BITE user comments - Marco_Daane
Comments by Marco_Daane
The Riverhead Brewery Tap, Marsden
Great pub right in the heart of Marsden with its fantastic little shops. Five beers brewed on the premises, four by Osset and one or two guests. Beers tend to be of the same kind (hoppy and yellowish) and just to differ in strength, but they are brewed to perfection and as fresh as they can be. For around 2 pounds, they're quite cheap too. The mild is superb. Can be a but smelly now and then, but then that's because there's LIFE in here! Upstairs restaurant is just as good with some superb creations; not cheap, but certainly not overexpensive. Recommended!
22 Mar 2009 11:39
Was a little disappointed after reading all the glorious reviews. Gorgeous place. Owners and staff are indeed very friendly and welcoming and are doing a great job in creating atmosphere and activities. But the standard of the beer doesn't live up to the expectations. Range is very one-sided: four ales, and all four of them bitters. Furthermore, they lacked flavour. Black Sheep had something of apple juice, tea and metal, but not of beer - I didn't even finish it; TT Landlord without the usual subtlety - not finished either - and others were too cold. Maybe a cellar problem. What a shame!
22 Mar 2009 11:34
The food is possibly still very good according to the smells and preparations, but had no meal here this year. The bar atmosphere has gone down sadly; enormously overpriced drinks (6.80 for a glass of wine and a bottled stout) and sleepy looking uninspiring but not unfriendly people. And most important of all: no real ale anymore.
21 Sep 2008 12:57
Visited it a couple of years ago before the fire and now again - and I'm happy to say it's unchanged in atmosphere and quality. One or two snuglike area's where locals meet and further seating next to the bar. Do try the food - they have a chef who combines tradition and innovation in a thrilling way. Two real ales from the isles on offer; the Scapa Special here was the best of the three Orkney outlets where it's served.
21 Sep 2008 12:54
The Stromness Hotel, Stromness
Consistent quality in this tastefully dressed upper bar. Has now three real ales from Orkney on offer. The dry white wine apparently very good too. Great food - carvery on Sundays - and the best harbour view. Boasts a beer festival in August. Note: at the back of the hotel there's also the Still Room with 100 whisky's on offer and which is also being used for meetings and activities.
21 Sep 2008 12:47
Indeed closed its doors a couple of years ago. Sad story; a local farmer tried to buy it, but some sort of investor offered more and now leaves it empty and derelict apparently for income tax reasons (strange world if you ask me). Used to be a nice and decent place for a good drink after a walk through the hills. During the season, go to Fiona's cafe on the road to the pier for snacks, coffee/tea, bottled beers and on Friday night great meals.
21 Sep 2008 12:42
Great atmosphere. Darkish, but once your eyes get used to that you'll like it. Possibly how a harbour pub used to be, or at least how it should be! The Thursday night folk sessions by guys and girls who are playing together for twenty years are not to be missed - ABSOLUTE top class. Now boasts two local ales (a couple of years only one), during my visit Scapa Special and the best Dark Island you'll likely to find anywhere. Quite large restaurant area where you may sample absolutely lovely food with lots of local produce; watch the blackboard.
21 Sep 2008 12:37
Still the best (the only??) pub in Inverness, now an area where the drinking culture is infected by hotel bars and so called clubs. Lots of wood and decent seatings, a lovely cosy bar and good food. Range of super real ales includes several from Scottish breweries but during my visit also Cain's from Liverpool. Great folk session on this Saturday too.
21 Sep 2008 12:30
The Bulls Head, Ashford in the Water
Traditional village pub just as it should be. Nice beamed room with lots of old photographs and other details, but also a large garden. Great village atmosphere, with the Sunday Times available for patrons. The food may be a bit pricy, but is really very good. The sardines with potatoe salad I had was absolutely mouthwatering. I don't agree with the views expressed with regard to Robinson's ales: the Old Stockport bitter available here is a classic example of how an honest oldfashioned bitter ale should be and it tasted formidable. The other two were very tasty too.
10 Jun 2007 13:28
Ever since I discovered the Guildford inbetween two train journeys, it's the one and only stopover pub in Edinburgh. Great location across from the Waverley Steps (note: being refurbished at the moment, which means one will have to take a slight detour through the mall), but in a really quiet cobblestoned alley. Classic pub with fabulous ceiling. The food is absolutely high standard and gorgeous (try the smoked mackerel!. The eight handpumps deliver great Scottish ales including of course Caley's but a constantly changing offer of some very elusive ones as well. Can be crowded in weekends, but on weekdays around lunchtime no problem. Boasts TV sport, but never obtrusively. Visit!
29 Jul 2006 16:54
The Betjeman Arms, St Pancras International Station
Pub with several different faces, on the inside that is. Good place for one drink and a meal in between trains, as it's not cheap. Food is OK, but nothing special; and 9 knockers for a proper fish and chips with a little bowl of mushy peas (like an icecream) is too much. But then that is what we travellers are supposed to pay for the comfort of arriving in the heart of London, isn't it. Ah, Hole in the Wall next to Waterloo Station with your great London characters, hearty food, live football and six or seven ales - sometimes I long back to you...
22 Mar 2009 11:51