BITE user comments - Darren_in_the_City
Comments by Darren_in_the_City
An excellent pub serving 8 ever-changing well kept real ales (and 4 real ciders if you're that way inclined). Oh, and about 200 whiskies! Friendly staff, and regulars too. Ended up spening most of my 4 day stay in Jersey in this pub (well, the weather was lousy...).
Alas, kitchen was closed that week so cannot comment on the food apart from the gorgeous pork pies.
Definitely worth a return visit!
7 Apr 2013 20:13
Nice traditional pub with well-kept beers and friendly staff. 7/10
2 Feb 2013 12:27
Despite having the "Keep Out" sign attached to it's walls, this Gre*ne K*ng pub is actually rather good. Plenty of genuine guest ales and even those from the GK range are not the usual duffs. Has the feel of a proper 'local' pub too. Just hope the Evil Empire's HQ in B St E don't find out about this pub and make them stock their usual rubbish.
30 Dec 2012 14:20
Four Horseshoes, Thornham Magna
Delightful pub with good food and great service. Worth a trip out for. Just a shame that despite being advertised as a Freehouse all the beers are from the evil Greene King range (including the guests) - though the beer I had was well kept. 7/10
24 Jul 2012 11:02
Had forgotten just how great a pub this is. Great choice of well-kept beers. Ate here for first time last weekend and food was vey good. Staff friendly and helpful. Oh, and any place that has Old Peculier as a regular guest gets a massive thumbs up from me! 8/10
29 May 2012 15:05
Featuring probably the tallest bardmai in the world!!! Good beer too. 7/10
19 May 2012 10:09
The Railway Tavern, Chelmsford
Fully deserving of CAMRA's most improved pub award. But does the brunette barmaid EVER smile?!! 8/10
19 May 2012 10:08
The Hamilton Hall, Liverpool Street
Apart from the bit about breakfast (cos I haven't tried it myself), I throroughly agree with the review below.
7/10
18 May 2012 16:36
Pleasnatly surprised after reading the recent reviews. First visit here for about a decade, and has clearly changed into a gastropub first, boozer second - though can't blame the owners given the way the world is changing, excessive beer duty etc. Wasn't eating (though food did look good), but was impressed by the range of real ales available and by the friendly staff.
7/10
18 May 2012 16:35
Ye Olde Watling, Mansion House
Excellent proper old-fashioned pub "hidden" just south of Cheapside. 8/10
8 Dec 2011 10:43
The Black Sheep Brewery, Masham
Has sadly become a lot more commercial since my last visit around 15 years ago, but good that this brewery goes from strength to strength. Riggwelter very nice (as always) and food in the bistro also recommended.
16 Apr 2011 13:15
Lovely and welcoming pub in the village, with good choice of beers and superb beer garden at the back.
16 Apr 2011 13:14
The Black Bull in Paradise, Masham
Although the bar of the brewery, still a great pub in its own right (just a shame it has to close when the brewery closes). Staff very friendly and knowledgable, and need I say that the beer was simply EXCELLENT! Old Peculier? Paradis indeed.
16 Apr 2011 13:13
Excellent pub serving superb Theakstons beer (not surprisingly) and food very good too. Welcoming locals (humans and dogs) and staff made for a happy visit - and a few return trips!!
9/10
16 Apr 2011 13:10
PLEASE put some decent beer on and not horrible GK IPA Smooth.
23 Feb 2011 10:14
Still a lovely little boozer with a 'local' feel. Good food, good beer, and good service.
23 Feb 2011 10:13
Great beer. Good atmosphere. Friendly staff. But food well overpriced and not value for money at all.
9 Nov 2010 12:27
Went in here yesterday for lunch for first time in .... well, bloomin' ages. And was glad I did. Excellent food (both main course and desserts homecooked) and 3 pints of Real Ale to choose from - the two I had (Spitfire and Broadside) both well kept.
Landlady and staff very friendly - turns out she took it over about a year ago and can only say she's doing an excellent job so far.
I'll be back!!! :-) 8/10
31 Aug 2010 22:37
Came in here on Sunday with my parents and had a wonderful meal, washed down with a nice pint of Woodforde Wherry.
Would make an ideal 'local' - if I didn't live 60 miles away that is.
New landlady (been there 11 months?) aiming to turn this into a freehold serving a range of real ales, so wish here all the best with that.
14 Jul 2010 18:42
The Ship Tavern, City of London
Good little Nicholsons pub with good range of beers, particularly from Timothy Taylor. Manager was kindly serving free quarter-pints of ale and food samples. Hopefully the Ram Tam will be on next time I visit.
21 May 2010 11:05
Had a lovely pint of Armada Ale here last night - still an excelltn pub well worth making a detour for.
21 May 2010 11:01
Found this surprisingly good pub on the way from The Market Porter to The Royal Oak. Good range of guest ales. Oh, and oddly, peanuts served by the pint too.
21 May 2010 10:57
The White Hart Inn, Margaretting Tye
Although now inevitably more food-orientated these days in order to survive the government's attempts to close down all pubs, pleasing to see that they STILL have at least 6 ales on tap plus a good selection of bottled beers. Oh, and the food is excellent too.
Still a 9 out of 10.
7 Apr 2010 08:39
Good, varied beer at a good proce. Food okay and very reasonably priced. But .... STILL slow service *sigh*
10 Jan 2010 20:56
The Coach and Horses, Billericay
So far the new landlord, Dave, is keeping up the great traditions of this pub. Greet beer, great food, great atmosphre. Indeed it seems to be even more popular than ever these days. Let's hope it stays that way.
11 Dec 2009 10:42
8/10 Pleased that Fullers have kept guest ales at this pub after taking it over - remains an excellent pub. If only I could work out how to operate the code that opens the door to the toilets.... d'oh!
11 Dec 2009 10:41
Has so many beers on (hoorah!) that they now have screens showing the list of ales available so you can order by number to make it quicker. Fair enough, good idea. Except.... the first 3 beers I ordered weren't actually on as it hadn't occured to anyone to update the list - d'oh! Oh, and the bloke who served me put ice in the glasses first. When I asked why, he said it was to cool the beer! WTF?!!! So much for Wetherspoon's promise that only lagers would be served cold (to remove any small traces of taste they ever had). Groan!
11 Dec 2009 10:36
What an excellent pub!!! 9/10
Can't believe, like porcus_volans below, that it's taken me literally years to discover this pub - and only then thanks to an advert in the programme at Chappel Beer Festival.
Superb collection of real ales (and real ciders if you're that way inclined). A real "community pub" with great mix of people - I'll be back!!
1 Nov 2009 18:31
Excellent pub with wide selection of real ales and friendly staff. 8/10
12 Oct 2009 13:49
Reasonably good pub serving Butcombes Beer. Food good value, though woman serving a tad rude, particularly to an old lady sat opposite me.
9 Sep 2009 11:22
The Queen Victoria Inn, Priddy
Lovely pub, particularly if you like Butcombe beer. Nice atmosphere.
8 Sep 2009 14:04
Good pub with friendly landlord & staff with good range of beers. Accomodation (with lovely cooked breakfasts) nice too and good value.
8 Sep 2009 14:03
Excellent pub with good beers (Adnams) and good mix of people - nice to see a village pub doing well in these tough times. Landlady and staff very helpful and friendly - especially the pet 2yo Labrador, Sam.
Rooms exceelnt - large, clean, and with wonderful en suite. Highly recommended as place to stay.
1 Sep 2009 10:51
Excellent good old-fashioned boozer. Fully deserves the Essex Pub of the Year title. Great selecetion of real ales and friendly landlady. I agree with EssexBoy's comments below!!
25 Aug 2009 19:36
Reasonably good pub; handy for a pint or two after the cricket at the nearby Oval.
25 Aug 2009 11:10
Strawberry Fields Travel Inn and Brewers Fayre, Southend on Sea
Surprisingly good food, and service was generally excellent. Even had Hobgoblin as a guest ale - though not exactly in tip-top condition. By the standards of a Brewers Fayre pub - very good; by the standards of a decent boozer - average.
28 May 2009 09:12
The Old Tea Warehouse, Aldgate
Omigosh! A Greene King pub that has a GENUINE guest ale (i.e. not chosen from one of the brewers it has brutally taken over over the last few years :-( ) - AND the delicious Brains' Rev St James to boot - yum yum yummmmmmm!
21 May 2009 16:02
Good little boozer; Adnams beer nice and well kept - perfect for a pre-match pint.
19 Apr 2009 22:03
Definitely worth visiting. Great variety of well-kept beers, and decor wonderful.
30 Mar 2009 13:53
The Charles Lamb, Angel, Islington
Delightful oub hidden away near Angel tune station. Well worth a visit for quality beer and firendly staff.
30 Mar 2009 13:51
The Crutched Friar, Tower Hill
Good food. Friendly service. Great beer - SA Reverend James; yum yum
25 Mar 2009 14:50
Still a lovely pub. Great food. 3 real ales available.
22 Mar 2009 22:01
Excellent boozer - good beer, good food, and friendly staff. Everything a pub should be, apart from not being in the town I actually live in - shame...
8 Dec 2008 13:23
I AM NOT RETURNING HERE UNTIL THE CURRENT, USELESS MANAGEMENT & STAFF LEAVE AND THIS PUB IS RESTORED TO ITS FORMER EXCELLENCE!
Thought I'd give this pub one last chance, and popped in for a pint around 5pm after a day's Xmas shopping. The GOOD news is that there were 2 ales on, including the superb Cornish Knocker. BUT...
.... there were 4 (F-O-U-R) staff behind the bar & I was the only one waiting to be served. However none (N-O-N-E) of them could be bothered to serve me :-( . Indeed, two of them even looked straight at me, then went back to chatting amongst themselves *grr* . So I've had enough! *sigh*
30 Nov 2008 14:18
Excellent pub. Was here last weekend for their beer festival which had some very good beers on both in terms of quality and range. The pub itself is well designed with plenty of guest beers - with one bar showing Sky and has a pool table, with the other geared up for those looking for a quieter time or a chat with friends by the fire. Seperate large dining room too.
Would give it 10/10 - but it's in the middle of nowehere and, more importantly, NOT right next door to where I live; meh! So just a 9 then.
11 Nov 2008 14:03
THIS PUB HAS GONE TO THE DOGS *GRR*. Turn up at 5pm on a Friday night - NO real ales, not even the Skinners Lager!! A disgrace!! These new oweners have RUINED a great pub :-(
31 May 2008 14:01
Lovely pub near (and much more worth visting than) the Cathedral
27 Mar 2008 13:48
The Reindeer Pub & Kitchen, Norwich
Excellent pub serving well-kept Elgood Ales. Barman very friendly and helpful. A pub certianly worth visiting!
27 Mar 2008 13:44
God bless this pub :-) . A superb pint of Maredsous Brun here has convinced me to support the Dutch in Euro '08 now that England... oh, you know :-(
23 Nov 2007 15:31
Oh dear, what has ahppened to this pub? :-( Went in a couple of weeks ago and just one of the real ales was on - how can they not be prepared on a Friday evening!?!?! And the staff were useless - whoever served me couldn't understand that I did NOT want a pint that was 30% head.
Went back in yesterday, and was pleased to see the beer was good again. BUT staff still useles.. When I arrived there were 4 peopel behind the var - 1 serving, 1 sorting out a barrel, and the other 2 just standing around gassing. And rather than serve the growing queue, they just wandered off.....
So have downgraded this former oasis from a magnificent 10 to an average 6. :-(
PS: The nearby "Essex Arms" has a sign saying that is Covent Garden's "best kept secret" (sic) - er, no that woudl be the Cove as it's a real bugger to find the first time ;-)
23 Nov 2007 15:25
A wonderful Adnams pub (and I am indebted to the gent in front of me in the non-moving queue at the Norwich beer festival *grr* for recommending it). Had a delicious pint of Old Ale here - followed by another. Yum yum.
8/10.
2 Nov 2007 16:28
Not only do they have Old Peculiar as a regular ale, but they're flogging it off at just �1.50!! Heaven! Rush down there whilst stocks lasts; or before I drink the lot :-) .
22 Jan 2007 09:44
Popped in a couple of week ago and was very disappointed - has gone from serving a variety of real ales to serving badly kept Youngs.
7 Jan 2007 22:17
The Freemasons Arms, Covent Garden
A very good Shepherd Neame pub - worth a visit. 7/10
7 Jan 2007 22:16
Cracking boozer hidden down an alleway behind the tube station - and away from tourists. 7/10
7 Jan 2007 22:14
The fact that this is now called by its initials should have alerted me to the fact that this is rather a poncy pub, with a barman (landlord?) who has absolutey no idea how to serve a pint of beer :( , albeit a well kept one. Avoid. 3/10
7 Jan 2007 22:11
A great pub full of nooks and crannies serving good and varying selection of real ales. Nice touch with the 'Watney Red Barrel' pump - which serves Carlsberg; ha ha. 8/10
7 Jan 2007 22:09
Terrefic pub with real character. Oh, and 6 real ales. Worth searching out. 9/10
7 Jan 2007 22:08
Now a Shepherd Neame - pub! Quality beer in a friendly pub now available near the Haymarket and Piccadily Circus. Great! 8/10.
12 Dec 2006 14:04
Nice litle boozer (with emphasis on the 'little'!) which does a guest ale. Definitely one of the better pubs in the area.
12 Dec 2006 14:02
The Argyll Arms, Oxford Circus
Great pub just off the throng of Oxford street. Numerous real ales plus a guest always on. Food pretty good too. 8/10.
12 Dec 2006 14:00
If you like your iced lager and you oh-so-cold & fizzy Magners, ability to see the footy on tv no matter which way you look, plus games machines and a pool table then this is the pub for you; i.e. if you are (or have a mental age) of under 23.
Else avoid like the plague. No actual beers at all!! Except - now wait for this - Greene King IPA Smooth!!!!! Could it get any worse?!?!?!?!?!
30 Oct 2006 10:42
Closed at 10 last night - despite numerous thirsty punters still there. Weird!
Have to agree with evian re: the staff.
21 Sep 2006 11:22
The William Wallace, Marylebone
Do they still serve Scottish beer? And are the pictures of Mel Gibson (aka Braveheart) and Maradona (aka 1986 'Scottish' Player of the Year) still adorning the wall [my previous comments refer]?
5 Jul 2006 15:02
If this pub has a casque mark, it should be removed!! Had a pint of Broadside which, due to the barman's deliberate technique, had rather a large head on it - so I politely asked for him to top it up.
He did - but after first giving me a look as if I'd asked him to give Georg W Bush a blow-job. And, amazingly, he ensured the excess went into the next pint!! Unbeleivable - and gross!!
26 May 2006 09:18
Funnily enough, I too visited this pub for the first time in years (7, I think) and would agree with Moose58 that it hasn't changed one bit.
It's a good pub, provided you like Young's beer which I can't say I do all that much.
19 May 2006 11:30
The Railway Tavern, Chelmsford
Featuring possibly the largest pub landlord in the world!! Great pub for a quick pint (or 2) of something delicious though from an ever-changing range of guest ales.
16 May 2006 14:55
The United Brethren, Chelmsford
Went here years ago and remember thinking 'What a sh*t-hole'. Pleasantly surprised to find that is definitely not the case these days.
Now a delightful and thoughtfully decorated pub. Also had the delicious Woodforde Wherry and Crouch Vale Gold on as guest beers.
Certainly worth a visit. 7/10.
16 May 2006 14:51
Another 'quality control check' completed. Still 10/10!
16 May 2006 14:48
Still does the best pint of Old Peculiar south of Masham.
13 Apr 2006 11:08
The Punch And Judy, Covent Garden
This pub now has a sign outside saying "The World Famous Punch & Judy". Oh yes, it IS famous - but NOT for the reasons that the owners think.
Avoid.
0/10.
13 Apr 2006 11:07
Still great! And the Betty Stoggs was delicious :-)
10/10. (And still fun to look at the saddos over at the pisspoor Punch and Judy)
13 Apr 2006 11:06
Still an effin' brilliant pub!! And not crowded at all at 2 o'clock.
Didn't realise till yesterday that they have a restaurant upstairs. Does anyone know what it's like?
13 Apr 2006 11:03
One of today's guest beers is the exquisite Theakston's Old Peculiar - yummy (even if it wasn't kept that brilliantly)!
30 Mar 2006 16:50
One of the better pubs in Billericay and good to see they're still persevering with a guest ale.
However, service can be very slow as the barstaff congegrate in one of the two bars rather than spreading out - though if you are one of their mates your pint gets refilled amazingly quickly regardless of any queue.
23 Feb 2006 14:44
My first time here since the refurbishment and can't say I'm impressed. The larger interior and reshaped bar means it has lost a lot of its character, though the menu has improved thank goodness. Just (just!) 3 guest beers, but maybe that's due to the time of year more than anything else.
Reducing my scroe from 8/10 to 6/10.
22 Jan 2006 22:05
2 things to note. First, the wonderful Northern (Mancunian / Scouse?) lady who calls everyone 'Duck' and is such a pleasure has been promoted to the upstairs bar - wortha visit just to chat with her. Secondly, the downstairs menu has gone a bit posh. Yes, tasted nice. But the prices, and the strange use of armchairs, may explain why the restaurant was rather quieter than last year.
The beer? Well, it's a Youngs pub so you either love it or you loathe it.
18 Jan 2006 14:30
Ian - I agree that the Coach & Horses is thankfully not a typical West End pub and does indeed have character, though the beer is nothing to write home about. Also I can only assume that the toilets are a relic from the Black Hole of Calcutta and I remain convinced that this pub should NOT be in CAMRA's Good Pub Guide. But "one man's meat....".
30 Dec 2005 10:49
This pub has lost its Casque Mark - and quite right too; it's going down the pan!
23 Nov 2005 15:21
Now has TVs in the non-smoking areas at the back - good idea!
PS: I agree with the Rt Hon BeerGuru - this pub is NOT in Bank.
18 Nov 2005 09:54
The Flying Fortress, Bury St Edmunds
Good pub to eat on a Sunday afternoon (conservatories provide a smoke-free zone for food) and choice of 3 real ales.
6/10
14 Nov 2005 23:13
The Fox and Anchor, Smithfield
Pub opens from 7am to 9pm. Beer good; but food incredible!! Barmaids very pleasant & helpful.
19 Oct 2005 14:20
Reasonably good Shepherd Neame pub in a nicely set location with plenty of opportunity to stand outside. Beer well kept. 6/10
19 Oct 2005 14:16
Ship Centurion Arminius, Whitstable
Stopped off for a pint of mild, as recommended by CAMRA and very nice it was too. Adnams and a guest beer (Robinsons) also available. Quite unusual to find a German/English pub but glad I popped in. Worth visiting if in the area.
2 Oct 2005 17:12
Stayed here recently and rooms very good and staff kept them clean on a daily basis. Defintely worth staying here if you're making a short visit.
As for the pub, excellent beer (though in Faversham that's not a surprise). Though food nothing special. Very busy and good atmosphere.
2 Oct 2005 17:09
Superb pub - probably the best in Faversham (and that's saying something!!). Beers very well kept (though no Bishops Finger available). The four bar format makes for an excellent atmosphere and superb character. Friendly bar staff too. Cannot understand why this pub is not in CAMRA's good pub guide!!
9/10
2 Oct 2005 17:06
Last time I went here on Good Friday they had just embarked on their 10-week rebuilding plan. Well, 4 months later the difference is ...er, non-existent!! Anyhone know why The Hoop continues to be a partial building site?
Oh, yes. Beer excellent as usual. Food not bad either. Remains one of the best pubs in the whole of Essex.
8/10.
17 Aug 2005 17:01
Popped in as it's in the CAMRA Pub Guide - but can't say why this is an entry. Beer average, food average (though at �1 for a sandwich good value), toilets DISGUSTING!!
Barman (landlord?) clearly unhappy that me and my friends were being tourists by only having a quick half & food and got the distinct impression we were the only non-luvvies in there.
Disappointing. 4/10.
10 Aug 2005 14:26
First visit last night to what I am told is the oldest pub in London (is this true?). Thought it & the pub was alright. Felt sorry for the poor sods who work in the offices in the square who spend all day looking down on the drinkers. Ha ha.
22 Jul 2005 15:44
Well I liked it! Always nice to have a pint of Wallop in a proper tankard. Though I suspect the use of the sawdust was a bit fake and overdone.
6/10
22 Jul 2005 15:41
The Cock and Woolpack, City Of London
A Shspeherd Neame pub 'hidden' in the middle of the City - bliss :-)
Masterbrew was very well kept.
8/10
22 Jul 2005 15:38
Wow! This pub is like the Tardis now. Still the same size on the outside but now HUGE on the inside. 10 (yes T-E-N !!) real ales available - making this the only place you need for a pub crawl!!
Definitely one of the best - if not THE best - pubs in the whole of London.
13 Jul 2005 13:46
The Plough and Sail, Paglesham
Delightful country pub despite being famous (infamous?) for being the one where Jamie Oliver learnt his trade. Guest ale yesterday was Mighty Oak's High & Dry. Lots of parking available and plenty of seating outside plus an aviary. Watch out for the low roofs.
7/10
11 Jul 2005 11:07
The Rampant Horse, Needham Market
Nice little pub just off the high street, conveniently close to the railway station. 1 real ale - the lovely Flowers IPA - available along with the usual choices. Warning: the dishes on the "snack menu" (sic) are huge (and enjoyable)!!
6/10.
11 Jul 2005 11:01
The Princess of Prussia, Tower Hill
Wonderful pub hidden away from the 'tourist trail' Serves the full range of Shepheard Neame beers, either draught or in bottle. Lovely beer garden out the back.
7/10.
17 Jun 2005 09:55
Apparently has been refurbished. Looks exactly the same as before to me.
15 Jun 2005 13:41
Wetherspoon's beer fest - which they claim is the largest in the world; have they not heard of the GBBF at Olympia!! - is now on so a ratehr good selection of beers again. Still getting used to the idea of being able to watch the footy at a place selling good quality beer :-).
11 May 2005 18:07
Excellent pub in the qyaint village of Blackmore.
Restuarant does rather fancy food - good for a special evening etc as quality is very good.
On my last visit, FIVE real ales available plus a real Cider as well as the House ale - great variety!
7/10.
12 Apr 2005 14:20
And still THE place in London for a great pint of Old Peculiar :-)
29 Mar 2005 16:49
I also agree with Tanya - this has improved inredibly since last October. Has wide selection of real ales. Great non-smoking area where you can sit by the window and watch all the nutters go by! 7/10.
29 Mar 2005 16:48
Glorious, glorious, glorious! Remains a magnificent pub with 7 or 8 real ales on. Always worth making a detour for.
29 Mar 2005 16:46
Finally discovered the location of this pub - and it was well worth the wait! Definitely one of the top 10 best pubs in the whole of London!!! Serves excellent and varied range of Cornish beer (Betty Stoggs Bitters was gorgeous) - and food .If you're lucky enough you can sit out on the balcony and enjoy the sunshine & street entertainment (for free ;-) ); and look across at the saddos in the piss-poor Punch & Judy. 8/10
29 Mar 2005 16:44
One of Billericay's better pubs, though by no means the best. Real ales available though choice nothing exceptional.
Would help if owner employed a barmaid on Sunday afternoons to cover the second bar.
6/10.
22 Mar 2005 09:46
The Coach and Horses, Billericay
Still Billericay's best pub for real ale. 2 guest beers on tap. No muzak, no juekebox, no quiz machines, no chavs! Bliss!
And now have discovered the food is EXCELLENT!! A worthy entry in the Camra Good Pub Guide.
8/10.
4 Feb 2005 10:53
Blimey! They've raised the real ale prices to �2.10 a pint :-( . Nice beer though!
28 Jan 2005 13:56
Still an excellent oasis of Real Ale in a desert of lagers and alcopops!! But till not in the Good Beer guide :-( .
3 Dec 2004 17:32
The Angel in the Fields, Bond Street
Great pub, lovely Sam Smiths Sovereign Best Bitter. Food reasonably ok. Certainly worth popping into if in the area.
3 Dec 2004 17:30
An excellent Shepherd Neame pub hidden the far-side of Writtle. Usual, superb selection of Shepherd Neame beers in a wonderful setting both indoors and out. Also does home-made food - will investigate that on my return. 8/10.
24 Nov 2004 14:58
Great little pub hidden away in a side-street away from tourists. :-) 6/10
19 Nov 2004 14:43
What a great pub - good loaction, can stand outside in the dry, and beer served in mugs!! BUT ... what a bland choice of bitters. And if I get a short measure here again, I will ask for it Cask Marque to be removed!!
19 Nov 2004 14:42
Back to Darren_in_the_City's profile
The White Hart Inn, Margaretting Tye
Excellent beers. Excellent food. Excellent service. 'Nuff said.
1 May 2013 10:08