please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Was taken here by a friend for Sunday lunch, with the claims, "This is the most famous pub in Notting Hill area". If it is I can only assume its for the wrong reasons. Building is nice, food was ok but service was appalling. Bar staff so disinterested that three people waiting to be served seems to take about 15 mins. 6 of us ordered food together but paid in 3 pairs. Despite explaining we were all together it came staggered over 25mins. The waitress explained that the chef did not know we were together which I can only take to mean the bar staff didn't bother telling him. Also, the pub is mainly full of rude arrogant Made in Chelsea wannabes. Poor service, poor atmosphere.
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Shame. This place used to be ok a few years back, when it used to be a pub called the Shakespeare. Unfortunately (like so many pubs these days) it got turned into something completely different. A place that seems more intent on attracting young 'affluent' clientele rather than real locals.
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Wow. My first visit on Saturday. I wish that was a 'wow' of great food, great beer, great service. But alas, it's a 'wow' at how shoddy and downright rude the staff were. The sullen, glowering, grunting barmaid was abrasive and snatched our money, throwing the change back at us like we'd insulted her mother. In fact we'd asked politely what cider they had on tap, then ordered a bottle and a pint of bitter, while smiling and using please and thankyou. She proceeded to give me a filthy glass full of ice to go with my Bulmers which was a delight.
We managed to get a table in the pleasant outdoor area which is admittedly very lovely, if full of preening moneyed types.
The barmaid put me off so much that I absolutely won't be back. A disgrace to London pubs, which is saying something in tourist-ridden west London. Avoid at all costs if you like polite service and a genuine atmosphere.
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Not for the first time, I visited this place expecting it to be a better occasion than the last. Not for the first time, this visit was worse than the last. I always seem to leave the bar fuming at the stinking attitude of the bar staff. This time because I dared to order some drinks using basic politeness. This was not received well and was greeted with huffs and snarls while my money was snatched from my hand and change tossed back at me.
Unfortunately it very much seems that if you are not dressed like the "in" crowd of the pub you are clearly made to feel unwelcome. Such is the attitude from the staff I have received on several occasions, this often sullies any potential enjoyment for the venue, including a very tempting and exciting looking menu.
The beer selection is ok, if rather plain in this day and age (for a venue of that stature). The clientele also provide interesting people-watching opportunities as posh Notting Hill types who have heard of the East London style, but are too scared to venture across town.
I've given this place my last chance
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2.5 years on since i last reviewed this pub and little has changed.
Bar staff still woeful, clientele by and large up their own back passage, outside seating area still fabulous but very crowded the moment the sun comes out.
It remains a place where Eurotrash and mod-dells go to see and be seen. If that is your bag then fill your boots, if you prefer something with a little more soul and respect then walk on by.
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beautiful pub with outside seating. wish i could say something positive about the staff or fellow drinkers, but can't.
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only pretentious outsiders use this place. the real people living behind in the estate dont go there anymore and havent for a long time,
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Its neither gastro/straight boozer. Having said that the food is good here if you can get a table. The pub is popular and more so in the summer when the outisde seating area is always packed as well as inside. In winter gas overhead heaters are provided to keep people warm.
The predominant clientele are young, it has a bit of a media feel to it with 'fabulous' people going there.
The actual bar serving area is not huge and this ealds to a slow down in service. There is no getting around it when the pub is busy the service is slow, due to the small bar and that they just can't get enough people behind it. Although the bar staff could do with a rocket up the back side to get them cracking on a bit this pub has always been like that.
The eye candy for both sexes is always worth a trip, and if it gets too busy for you - just head over the road to The Cow.
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I forgot to add that everyone thinks they are so very trendy. One bloke was wearing a bright red sun visor.
I rest my case.
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A pub full of Nathan Barley's in the West? Who'd have thought. This bar is so bad that we left to get back to Islington after one beer. In fact it's so bad that I have signed up on here to warn people off.
Shoreditch tw@t for wannabe Sloaney's.
Avoid avoid avoid. Unless your name is Arabella or Tarquin.
One point awarded for selling Warsteiner though.
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This pub is always very busy, with people sitting and standing outside.
The best time to come is in the summer, either evening or day-time. If you persevere, you can usually get a seat and if you have to share a table then the people are usually pretty friendly. I have however had my card stolen out of my Jeans here but that can happen in any pub.
Watch out for the "celebrities". Jamie Theakston knows the guy who used to own this (or something) and previously hung out here a bit. Before we've seen some blokes finding it funny to say 'A-ha' to a very annoyed Steve Coogan. Once we also saw Sanjay from Eastenders with his clone / boyfriend.
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",....ok,..i'll get the drinks,..you find a spot"
".........what the fck kept you?"
",...never mind that now,...is this the best you could do,...stood here by the industrial bins!?"
"well its trendy here apparently,..I couldn't get a seat for love nor money..."
"Ok,..well we're here now,..lets get into it...........................................................that estate has been around for 20 years you know........"
Cackety Cack Cack
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I remember what area I was in when I went there. Royal Oak, with a sea of council estates but a stones throw away. This isn't Chelsea or Mayfair but people here think it is. Their egos are so inflated, I thought they'd float away. Still, amazingly, not as bad a Tom & Dick's around the corner.
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this pub is nice in the rain. you can sit outside with heaters and the awnings which is lovely. summer time is too hectic but quite fun for a coupla drinks, great place to watch people, it isnt overly pretentious....a bit...but remeber what area we are in after all....there are always pretenses on air, but also true people too.
Freedom Hudson - 22 Sep 2004 18:56 |
impossible to get served.
but good chicks particularly in summer.
food not too bad either.
Aaron - 13 Jan 2004 17:16 |
Full of portentious people who like to be seen as the in crowd. Beer is ok but bar is so small its difficult to get served. Quite nice in summer to stand outside but so busy you'd be better off bringing your own
Gavin - 16 Oct 2003 17:28 |
