BITE user comments - mikexley
Comments by mikexley
I'd read the blurbs in previous posts about an upgrade on the old Assembly and having heard that it had been bought by Abbey Ales, I entered eagerly hoping to find a new pub bursting with Black Friar and all of the trappings of Abbey Ales success?? Sorry to report I found an Assembly still struggling to extracate itself from its own old skin. No Abbey Ales seemed to be on, and the old girl seemed tired and a little worse for wear honestly.... And, this was a Saturday night when Bath's pubs really look to make their week pay off? The Assembly of old used to be a bit of a dive to be honest, but now it's just a bit sunken in the mouth. Come on Abbey, give it a face-lift!!
1 Apr 2010 17:41
The Crystal Palace Tavern, Bath
Still going strong on the back of the new development in Bath's shopping area, the Crystal Palace has I feel reached a bit of a nadir? The beer is always good here - we tend to go in on a Sunday in the last throes of the weekend when it's a little more peaceful than some - but complacency is looming. Will it go all swish like the many tiny (and exceedingly overbooked) restaurants around it, or stay as a good, honest pub? At the moment, the jury's out on this, the place is like a diver standing on the board about to drop off or dive for the top.... but just a tweak with the staff, a few more good beers and success awaits.... I'm cautiously optimistic.
1 Apr 2010 17:35
Visited the Raven on a busy Friday night recently but found the place still very amenable with good beer, bot downstairs and upstairs bars manned by pleasant lads who seem to know their beers and a good range of beers on. The Raven has been a bit up and down in years gone by, but it does seem now to be happy with itself and hence creating a good spread of clientelle. I haven't tried the sausages in a while, but the beer is still some of the best in the area. Well done Raven crew!!
1 Apr 2010 17:29
We went to the 'new' Griffin on the recommendation of an old friend last weekend - certainly wouldn't have gone to the old place!! - and what a transformation from the old place. Two really cosy seating areas had replaced the old Ushers pub, a smart refurb has tidied up the place immensely, and all I can say is "well done" the person who inspired it. Wonderful local beer (Abbey Kingstonian) was good as was Batemans XB, the clientelle has changed totally (not before time) and this place is now an honour to itself and its owners.... The staff were extremely pleasant and courteous (which was definitely a change from the old....) We'll be back in May for sure!!
1 Apr 2010 17:26
I hadn't been in this pub for over 15 years but it was lovely to see it still retains its charm and its wonderful character. It's a Youngs establishment which I've never been that keen on but the Special was beautifully kept so it redeemed my feelings for the beer and the conversation with the two lads down from Brum was a delight... I'm only sad I had to leave!! To the staff and the publican - keep up the good work. You have a beautiful asset in an area that sadly is fairly devoid of good places to go. I hope to go back one day before too long!!
6 Mar 2010 13:49
In Leicester on unsuccessful rugby related business, you sometimes tend to hide in pubs, but I really want everyone visiting Leicester to drop in even just for one and see Paul and his staff at 'The Vaults. Yes, it's a Real Ale Pub (cue the chin scratching and the Camra members possibly??), and on a saturday you have to like sport - rugby in particular - but allow Paul to lead you through some of his beautifully kept beers and you're definitely on a winner even if your team hasn't done it at Welford Road (or the Walkers...). A wonderful welcome, a big smile and a handshake when you're not at home, gives us a wonderful lift to anyone and changed our view of the area. I hope we're back in Leicester soon, because Paul and his lovely staff are on our map and we'll be back!! Just hope Tom and the crowd got home safe!!
21 Apr 2009 17:29
With the proviso that the inside of a pub can often be far better than the outside, we ventured past the obvious smoker's fog from the on-street 'garden' area to investigate what The Criterion had, simply because it's recommendation to us had championed it's beer above it's clientele... And, what a revelation.... Visiting on a rugby related weekend which was not successful, I immediately spotted a mild and that was that. Mesmerized by the bottled beer collection, we could have made a night of it (and in fact did come back the next afternoon) and although the service could be warmed up a little, the overall impression was of a venue that, with a face-lift could definitely take on the pubs in the centre and win!!
21 Apr 2009 17:23
This had been recommended to us on Tripadvisor in time for a recent rugby related visit to Leicester and although it looks like a real locals haven from the outside I cannot fault the quality of the beer or the beautiful way myself and my girlfriend we're welcomed by the landlady. Several samples of the XCS and Old Navigation later, we began our evening warmed by not only the beer. It's only a small sample of the pub, but when we return to Leicester, we'll definitely aim for at least one or two here!! Cheers!!
21 Apr 2009 17:17
Our team comes to the town where the Florist is (Stockport)only once a year but we'd never go anywhere else, in fact, lose or win, we relish going there. The Robinsons is always wonderful, especially the Mild and the people on both sides of the bar are some of the friendliest you could meet. The pub has had a face lift or two in recent years - and it's welcome - but this pub is a traditional Northern boozer where everyone talks to everyone, no one goes un-noticed and you can have a good pint into the bargain. If you're at a County game as a visitor, or a Sale game, you'd do yourself an injustice if you didn't stop for one at least - you may never leave!!Thanks to everyone there and we'll see you next March !!
3 Apr 2008 00:22
The King William, Bath
The area around the King William may put a few people off - right on the London Road with the traffic snarling past, it's location is not the best, but to enter is to drift into another world. I haven't eaten here for several years, it has one of the best beer ranges in Bath for Christ Sake, and with the wonderful management and good knowledge, this is a place to go if you want a good pint or two. On on our last visit was the gorgeous, dark Bristol Exhibition and I would recommend that to anyone. Yes, the King William can lay claim to being small and often crowded, but compared to the Coeur De Leon and the Green Tree (both the same), it can stand up to any pub in Bath when it comes to a good, honest, interesting pint!
1 Apr 2010 17:46