BITE user comments - Donnington
Comments by Donnington
Dropped in on a Saturday afternoon for a friends birthday drink. Really friendly (I was impressed how the barmaid offered to help with making up a bottle for my young daughter) and the Harvey's was well kept. I tried Best, Armada, and Hadlow and they were all superb. The food looked good, but didn't try any.
This is a great pub - although its easy to miss the carpark around the back.
26 Jul 2008 23:57
The Forest Hill Tavern, Forest Hill
Looks like the refurb will be complete in a few days. When I went past today the interior looked finished, and some final touches to the railings were being done.
One thing that looks promising is that the garden has had a total makeover - it was more or less wasted space previously.
Looks like it will be a gastropub, but I'll post a proper review once sampled.
19 May 2007 23:04
Many comments below sound harsh to me - So I went to check how things were at the Herne. For sat lunch there was a good mixture of locals in for the beer and East Dulwich well offs with baby chariot types, which seemed to work without Kosovo ethnic warfare.
The best thing for me was St Peter's Suffolk Gold on draught - the beer was well kept and the best pint I've hed in London for a long while. Other reviews have said of Suffolk Gold:
St Peter's, Suffolk Gold (England)
Made with Suffolk-grown malt and First Gold hops, this pours a deep bronze colour with a fast-dissipating off-white head. It has a very attractive nose that is overtly hoppy, with chicory and nettle notes, and a little aromatic, floral lift. There's fruitiness too, in an appealing profile. On the palate the hops don't disappoint, powering through with dry, bitter flavours and a real edge of endive and liquorice. There is a hint of caramel sweetness on the mid palate, and this beer finishes with real harmony as the two meld together 4.9% ABV, 50cl, brewery website, Onlyfinebeer, Beerritz.
No complaints at all. The damage for two pints, a pint of orange juice and lemonade and nuts, was �8.25 - OK given the ridiculous prices generally charged for soft drinks.
18 Nov 2006 14:37
The Dulwich Woodhouse, Sydenham
Popped in with the wife and mother-in-law a couple of Saturday's ago, and the DWH delivered the goods.
I have been a few times before and been a bit disappointed with the food - although this has been on Sunday evenings when practically everything was sold out. On this quiet Saturday lunch, I thought the service and food was excellent, helped by the autumn sun streaming in from the front windows.
I had a bottle of Young's Champion for a change, which was superb.
Also convenient for a gander around Sydenham woods - one entrance is about 100 yards down the road.
18 Nov 2006 12:02
The Rye Pub, Dining Room and Garden, Peckham Rye
It's a good place, lovely atmos most of the time, and good drink options. The minor downsides are:
1. Overpriced food for what it is. I had very disappointing 'gammon' for about �10 which was clearly reformed shoulder or something else cheap.
2. Over-run with kids on Sundays. Don't have a problem with this, but if you do, you will!
A flawed diamond I think.
24 Sep 2006 16:23
The Crystal Palace Tavern, East Dulwich
Always has a good evening at this place. Good staff and friendly locals. Not pretentious at all.
24 Sep 2006 16:18
This pub needs to up its game from being a bit average, to compete against the refurbished Herne Tavern which is 5 mins up the road, and the Rye across the park.
It's got great potential but is often a bit of a let-down.
24 Sep 2006 16:12
I understand the Herne Tavern has recently been taken over by the owners of the Lord Palmerston in East Dulwich.
This means the interior has been spruced up (keeping the original Victorian features), the garden has been landscaped (mainly for the benefit of kids) and the food is now gastropub, but to the good and basic end of this genre.
Just been for Sunday lunch. Was pleased to see Addlestones on draught and Weston organics cider in bottles. Beer included Landlord, Deuchars IPA, Spitfire I think and others. Also a good range of wines.
The food was reasonable at about �10 for a main, the quality was excellent, with good medium rare beef served with celariac and red cabbage. Good and friendly staff, although I felt the service was suffering from the demand from the full garden and pub.
Contrary to other reviews this is proving highly popular with local people. I don't consider myself a "trendy", but I really enjoyed it. Best of luck to the new owners.
24 Sep 2006 16:06
I agree with the comment below. This pub doesn't look posh, but the staff are excellent, there's a great range of beers (I'm into the Wychwood Organic Crop Circle in bottles at the moment!), and its comfortable. Add bands and comedy from East Dulwich Comedy and its a real asset to Forest Hill.
Also very close to the railway station for when work has been just... too much!
24 Oct 2005 12:08
The Railway Telegraph, Forest Hill
My favourite local pub for watching sport in a good atmosphere with a good range of beers. Very close to garden centre, which can be good for domestic harmony.
24 Oct 2005 12:02
The Dartmouth Arms, Forest Hill
Like it a lot - it works very well for lots of reasons. I spent an hour waiting for friends to arrive a few days ago - not a problem - papers, a steak sandwich, music, wine. What more do you need?
Also have had excellent meals there on three occasions.
Only criticisms are:
1. I would like to see more real ales - Harvey's would be perfect.
2. How about later opening?
3. What happened to the OS maps of Iran in the Men's?!
24 Oct 2005 11:50
A handy stop on a circular walk from Mayfield, I liked this pub. Decent, non-pretentious food, and a very good pint of Harveys. Friendly staff didn't bat an eyelid about us eating outside in October. Didn't try the restuarant, but it looked cosy from the outside. Seemed to cater for locals and visitors quite well. Its an 'Enterprise Inns' pub, which might explain the changes in ownership. Don't understand why several pubs around Mayfield and Wadhurst (2 shut) don't seem to be doing very well. There seems to be a 'go upmarket gastro, or die' trend going on.
24 Oct 2005 11:40
Three Horseshoes, Elsted
Had a lovely couple of pints of Cheriton's Flowerpots bitter in the garden today - it really is a wonderful place to spend a sunny afternoon, with views of the Downs and roses. The crab salad was bit pricey but excellent.
I understand some of the points which mainly relate to the bar area being a bit small, and being a victim of its own success, but the plus's far outweigh the minus's.
27 Jul 2008 00:04