BITE user comments - FrostyJW
Comments by FrostyJW
Wonderful traditional pub, with just about every inch of wall and ceiling covered in paintings, photos, nick-nacks - making it a fascinating place to visit. Small bar area with seating and down narrow stairs to a second room at lower level. Five hand pulls, two serving Adnams - the Broadside was excellent, and service friendly and efficient. Food menu looked good, though did not try any. No TV, no Juke Box no gaming machines - no mobile phones - just a marvellous traditional pub with good beer (though small selection) and great atmosphere. Definately one of my favourite London pubs.
JohnW
Oct 2008
22 Oct 2008 11:38
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, Fleet Street
Amazing interior with lots of little rooms on various levels, steep narrow stairs into the downstairs cellar bars (like a dungeon!) very atmospheric. As much as I like Sam Smiths beers, on my visit (Oct 2008) the beer was not very good, and the food costly and not up to much. Whilst there several complained about the food, taking too long to arrive and cold when it did. Wonderful place, but would not visit again. I guess this has just become a tourist trap, which is a shame. Much better beer and food at Sam Smiths Cittie York in High Holborn.
John W Oct 2008
22 Oct 2008 11:31
Fiesta World Buffet and Bar, Walsall
This is NOT a pub in that sense, more of a club with space for childrens play area serving lagers. NO real ale. Unless that's your scene, then avoid at all costs.
10 Oct 2008 10:14
Great traditional pub close to Borough Tube Station. Excellent Harveys beers (Armada, Sussex Best and Porter are terrific) in simple plain surroundings, but great atmosphere and feel. Plain wooden tables in bar area, and smaller lounge/snug to the rear. Home cooked food which I understand is very good, though not had it myself.
One of my favourite pubs in London, simple & plain, but great beers (and why on earth would you want to drink Glosch or a lager in a Harveys pub for goodness sake??!!) Landlord always happy to chat and make you feel welcome. I always visit the Royal Oak on any visit to London!
10 Oct 2008 10:07
Very attractive medieval building, with cosy but small bar, serving at least 3 real ales on hand pull, usually from local brewers - Sharps or Summerskills for example. Beers always in good condition, though a little pricey, and often the pub so busy you can hardly get in, with the bar being small. Great character and atmosphere, especially if during the quieter months - and as some else commented, the steep narrow wooden stairs up to the toilets/ dining rooms can present a challenge!! Very popular with tourists, so during summer months you may have difficulty in even getting in! Highly recommended.
10 Oct 2008 09:58
Attractive pub short walk from Warwick Castle. Cosy interior with several smaller rooms in traditional style with several beers on hand pull and the usual lagers. We had Adnams Broadside and it was in good condition. The food menu was excellent and what we had was good, and reasonable price. Beer was a bit pricey, but not surprising being a "tourist" town. Recommended for those visiting Warwick and needing a pint in pleasant atmosphere and surroundings and wanting something to eat!
10 Oct 2008 09:49
This was a great pub years ago with fantastic food and great beer selection run by a guy who knew just how to please his customers. When he left (about 3 years ago) it rapidly went down hill, and the regular customers left.
in late 2007 a new boss (ex barman Matt of the Vic/Katz) went in and it improved considerably, but he has now moved on after the owners decided to change the interior.
Have heard mixed reports since, but non especially encouraging, though have yet to visit again, but maybe I should just to see !
9 Oct 2008 12:27
Favourite Walsall Pub for me! Bar within hotel complex, serving good real ale in homely (though often busy) atmosphere. Central bar area with seating in the bay windows and around the room, and also outside patio in fine weather and for smokers, and a second outside seating area at the rear.
Five hand pulls, serving Lyndon House own Bitter, Theakstones Mild, Courage Directors and two other beers, one an every changing Guest ale. Directors is always excellent, as are all the beers, never had a bad pint in here. Reasonable prices, and excellent value food and sandwiches served mid-day, with generous portions.
Cosy atmosphere with roaring log fire in winter months make this a popular and pleasant place for a beer and chat - and maybe lunch too.
9 Oct 2008 12:16
The Great Western, Wolverhampton
One of my all time favourite pubs! Fantastic beers, good value food and great atmosphere.
Good selection of beers with the fantastic Holdens Black Country Special, their Bitter and Mild, and Bathams Bitter too. Usual lagers and Guiness also available.
Great value food served lunchtimes, and can be very busy - as well known in area for the food and beer.
Central bar area (no sitting at the bar - wish other pubs would do the same!) plenty of seating in bar area and small room behind, then larger seating area to the back and a conservatory at rear.
Walls covered with Great Western Railway memorabilia giving the place a great character, which is enhanced by the locals themselves! Service is usually speedy and efficient.
Just a short walk from Wolverhampton Railway Station under railway track from car park then turn RIGHT at end of underpass and walk forward.
Highly recommended.
9 Oct 2008 12:08
One of my nearest local pubs. Typical styled Ember Inn chain, with pleasant interior in L shaped room, and outside patio front and back for use in fine weather, and for smokers with undercover areas.
Five hand pulls, serving M&B Bitter, Deuchars IPA, Marstons Pedigree and two other beers, one ever changing guest beer. Reasonable prices, and the beers are usually on good form, though as normal Pedigree can be hit or miss!
Good food menu at fair prices for location.
Mid-day tends to be busy with more mature local folk having meals, evenings can be busy with younger crowd making it more noisy, especially Saturday evenings, but you can usually find a seat. Then its often a younger crowd drinking the pretend lagers and Magners "Irish" cider - Hah!
Ember Inns Beer Festival once a year, which usually has good selection of guest ales (as with the Crown on Walsall Road) and worth visiting.
My favourite local pub, because its not usually too noisy (except some Saturdays!) and decent beers at sensible prices. Important football matches are often shown on large screen TV in the section facing the main road, but the rear section thankfully remains TV free.
9 Oct 2008 11:57
Over priced designer bar for teenagers and posers who are prepared to pay silly prices just to be seen! No real ale, lagers only, and if you happy to pay �4 for a pint of Italian Peroni, then its probably fine for you, but not for me!
It may be a 'posh' smart and modern interior with outside seating, and loud music, but its not a pub.
Not recommended for those looking for a decent pint of beer, go down the road to the Half Way House....some proper beer and sensible prices.
9 Oct 2008 11:44
Probably the largest range of real ales in any pub in Birmingham central area. I use this bar about once a week and always enjoy my visit - though it can be VERY busy lunchtimes and early evenings, with local office staff, and thus standing room only. Fifteen hand pulls serving wide range of ever changing guest ales, with four regulars - Wye Valley HPA, Black Country Ales Pig on the Wall and Fireside Bitter. Two German lagers (Ventins and Bitburger, and also the excellent Maisels Hefe Weiss) though costly. Good selection of bottled beers from Belgium and Germany too.
Always happy to try a new guest ale, though it can be pop luck as whether its sometime I like or not, but never had a "bad" beer. It is getting a bit pricey with most beers being �2.70 or more a pint. (Oct 2008)
Drawbacks...its not really a pub atmosphere, being more like an office space with seating, though rear entrance has standing room for smokers! To many customers insist of sitting on bar stools at the bar, making getting being served tricky at times (wish the boss would have a space reserved for those wanting to be served!) Service is usually good, though can be a bit sullen at times!!
You can take your own food, with plates and cutlery provided.
Plenty of publicity about local beer Festivals and Camra Newsletters etc.
Monthly Pub Quiz night is popular on Sunday nights if you into that sort of thing.
My favourite city centre pub, though does not have the cosy atmosphere of a pub pub !
9 Oct 2008 11:38
The Star Tavern, Belgravia
Marvellous traditional pub in up market area. Attractive outside and in, comfortable surroundings (though smaller inside than I expected) Historic background with details on the walls. Excellent service, and great Fullers Beers - though a bit pricey - but only to be expected in this area. Food menu looked good though not cheap. Well worth a visit.
JohnW
Oct 2008
22 Oct 2008 11:42