BITE user comments - Aleiain
Comments by Aleiain
Over promoted & Over rated IMHO
The landlord (the one who actually works there, rather than the owner - Stuart? I think, who makes 'noise') is good as is the beer he presents
No offence intended
27 May 2013 16:25
Visited a couple of times recently, so felt a update was in order
Happy to report - I HAVE NOTHING TO ADD!
Super staff, brilliant beer - proper pub!
Watch out for this years GBG .....
Hic! Hic!
27 May 2013 16:14
This is an absolute gem of a pub!
In a nutshell, it's a backstreet pub that's always a joy to visit!
OK, here's my view on the details:
Beer - Usually have 4 ales on (Sharps Doombar & Hopback Summer Lightening as standards and 2 ever-changing guests) that are well presented and eminently drinkable. There are a range of ciders (makes a change to see and shows the effort they put in to making the pub appealing) and the other drinks as you'd expect.
Atmosphere - usually busy with plenty of friendly, bantering locals in and some characters too! Sports fans are well catered for here with all the big events shown (footy, cricket, rugger etc) but done in a good way. Even if you're on your own, in a majority of one, and want to watch a rugby game while there's a big footy game on the staff happily change one of the tv's over without any fuss at all. There always seems to be something happening - raffles, music nights etc
Food - quirky but really good and tasty toasties (besides the usual and very well done cheese & onion, ham & cheese etc locals and staff suggest ingredients for the month and they trial them e.g. chorizo and something was superb, as was mozzerella, basil and something - apologies for the lack of detail - and keep the ones people like most) Incidentally, Senior Management, aka my other half, says the coffee they serve, costs about £1.50, and is really good too
Staff - 'save the best till last' as they say, SENSATIONAL is the only word for the guys here. They ALWAYS smile and make you feel welcome and just get it so right. They exude happiness and it's bloody contagious! A lot of the other pubs around would do well to take a trip to the Lawrence pay for a beer and take a lesson in what good service is all about - at just over 3 quid a pint it's a bloody cheap lesson!
This is a ridiculously under-rated pub and deserves to be much higher imho
Great Beer, Ace Food, Good Atmosphere and Sensational Service, it works for me.
Hic! Hic!
17 Feb 2013 10:18
The Isambard Kingdom Brunel, Portsmouth
Last visit was typical - All the guest ales off (that's supposedly 8) but the ruddles was on and the freezing cold gk ipa (which Senior Management ordered trying to be her usual wonderfully supportive & helpful self)
Service is rubbish as the staff just seem to get ground down - unless you're lucky enough to get any of the great guys (that includes the brilliant skipping, happy, blondey) that seem to get imported / seconded from the Jean Jaques (they are really easy to spot .... They know what they are doing, they smile, they engage in banter etc)
This place is a total dump and should be avoided at all costs
As we used to say in my old rugby club NRF (No Redeeming Features)
Apparently, the old White Swan nearby is being refurbed and is due to open soon - travel in hope I say!!
Hic! Hic!
16 Feb 2013 21:01
I've lurked here long enough and it's about time I started posting
The Flo re-opened yesterday evening after a refurb, with new owners/managers.
My verdict?.............FAB!!
It might be early days but what a great start it got off to. 4 Ales on - Marstons EPA, Courage Ordinary, St Austells Tribute & I can't remember the fourth as I had too much of the 3 I can remember! All well presented and went down 'singing hymns' and the prices were sensible too - about £3.20 ish a pint (hopefully the bad old days of silly over-priced rank 'beer' are gone for good now).
Right that's the important stuff done - now for the other bits.........
Decor / refurb - GREAT, modern vintage tones, you know the sort of thing soft shades of 1950's greens and light browns - looks terrific and felt comfortable and relaxed. Nice relaxed lighting and some piped background music that wasn't intrusive at all.
Food - SUPER - the fish and chips tasted good and the prices are good too (2 mains for £10 or £6.99 ish each)
Wine - LOVELY - plenty of variety (about 20 bottles on the list) and decent prices too (£14 - £25 + more for the bubbles). 'Senior Management' tried a couple and said she enjoyed them.
Service - SMASHING - crap service is a real bugbear of mine and I'm absolutely delighted to say opening night service was brill. Yea, they had a few hiccups but handled those well and kept smiling and just being nice, helpful, attentive and downright good!
So, in summary, Lovely, Super, Smashing, Great! Well worth a trip and here's to the good times!
And a some final words from Senior Management - "..the service was really good and the staff were lovely. Chatty, smiley and thoughtful. Well done guys! .."
Hic! Hic!
Incidentally, I have no connection with the pub at all and do my best work on the right side of the counter!
16 Feb 2013 10:28
The Hole in The Wall, Southsea
Most of the recent comments about this fine pub resonate with me
Beers are great, as in REALLY GREAT - {Think, selection on offer, price & presentation-V good indeed}
Staff are sometimes Great & sometimes not - hey they are people! So, all in all, GREAT - new manager, Tony?, is super great!! The lovely girl (student in Brighton) is just beyond great & super-great & is absolutely FANTASTIC imho. Enough already ;-)
The landlord? Hey, he's running a pub not a popularity contest! He's genuine & may have had a successful personality / fun bypass for all I know ;-)
My advice ....Enjoy the Beer, Ignore the Landlord (he won't mind or notice anyway ;-)
Hic! Hic!
p.s. This is a true 'Destination Pub' - if you're in the area; you should visit! Cheers
27 May 2013 16:44