BITE user comments - Malice
Comments by Malice
The Fountains Abbey, Paddington
Primarily frequented by the staff and students from the hospital and university across the road. Regarded as a bit of a last resort amongst most of the people I know, it's a large pub with a decent sized upstairs room. The second floor is rarely utilised to it's potential though, and the beer is often hit and miss.
Food has gotten better during recent months and the pub is generally big enough to avoid the more unsavoury characters that are prone to appearing in the weekend evenings. A decent place to watch a football match if you can get a seat upstairs. Being on a main road, the outside seating isn't exactly a positive aspect of the pub.
13 Apr 2009 16:09
The Sandmartin, Chafford Hundred
This pub looks absolutely great from the outside. It's in a nice location and it's a nice looking building, so how can it be such a terrible pub?
The locals are the personification of the word 'scum'. Only go in here if you're training for a career in UFC and you need some fighting practise. The alcohol is disproportionately expensive considering the surroundings you have to endure to enjoy your pint. Just avoid at all costs on a friday and saturday evening. Went there for new years eve once and unsurprisingly the night was ended prematurely by the police after another fight.
13 Apr 2009 16:04
This pub is notorious for having the cheapest beer in the surrounding area, but there is a price to pay for your stinginess. Only really serves the bog standard lagers and is frequented by a mixture of the great unwashed and confused hotel patrons who are looking to quickly finish their drinks and leave.
It's really a case of 'spot the woman' in here too and I can imagine it being quite uncomfortable to sit in if you're a lady. Avoid unless you're a student. Have seen regulars verbally abusing each other and the bar maids here before, and they're all even angrier that they have to walk up some stairs to smoke now. This pub is hidden away for a reason.
13 Apr 2009 15:52
I am proud to call The Wheatsheaf my local and have been drinking there for about two years now. As with any Fullers pub, there is a decent selection of ales and a few alternative lagers, while the wine list seems to have been carefully crafted.
The pub is never too busy, other than during big football matches when the location of the big screen can make getting served a bit difficult. It's out-of-the-way location contributes to the relaxed atmosphere and the nearby Haven Arms seems to mop up anyone who accidentally stumbles upon this quiet road before they get to the 'sheaf.
I've always thought the food was top notch at this pub, if the selection is a little small. The burgers used to take a long time to cook because the chef was making them from scratch, but recently I believe he has been replaced and the burgers are bought in instead. They still taste great and I've never heard any complaints from anyone about the food, and the chef used to even come out and ask customers about their preferences for food. It's always been great value grub as well. I once saw an entire rack of ribs going for just �6. Exquisite.
The decor in the pub is nice, and it certainly doesn't detract from your drinking experience. I'm not sure what everyone has against it, but it's not overbearing or garish. Has a bit of a reputation as an old man's pub amongst people I've spoken too, but the bar staff are all quite young and competent and there is a good mix of young professionals and archetypal 'regulars' at the bar. I've never seen someone in there I didn't like the look of either.
The pub quiz on a monday night is very well run and worth a try if you fancy your luck. It's pretty tough though! Although outside seating is listed on this site, don't count on it as it's only a tiny alleyway with a few lightweight aluminium chairs to accommodate smokers. There is also free wireless internet in the pub and a bunch of boardgames and newspapers lying around in one corner.
I'd recommend this pub to anyone who enjoys a sensible or quiet drink. Can't really see it being a place to include on a pubcrawl, but that's probably what makes it such a nice place!
13 Apr 2009 15:45
Champion, Notting Hill
The Champion is an attractive pub on the busy Bayswater Road, just off Hyde Park in London. It stocks a good selection of lagers and spirits and has a quirky/weird outdoor seating area, which would be quite cosy on a summers day. It would be a really nice pub were it not for the fact that the service you get here is absolutely ABYSMAL.
Going to the bar becomes an absolute chore thanks to the incompetent bar staff who are lazy and seem to mess up your order on purpose. It took me five minutes to get served when I was the only person at the bar and all of the on duty bar staff were present and regularly just looking over at me as if I was there to admire the view. Food is served here, though expect your order to be misinterpreted and carried around the pub for about 10 minutes before they realise what table you're sitting at.
On a weeknight it can get very very busy in the pub, so the poor service is exacerbated. They also have a Schneider Weisse tap that has been empty for at least the last six or seven WEEKS, with the bar staff cracking the same joke each time that the tap is just for show. A possible positive is that they do not use the measurement cups when pouring wine or a shot, which is probably illegal, but usually guarantees a bit more alcohol for your money.
Prices for beer and food are quite reasonable, the d�cor is nice and on Wednesday nights there is a pub quiz. But the service is literally so bad that I am happier not to go there these days. I've been tempted to go to the nearest corner shop to buy beers to drink in The Champion in the past, the service really is that bad.
12 Aug 2009 09:58