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BITE user comments - vinrouge

Comments by vinrouge

Sean O'Caseys, Karlsruhe

Nicely decorated Irish pub - full of 'authentic' memorabilia, but more tourists from the main square than locals when I visited in 2005.

18 Dec 2006 17:37

Fox & Hounds, Flixton

Medium-sized old man's pub, families on the weekend. Does a few beers and lagers, and food. Think it has beer garden and play area too. Has a function room upstairs.

18 Dec 2006 17:30

Tfi Mambo's, Urmston

It wasn't a pot shot and I'm not some goon - it really is an amusingly troublesome pub. I guess the DJ (Mr/Miss NRG) could possibly be a little biased. Or maybe things have changed - I doubt it though.

Just call the local police and ask them where they break the most fights up in Urmston on a Friday/Saturday night.

Anyway, on your head be it. Or your bum, or your eye, or your leg, depending on where you land.

It's a potentially good laugh if you've drank enough aftershock and tropical reef though.

18 Dec 2006 17:26

The Railway Inn, Liphook

Medium-sized pub with lots of rooms, next to Liphook train station, quite local, lots of big screens showing football and other sports. A plethora of Christmas decorations when we visited.

Ideal place to relax on the old sofas with a beer, tea or coffee while waiting for the train, and the staff were friendly.

It's not a picturesque option for a country pub lunch though.

18 Dec 2006 17:16

The Red Lion, Fernhurst

A group of six of us went here specially on Sunday December 10, booking in advance for lunch. We walked for a couple of hours from Liphook, and arrived starving. Sadly, it was a massive disappointment - mainly because of the very unfriendly staff.

Decor wise, it's a very small pub, low ceilings, cream walls. We were sat in a small, plain room just off the main lounge area. the food was good (although over-priced, at �12 for a straightforward roast dinner, �13 for a casserole) but the service was diabolicle.

The bar staff were really unfriendly - one young(er) bar maid had a strop with us because we ordered in pairs - she did a good job of embarassing us in front of everyone. Another waitress snapped that "it's busy" when there was only 3 people waiting to be served - she called that busy!

We spent over �100 between us, and didn't get so much as a smile - not that the amount you spend should have any bearing on how you are treated!

Oh well, you've been warned... (nice walk though).

18 Dec 2006 17:12

The Bavarian Beerhouse, Shoreditch

I'm not the owner!!! I did used to live in Germany though, so maybe I was overwhelmed with nostalgia...

13 Apr 2006 14:18

The Bavarian Beerhouse, Shoreditch

A fantastic themed pub that really worked. Based on the beer halls of Munich, in the Bavarian region of Germany, this place combines a great atmosphere with a serious ale list, authentic food and atmospheric decor. Not to mention the sexy waitresses in low-cut dirndl.

I'd recommend booking a table for eight at weekends, then enjoying a debauched evening of sausages, sauerkraut, huge litre-pitchers of bavarian beer, singing, dancing on tables, and forgetting yourself.

Reasonable prices (�7 main course, �3 snacks, �3 half litre beer), great service and atmosphere make this one a must. Get your bookings in for world cup time!

13 Mar 2006 16:13

Tfi Mambo's, Urmston

Well rough! Stay away if you value your health. A modern-day wild west saloon bar...

9 Feb 2006 20:38

The Globe Hotel, Glossop

This one is worth going out of your way to Glossop for - or finishing a long walk off the moors at.

Exemplery selection of real ales, wines and spirits. Fantastic live music venue attracting some big names, smaller names and good talents. Very cheap veggie food, and free hot pot on quiz night. Plus many impromptu jamming sessions from the people who bring their fiddle out for a pint.

Very very friendly - leave your League Of Gentleman (it was filmed in this area) at the door. Although they do sell T Shirts for a laugh.

Lovely pub - may it never see the light of modernism.

9 Feb 2006 20:37

The Moss Vale, Urmston

Huge sprawling pub near motorway and trafford centre. very lively from thurs to sunday, ages from 15 to 50

9 Feb 2006 20:32

South London Pacific, Kennington

Still good. Great theme nights such as Elvis and Hoola Boogie, good cocktails, lovely staff, open till 3am. Perfect cheesy party venue when you're looking for something a bit different.

9 Feb 2006 17:48

The White Hart, Kennington

Formely La Finca tapas bar, The White Hart has only been open for a few weeks and is a natural rival to The Dog House over the road, although it wants to consider itself a gastropub. I went there for a meal with three friends last week, and wished I'd stayed away.

I've already popped in for drinks on a few occasions, and found it to be ok, although quite cold, and also too loud for a conversation. Also no/poor table service - which La Finca did provide.

Anyway back to the food - at �10 and over for a main course it's not cheap pub grub, nor is it tasty. One very fatty lamb shank - sent back. Two fish - tough but eaten, one completely wrong order - sent back but waitress didn't appear to care. Cheesecake - served with spoons?

The manager was apologetic, but he really needs to send his staff for customer service training or he's fighting a losing battle!!

So bad service, bad food, pricey. Good atmosphere, location, beer and wine.

Basically stay away for food - at least for a good six months until they've sacked the current chef and got their act together in the kitchen, but it's ok for a drink. Let's hope it's just teething problems, as it would be nice if it was good!

9 Feb 2006 17:46

O'Malleys, Salzburg

An exceptional pub in the heart of Salzburg, and Europe.

A true party venue, the drinks keep on flowing and the music and singing raise the rafters every night.

Friendly staff who just won't let you drink alone, and eccentric customers with a story to tell.

9 Dec 2005 14:56

Shamrock Irish Pub, Salzburg

I used to live here back in 2000 and 2001, and worked in the neighbouring pub, O'Malleys. Both places used to share staff and were the epicentre of Salburg nightlife. So many people of all nationalities passing through - your evening was never quiet - you were guaranteed to meet somebody random from the other side of the world - and be best friends by the time you get kicked out at 4am in the morning.

Highly recommended - as is O'Malleys.

9 Dec 2005 14:44

The Royal Oak, Clapham North

Went on a sunny sunday - roast dinners ran out by 1pm, the staff had been up all night partying, which is very rock and roll but makes for terrible service, and people in the beer garden ended up nipping to the newsagents next door for their soft drinks, rather than face a 20 minute wait at the bar.
It needs some management desperately!

3 May 2005 21:02

The Surprise, Stockwell

Outdoor seating by the park is as pleasent as it gets in Stockwell, although the pub is quite small and smoky inside. Friendly staff, well priced beer, but the dog has to go on a diet - it can hardly walk!

3 May 2005 20:54

The Priory Arms, Stockwell

Lovely pub, though a bit pricy. Worth a visit for great selection of fruit beers, and food quite good too. Close to nearby Lambeth College, but luckily too expensive for more of the students, so it maintains a relaxed, local atmosphere.

3 May 2005 20:49

The Mitre, Hampton Court

Rather soul-less bar but lovely riverside seating on outside decking platform make this worth a visit.
Good service although the waiters couldn't make us any coctails!
Nicely made jug of Pims did the trick instead though.

25 Apr 2005 18:24

The Kings Arms, Hampton Court

Worst service I've ever had. We were a party of 5 on a sunday lunch - spent about �100 between us. The pub wasn't particularly busy (24.04.05), yet my meal came a full 30 minutes after everyone elses (and we all ordered the same sunday lunch).
When I told the manager I wanted to complain he said "and so what?"! He then made me feel very embarassed for complaining, and wasn't remotely apologetic - telling me it was a busy sunday and I should expect food to be delayed. By half an hour!
Appalling attitude. It is service like this that gives English pubs a bad name.
We all left and went to a neighbouring bar to spend the next four hours and our money.
I will certainly warn you off this pub!
NB - was also dark and smokey and the meat on the sunday lunch was very fatty!

25 Apr 2005 18:21

The Porterhouse, Covent Garden

Went on saturday night with large group. The band didn't show up, the service was appalling, and the staff have an attitude problem.
One glass collector took two full drinks from our table and threw them (I'm presuming by accident). When we asked for a replacement we were told by the surly irish barman that 'that's life and 's*it happens'. Nice touch.
Another arrogant Covent Garden bar thinks location is all you need to run a good business. Shame, as it could be very good.
That's 12 locals who will leave it for the tourists.

15 Mar 2005 17:37

Bunker, Covent Garden

Went on saturday. most tables in the place are booked, and as it isn't very big even couples struggle to find a place to sit. Drinks other than beer aren't cheap, but then beer is the point of the place, and they do have a good selection.
Forgetable place.

15 Mar 2005 17:29

The Boardwalk, Soho

Fine - especially during happy hour, but not really that special to stay on afterwards. All drinks half price, coctails �3, bottles of wine etc half price, all bar snacks �3, so a cheap way to set up the evening. Annoying toilet attendant though, in ladies AND gents.

11 Mar 2005 19:31

Garricks Head, Urmston

Used to be the best pub in urmston c.1996. now a bit rough. They should bring back the live music to improve the crowd.

8 Mar 2005 21:15

The Ship and Shovell, Charing Cross

A decent london pub split into two on either side of a narrow alley. Quite unusual, good beer and food, and a cosy place to be in the winter. Best near Charing Cross for a post-work drink.

8 Mar 2005 21:11

The Silver Cross, Whitehall

Huge place, full of tourists, bit of a last resort on the whole.

8 Mar 2005 21:09

The Lord Moon Of The Mall, Whitehall

Great value drink, although I don't recomend the microwave meals! Wetherspoons are quite progressive when it comes to smokey pubs too - large non-smoking area at the back, and I have heard rumours of a complete ban throughout the pub next year.

Interesting old building with high ceilings and large windows. I think it is one of the best places for a pint or three on Whitehall, when location, price, clientelle etc are taken into consideration.

I would recommend a bit more training for the staff though...

8 Mar 2005 21:06

The Old Shades, Whitehall

You can always get a seat in here, when every other Whitehall pub is bursting at the seams. It has some atmosphere, but really the guaranteed table is its biggest draw.

8 Mar 2005 21:01

South London Pacific, Kennington

I had been walking past this place for months when I stumbled in with a group of friends a couple of months ago. Despite the fact we were the only people in there (it was a tuesday) the decor is out of this world, and created all the atmosphere you could ever want.

Over the top is an understatement.

Happy-hour coctails named and served with non-ironic 70's kitsch are a refreshing change to london's clone-ikea-minimalist bars. Lots of odd corners to discover, friendly bar staff, but dubious music policy.

Still, really well worth a night out for the decor alone. A refreshing change in the heart of Kennington.

8 Mar 2005 20:56

The White Bear, Kennington

Great theatre. The pub itself isn't cosy enough for my liking, and can have a cold atmosphere midweek. Cheap food though. Not convinced that the outside benches are much of a draw!

8 Mar 2005 20:50

The Dog House, Kennington

This is my other local, but I'd go out of my way for a drink here nethertheless.
Great for watching the match, a quiet chat over some wine, or a raucous evening with friends. Good collection of ancient board games too. Westend prices, sadly, but very funky decor which looks like it has grown on its own.

6 Mar 2005 15:47

The Prince of Wales, Kennington

This is my local, and very pleased about it I am too.
Just small enough to be personable, yet sociably spill out onto Cleaver Sq in the summer, when bar staff are happy for you to take your drinks onto the boules square where I've whiled away many a sunday afternoon. Equally beguiling in the wintertime, with thick glass panes at the front for watching people scuttling home out of the wind and rain from.

6 Mar 2005 15:44

Gordon's Wine Bar, Charing Cross

Yesterday an afternoon glass turned into 6 hours in the place. The atmosphere is thick, the staff are charismatic and friendly, and certainly not wine snobs. The food isn't cheap, but I would pay much more for this gem.
Although it is always busy, a table always becomes free sooner or later, if you hover for a while. It is very private, excellent for clandestine affairs, sobbing on your partner's shoulder, heated debate and whispered plots. And for always finding space for one more stool around a table.

6 Mar 2005 15:38

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