BITE user comments - Brancastrian
Comments by Brancastrian
The Half Moon Inn, Shaftesbury
If you want to visit a pub, don't come here. It isn't one.
It looks like a pub from the outside. However, once you get in, as other posters have commented, the truth is out: its a restaurant! A restaurant that has a bar.
The food is standard pub fare, but the choice on the menu is plentiful, and, having experience the food (0/10) and the bar (0/10) at the "Royal Chase" Hotel over the road (my God-the "Half Moon" must get so many customers from that place, and, compared to their efforts at food and drink, this particular pub, sorry, restaurant with a bar, is Nirvana!), happily supped and ate here for a couple of nights, and it would have been more.
Yes, the decor is a stark and clinical effort to reproduce "olde world"-lots of wood and attempts at atmosphere; those little touches-'oh so amusing' lines of prose on the wall and the like-wooden planks from Homebase made to look like 18C beams, that sort of thing-but it is clean, light, airy, there is plenty of room, and the staff-and however many of them are there, we were served by 5 different people each evening!-are friendly, albeit in that unconvincing manner that comes so easily from Aussies and their Southern Ocean ilk.
I like how they offer smaller servings on some of the meals, so many pubs and restaurants-with-a-bar pack your plate with food piled so high, it has its own gravitational pull, and, even after an hours solid chomping, you seem to have more than you started with-despite this, when the staff come round and ask "everything alright?", you always say, "yes, lovely thankyou" instead of asking them how they have broken the laws of physics by serving organic matter that self repletes itself, however...
...the food is hot, hearty and tasty and the range of beers modest,-but they are there.
One bad, bad mark for the brewery-the bills states, proudly, that "all tips go to our staff", when, infact, they do not-we were told that sums added electronically as a tip is hoovered up by the chain and the staff never see a penny. Not nice and a lie to their customers.
If this place could rediscover a little pub-type energy over the coming months, it would be quite a find. As it is, I suspect the good folk of Shaftesbury will sup elsewhere and leave the "Half Moon" for us folk that '...bain't from round 'ere, is thee?..", which is a shame. But its OK, and, if you are in need of an early evening feast, or do not wish to face the Monkfish at the "Royal Chase", then pop in...
3 Jul 2010 22:28
Yep, another "oldest bar in England" -how many are there? Claims of that honour thus far in Nottingham, Norwich, York...and now Winchester! Astonishing, did Queen Elizabeth I sleep here as well, I wonder?
Typical "oldest bar in England" appearance-all (fake) beams, low (fake) ceilings and dark (fake) wooden panels. But lots of cramped, sorry, cosy, places to sit and enjoy your ale and food, latter is standard and adequate.
Laughable nonsense on the menus, there to wow the tourists no doubt-goes on about how "Bonnie Prince Charlie" hid in the afore mentioned oak tree to escape his would be captors-well, only about 100 years out there guys, and about 400 miles too far south-it was, of course, King Charles II, but hey, who needs accuracy when there are tourists to impress? This tale led to hundreds of pubs throughout England having this name, most of them claiming to be near the spot where it happened. This one wasn't.
Service is OK, atmosphere lively, but hardly a local voice to be heard. Bland and visitor centric.
15 May 2010 21:54
Just an update...
Chris Coubrough has big plans for the "Ship"-has confirmed, through his 'people' (honestly, someone running a pub who has 'people'!) that the name will remain...so no ghastly new image or terrible fate like that which befell the "Hero" in Burnham Market...and the model ship will be restored to its place on the wall...
...there are plans afoot to build on the exisiting pub garden...hmmm, MORE holiday homes?...and to, as a result, relocate the garden. All very sensitive issues and awaited with interest. Desperately hoping that the place will not become an expensive gastro pub, whose only use for the locals is washing up, lets hope that each welcomes the other and gives them a chance...
Actual plans for the Ship itself, the refurbishment and new 'decor' look good, and, as long as there are no lobster baskets hanging on the walls, or, God forbid, buoys and bits of fishing nets...it doesn't look like it will go far wrong.
Opening about May 10th, we will see....
10 Mar 2010 16:37
Damned fine pub.
As has been observed already, it was built in Gallifray and is, infact, a TARDIS. Looks benign and cottage-like from the outside, one goes in, hoping to squeeze onto a table, and its like striding into a Cathedral-masses of space, and yet, and yet-its not impersonal at all.
Food is excellent, menu range good, locals, well, they're well to do locals, so probably not native at all, but friendly enough.
Worth a try. Go on.
23 Oct 2009 21:49
The Old House at Home, Chichester
A proper village local, yet to be tainted or adorned with fishing nets on the walls, with drizzled lobster pots. Bar is a hubbub of gentle conversation and laughter, interruped at times bythe squawking protest of people who have allowed their mobile phones to ring (and a pox on them) being executed in the car park.
Good range of ales, pulled by staff that know what they are doing. Excellent food, friendly service, locals adorned in "White Stuff" fleeces talk sailing, dogs snooze, logs crackle and spit in the winter.
My company regularly has its Christmas lunch there, which is a bonus. 2009 no different.
Please don't ever spoil this pub. I'd take it home to Norfolk with me in the twinkling of an eye. Sailings better there as well...
23 Oct 2009 21:44
Well, good news one and all...
"The Ship" has been bought by Chef Chris Coubrough who will be adding the pub to his flock of watering holes in North Norfolk.
At present, the whole interior is being stripped out and refurbished, upstairs and downstairs. Ten hotel rooms, new bar, kitchen, the whole works-and not before time.
It is anticipated that "The Ship" will re-open in Easter 2010, so, as you can see, quite a major undertaking.
I hope that, in obviously catering for the holiday hoards and second home owners, Chris also remembers the locals and, once again, makes the pub a welcome place to visit for a beer and a snack. A mix of that, some good real ales and good, local home cooked food (thats probably a given!) will put "The Ship" back on track again after many wasted years.
23 Oct 2009 21:29
Popped in for a mid week lunch, off season in IOW so quiet, as was the pub. Very large bar area which is dark and has one of those awful lurid carpets, but plenty of room to sit down, and, if you have kids, an enormous play area for them. The menu is basic but they do the simple things well, food & plates are hot, helpings are plentiful and food is well cooked. No complaints-not the best pub in the world but certainly not the worst and a welcome antidote to the "gastropub",
7 Mar 2008 20:08
The Arun View Inn, Littlehampton
First time visit lately for meal and to see a band. Food is well above average for a pub, a good and varied menu, not too expensive either-recommend the Linguini with lamb patties, delicious! Perhaps disappointingly, after the ambition and choice of the starters and main courses, the dessert selection is a little limited and rather too typical of just about every other pub in the country. The pub and bar itself is what I would call a good, honest boozer. Friendly, a good atmosphere, and full of people out for a happy few hours of a Friday night. Another encouraging aspect is that the "youth" of the area literally have their own little bar with pool table and all those unneccessary accessories they need to complement their night out which means they can do their own thing undisturbed by, and undisturbing the "grown ups". Nice one Landlord.
18 Nov 2007 17:37
The King William IV, Sedgeford
Good, slightly off the beaten track pub. Always busy but always a place to sit down. Friendly and chatty, good range of beers, good food, if spectacular helpings-be hungry, be very hungry-well worth a visit, but, Chelsea Tractor drivers beware, gastropub it ain't and thank God for that-try the White Horse, Brancaster Staithe.
19 Sep 2007 18:35
The Ancient Mariner, Hunstanton
Bar annex to popular and very good -if slightly old fashioned- Best Western Hotel. It has a somewhat 'dingy' feel to be honest, the bar area is quite long, but narrow and, if its busy, slightly cramped-and the regulars will crowd the bar and make sure its as difficult as possible for you to squeeze in and place an order! When you do, your every choice is then scrutinised, pity the soul who orders a half or a white wine spritzer! The smoking ban will have worked wonders here though-prior to that happy day, the "Ancient Mariners" would have a permanent haze of smoke hanging over it, not nice for the lungs, clothes, or for eating-so your only choice was to go outside or sit in the "Family Room" (and aren't all so-called "Family Rooms" always the worst room in the place?) which looked and felt like a Wimpy Bar, with the smoke still drifting in through both doorways anyway...
The comments about the deep fried seafood amuse me-listen, if you are going to have seafood, have it as nature intended, not plastered in greasy batter, no wonder you were ill! Thats indicative of English cuisine and taste, not the food here in general. And its OK-nothing special but it doesn't pretend that the menu is, so whats the problem? There are plenty of other places to go to if you want high table and all the accessories.
Good beer choice and lots of room outside, on a sunny day, it can be rather nice.
18 Sep 2007 11:01
Sorry Brummyboy, I know there are exceptions-sadly though, people like you are the exception. Find me out next time you're there and I'll buy you a pint!
"Lifeboat" is great in winter with the huge log fires and gas lamps.
21 Dec 2006 19:20
The Hand In Hand, Wimbledon Common
Agree with Twiglet-in the mid 1980's, this was THE pub to go to in Wimbledon, fantastic atmosphere (both inside and out), friendly staff, and a good selection of ales and food. My wife and I went on our first date there! Alas, whilst still a nice pub, has been a little bit "laddish" of late, with lager and singing of songs a'la Klingon being very much the norm, rather than imbibing of fine ales and the general hubbub of conversation. But still worth a visit, although Summer evenings will never be QUITE what they were there again...
1 Apr 2006 18:20
The Oystercatcher, Littlehampton
Nice building and surrounds but a bit bland and chain-like inside. Food rarely served hot. Beer selection poor. You could sit in here and be in a pub anywhere in the UK. Best for travelling reps and somewhere to go at short notice if you get a power cut!
1 Apr 2006 18:14
The White Horse, Brancaster Staithe
Great example of a pub that has re-invented itself, both unsuccessfully and successfully...
Back in the 70's, it was humming-very busy, especially at weekends, a lively, mostly local crowd, all out for a few beers and chicken in a basket of a Saturday evening.
It then lurched towards near closure, empty apart from a few diehards, run down, dull, dank, a bit like Moes bar from "The Simpsons" and seemingly not up to the task of providing a more 'down to earth' challenge to its illustrious neighbour up the road, the "Jolly Sailors".
Someone had to seize the reins of the dying nag then, and boy, did they! It has reinvented itself as a rather fine gastropub with views to die for, an excellent and ambitious food menu that goes far and away above "Sirloin steak with chips or new potatoes and salad, �8.95" (and theres nothing wrong with that, but sometimes you just want MORE!) and which has gone down a storm.
Good beer as well-nicely kept and respected. You should be anthropomorphic with beer, it matters-and it cleary does here. Ask for the "Old Les"-rumour has it, that...etc etc
Worth a visit, but for a drink and a snack, go to the "Jolly"-for a treat, go here.
29 Mar 2006 19:09
The Jolly Sailors, Brancaster Staithe
First of all-its a VILLAGE not a "small seaside town"-don't be put off people, Brancaster Staithe is just that, small and quiet, especially in the Winter.
The "Jolly" is very popular though-primarily with the Chelsea tractor brigade who invade Norfolk, alas, with more success and adverse affect on the surrounding countryside than any marauding army of centuries ago. Bear that in mind if you go there, as you WILL see air kisses and inappropriate use of the 'Barbour' brand of clothing people. Green wellingtons are, of course, standard, even in the summer. And wet and stinking spaniels-mind you, wet and stinking they might be, but they are generally more intelligent and approachable than their owners!
So, taking that negative into consideration, what of the pub? Its good. Serves some great ales, including the deadly "Brancaster Brewery" variety (try the 'Old Les'); afore mentioned beers are kept well and look AND taste good. Food variety is excellent, especially the sea food, fresh and very local and probably caught only a few hours previously.
Best visited in winter weekdays, to get the real flavour and "feel" of the village, if you go at a summer weekend, well, you won't get the same vibe-and might as well be in Putney or Wimbledon.
29 Mar 2006 18:45
Sorry Crofton, but I am not a friend or family member of anyone who works at,owns, or otherwise has an interest in the "Gribble". Indeed, I'm a Norfolk exile who does much of his pubbing in Norfolk, but, because of work, is stranded for much of the time in the Chichester area. The "Gribble" is therefore my pub of choice, and, knowing a lot of damned good pubs in Norfolk, I have high standards and expectations when I sup/eat down here...
I can never recall any of the staff having a "sullen" attitude-not to me, my wife, friends, or otherwise. We are always greeted when we go in, and, as I walk through the bar, the regulars give the usual chirpy warning to "mind my head" as I'm close on 6'5" and the beams are low! The attitude is spot on-friendly but not intrusive, the beer is, as you concur, excellent, the atmosphere, well, a pleasant and positive respite from the norm-no music, no boorish teenagers, just quiet and considered conversation and the clink of glasses. Perfect!
The food is what you would expect-good pub food, nothing too fancy, but what they do, they do very well. Again, the service is good-friendly but discreet, the waitresses don't pretend to be your best mates here (an annoying trait at many pubs and guaranteed to see them miss out on a tip!) The sausages, S&K pie and steaks are done well, taste good, come to the table hot, and the helpings are not so gargantuan, that you feel you are defeated before you even begin.
Always a goodbye and a thanks when we leave, its reciprocated. The "Gribble" is a good example of a pub thats not 'in your face', it has everything that you need, and the staff are there and helpful if you need them, in the background if you don't. I'm sorry if you don't enjoy it there any longer, but lets face it, there are loads of other pubs you can go to in the area-and remember, sometimes perceived "attitude" in staff and personnel is a mirror of whats coming at them, so do bear that in mind.
29 Mar 2006 18:35
The Hoste Arms, Burnham Market
Alas, another fine old pub that has been ruined by the Chelsea tractor brigade who like to "...come up to the country..." at weekends. Previous reviewers are spot on-the snooty sloan set. Such a shame, as the pub has good beers, excellent food and, interior wise, is interesting, with all sorts of nooks and crannies. Go in here with anything resemblinga Norfolk accent and its like that moment in "American Werewolf in London", long hugged halves of Wherry are put down and frosty, silent glowers abound. Yes, the "Hoste" is a little bit of Kensington in Norfolk, one can only hope that, akin to the US Embassy in Saigon, the locals will one day storm the doors and kick their Barbourous backsides back to where they came from. A nice pub now spoilt, best avoided.
18 Jan 2006 11:42
Recently refurbished (Summer 2005). Seem to be concentrating more on food than ale, but the car par is usually full, especially at lunchtimes. Worth a look.
13 Jan 2006 14:15
Long established old coaching inn right on main street of this popular Norfolk village with plentiful parking, a large beer garden, and 4 rooms for overnight guests. Famous for the wooden model of an Nelson-era ship attached to its west wall. Had struggled throughout the late 80's and early 90's with a succession of landlords, but current incumbents are bringing it back to life. Decent pub food-steaks and local fish- and well kept, albeit standard (it would be nice to see guest beers), ales, good pint of Guinness & a lovely fire in the evenings to warm you up after your walk on the beach. Reputedly haunted by the ghost of Lord Nelson's Nanny!
13 Jan 2006 14:12
Friendly pub with sociable staff and regulars, good selections of beers, an excellent Guinness, and plentiful selection of food, including cheap steak nights on Thursdays. Has a model railway set running all around bar area. Separate pool room. Plenty of parking. Recommended.
11 Jan 2006 12:29
A great pub, a good drinking pub, a pub for conversation and well met evenings. As has been already observed, is, sadly, all too often packed out by braying outsiders who hog the tables, eat the food, and let their unruly children and dogs run amok to the detriment of everything and everyone else. The best time to go here, therefore, is after 8:30, 9pm of an evening, when they have mostly gone home, at this time the pub is quiet and is ready to be civilised again, rather than the squalid version of a Beefeater that it resembles at peak times. Good beers, great food, friendly service. Recommended-but go a little later than you would normally.
11 Jan 2006 12:19
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The Nelson Hotel, Littlehampton
Friendly welcome, good food, clean and snug, a little gem. And easily the nicest owners and staff I have met in any pub, anywhere, for a long, long time. Thankyou.
22 Oct 2011 22:30