BITE user comments - beerwrinklie
Comments by beerwrinklie
Close to Preston, overlooking the river Ribble, the Continental is both a great pub and a fine restaurant. If you do not wish to mix with the 'eaters' there is an excellent Snug with it's separate access to the bar. And what a bar - a fine selection of well kept ales complimented by an unusually large selection of Belgium bottled beers. It may not be the easiest to find but it's well worth the effort.
23 Jun 2009 12:56
Visited mid-day on a Friday to find an excellent selection of well kept ales in a fine old style pub.
With records showing a tavern on this site from 1723, the present venue owes much to the redesign in 1855, with the classic mahogany back bar fitting being evident today. The five bar Victorian tavern was reduced to the present single bar in the 1960s. Much of the original wood and glass decor is still to be seen.
Although it is opposite the British Museum, and had a mix of both overseas visitors and locals, there was plenty of room for all. Very reasonable beer prices and selection of food (not tried).
Most definitely well worth a visit.
13 Jun 2009 08:33
Stopped for a Monday lunch and found a good selection of ales together with a comprehensive food menu. It's a few years since I was last here and they still managed to provide an excellent lunch break. I was all the more impressed when I was told the Sunday had been a sell-out for food. Beer was still in excellent condition.
Great location, good parking and interesting interior. Altogether, highly recommended.
7 Apr 2009 12:18
Attracted by the reviews, I had to try this for myself and was not disappointed. The mid-day welcome was inviting and the first pint of the day (DoomBar) came in excellent condition (somebody knows how to look after their beer and pumps). It's unfortunate the same mid-week mid-day standard is not available in the rest of Bexley. After a less than impressive tour round the Bexley pubs (those that were open) I had to return to the Black Horse to remind myself how a well kept, well priced, beer tasted.
Now I understand how this pub is so highly rated by CAMRA - it stands out in a Bexley sea of hand pump beer mediocrity.
22 Feb 2009 14:24
With the exterior repainted and a new rear garden, only the interior to refresh. Beer is still great and staff are still friendly. This remains my favourite watering hole in Dartford. Definitely one to support.
27 Jan 2009 15:54
First time back, after several years, and this is no longer a pub, but a restaurant with a bar. Reasonable selection of beers and the bar service was ok. The food menu seemed very comprehensive and reasonably priced. However, the food ranged from good to bad - the chicken pie was so dried that both the pastry and the chicken were fixed to the pie dish. Fortunately, the fault was recognised and the price refunded.
Not somewhere I would go for a drink, but I may go back to try another meal.
29 Dec 2008 15:44
First-time visitor from the South. Found a great selection of beers and the food was fine. However, I do think the beers were being served too cool. Prices seemed reasonable (for a southerner). Overall, I would go back again
29 Dec 2008 15:32
Wow - what a great pub! Eight pumps in use,and after several visits not found a badly kept beer. Foods good and prices are very reasonable.
Murals and clouds painted on the ceiling add to the slightly quirky decor. But don't let this put you off. Highly recommended.
11 Sep 2008 12:20
One of my favourite pubs in the area. Beer is well kept, the food is good quality and prices are very competitive. Maybe the surroundings are looking a little 'used round the edges' but still more inviting than many in Dartford.
11 Sep 2008 11:53
First visit for many years, and it was awful. Shabby interior, unwashed tables and strong dog smell. All this for the most expensive beer in the area. For these reasons, I did not think about chancing the food.
The building has lots of character, so it's a shame it's not more inviting.
I will not be returning
11 Sep 2008 11:42
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The Flying Boat, Dartford
I must congratulate JD Wetherspoon on the lavish refurbishment, most admirably described by RogerB and keepthechange earlier on this site. In addition, I need to share my experience of a mid-day weekday visit. Despite previous comments, I found a good selection of SEVEN available ales from the ten pumps. In addition, there was a healthy lunchtime surge in custom more than adequately covered by a timely increase in serving staff - ALL five tills being operated. Whilst the food was no more than adequate, the very competitive prices of both food and drink make the 'Flying Boat' well worth another visit. Just hope the 'silence' is continued at least during the daytime.
23 Jul 2009 16:15