The Lion and Lamb, Milton

Had dinner here with friends after a visit to the nearby country park.

The food was nice and the kids' menu was well priced, but I thought the other mains were a bit expensive for what you got.

Three ales. The Seafarers was in decent nick and I guess £4.40 for a pint is par for the course in these parts.

Friendly staff and clientele and a nice little play area out back.

14 Mar 2020 22:52

Lloyds No. 1 Cafe Bar, Milton Keynes

The last time I came here it was an inspiring Lloyds Bar. Now it is the very fancy Brewhouse & Kitchen.

I was here for a work party so potentially a different experience to the drop-in drinker on a night out. From what I could discern, an interesting layout and décor on multiple levels.

As I was driving and could only have one pint early doors, I thought I would make the most of the chance to have a stout, as I find it increasingly difficult to find a pint that doesn't taste of grapefruit/mango/etc.

It was one of the Brewhouse's own brews (one of four on tap, with a golden ale on hand pull). I don't mind a cold beer, but this was chilled to within an inch of its life which killed a lot of its taste. Once I'd left it to warm up it was a nice pint, but you shouldn't have to do that.

Plenty of other interesting bottles in the fridge, different lagers (a home brew, Oranjeboom..) for those who like fizzy stuff, plus the gin drinkers seemed pretty happy too.

It's not cheap, and a pint will set you back about a fiver, with a double spirit around the £7 mark.

I'm aware this is a beer site rather than food, but a paragraph to compliment the pie I had, which was excellent. I get fed up with places which try to pass off a dish of gravy and a couple of lumps of gristly meat topped with uninspiring puff pastry as a pie. This was a fully encased shortcrust steak, ale and mushroom. And delicious it was too.

15 Dec 2019 00:18

The Blue Boar, Southend on Sea

Directed in yesterday as it was the only pub in the vicinity of Roots Hall welcoming away fans.

Friendly and attentive staff with quick service.

Uninspiring beer selection. Bombardier was the only ale. My pint was from a new barrel and perfectly drinkable. My mate's Maltsmiths IPA was on the cold side.

Reading previous comments, it's obviously been through some ups and downs so good luck to them.

13 Jan 2019 22:56