The Anchor and Hope, Waterloo

The SMDC visited the Anchor and Hope on Wednesday 7th January 2009. It's a busy pub, but lacks any style and personality. Previous reviews criticise it for its poor table layout, and difficulty getting served at the bar - this was true for us, and makes the Anchor and Hope experience a rather poor one.

The Bar itself was stuffed full of people, so once you managed to reach it, ordering a drink was a new challenge. Some people eating meals at the bar - not what one expects from a "Gastro" pub.

While some of the beer may be reasonably priced (Bombardier @ �3/pint), a pint of soda water for one of the non-drinkers was an eye-watering �2 - this just isn't acceptable in this day and age, and ensures my non-return.

The Anchor and Hope may be one of the "original gastropubs", but by today's standards, it seems to pull this off spectacularly badly. Plenty of other establishments will offer a better experience and friendlier atmosphere. We didn't bother to have food, the pub was too cluttered and the prices too expensive to contemplate for such average surroundings.

I personally don't envisage a need to return, and would avoid this pub if I were in the area again.

14 Jan 2009 11:50

Shaws Booksellers, Blackfriars

The SMDC visited Shaws Booksellers on a Wednesday evening. The pub was very busy, but we were able to find ourselves a table before too long.

Often on our evenings out, pubs typically calm down by 8pm or so, but Shaws was still heaving at 9pm.

The food is very basic, but the chips (wedges) went down well. However, we had to move on elsewhere for a proper dinner - despite the facilities and tables, Shaws doesn't seem to manage more than snacks, nibbles, sharers and some very rustic looking pizzas.

Nice to find Hoegaarden on the taps... pity they don't know how to serve it. When my pint appeared on the bar, I asked for a twist of lime that should've been in there. Seconds later I was shouting over the bar for the waitress to stop, and she deftly dropped a splash of lime cordial into my glass - honestly! The slices were right infront of her!

Not a bad place, but by no means repeatable in the SMDC's cruise around London and City pubs.

24 Mar 2006 23:07

The Sekforde Arms, Clerkenwell

The SMDC visited the Sekforde Arms one weekday evening in early March. What a fantastic pub! Friendly atmosphere, smart barmen, great beer and ale, and great honest pub food.

Our rabble was made to feel very welcome, among other groups of locals. The meals were tasty and as expected. Pleasantly - no cheap baked beans here!

We'll be going back!

21 Mar 2006 13:45

The Bloomsbury Tavern, Bloomsbury

The SMDC visited The Bloomsbury Tavern one weekday evening, and found it to be very pleasant indeed. A very well presented Victorian London pub, clean and tidy, and a relaxing lounge upstairs too.

Beer sampled included Spitfire - a favourite of many; and Porter which is rather harder to find. Because they don't serve food on weekday evenings, we then made our way to the Italian Kitchen next door, for a fantastic meal at a reasonable price.

No doubt, we'll be revisiting this on our rounds some day!

9 Feb 2006 09:13

Williamson's Tavern, Mansion House

The SMDC have visited this pub on a number of occassions recently. It's rather busy until about 7:30 or so, when things begin to quieten down as the office workers head home.

The food is rather fantastic for a pub, and extremely well priced. The Selection of beers sufficiently broad, so long as you like London Pride - which we do.

Generally a nice comfortable place to be, good nosh and booze - which is why we've been several times.

Thank you.

3 Feb 2006 16:38