BITE user comments - Jaguarman
Comments by Jaguarman
More a restaurant then a typical pub, the Stackpole Inn is nonetheless an excellent establishment. I visited without booking on a Tuesday and got the last space I the car park and the only available table for two. I chose Lightning (guest ale) which was correctly chilled and fresh. Rev James was also available plus a local brew of 7%+! (Cannot remember the name of it.) For food I had locally caught whole plaice and season veg and it was superb in every respect and equal to anything I have had in the best London eateries. Two x two course meals, drinks and liqueur/coffees came to �55. Nearly forgot to mention the attentive and interested staff.
I enjoyed my visit so much that I booked a table for the Thursday and followed much the same course, this time having the Welsh lamb which was of extremely high quality. Folks were being politely turned away for lack of tables/booking and some chose to wait � I cannot blame them. I drank Rev James which was perfect in all senses. Other beers are available including the usual range of lagers plus Guinness.
Without doubt, the Stackpole Inn is the best establishment in the area and the management work hard to maintain standards. Like I said, more a restaurant than a pub and in fine weather there are some tables on the lawn outside. Will most definitely visit again and recommend this place to friends.
11 Aug 2009 11:29
Ye Olde Cock Tavern, Fleet Street
Visited on a Saturday and the place was largely empty as is to be expected in this area. A good variety of wines and beers available and food at reasonable prices though I did not eat there. Enjoyed a glass of Bankers Draft which was chilled and of good quality. Others on tap included Adnams Bitter, IPA, Bombardier and London Pride. I was pleased to see Beaujolais Village on the shelf together with other reasonably priced quality wines for the wine lovers out there.
The pub is a mix of old and new. I noted that the bar staff allowed a tourist to sample some ale before buying (the Banker�s Draft as it happens). Would visit again but there are better pubs around.
15 Jul 2009 09:58
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, Fleet Street
What an interesting pub. Dimly lit, one can imagine Dr Johnson sitting in a corner scribing away. I arrived at about 11.30am and enjoyed a Sam Smiths Stout and a glass of cider, both of which were on form. I liked the way that the barman rejected a fair amount of stout before passing a good glass to my son who was with me to test the place out.
Sawdust on the floor and olde worlde charm make it a place to visit again. Yes it is a tourist trap (a party of Japanese tourists arrived and filed upstairs to a dining room whilst I was there) but I would visit again and try the food next time. I went there on a Saturday but I understand that it gets very busy during the week.
15 Jul 2009 09:48
The Punch Tavern, Fleet Street
This pub has had its day. It is very sad indeed and the brewer should be ashamed of it. It is probably the worst in Fleet Street in terms of appearance. Behind my seat was a broken light fitting with exposed wiring. TTo make matters worse, Mexican music was playing loudly.
here were only two "real ales" on tap, Summer Lightning and Hooky Bitter, both of which were in reasonable condition.
The pub claims to have won the best London Pub food award in 2008 and I have to say that the bangers and mash in red onion gravy and the pate/toast were of high quality - the only redeeming feature.
I visited two other pubs on the day but will not be going back to this one, good food or not. There are better alternatives nearby.
15 Jul 2009 09:42
I visited the Red Lion with my wife on Saturday at lunchtime during a visit to Constable country. We were well greeted by the bar staff and the place had a generally welcoming atmosphere. There was a wide choice of food from sandwiches to hot meals, mostly home cooked from the look of it. I had a glass of Morris Mayhem, a Suffolk beer which was good, though I thought it a little flat. I had not tried it before so have no comparison.
Food order was placed and arrived after about 15-20 mins and delivered to the table by a friendly young lady from the kitchen. On this Saturday lunch time (about 1pm) I would say that 90% of table were occupied, mostly by mature people but there were two families with children (high chair provided). There is an outside courtyard area but it was rainy on the day.
Food itself was well cooked and nicely presented and tasty. Sadly, no sign of the big dog mentioned elsewhere. The cooked lunch for two with drinks came to �21.
I liked this pub very much and it looks like standards have been maintained over the years. Shame I live so far away but it will definitely be a stop for my next visit.
22 Jun 2009 11:46
The Pride of Spitalfields, Shoreditch
This is a gem of a little pub. Service from the ladies is always cheerful with a decent choice of beers (Doom, Brewers Gold etc). As for the food there is no better value for quality home grub anywhere in London in my view. Roast beef and two veg for three quid. Can't go wrong.
18 Jun 2009 13:09
An attractive pub from the outside in quiet village surroundings. I visited on a weeknight and there were few customers. Once past the seemingly hostile looks from some locals sitting outside , (I am not a local) I found the bar staff to be pleasant. Food was good with a decent choice and well cooked and presented. There is a book swap scheme going on inside and I saw two I would like to have read but alas had nothing to trade! Would visit again.
18 Jun 2009 13:02
An interesting old pub - a former bank or such like. Usual Fullers fare of reasonably quality. A bit of an upmarket Spoons. Service was good but prices a little on the high side, perhaps reflecting the pubs overheads in Cornhill. That said, would go there again.
31 Mar 2009 13:49
The Liberty Bounds, Tower Hill
Visited here recently. Atrocious service. Waiting customers outnumbered the bar staff (one person) by 4 or 5 to 1. Food was poorly done and cutlery dirty. I was overcharged for the drinks and only realised after the meal but there were so many people waiting at the bar I could not be bothered to make an issue. Will NOT be going there again. The nearby Spoons Crosse Keys is far superior. You would not think it was the same chain.
31 Mar 2009 13:46
This is the best Spoons I have come across. A big old place with some character. What has impressed me most is that even when the place is heaving, there is always a bar person to serve you. Even the food seems a cut above the normal Spoons. Good range of beers - proper beers to boot. Will make it my local I think.
31 Mar 2009 13:42
I visit "DD's" about once a month, sometimes twice. I agree that it is very expensive.The atmosphere is quite unique with the pub being spread over three floors, with bars in the cellar and ground floor with a restaurant area on the first floor. They seem to retain their staff for a year or two which is quite good for a city pub.
The food is of good quality with a good choice and the service prompt and polite. The restaurant is largely empty nowadays which is a shame but not surprising.
Unfortunately, the prices of food and drink means that I shall limit my visits to this pub for corporate entertainment in future as there are cheaper alternatives nearby. (One comment from a working man who asked for a pint of Guinness at the bar was "I want to buy a pint not the whole pub!)
18 Feb 2009 13:13
Badgers, Petworth
Stayed at the nearby Petworth Old Station and this pub is just a hundred yards or so away. Very friendly staff and animals. Quite sophisticated pub food which I liked though my wife found her choice restricted - no simple stuff like fish n chips. Quality of the food was excellent though for once I did not opt for a beer so cannot pass comment. I would go to the Badgers again.
18 Mar 2014 14:26