BITE user comments - lazybeer
Comments by lazybeer
Well these reviews seem to fall into two distinct camps. I'm afraid I'm with those who say it's a little bland and characterless. (That description includes the service as well!) A big, open bar gives it a bit of a Wetherspoons feeling and I may just have been unlucky but on the day I visited it had a slighly strange smell. Not a big Sam Smith's fan either so just stayed for one and wouldn't rush back, plenty of better pubs nearby.
24 Jun 2011 15:10
The Salisbury, Leicester Square
A little gem tucked away not far from the tourist drag of Leicester Square. Lots of original fittings from its time as a Victorian gin palace and quirky theatre related posters forming a collage on the stairs.
Been here a couple of times and its always been clean and with a decent selection of well kept ales. Doom Bar and Tribute both seem to be regulars.
Has a good buzz as befits its position in the middle of Theatreland but never seen it so busy it wasn't possible to get a seat reasonably quickly. Never tried the food but looks like pretty standard pub fare.
24 Jun 2011 14:50
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, Fleet Street
The building must make this one of the most unique and atmospheric pubs in London. Tucked away down a little alleyway off Fleet Street you enter via the dark ground floor bar. This is split into several rooms with wood panelled walls and bare boarded floors and feels as is nothing much has changed for the last few hundred years.
However the real treat comes if you follow the well hidden narrow staircase downstairs. It feels as if you've entered middle earth as it opens out into a series of vaulted rooms and cubby holes with whitewashed walls. Don't expect luxury, just basic wooden tables and chairs or benches on flagstone floors.
Now here's the downside at least for me. It's a Sam Smith's pub which while it may be cheap means own brand or nothing. I've never had one of their beers or lagers which I'd describe as anything more than passable. I realise it's a matter of personal taste but for me, in common with their other historic pubs in London, it makes it somewhere to have one drink and enjoy the history but not somewhere I want to stay for a session.
On the upside service was efficient and friendly. On a Saturday afternoon the upstairs bar was fairly empty but there was a nice buzz downstairs and I can imagine this only gets better on a weekday evening when there are more people around. Food was unexceptional 'Brake Brothers' out of the freezer/deep fried style but prices very keen for Central London so not a cause for complaint but not something to go out of your way for either.
So in summary I'd highly recommend a visit, whether you stay long probably depends on your opinion of Sam's beers!
24 Jun 2011 14:36
Beautifully located at the end of a creek in what must be one of the prettiest villages in Devon. Choice of either a cosy bar on a couple of levels inside or you can sit and watch the boats from the large terrace. It's very clean and well kept and looks as if it has been recently refurbished however this has been very well done so it hasn't lost it's character. They do very good food, on the pricey side but well worth it. However you won't feel out of place just dropping in for a pint, as many of the locals obviously do.
A good range of well kept, mainly West Country ales. Didn't try any but the wine list looked pretty comprehensive as well. Good service on my visit so not much more I could ask for in a pub. Just one small complaint, it's on the wrong side of the creek for the best of the afternoon sun, but that really is churlish!
Another plus is that it's well located for walking a very stunning section of the south west coast path with a couple of fairly easy circular walks possible from the village.
16 Nov 2009 12:20
Beautifully located at the end of a creek in what must be one of the prettiest villages in Devon. Choice of either a cosy bar on a couple of levels inside or you can sit and watch the boats from the large terrace. It's very clean and well kept and looks as if it has been recently refurbished however this has been very well done so it hasn't lost it's character. They do very good food, on the pricey side but well worth it. However you won't feel out of place just dropping in for a pint, as many of the locals obviously do.
A good range of well kept, mainly West Country ales. Didn't try any but the wine list looked pretty comprehensive as well. Good service on my visit so not much more I could ask for in a pub. Just one small complaint, it's on the wrong side of the creek for the best of the afternoon sun, but that really is churlish!
Another plus is that it's well located for walking a very stunning section of the south west coast path with a couple of fairly easy circular walks possible from the village.
16 Nov 2009 12:20
There is a heavy emphasis here on food but that's not suprising given the location in a tiny village. However the balance is right as you wouldn't feel uncomfortable just dropping in for a pint or two. Inside is a bit smaller than it looks from the outside and unexpectedly has a little bit of a feeling of a Victorian station refreshment room! However it's none the worse for that with simple, clean decor. Service was prompt and efficient.
Food wasn't cheap but was very good quality and perfectly cooked with reasonably sized portions. There's quite an emphasis on local game on the menu which makes for a more interesting selection than the average 'generic gastropub' menu which is getting so popular in this kind of location.
My only slight gripe would be with the beers, nothing at all wrong with the way they're kept but as they're a Hall & Woodhouse pub it's a fairly limited range of Badger beers. Just not to my personal taste and it's a shame the range of beer doesn't match up to the impressive wine list.
As a bonus it's located right next to Eridge station so it's easy to get to from London if you fancy getting out of town to a proper country pub.
12 Nov 2009 16:29
The Happy Man, Englefield Green
A little gem. A converted cottage with 2 front bars and 2 back rooms. Don't expect anything fancy, seating is basic benches and the walls are plain emulsioned walls with a few pictures. However both the pub and toilets are always very clean.
It gets a good mix of locals and students and always feels welcoming. Service is also good (how many pubs now always thank you when you leave). A changing selection of exceptionally kept real ales, usually with something local. They also have a good selection of more usual lagers and wines and usually a real scrumpy.
Food which varies from sandwiches to full meals is pretty basic but well cooked and very good value.
And as an added bonus it has a dart board with 1980's style electronic score board.
17 May 2009 15:54
Dropped in on a Thursday evening. Very busy with a good atmosphere thanks in large part I think to the real mix of different customers. Food was also very good and unlike some of the other reviews not slow in coming. However the staff did look quite pushed so I could imagine if the garden had been full as well it would have been slower.
Although they are obviously trying to push the food it hasn't got to the point of some pubs where you wouldn't feel comfortable just popping in for a pint. I realise rural pubs like this have to do food to survive so hopefully they'll manage to keep the balance right.
Also worth knowing is that the R8 bus to Orpington station goes past. It's 'hail & ride' so it will pick you up right next to the car park.
17 May 2009 15:38
The White Horse Inn, Kings Meaburn
A traditional local pub in a small village off the beaten track. It looks to have been a house with rooms knocked through to make the saloon. With a roaring fire in the winter you always feel a little like you've walked into someone's living room with a small bar built in the corner.
Although it's very much a local's pub there's never any feeling of being unwelcome as you can get in some places. Normally 2 or 3 different, usually local, well kept guest ales to choose from. Food is normally served Thursday, Friday, Saturday only and is from a generous 'home cooked' no nonsense menu.
Highly recommended
24 Jun 2011 15:46