The Anchor and Hope, Waterloo

Typical looking gastro-pub, nicely done. Not really any "beer" to speak of to be honest and the food while good was a little pretentious and over the top, although I still enjoyed it. I would not recommend this to any with an unadventurous palette.

If a gastro-pub is a cross between restaurant and pub, in my experience most are more pub than restaurant - where I found this gastro to be more restaurant than pub... personally I prefer it the other way around. You wont find any gourmet bangers and mash here...

25 Apr 2007 20:38

The Union Jack, Southwark

Went to this pub for the first time last week and I was pleasantly surprised. I work in the Waterloo area and decent pubs are hard to find up our way, so this was great. Pool table, big screen, TV's, long accessible bar, well presented, good location to tube, outdoor seating (on-street).

We had lunch this day, the pub was quiet when we walked in a 12 O'Clock but quickly became lively. We got our order in and food was served within 15 minutes. Food was good, tasty, hot and well presented - standard affair but value for money. Service was friendly enough and efficient, plates were cleared quickly as well - although it was hard to distinguish the waiters from the patrons!

We went back that afternoon we were that happy with the place. Good access to big screens and TV for the cricket. It got very busy, but the bar staff managed with the crowd quite well - never took more than 5-10 minutes to get a pint. A bit smoky is all I could say, they could have opened a few windows - but this shouldn't be a problem once the smoking ban comes in.

25 Apr 2007 12:05

The Pub on the Park, London Fields

If it weren't for the terrible service I had here, I'd be here every weekend through summer! I love the setting, the large decking area and the fact they will serve take-away drinks so you can enjoy the park. The pub is pretty well maintained, clean, bright, well presented and has a good atmosphere. Toilets need seeing to, but for males at least, the situation isn't bad.

I went here over Easter to watch the cricket (another bonus as they have a big-screen). All was good until I wanted to have "a beer"..

Unbelievably I started my beer "hunt" at 1pm, not until 2pm did I find one. It took two attempts just to get to the bar and then once there about 30 minutes before I got service - thanks to the inexperienced bar staff.

Someone who seemed like the head barman had to keep "reminding" this "barman" how to patrol the bar and serve correctly... apparently he had a very short memory.

By the time I got my service it'd just gone 2pm, just in-time for them to tell me the kitchen was closed for lunch. Even though the kitchen was "closed", food continued to flow regularly for the next two hours, at which point we decided it was faster to walk across the park and buy beer from one of the Broadway Market pubs.

Disappointing, I hope they read these and do something about it.

25 Apr 2007 11:54