BITE user comments - mothers_ruin
Comments by mothers_ruin
What was once The Trout/Old Trout, is now, The Yardbird. And tragically, after the expensive facelift given to it (at a cost of £90,000, I was told by a staff member), all the cheap, grotty charm, is long gone. I was a regular there for many years, but was horrified to learn that, what is just a Green King pub, has become, yet another, pretentious, snooty, middle-to-upper classes catered for 'trendy' bar. Two pale ales on offer there- 'Goose Island' and 'Punk IPA' cost £4.95 a pint, and when you look at the alternatives, you're left with only two options- pay up or leave. My friends and I are resolute in our refusal to step foot in this place again. West London trendy's, it's all yours.
18 Dec 2014 11:57
I first reviewed this pub 2 or 3 years ago, and as stated then, found it to be a wonderful place, with helpful, friendly staff. Subsequently since I've been unable to visit the Ship much- work 'n all that. However a week ago I returned there with a friend, as we were near, and I couldn't have been more disappointed. As noted by the previous commeneter, there is a terribly unpleasant smell there now- I described it to my colleague as 'fishy urine'. That is not an exaggeration.
The staff seem rather nonplus now too. A general lack of interest in the basics meant both my friend and I had to politely ask that our pints reached the top of the glass. Poor effort. We couldn't get away quick enough, to be honest. And I don't see a rendezvous there in the future. Such a pity.
18 Dec 2014 11:49
The Old Joint Stock, Birmingham
A beautiful Fullers pub that looks like it should really be a gallery or museum. A stunning glass dome above is a pretty spectacular site, not usually found in your average Fullers establishment. Unfortunately I found the prices, even for a Fullers pub, to be very, very steep indeed. My gf & I went in- I ordered a Honey Dew- excellent as ever, and she ordered a not-quite-as-exciting Carling; and incredibly it somehow came to �8.05. No Fullers pub that I've visited in London even charges that. Plus, there aren't enough nice, simple tables to sit on. Too many uncomfortable tall, backless stools.
25 Apr 2012 14:06
Not a great deal to say about it really. Once you've been in one Wetherspoons you've been in them all. Average beers at cheap prices. The food was ok- decent steak & kidney pie I was reliably informed. Polite staff though- which is always nice to see. So overall, nothing spectacular, but a decent enough place to drop in for a cheap drink or two.
25 Apr 2012 13:58
A wonderfully intimate pub, tucked away on a Holborn side-road, that is very quickly turning into a regular haunt for my friends and I; Quite the feat as we all live a good 30 minute train journey away. As well as the quaintness, the other aspect worth mentioning is the staff. There hasn't been a single occasion yet when they haven't been very polite and engaging. I would recommend The Ship to anyone that like their pubs small, old fashioned, and lacking in irritatingly loud, obnoxious 'young 'uns'. Exemplary.
17 Sep 2011 13:45
The Crescent Champagne Bar, West Kensington
The previous review posted by 'Mr.Raffles' is right on the money. The crescent is one of the most poorly thought of bars I've ever visited. As I live nearby I thought I would check it out as I had frequently visited its predecessor - The Fox; It is awful. Stuck up, slightly intimidating, and ridiculously over-priced. Totally irrelevant to this area of London. All we (the locals) want is a plain, old pub, with pehaps a pool table and dartboard. Not a sleezy, champagne bar. Unless, you're blessed with very deep pockets I'd advise you to stear clear.
7 Mar 2010 15:41
lovely little pub. i've become something of a regular now, largely due to chums within the staff, and though it took a while for me to warm to the place i now enjoy it there immensely. my one slight niggle with the place- those horrible, sharp, square stools on one side of the island bar. otherwise ace
17 Feb 2010 21:04
The Hope and Anchor, Hammersmith
I would recommend to anyone who goes there make sure you have the thickest of skin because the boss is quite a piece of work. I had been a semi-regular drinker there for some time prior to Denise taking over, yet as soon as she took charge I was treated with nothing but disrespect. An astonishingly rude woman (how she expects to do business I'll never know) that in my expereince (and that of several other FORMER regulars opinions) limits her manners, if she even has any, only to those that meet her desired demographic.
17 Feb 2010 20:54
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The Plough and Harrow, Hammersmith
Let's start off with the obvious- it's a Wetherspoons. You know what to expect- beer, and price wise. No real surprises. The staff are decent. Some more talkative and friendly than others. One big plus here is that the food is always decent or better. The steaks and curries are especially recommended. The 'WC's' are, appropriately, commodious. And lastly, you rarely, if ever, get any trouble there. Well worth a visit if all you want is a decent pint, and perhaps a spot of grub.
18 Dec 2014 12:05