The Marlborough, Richmond

Stumbled across this pub between Christmas and New Year by accident more than anything else. Had originally meant to meet a friend in another pub but decided to head up the hill. Having lived in Richmond 3 or 4 years ago I had expected this to be the slightly "beefeater" style establishment it used to be of old.

I was hearted to find it wasn't. After several pints of Youngs (must admit I'm not the biggest fan, it's not Hooky, Butcombe etc but will do at a push) the guy who was serving us at the bar convinced us to stay for dinner rather than head back down into Richmond. He's not hard to spot looking like a cross between GazTop and Timothy Claypole. I'm guessing he's the eccentric looking guy mentioned elsewhere. All I can say is we found him nothing but helpful and amusing. But I guess in buttoned up Richmond.. well...

To the food... For me it hit the spot. Good and honest without resorting to what seems the norm in this sort of place of throwing 50 herbs at something when 1 will do. I had the Pork belly which was cooked just right.

Normally I wouldn't even bother to write a review but I recommended the place to a colleague the other day who responded this morning by saying " There is a shocking review of it on "Beer in the Evening"... So as i said to her.. I had a rather nice evening there! Those reading this can take this into account as they may any other review here.

6 Jan 2011 19:36

The Carlisle Arms, Soho

Tucked away on Bateman Street this is a pub that you are more likely to stumble across than seek out but once you have you will have found a real gem. If you are looking for a pub to catch up with a friend or to watch the footy (ESPN as well as SKY) in Soho without having to fight your way to the bar against a crashing dance sound track then this is the place for you. It's everything a pub should be when so few are these days.

Nice staff and a good selection of beer, I'll defo be back when I'm in that neck of the woods.

16 Oct 2009 11:22