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BITE user comments - graley

Comments by graley

The Travellers Friend, Woodford Green

I wouldn't have a bad word said about this pub. I am not a regular, but would like to be. On a recent visit (my first in a few months) I was made to feel welcome by the landlord who did engage in conversation. When visiting a pub, it is also the responsibility of the visitor to engage other people in conversation if that's what they want, and not sit back and wait for the busy bar staff to talk to them.

To be honest not many pubs do make a newcomer feel welcome. You can't tell me that managed chains like Wetherspoons make people feel welcome, yet I have yet to see comments such as these appear against any of their pubs.

The warm welcome and the excellent selection of cask beers made me stop for a few more than the one I intended.

12 Dec 2007 08:14

The Rose Inn, Southminster

Doesn't anyone from BITE get out this far.

Small, very friendly local pub steeped in tradition with excellent well kept beer.

19 Jul 2006 07:45

The Regent, Walton on Thames

I would agree with the last comment. Wetherspoons seem to get a bad press on BITE, probably because it's a successful national chain which has provided the public with what they want - otherwise they wouldn't be successful.

I think steaders wrote his recent comments for laughs or because he's a competing publican.

The clientele are varied. Yes you get teenagers and people with tatoos (increasing people have tatoos nowadays), but you also get workmen, office workers, middle aged people here. You get pensioners coming in with their partners to have a civilised chat over a well priced meal.

After the comment about the gum on the carpet, I scoured the carpet on my last visit on Friday and could not find a single piece.

To keep this rounded, the food here is not the highest standard of other Wetherspoon outlets (Wetherspoon standards have dropped steadily since inception) and the all the cutlery in the tray was dirty on my last visit.

19 Jul 2006 07:42

The Coal Hole, Strand

Most pubs in Central London would turn the clips around. I think this is, and knowing when a beer is off, is down to training.

22 Nov 2005 13:47

Ashley Park Hotel, Walton on Thames

I'd complain to Mitchell & Butlers (Ember Inns) about that if I were you.

1 Aug 2005 14:07

The Anglers, Walton on Thames

What about the beers? Do they still do real ales?

1 Aug 2005 14:03

The Newton Arms, Holborn

Got in there at 14:00 on a Friday, so very quiet. Sure it gets busy at other times. It was a sunny day and appears to be the only pub around that outside seating available (due to it not being crowded). Real ale is Adnams and the bar staff were efficient and friendly.

24 Jun 2005 15:43

The Coal Hole, Strand

I think you'll find its differing tastes. I've work near the 'Coaley' for 2� years so have seen it both at quiet and busy times. The beer is always excellent, the service is efficient but not overly friendly, the food is good although preprepared and the decor is authentic. If you don't like traditional pubs or don't appreciate good beer then don't come here.

17 Jun 2005 07:48

The Wenlock Arms, Hoxton

Initial reaction to my mid week mid afternoon visit is that this is a gem, a really great find. Hidden amongst a housing estate and building site, you would normally find a run down pub with a selection of crap lagers, but the Wenlock is different. They have 6 different real ales, a cider, a trappist lager and a quality lager. While it has to be said that anot a lot has been spent on decoration, this adds to its charm. On my visit there was a friendly bunch of locals and I considered it quite crowded for the strange time slot of my visit. Go and support this real ale, live jazz/blues, friendly pub.

16 Jun 2005 07:49

The King Edward VII, Stratford

Excellent pub with a selection of real ales (Adnams Broadside & Charles Wells Bombadier amongst others). Used to be a great haunt of students of the nearby University, but probably less so now as the upper bar has been transformed into a fully fledged restaurant.

18 Jan 2005 18:08

Ye Olde Kings Head, Chigwell

Recently reopened as no smoking pub, this sprawling Tudor pub/restaurant combines good food with good beer. The main menu changes seasonally, how often the specials menu changes I don't know. Real ales on the day were GK IPA, Old Speckled Hen and Bombadier.

18 Jan 2005 17:56

The Railway Tavern, Woodford Green

Refurbished in the last year, the transformation is amazing. What was once an unwelcoming keg pub is now an ex-Scottish & Newcastle success story. The food of this local is authentic Thai (they even do take aways). Sells Courage Best.

29 Dec 2004 15:43

The Goldengrove, Stratford

Been going here now ever since it was converted by Wetherspoons from a shirt shop ('Dickie Dirts'). Although it's seen better days, still upholds the Wetherspoon traditions of no music, no pool, no Sky and loads of cask beer :)

29 Dec 2004 15:31

The Cuckfield, Wanstead

No beer with flavour. Looked modern and clean, but didn't hang around as they only served lagers.

29 Dec 2004 15:28

The George, Wanstead

A Wetherspoon conversion of a former historic hotel. On two floors the interior is as pleasing as the exterior. Typical Wetherspoon, good real ale, ok food, no music, no pool and no Sky! Great.

29 Dec 2004 15:25

Great Spoon of Ilford, Ilford

Large Wetherspoon pub with real beer, ok food, no pool and no music.

29 Dec 2004 15:19

The Hamilton Hall, Liverpool Street

Very busy meeting point for a lot of after work drinks. Luckily there is a lot of space to accomodate them. On two levels, the interior of this pub is exemplary. Sky blue walls, gilt edging, cherubs and book cases. Wetherspoon doing what they do best, range of real ale, no music, no pool and no Sky!

:)

29 Dec 2004 15:01

The Edgar Wallace, Temple

Hidden away amongst other pretentious pubs which have loud people flashing wallets oustide. Beers include Sussex, Adnams and Tiger beer. Tried the food which arrived quickly, suspected microwave, but good nevertheless. Staff were friendly and efficient without being overbearing.

29 Dec 2004 14:54

The Ship and Shovell, Charing Cross

This is a great place, good Badger beers and the food I had was good although sparing. Bar staff had a little difficulty understanding the orders on the day I visited.

29 Dec 2004 14:45

The Wellington, Strand

Good beer as Nicholson usually do well. Staff are always quick and friendly. Food is good pub food.

29 Dec 2004 14:39

The Theodore Bullfrog, Charing Cross

Beer is good and not keg. Recently refurbished. Staff were quick and efficient.

29 Dec 2004 14:37

The Punch And Judy, Covent Garden

Too busy, keg beer, noisy, nasty :(

29 Dec 2004 14:35

The Essex Serpent, Covent Garden

A cosy bar with real ale that would be unbearable when busy. Luckily I've been there at quiet times.

29 Dec 2004 14:34

The Porterhouse, Covent Garden

A lively pub with character. Pity there's no cask beer, but brewing their own (in Ireland) is a nice touch.

29 Dec 2004 14:32

The Coal Hole, Strand

This small busy pub on the strand, serves the usual pub fayre and real ales. Full of atmosphere partially because of its ornate architecture. Did I mention it was very old?

29 Dec 2004 14:27

The Rose Inn, Southminster

Small, very old 2 room pub. The locals honestly believe it boasts the friendliest landlord and landlady. It has withstood the ravages of time to such an extent that the real ale is gravity fed. Well worth a visit.

29 Dec 2004 14:11

Ye Olde White Harte Hotel, Burnham on Crouch

Pub full of character and warmth. Good local beers and food. Try throwing a beer mat to th owner dog.

29 Dec 2004 14:01

The Ship Inn, Burnham on Crouch

Welcoming locals pub with real ale and good food.

29 Dec 2004 13:58

The Crown and Crooked Billet, Woodford Green

Recently refurbished by Mitchells & Butler, this is a friendly local with real ale and an eating area. Looks out onto the green at Woodford Bridge.

29 Dec 2004 13:43

Cocked Hat, Woodford Green

Harvester, need I say more.

29 Dec 2004 13:40

The Travellers Friend, Woodford Green

Very traditional, unspoilt by Plc. A good range of real ales, 5 when I visited. Roaring fire and friendly locals. Mostly frosty staff, but one stood out as friendly.

29 Dec 2004 13:38

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