, excellent food, just the right atmosphere. It now seems to be striving to be even blander than the insipid pubs in the centre of WImbledon village. The Hand in Hand, the Crooked Billet and the Swan are all now far superior. I hope that this little escapade doesn't last long and the Fox and Grapes soon falls back into the hands of those who actually understand what makes a pub appealing.
|
Went back to the F&G for the first time since the refurb. Sunday 27th March @ about 4pm. I just had a drink with my parents, wife and my baby, but have to say that the space is MASSIVELY improved now.
They have replaced the slightly shabbly furnture, cleared out the 'ye-olde' paraphernalia (no more clay cider kegs gathering dust I'm afraid) and the whole pub no longer smells of the loos.
This is my first (and probably only) review on BITE.com, but felt compelled to put something up here to contradict the negative reviews I've seen.
So to summarise :
- drinks are no more than AllBarOne (�3.60ish for a cask ale)
- they seem to have kept the projector, so presume they still show sports
- they are definitely still dog friendly
- food prices have gone up by �3-�5 per main course compared to before. �13 for sausage and mash is not cheap, but as part of a day out walking the common etc. it's not extortionate.
It's not giving away drink and food, so the 10 rating is perhaps a touch generous, but I was happy and will be back.
|
My wife and I had a very rude and disappointing experience at the Fox and Grapes this Sunday night. We popped in for a drink and found a table. We were quickly asked to move from the table as the guests who had booked the table had arrived.
By the time we had finished our drinks and were ready to leave we noticed that no one had in fact arrived to sit at said booked table. So why make us move?
Further to this the venue lacks any warmth and friendliness. An up-scale ridiculously over-priced 'pub' which clearly ONLY welcomes the posh of Wimbledon village.
Go to the Crooked Billet or the Hand in Hand for how a pub should be run and how a pub should look. Cheaper drinks and a much better atmosphere.
|
Visited twice within one week. Menu was the same on both occasions so not sure why they date the menus. Also didn't bear much relation to the menu as posted on the pub's website. Asked for the tripped cooked chips but not available. The only steak available was a cut described as 'skirt' by one of the waitresses. I only know this cut of meat as my elderly aunt adds it to irish stew! Ordered three burgers and was asked how we wanted them cooked which was a good sign. However, no point if the requested 'cooked' turns out to be medium rare. Didn't make a fuss as not sure my two nephews would haved coped! The burgers would never be described as a decent size and certainly not for �12.50! On second visit, was asked if we wanted mayo or vinegar (yes) but then forgot to come back with them. Putting that to one side, the food was good although not as good as the prices would indicate. The batter on the fish was salty. On the beer front, yes the prices are a bit on top and would prefer not to see such a similar choice of the three bitters. Why is Doombar everywhere? What about Landlord or Harveys? I cannot see it attracting the walkers in for a pint and thus may order food. Very much set up for diners which makes drinkers feel a bit like they are second class citizens. The good thing for the owners is that despite being an affluent area, Wimbledon has terrible restaurants. If the owners read this would say - think a bit more about the choice of beers, bring down the cost of wine by the glass (more than I would pay in the city), and expand the menu. A choice of half a dozen or less per course is not good - not given the price.
|
The joys of the internet and social media has saved me a wasted afternoon and �100. The magnificent Fox and Grapes was our destination pub for Sunday lunches with friends visiting from home (Aust) as it was a real and authentic English pub experience. The food was spot on, well priced, unique decor, pleasant patrons, dogs etc etc. Reading the posts and searching for images has confirmed that I will not be driving 25min to the Fox and Grapes anymore. Its sad for us but I'm clearly not the target market for this venue. It looks like any of the other 100 bistros I've been to across the world, the exterior still looks great though. Where's the carpet gone? This joint (UK) is a freezing place, warm and welcoming pubs appeal to me. I'm sure the owners will generate good PR and foodie blogs with their connections. Make some money and run. There is a global consumer trend towards authenticity, people who are generally aware will see through the Fox and Grapes.
|
The Fox & Grapes has reinvented itself as 'a real pub with rooms'. I thought that all pubs had rooms! On further investigation, it appears that 3 bedrooms are planned for upstairs. Oh, like an inn then.
The new owner has been at pains to stress that this is not a gastropub but I'm not sure how it differs from one (even the colour scheme is pure gastro).
On the positive side, the Grapes smells a lot better than it did but it has lost its cosiness and I'm not sure how comfortable the rugby players and dog-walkers will feel in there now.
I was served by a polite French lady who looked very uncomfortable pouring a pint. They had three ales on - Hogsback HBB, Black Sheep Bitter & Doom Bar. I opted for the Black Sheep which was well kept but there can be no justification for the �3.90 price tag. My friend asked the price of the Symonds Cider but declined at �4.60 a pint.
We didn't eat there (�12.50 for burger and chips!) although the tables around us were being set for dinner which had an unsettling affect on us.
I believe that in trying to be a pub and a restaurant, this venture has fallen between two bar stools.
|
as a local I think what they have done is great. The place looks a sight better than it did before, when I went (with dog) the staff were lovely and I had a very decent pint. Planning on going back for some food, its not cheap but the menu looks pretty interesting and the look of the food when it was being served was pretty impressive. Good luck to them.
|
ill bet that cookies,winsfoodies and craigjohson,are now gutted,an old pub reinventing itself,your going to get both good and bad postings,just go with the flow,if you get bad reviews take them on board,have a think and see if they are genuine complaints and something you the owners can do something about.wish all the best for the future but dont try and con people(it does backfire)no rating given.
|
OMG ! more like WTF ?
Hopefully a moderator can remove the obvious spam from this list of reviews. Makes you wonder why an establishment feel the need to do this.
no dogs - used to love meeting the friendly dogs in there
no wellies - handy after a walk on the common in Febuary then
So they had doombar apparently just what Wimbledon was missing.
eh ? They did very well with beer before as do many other Wimbledon pubs as anyone who actually drinks beer in Wimbledon would know.
Hopefully it wont last and we can get the pub back ! Our worst fears have been realised despite the PR nonesense that was released before it closed. Stuff this Ghastly-o-Pub.
|
i have been very excited about the re-opening of the fox and grapes but i am bitterly dissapointed, very expensive (good value house red �18!) i too ate the pork pie �9.50 small portion not huge and the coq au vin (15.50) lunch for two one pudding, one beer �80 will not be going back this is a restaurant not a pub.
|
i have never read so much contrived self serving rubish on bite before,do the previous posters(or poster)really think that the people who use this site are that stupid,pork pie starter superb,patrick burger melted,treacle tart omg....well,never been here and after reading this dribble will never go there,so a very large zero from me,just for the fact that you are setting out to con people.
|
A Valentine nights must book early to avoid disappointment it must be due to the aphrodisiac properties of the sublime pork pie starters.
I could go on..
|
I must say, they do seem a tad contrived.
|
cookies = owner/manager/staff or friend of,its so obvious why bother and if you are going to bother dont make it sound like a press release or one of the silly ads in the local papers,by the way goes for the two previous posts,i just wonder now how many big fat zeros are you going to get now,starting after my one.
|
Went on Saturday evening - place was very busy. Hadn't booked but they managed to squeeze us in. Wasn't sure what to expect but was blown away. Pork Pie starter was superb. "Patrick" burger simply melted in the mouth. Drank the house wine - thought it was reasonably priced and quite tasty. Finished with the treacle tart - OMG - never tasted anything as good. Well worth a visit. I've already booked to go back next week.
|
This milestone pub in Wimbledon Common has been tastefully refurbished to enhance its previous traditional "coach house" feel, as well as bring new life with subtle modern touches, resulting in what is now a particularly friendly environment to have both a drink and a bite.
The food was as expected a relaxed but still very tasty delivery, drawn from some of Bosi's great creations, but with a heartier countryside approach.
Teething issues and our visiting in its first week perhaps meant that service was not always as consistent, but all in all a great addition for Wimbledon.
|
visited this pub on st night with my wife and good friends. I am so pleased that somebody has restored this iconic pub to its former glory.. and better in my opinion. the decor is light and the ambiance very comfortable and welcolming.
I had the pork pie, the portion was huge , enough for a main meal - too big for a starter but probably the best pork pie ive ever tasted! then i had the steak, this was beautifully caramelised on top and pink inside - incredibly tender and mouthwatering!
the wine list was clearly well thought out with something for everyone. we had a bottle of sancerre and then an amazing argentinian red.
this is a quality establishment that will go from strenghth to strenghth as it settles down. this quality of cooking has been missed in Wimbledon and means that we can have it all here on our doorstep in a neighbourhood venue without having to go up to town. well done!
|
Very disappointing evening on Saturday. Table of six right by the door, howling gale every time it opened (shame refurb did not include double doors). Even allowing for teething problems service poor. Young waiting staff doing a good job but the two senior waiters running round like headless chickens. Nasty starter of eel and ham served as a gloopy mess in a glass with a separate glass of tired salad leaves with no apparent dressing. Waited 1 hour 35 minutes for main course and one arrived cold. "Head" waiter poured red wine on top of white wine in my friend's glass. Said sorry, took it away but no offer of a free replacement. Staff did not ask if we wanted bread or veg when we ordered and were frosty when bread was requested later. Extra chips requested to pad out smallish main course portion never arrived. Coffee luke warm and greasy truffles. Not going back!
|
This is not a pub anymore. Unfortunately, this is another buggy heavy restaurant pretending to be a pub, which means the staff are able to be less effective. No, dogs are not welcome, they are accepted in the same way people with leprosy would be allowed in. The horror in the waitresses' face at customers wearing wellies was almost amusing. Prices are high, even for Wimbledon (�9.50 for a pork pie) and although beer was good, they had managed to run out of one of the beers already. I was due to go there for dinner next weekend, but will be cancelling due to other poor reviews on the food. A great shame, it will be superb when it is bought out by someone who knows how pubs work. No wonder the last Bosi gastro enterprise folded - he doesn't appear to have learnt his lessons.
|
ive now been to this pub - its amazing! the food, the beer (i had a fantastic pint of Doombar and the Black Sheep guest beer) and the ambience are fantastic! plenty of space arounfd the bar to have a drink and very friendly staff. this is what wimbledon has been missing... well done!
|
This is no longer a pub. It is a restaurant with a bar in the middle. There are a few stools round the bar, but very little space for drinkers. Drinks prices are sky high. The food isn't cheap either - a cumberland sausage and mash �13.50 + 12.5% service i.e. over �15.
The expensive refurbishment is a mess. They have tried to keep one or two of the orignial features, but ended up with something that looks neither old nor modern, just ugly.
The atmosphere does not have the relaxed feel of a pub or the quieter buzz of a good restaurant. As they clearly want to run a restaurant not a pub they should have gone the whole hog. I haven't tried the food so I can't comment on its quality, but as a pub this is a disaster.
The Crooked Billet and the Hand in Hand will be very busy.
|
I cant wait for this pub to reopen! it has been missed...
|
wimbledon guardian reports that Michelin star chef Claude Bosi has bought it and will re-open at the start of February and he pledges not to destroy it as a drinkers pub
let's hope he doesn't but I fear for the worst :-(
|
This pub has now closed.
|
I don't know what's happened to this pub, but after many years frequenting this fine establishment, I came in for quite a shock a month or so ago. On this visit the pub was almost empty, the beer was past it's best (to be kind) and the food was less than enjoyable. Most disappointed. After an hour or so, we departed to the Crooked Billet to recover!
|
A happy accident led me to this place. I was in fact looking for the Crooked Billet but it wasn't where it was supposed to be! Anyway this pub is situated in a delightful area on the edge of the Common with unaffordable cottages affording lovely views. The exterior is unspoilt, with attractive lead-lined hatched windows and flowerpots and the interior still mostly retaining an old world feel. The main eating area is a large, open, high-ceilinged room, and although kitted out for food-lovers hasn't been sanitised too much at all. One can definitely still call it a pub. I probably should visit again on a weekday, as the Sunday lunch crowd have a way of warping one's overall impression. Must say that in retrospect I am annoyed by staff who will only bother to find me a seat if I am eating. In other words, you are of a lesser priority if you wish to use a pub for the purpose for which it was intended. But back to the positives - the Harvey's Sussex was marvellous.
|
Larger inside than it seems from outside; Harveys Best went down well. Good pub.
|
See JohnBonser's review for a good description; this pub was certainly a welcome sight during a wintry walk across the Common. The dining area is a bit of a cavernous affair but I didn't venture into it, preferring to sit in the smaller (drinkers'!) bar with a fine pint of Harveys Sussex. Would have been tempted to try the food if there had been sandwiches, say, on the menu, but it is a bit too main-meal-oriented for that. A pleasant pub though and not at all like being in the middle of London.
|
Good pub, particularly for the location near to Wimbledon Village. Good character inside, with friendly staff. Beers good although not a huge selection, Doom Bar and Harveys seemed to be available most of the time. I tried the food here a couple of times but wouldn't be tempted again. A good place for a session as long as you get there early enough to bag a table in the evening, although gets too full of prams on Sundays to interest me in a visit then.
|
I have been to the fox an grapes many times, and have to say it has a great relaxed accepting atmosphere that many pubs these days have lost, though the fox has a few flaws, may be a sympathetic facelift inside and an upgrade in the food quality smaller portions with prices a bit cheaper but most importantly the ales could be more varied and more variety, the same goes for the largers maybe a quest german pilsner! what does everyone think!
|
JohnBonser - I'd accept the price comment if the nearby Hand in Hand and Crooked Billet didn't offer cheaper food with bigger portions of a similar quality!
This is a lovely pub but once stung on the food, twice shy.
|
Fine, traditionally furnished former Courage pub situated in a side street off Wimbledon Common and close to Cannizaro Park.
There's 2 interconnecting bars - the bar on the left has a low ceiling, traditional wood-pannelling and leaded frosted windows. The bar on the right looks like an extension to the original building and has a rather barn-like feel to it, but is not unpleasant.
The high walls in the right hand bar are covered in sporting prints. This bar is more food-orientated, while the older more atmospheric bar on the left is more drinkers orientated.
The pub features in CAMRA's Regional Inventory of Unspoilt Interiors.
It advertises itself as "A Real Pub" - whilst it's not quite the real thing, I think its better than some of the previous reviews here indicate.
Beers on during my recent Sunday afternoon visit were Harveys Best, Doom Bar and Directors.The Harveys was quite good.
Prices for both food and drink reflect the affluence of the surrounding area.
I quite liked this pub - it's not a "must visit" pub, but it's preferable to the 2 Youngs pubs in nearby Crooked Billet.
|
Good place. Irish rugby semis were on, so was curious. Then I saw they served 'Doom Bar' Cornish ale, even in its own glass. That was enough to decide us to stop here a while even if it meant cycling back across the common in semi-darkness... Good stuff.
|
not a bad little find - beer all decent and service flawless. Deffo will call back for a bite to eat at some point.
|
Nice ale selection, featuring the magnificent Autumn Dawn as a guest recently. But that's about all I can think of to say in praise of this boozer, other than its location. It masquerades as a 'real pub' but is really only a cartoonish approximation. The clientele is made up mostly of cap-wearing ex-Sloane Square downsizers, the food is magnificently over-priced and, worst of all, having forked out for a meal one runs the risk of having the atmosphere spoilt by big-screen F1 fun. It's not so much a pub as a hangout for smug thirty-somethings who moved to Wimbledon just so they can take their kids horse-riding at weekends while still being within reach of the boutiques.
kid_b - 16 Jan 2009 00:47 |
Nice little pub with good real ale and wine list. Had a decent Sunday roast. Staff are very friendly
teens - 14 Oct 2008 10:05 |
Was asked to move from a table because 'people will be eating in a minute' Bit harsh as there was no one in the place and my wife is clearly pregnant. 3 quid for a pint and they place more emphasis on the diners ? Hardly a pub more a shitty restaurant.
|
I recently returned to the Wimbledon area and was delighted to note that the Fox and Grapes is still the best kept secret in London. Perfectly kept beers, the food looks and smells fantastic, the staff are friendly and efficient and the manager (Jason) just goes out of his way to make everyone feel welcome... Still a strong rugby following and a bunch of regulars that I remember from way back. More great times to come I think :)
|
I like this pub, well kept beer, nice choice excluding the usual Youngs, Bombardier etc so common in these parts. Hogsback TEA, Doom Bar and others. Food is fine and am told is even better recently, the best thing though is Jason the landlord and his staff - so often this is the make or break of a place and they certainly make it!
Seant - 16 Apr 2008 23:02 |
Used to be a regular here just over a year ago but stopped coming for various reasons. Returned recently, and was pleasantly surprised. I had a fantastic meal and was happy to see a good selection of real ales available. The friendliness of the staff and relaxed atmosphere really sold it for me. Have since returned a number of times, the latest being during the 6nations - an unbelievable atmosphere!!
I find some of the previous comments rather bizarre considering the great experience I have had at this pub recently.
|
Really superb location on the Common, but not a very nice pub, really. Hard to put your finnger on why, but this place could be so much better.
|
I'd had an average meal at the fox & grapes before but thought that I would give it another try. Went with a group. The meal took over an hour to come & when it did most of it was stone cold. My food was uncooked. I sent it back & got a small portion of fish & chips. There were mutterings from the staff about the chef. They knocked 20% off the bill and gave us free puds and coffees which were cold. Never again!
|
Its nicely situated on the edge of The Common, 2 rooms split by a central bar, but very food oriented and as others have said, pricey too. I didn't partake but seeing �12.95 for a burger on the menu I wasn't tempted to either.
The beer range is refreshing in this Youngs dominated area, a couple of mainstreams in Directors and GK IPA, but TT Landlord, Sharp's Doombar and Welton's Old Cocky available on my visit.
Sports prints on the walls all a bit SW19, ie Tennis and "rugger". The lounge bar layout is full of symmetrically placed square tables, sadly to me making the impression of a dining room rather than a relaxing bar.
|
Lovely pub - some great beers which are well looked after, and lovely surroundings.
The food... Hmmm... Now it's delicious. Really nice, well presented. Don't get me wrong - this was good food. Clearly someone knows their stuff in the kitchen.
But there's a but. It's small portions and expensive ones at that. My main course cost about �12 and was fishcakes. And for that you get... two fishcakes in a stack with spinach inbetween and hollondaise sauce.
And that's it! No salad. No potatoes or chips. Just two fishcakes. For �12.
C'mon! You're having a laugh here! This is not a gormet restaurant - it's a pub tucked right in the corner of Wimbledon Village, right on the opposite side of the common. To get to it you have to walk along muddy paths or drive. The Dog and Fox right in the heart of the village charges about the same prices for bigger portions. The Hand in Hand does far bigger portions at less of a price and their food is excellent too.
Yes it's a lovely pub for a pint, but sorry, I'll be doing my eating elsewhere. And unless you're a city banker or work in insurance and have money to burn, I'd suggest everyone does overwise.
|
I visited the Fox and Grapes for the first time a few days ago with some friends and cannot praise it highly enough. The beers were excellent and the staff were both friendly and professional. It seems the perfect place to finish a walk across Wimbledon Common.
|
A real Tolkienesque gem allowing the drinker to escape the wonders of modern london life. Cosy and heartwarming, this pub offers a superb range of real ales, often from Cornish breweries. The manager and his staff make it, as they are friendly, chatty and polite, despite being busy. A happy corner in what can seem miserable south london. Well done.
|
I was really impressed with this pub! the curry was so delicious! clean pub and we had leather chairs so comfy! good service and infuture will take all our overseas guests there. We have tried the hand in hand and crooked b but their food is too shocking for words and the service does not exist! this is the only pub in wimbledon common I would eat at again well done management!
|
Drink there, but don't eat there. The beer is marvellous, and a great variety of it too, but the food was dreadful for a lot of reasons - overcooked, overpriced and took 2 hours to get to the main course. When we complained, we were told we were being "unreasonable". I won't be going back.
|
What a great pub!! Came here for the first time after walking on the common. I was greeted by friendly staff and was impressed by the selection of fine Ales. I look forward to coming back again.
|
Bit harsh me thinks Miles, I was in there too on New Years day and it was packed out with a great atmosphere, the staff were under pressure so I dont begrudge a few glasses on the bar. The Harveys was tasty and unusual to find round here, earlier that week they had Landlord, Twickenham Ale, Weltons, Directors and Harveys! If they can keep a selection like that available without running so low in the future I am happy to pay �3 a pint rather than go to a cheaper bland Youngs refurb hell pub. The layout is much better than before, they have lost the long tables and food was good.
|
This used to be one of my very favourite pubs, but I think that it lost a lot of its character when they got rid of the armchairs next to the fireplace and introduced long pine tables and benches. Made it look more like an Octoberfest venue than a pub. But the Hogsback TEA was very good, and it is a welcome watering hole after a long walk over the common.
|
Lovely pub in a lovely location on Wimbledon Common. It looks small from the outside but on the inside there are 2 areas. One is a high ceilinged hall-like room and the other is a lower ceilinged snugger non-smoking room. They had Harveys, Landlord, Some courage stuff and a couple of less familiar ales on. Something from Twickenham I think. One of the handpumps is a cricket bat, in case anyone likes that kind of thing. The barman seemed to be quite into his ale so that must be a good sign. Only been to drink the once though.
Note to widescreen, don't bother there are no tvs here fool!!!
|
After a day tramping across the common it was nice to come into a nice warm pub and be greeted by friendly staff and a nice selection of ales; shame that 2 of the ones I tried were either at the bottom of the barrel or needed the pipes changing.
I must admit it was weird as the main bar is a fairly large spacey room and there were only a couple of others in there. It just felt a bit weird. Maybe because from the outside I was expecting a pokey front bar and massive beer garden.
|
Great pub, Tim Taylors was on good form during my last visit (I am there about once a week). The food is as always excellent. I would recommend the F&G above all other pubs in Wimbledon Village.
anonymous - 5 Sep 2006 21:49 |
This a top rank pub. Although not a regular (I don't live close enough), I've gone here on a regular basis over the last 4 years. It has to be considered as a partner to the common, not as an idealised country pub. The atmosphere is friendly with a diverse clientele, (locals with their dogs, young families, couples,etc.) all drop in for food and drink after an relaxing walk on the common.
The food is always very good and ventures well beyond the tradition pub cuisine. The beer (I don't drink lager) was only OK, I was expecting it to be better kept given that the pub is always busy.
All in all a good experience.
|
There is nothing necessarily wrong with this pub, but somehow I left disappointed. Mainly because, not being a local, when you see the location on the map, you think it's going to be one of those rambling, open, country-type pubs with a lovely view accross the common. But as far as I could see, there wasn't even a beer garden.
The pub itself is nice enough, and although I didn't eat there, the food did look and smell delicious. The staff were friendly, it was clean and tidy, the atmosphere was nice enough. It just wasn't what I'd expected.
|
Best pub on wimbledon common. I have fond memories of coming here on hot summer evenings and enjoying the beers. The hand in hand is also a good pub but my judgement is clouded by my rose tinted spectacles!
|
I love this place, so cozy and charming-one MAJOR downside is the total lack of consideration to non meat eaters on menu. Only 1 meal out of 11 is suitable for veggies and is the totally predictable and uninspiring- wait for it.. yup you guessed it- mushroom risotto with parmesan shavings! How often is this the only dish aimed at veggies.
When will restaurants (as most pubs now cater marvellously for veggies) realise that over 10% of Brits are full time strict veggies with around 250,000 per week going on trial /semi permanent non meat diets. To offer only 1 dish from a selection of 12 suitable for veggies is an insult and really ruined my perspective of this place.
|
I do not agree with the last posting. The food has never been better and the locals at the bar all disappear in the early evening. Sunday roasts are tremendous.For friendly service this is still the most welcoming pub in Wimbledon
|
the clientel who frequent this pub make it very difficult to enjoy a one time stop as it is a locals pub and they are very guarded against new custom. the young aussie couple who took over after the long kiwi manager did little to improve the place and sucked up too much to the drunks at the bar. ony go here if you want your money to feel unappreciated and your presence overlooked.
anonymous - 31 Jan 2006 08:11 |
Great pub - very dog friendly, our 13 wk old chocolate lab has been accepted with open arms, and the occasional sip of beer. Food is excellent. As someone else noted - if you can't afford it... sod off.
Great menu from a good chef, beer is average pub beer - nothing special, wines are pretty good, and the locals are pretty friendly. It's at the back of the common, so you're best to walk.
|
Great pub this one and a Chav free zone. Also if you are a dog lover this is the pub for you.
|
I believe that chavball is "A game played on a rectangular field with net goals at either end in which two teams of 11 players each try to drive a ball into the other's goal by kicking, heading, or using any part of the body except the arms and hands. The goalie is the only player who may touch or move the ball with the arms or hands" as opposed to the preferred rugger "A game played by two teams of 15 players each on a rectangular field 110 yards long with goal lines and goal posts at either end, the object being to run with an oval ball across the opponent's goal line or kick it through the upper portion of the goal posts, with forward passing and time-outs not permitted.", or "form of football played with an oval ball"
Jolly good pub which sells great beer (although their recent addition of T.E.A. is not as nice as the 6X it replaced). I do, however, enjoy a pint of 1664 on a hot summer's afternoon.
|
Whats chavball Neil,you stuck-up ponce.And you don't even drink proper beer
|
Great Hogs Back TEA on tap and lovely food but yes the toxic toilet smell is a big problem!
anonymous - 19 Nov 2004 17:29 |
Disgusting smell in the back bar , we mentioned it to the landlord 4 weeks ago and last night revisited to find it is still a problem and worse !
The smell is now quite toxic and other people were talking about it and like us moved to another pub after 1 drink.
This is a serious comment and should not be taken as pointless !
G Atter - 4 Oct 2004 17:40 |
4 yuppies!
Bob - 4 Oct 2004 15:20 |
Great atmosphere with strong ties to the local neighborhood. Extensive wine sellection and good food.
Dan - 4 Oct 2004 08:57 |
Fantastic for sitting out on the windowsills in summer drinking very well kept Kronenbourg. Great big screen inside for watching the rugger (occasionally they put on chavball when there are England internationals too but under duress). Food is excellent if slightly expensive but then if you can't afford it then what are you doing in Wimbledon? Slightly odd toilet smell in the lower bar which is probably due to the fact it's non smoking.
Neil - 24 Sep 2004 14:22 |
Brilliant food- yes pricy but worth it. The burger is amazing! good wine list, i enjoy comeing there everytime
Nic - 8 Sep 2004 15:58 |
Proper looking pub with cosy atmosphere. Choice of ales from which I chose Bombardier but wasn't impressed - it should have been a good change from all those pints of Youngs elsewhere. Menu looked expensive but then there still quite a few people eating.
|
I used to enjoy a quality ale in here a few years ago.
I�m a bit disconcerted that there are a few complaints about it as the atmosphere in here and the food used to be spiffing.
It�s a real shame that this has happened to this pub as it was amazing.
Mark - 16 Jul 2004 15:23 |
Very pleasant traditional pub; friendly staff, good ale and wine list, although choice of lager is rather disappointing.
Food is also very good, the menu is limited but lovely, especially recommend the steak with onion marmalade. The open fire is also top.
Daniel - 12 Feb 2004 17:44 |
Used to be an ace boozer. Wimbledon's FA Cup Winning team (including Vinnie Jones,John Fashanu, and Dennis Wise for those who don't know) famously "had a few" in here the night before the Final in 1988. Unfortunately it's now rubbish, with imported moody staff and to-be-ignored overpriced food. Now populated solely, it seems, by bitter middle-aged dog-walkers. Bah humbug.
Alex - 6 Jan 2004 12:34 |
Best pub in the WORLD ! Miss it a a lot.
One of the crazy norwegians...
Ketil Vindenes - 9 Dec 2003 12:05 |
This used to be a great pub, but now the food is overpriced for what it is, the toilets are filthy and the staff uninterested.
Real shame.
Ju - 7 Nov 2003 14:07 |
Fantastic pub. Food is a bit more expensive than the average pub food, but worth every penny. I recommend the Sunday roast. But get there early. Excellent touch with the grandstand during the rubgy world cup
Sean - 5 Nov 2003 09:50 |
Great food, great atmosphere.
Excellent wine selection and nice to find someone that actually appreciates it.
Mel - 11 Sep 2003 17:43 |
Its a great pub ... Kiwi chef too which means you can pick up a feed of NZ green lipped mussels! Cosey atmosphere - great for a pint after a stroll on the common!
Jude - 8 May 2003 16:04 |
Old man's pub
FoxyChick - 17 Apr 2003 19:33 |
Used to be our favourite haunt for years but under new management it became pricier for less, not-as-nice food; staff could care less; management seemed interested in attracting a crowd that we weren't interested in being part of. Sad turn of events, never been back.
A Local - 28 Feb 2003 08:21 |
Rather expensive - �11 quid for a burger & chips - Be Warned!
LEE NEWTON - 21 Feb 2003 16:56 |
Excellent pub, the less people who know about it the better - please remove it from your list!
Scooby - 10 Feb 2003 12:37 |
The best venison and red currant pie I ever ate.
The only one too. So fresh it must've been road kill from Richmond Park.
Oliver Hogg - 16 Jan 2003 14:19 |
Excellent pub, real country atmosphere - highly recommended.
Anna McDermott - 10 Jun 2002 12:20 |
A bit scary, one of those pubs where everyone inside knows everyone else and you're a complete outisder. Rather stuck in the middle of no-where - no public transport nearby.
|
