BITE user comments - redshot
Comments by redshot
A good interior and good service. Judging by the profusion of English flags outside on Saturday we half expected to see a crowd of skinheads inside but no - a few regulars only. A nice little place with lots of Arsenal memorabilia, if you're that way inclined. My travel companion bemoaned the lack of toilet seat, as he was eager to drop the kids off early while pub WCs were still relatively clean. We left as a mini-mpv full of bog roll pulled up outside. How ironic.
24 Apr 2006 11:56
Fairly good interior with an enormo-mirror at one end - better in fact than the drab exterior suggests. Full of happy Gooners who all beetled off to the Clock End twenty minutes before K-O, after a rousing singalong to Chas n Dave's Greatest Misses. Guinness was pretty fair but the sun hadn't yet reached the terrace, which left me feeling a little chilly. The prospect of trying to digest a cold fatty bacon roll in these conditions was less than appealing. So I didn't.
24 Apr 2006 11:51
Agree with IITC - the trees over the road are a sight to behold - the bark takes on an almost medical level of detail.
The six foot fusilli twist was a regrettable marketing ploy since the man inside the foam pasta squiggle was a chain smoker and a misery to boot. But it's not everybody that can say they've seen a giant piece of dough smoking a silk cut and scaring small children and for that i am grateful.
The pub itself is unremarkable in many ways and were it not for the millpond it wouldn't be worth a mention. Drab decor, usually a little too quiet. It sounds like it's been turned around by new owners - will increase rating following revisit with the dashing Mr P as I am pleased to announce that I am moving to the area. But not too close, because it's too expensive.
20 Apr 2006 13:30
I came down from the provinces last week to meet a mate at the Sun before going to see Primal Scream, which was damn good for those of you too poorly organised to get tickets. I didn't go there for a CAMRA style ale orgy, so the bog standard but perfectly palatable draught selection did me quite nicely.
While there were a few utter wazzocks there, where isn't there in Soho, or indeed anywhere? At least 'braying media types' are largely harmless and often faintly amusing. The crowd was predominantly just out to have a good time and people kept themselves to themselves, so I can only assume the negative reviews below are by people with serious self esteem issues and/or unfulfilling careers.
The staff were superb, particularly a young skinheaded lad from Lincoln who looked after us very well indeed. The only thing which marred the evening was an unfortunate comment Eddie had made about one of the barmen, which is best left unrepeated. Eye eye
11 Apr 2006 16:19
Agree with IITC - the trees over the road are a sight to behold - the bark takes on an almost medical level of detail.
The six foot fusilli twist was a regrettable marketing ploy since the man inside the foam pasta squiggle was a chain smoker and a misery to boot. But it's not everybody that can say they've seen a giant piece of dough smoking a silk cut and scaring small children and for that i am grateful.
The pub itself is unremarkable in many ways and were it not for the millpond it wouldn't be worth a mention. Drab decor, usually a little too quiet. It sounds like it's been turned around by new owners - will increase rating following revisit with Boris
24 Mar 2006 13:02
Happy memories of the Cradock from my teenage years. Hope it's still as friendly and relaxed as it was in the mid 90's.
24 Feb 2006 17:55
The Walnut Tree Shades, Norwich
This place is an absolute diamond. Blues paraphernalia, great music, hearty food and a superb landlord. The live bands can be fabulous. Well done to him for preserving this little jewel in the ehart of the city. Long may it continue.
24 Feb 2006 17:52
It was a sad day when this place changed ownership and became a family pub. As if we don't have enough of them already.
And who thinks a pub is a good place for a family anyway? Take them to the flipping seaside or a park.
24 Feb 2006 17:49
Yes, yes, yes. As if Maximo wasn't bad enough a P&P in Norwich. Give me a break. All so people can pretend they're affluent and successful whilst racking up ever larger credit card bills. If you want flash, go to London and get a dose of the real thing, not this pallid imitation. Go to a free house or an interesting little bar like the Playhouse.
The gaggle of identically dressed and coiffed numbskulls outside every Friday night should be enough to put you off - if not, on your own head be it. You don't deserve our advice.
24 Feb 2006 17:47
Please ignore the rpevious review. The place has buckets of charm and is perfect for a Sunday afternoon. And it's not advertised as a Michelin starred restaurant, is it?
24 Feb 2006 17:41
I was not fortunate enough to see the stairs firsthand, but I did enjoy my first of what I hope to be many visits. The staff were kind and polite and furnished me with delicious beer. If I am honest there were a few too many architects for my liking, as they tend to lend a monochrome air to a place with their outlook, conversation and attire. I believe there are some offices of some repute in the locality. But back to the pub - yes, a good spot. Try it. You might surprise yourself. There was one particularly lovely young miss there with very curly hair and a wistful smile. Wish I'd got her number.
24 Feb 2006 17:38
The Pitcher and Piano, Newcastle
Location, location, location. About all this place has going for it, as the food is massively variable in quality and the drinks are a little pricey. Crowd is a mix of spray-tanned metrosexual locals and well-heeled chinless students so expect a few idiots and some inane prattle. Staff also vary wildly. Have succumbed to peer pressure and spent a few hours on the admittedly comfy leather sofas, as many people still swear by the place. My girlfriend was once given a stone cold fishcake, and that's not a euphemism. The building itself is starting to look a little tired and typifies the once aspirational but now slightly tired and faded air about the quayside. be imaginative and find somewhere interesting to spend your time and money.
24 Feb 2006 17:09
Like IceInTheCider I consider the Bodega an excellent spot for drinking at what society deems to be 'inappropriate' times, though I do not share his view on the toilet floor and the eating of meat pies thereoff. A good friend of mine always seemed to drop lots of cash out of the fruities but consistently pumped the shiny metallic nuggets back into the gaping plastic maw, only to leave crestfallen and light of pocket. The interior is elaborate and the staff warm and welcoming. A thoroughly decent establishment.
24 Feb 2006 15:25
Good beer and good fish & chips. A secluded spot with higgledy piggledy bars and a petanque enclosure to the rear offering splendid views across meadows to the town. Mixed crowd of locals, tourists and eccentrics - also occasional musicians playing folk hits of the 1960s. Very busy in high season, so get a table early and hang on to it. Seagulls out the front will do their damndest to drop guano on your shoulders.
24 Feb 2006 14:54
Site of another heated exchange between gentle giant Phillips and lifelong Spurs fan Greaves, this is a choice drinking hole offering a range of tasty in-house ales and unremarkable food in a smoke filled environment. Recommended for the welcome sight of Canaries fans drowning their sorrows. Also good for rugby if you don't mind hearing girlfriends twittering on about something they do not understand.
24 Feb 2006 14:47
The site of a famous argument between Phillips & Greaves. An anodyne fitout, no atmosphere, bog-standard microwaved generic pub food and predictable high street drink selection combine to create a truly forgettable pub experience. Quite why I always seem to meet up with P & G there is beyond me but no doubt I will spend several more miserable evenings there over the coming years. At least Parker's Piece offers lots of student-baiting for Greaves, as after a few pints of 6X he's a law unto himself.
24 Feb 2006 13:20
This bar is a little gem, tucked away down a side alley. It's small and intimate, and the jukebox is indeed a treasure trove of hip pop hits. The staff are not rude or aggressive, in fact they are most courteous. The crowd is quite hip, but always takes a dive in this respect when I turn up with blonde Graeme. Last night I pumped several pound coins into the jukey and only got 3 plays, although these were all memorable. Beware its hungry metal mouth - it swallows coins with reckless abandon. In much the same way as I swallow San Miguel. Too many fake rock fans from Central St Martins/Clerkenwell - when will this hipster plague die a death?
Must take Tim there next time he is in England (but watch that he doesn't overdo it and pop his shoulder out)
24 Feb 2006 13:07
Great pub, good atmosphere. Most quayside numbskulls head to less highbrow surrounds, so it's often quiet. Greaves and Bertie the Traveller used to drink here after lunchtime trips to the bookies and for that alone it should be recommended, although Greaves often struggled to finish his pint. This should not reflect on the pub, rather on Greaves' boozing ability, or lack thereof. What a strange fellow.
24 Feb 2006 12:56
Truly awful It's A Scream pub - it's anything but unless that's a scream of terror you're talking about. Gash decor, poor beer selection and poor food. Students throwing away their loans and talking codswallop is the order of the day. Without wishing to saound like an old fogey it should never have changed from Bierrex - now THAT was a bar - awesome beer, staff, atmosphere, live music and very good food. Them was the days. Anybody remember the Crosby brothers? Possibly the greatest pub band in the history of the world; played regularly at Bierrex. If anybody does know them tell them they changed my life.
24 Feb 2006 12:38
I think it lost some atmosphere when it was refurbed a few years back - where did the murals go? Also less rock than it used to be. Too clean and bright for my tastes. Was one of my favourite teenage drinking haunts.
24 Feb 2006 12:20
Classic jukebox and just the right side of squalid decor. A typically good rock crowd and good staff. I like it. I will be going back, probably with the mysterious Graeme. He was less keen, but you can't have everything, can you?
24 Feb 2006 12:17
This place is one of my Newcastle favourites. Monumental jukebox, great atmosphere - permissive & all inclusive. Daytime sandwiches are (or were last time I went) legendarily huge, tasty & well trimmed. Good pool to be had upstairs - friendly mix of students & locals. If you haven't been give it a go and stop giving money to the chain-owned beer warehouses down the road.
24 Feb 2006 12:08
Top quality staff, snacks & music - worth the short walk from Sandyford. A bar for all seasons/weathers/moods. Only negative is the ugly glazed entrance screen - shoot the architect now.
Last time I went it was in the expert hands of Dave Campbell and Sarah, formerly of the Head of Steam - wherever these two go a top top bar is always the result.
24 Feb 2006 12:03
A superb pub, one of the best. great building. Lots of live music. Lovely atmosphere. Excellent staff. Varied and tasty bar food. Top jukebox. Great for cosy winter drinks or summer afternoons. Absolutely top boozer, no question. Spent many an afternoon there with G Phillips, and a few on my own - it's that good. Go today!
24 Feb 2006 11:58
Has gone downhill since the days of J Ives, but still a relaxed place to drink amongst likeminded dossers and the occasional post office worker. Random drinks, eclectic music and the owner's photos make the place unique. I spent a lot of time there with my wingman Graeme and miss it a heck of a lot. Former barman Dave Campbell was possibly the greatest pintsman in history, and wee Sarah brightened even the darkest day. Happy times.
24 Feb 2006 11:07
Great music and atmosphere. Rough around the edges, but always good to see that regular guy with the afro loitering at the bar. Lots of spit and a little sawdust.
24 Feb 2006 11:03
Small basement bar lacked atmosphere and half of the shots on the vodka menu. Having said that, the chilli & garlic vodka was a treat. Yum!
Beer selection was terrible, but staff were friendly and helpful.
Decor and music were a bit of fun if you like scandinavian prog metal and sub-tussaud waxen zombies.
Must try the food next time, as the stench of garlic was all pervasive and very tempting.
Lots of young hipsters drinking there and a couple of incongruous Wernham Hogg style office workers. Our arrival brought a little colour to a hitherto monochrome clientele.
24 Feb 2006 11:00
The Porcupine, Leicester Square
Faux theatre bar decor not reflected in clientele, a mixture of office types and rough chavs.
At risk of sounding old, the place is far too smoky with unnecessarily loud music.
Staff are average, as is the beer.
Visit was made palatable by excellent company.
24 Feb 2006 10:52
The Oakdale Arms, Harringay
This place took some finding but we had to persist as it was no 3 of 13 in a BITE crawl. We arrived, sore of foot and dry of palate to find just the sort of place i like. Yes, it was a bit tatty, but a genuinely mixed and relaxed crowd and some nice touches like the CAMRA guides from the late 1970s lying around. (Calling it a 'nice touch' makes it sound contrived which I am sure it is not). I agree that the service is very good, as is the beer.
We found some cracked old leather armchairs and I took a pic of IITC which made him look like a deformed jellyfish. Were it not for our punishing schedule I could have stayed all day. Although the big screen was a bit faint.
A bastion of old pubness in a barren desert. Once places like this cease to exist our streets will be all the poorer for it. Although Hassan took his sweet time turning up. Never been in an MPV with so many curtains.
24 Apr 2006 12:49