BITE user comments - eddieman
Comments by eddieman
Awesome range of real ale, friendly service, cracking value. Worth the trip for Reading from far and wide. A whole pub-crawl in just one pub.
19 Nov 2007 00:29
Surprised that some of the reviews are so negative.
Fine cask all - notably, for my taste, the Lamb and Flag Gold, which jas proven an excellent introduction for continental visitors unused to the stuff - and several rooms, so that the pub is rarely dominated by one noisy group. Service generally friendly and fine, and beer prices as sensible as they get in Oxford.
Along with the White Horse and perhaps the Grapes, the best bet in this part of the world.
19 Nov 2007 00:27
Some of the comments below are a bit snobby - yes, it's cheap, but it's often cheerful, with a lively mixed crowd of locals and students out for a good time, as well as others up for a cheap beer. Never had any problems with the (admittedly fairly ordinary) range of real ale, and the food, while bog standard, is consistent.
I believe Andrew Smith, the MP for Oxford East, took up the issue of the "stock indiscrepancies" notice mentioned below.
19 Nov 2007 00:20
Generally a sound night out (though occasionally have experienced erratic food serving times, and once had a long debate with the bar-tender over a sub-standard pint ... it was very cloudy, she said she thought it was always like that, I explained it wasn't, she explained I could buy another drink if I wanted one ... slightly aggravating when a large group of us had settled in for the evening).
But normally the IPA and Abbot ales are well kept, and the guest beer - when available - is worth a go. In summertime, the garden out the back is splendid, and the pub manages to appeal to a nice mix of punters. A few years ago, it went through a really rough patch, and it's great to see it back on form. There was a brief "purple patch", when the very friendy Czech bar-tender attracted Czechophiles from all over Oxford, but she seems to have left.
19 Nov 2007 00:13
Well-kept Wadworth ales, a friend (but challenging) pub quiz on Thursdays, and a friendly mix of students and more established locals. Warmly recommended.
19 Nov 2007 00:05
Excellent, well kept wadworth beers, and a cosy atmosphere. Rarely so crowded that there's no seats, even on a Saturday night. Much the best pub in the village, with a great appeal to locals and visitors alike.
19 Nov 2007 00:03
The landlord seems to have changed; the new couple are very friendly, made a real effort to see our group sat down comfortably, and all the usual range of fullers' beers were excellent.
19 Nov 2007 00:01
Our visit was not their finest hour food-wise. Significant chunks of the menu were off, items advertsied as side dishes turned out to have sold out (with no noticed offered or reduction in price, none of the specials were available, staff approached us three times to impart, and then correct, news on what was being served, and my female colleague could have done without the staff wearing oversize jeans and exposing "bottom cleavage" when bending over!
19 Nov 2007 00:00
The General Elliot, South Hinksey
A lovely pub, now owned, I believe, by the Vale brewery. There are always at least three, often more, beers on tap, and regular guest ales, as well as beer festivals every so often. Pub grub is of the simple variety, with main courses often below the �5 mark. One of Oxford's finest.
30 Dec 2006 00:30
Pavlov's Dog, Reading
Service of the indifferent food left quite a lot to be desired, with confusions aplenty (even on a quiet lunchtime). No beer worth drinking.
19 Nov 2007 00:30