BITE user comments - stevesowerby
Comments by stevesowerby
I may be biassed here as this was the first 'local' I ever had. Now that I'm sufficiently old to be retired, I still call when in the area.
I fully understand why some people don't like the place or the way its run - but for me, I love the place.
A pint of really well kept beer to drink at leisure while reading a book by the fire is, I think, my idea of what I like best about pubs. No TV. No music. No 'place to be seen'
If you want an 'upmarket refreshment experience', don't come here.
If you want peace, quiet and a seriously good pint - then this is the place.
With a pint at about half the price it is elsewhere is just icing on a very nice cake.
3 Apr 2013 00:11
I know that many people like the atmosphere of fun pubs where you are welcomed as along lost family member. As for me - I don't. This place serves probably the best pint of Theakstons Old Peculier I'v e had since my student days.Given that I'm now retired, that should tell you how good it is.
At the end of a seriously long 'two valleys' walk. the pint of OP was the holy grail that I enjoyed while 'she who must be obeyed' came to join me for a meal.
The food was served. If what you want is haute cuisine and Michelin stars , then don't come here.
If what you want is seriously tasty home cooked pub food with great beer to enjoy in peace then this is the place.
If the after life has pubs, then this should be the model they aim for - well for me at least.
2 Apr 2013 23:49
A walk in wonderful hills with spectacular views was ended with a pint ( or two ) of Old Remedial by the fire.
You may know of better beer in a better surrounding, but I don't.
It could only be improved by giving it away....
29 Mar 2012 16:30
If you like pubs with large screen TVs and wall to wall music you will hate this place. Its everything you could wish for in the Yorkshire Dales surroundings with probably the best looked after beers I've had for many a year.
Try a pint of the Old Peculier and see how many memories are brought to mind.
22 Mar 2011 23:32
I suppose the bottom line of our experience here could be summed up by 'over priced and underwhelming'.
We dined here a short while ago for lunch and the drinks were aiming at 'all right ish' levels, but the food was much more expensive and less amazing than some of the regions better restaurants.
In comparison, our meal at a seriously good local restaurant which has had some wonderful reviews, cost �24 for three courses for an EVENING meal. Table clothes, silverware, superb service and a soffl� to die for. You get the message - the quality of the meal at Sawley followed the standard of the drinks: aiming at the average end of the market but with a price for the three courses above that I'm cpmparing it to, and it was only lunch time. Food served in the bar, no table clothes.
I'm not a snob, but 'value for money' is the main ingredient in the reasons people look to enjoy their food out.
Would we go again?
If you've read so far, you'll know the answer.
20 Nov 2010 00:27
Following a seriously good meal here a year ago we returned expecting food along the same lines.
Something has changed!
Poor food, warmed up but at restaurant prices.
Needless to say we won't be going again - and if this helps any others come to the same conclusion you'll enjoy your meal beeter as it won't be here.
23 Oct 2010 16:47
Probably the best pint of Teakstons Old Peculier I've ever had.
22 Feb 2010 10:49
Great decor - very, very bad food.
An e-mail complaint was sent to the owners but their ability to reply was as good as the catering.
Just don't go there.
14 Feb 2010 00:34
We called for a meal and a pint.
Wonderful beer - superb food.
It may not be an upmarket place to be seen to be eating but the food was among the best gastro pub meals we have ever eaten.
Its not a cut price place, nor is it over the top. How often does a gastro pub leave you wanting more? Not this place.
We'll be back.
14 Feb 2010 00:21
This is the only place that the pint served to me was awful. As it was one I know and drink regularly it continued to worry me.
I have just heard (early December 2008) that it is now closed.
As it had wonderful musical night, blues, folk, jazz and comedy and a superb building, perhaps the 'phoenix like' reincarnation will get rid of the uninterested feel that the staff stamped upon the place.
9 Dec 2008 01:09
Exactly as the post below. No music. No TV.
Superb.
I particularly like the beer 'menu' with a brief description of the 'taste'. That's a hell of a helping hand when it comes to trying new ales.
Wonderful place.
9 Dec 2008 01:04
The Borough Bailiff, Knaresborough
Wonderful place.
Sam Smiths beer that doesn't make your wallet feel ill. Rooms with differing atmospheres.
The one with the large open fire wins every time when the temperature drops.
Enjoy the beer.
9 Dec 2008 00:56
To me this is what all pubs should aim to be. Good real ales, no hassle and a varied 'menu' of ales.
Even though we live out of the area, a visit is looked on like finding the holy grail....
9 Dec 2008 00:46
Back to stevesowerby's profile
The Gardeners Arms, Bilton
I may be biassed here as this was the first 'local' I ever had. Now that I'm sufficiently old to be retired, I still call when in the area.
I fully understand why some people don't like the place or the way its run - but for me, I love the place.
A pint of really well kept beer to drink at leisure while reading a book by the fire is, I think, my idea of what I like best about pubs. No TV. No music. No 'place to be seen'
If you want an 'upmarket refreshment experience', don't come here.
If you want peace, quiet and a seriously good pint - then this is the place.
With a pint at about half the price it is elsewhere is just icing on a very nice cake.
3 Apr 2013 00:11