The Harvest Moon, Thorley

Hmmm.... it has been a while since I visited so this may be dated. It was alright, a really nice pub, full of character with an exposed locals snug, the food was actually quite good and the service was... acceptable I am usually quite positive about GK pubs (They serve Abbot!) However this one was big, busy and lacking in atmosphere, which I found sadly lacking. The garden was a little wet on my visit, I was (In all honesty) a little damp and the fire was not roaring (WHY NOT IN DECEMBER?????) The Abbot was good and it did what I hoped but I left wanting more.... but sadly, maybe not from here. I probably will return but I am not sure when as I do not live locally and did not get the chance subsequently. I will have to be honest though and say this visit occurred December 2012 so many things may have changed and I hope for the better.(5 then!)

4 Nov 2014 21:37

Kings Arms Hogshead, Colchester

One thing to add.... it is not a Hogshead... where did that come from? Confused!

4 Nov 2014 21:27

Kings Arms Hogshead, Colchester

Now this is in my new local area, so I thought I better pop in and see what the fuss is about... I liked it. It gave the impression of being huge... it wasn't! The garden though made up for it, it was brimming with people, under two tent like structures, there was some flaming heaters under the tents and there was a great little barn structure to the left with more traditional bar type heating. Up the back (I did not visit) was a garden bar - it was just opening and it must be very helpful after the mass of customers that had filled the business since I arrived. I did not eat on this occasion as it looked busy but I may in the future as there was some interesting things on the menu that just demand a try "monkey fingers???"

I had an Abbot Ale (Surprise!!) it was actually very good and the bar man was happy to give out a few tasters of the others even once I had bought the Abbot... now that is service!!! He told me about the cellar and plans for the future and to be honest... It sounds good there, well planned, run and frequented.

I will pop back during a less busy occasion and let you know how I got on, all in all though, not bad at all. Not sure if I am up for Halloween though... might just pack myself up in bed and ride out the incoming storm on that one.. maybe with a tin of Abbot?

4 Nov 2014 21:26

The Rose and Crown, Woodford Green

I visited this pub recently... last week before reading this site. I decided to have a look online subsequent to my visit and well... the last review...really did not cut it for me... so I posted my own. It remains only my view but I certainly did not feel the need to describe anything I saw so graphically as the seemingly uninformed user who visited twice in two years and commented on nowhere else ;-) . So I will elaborate and give hopefully a more insightful point of view.

The bar staff I met were polite and helpful, the drink (Abbot Ale) was very good, the food was exactly what I paid for and enjoyable and the venue was.... a modern version of a traditional pub, in fact I quite liked it. It was brighter than I may like a pub to be but it was clean, the toilets (contrary to the previous statement) were VERY nice, clean and without the ubiquitous pub pong! There was a reasonable selection of ales, I would have liked a few more from outside the Greene King Estate but the Ale I had (Twice if I am honest) was most palatable. Unlike the previous, I did not make it to the garden and stayed in the lower bar area, it had comfortable seats and conversation with the locals was nice and I liked it enough to come back and see them again if I was in the area... unfortunately I rarely am and so am unlikely to visit this friendly and appealing pub in the future. One thing though, the newspapers on the lower bar were yesterday's news - keep on the special touches chaps, I like them but they need to be consistent!

4 Nov 2014 21:14

The White Lion, Sawbridgeworth

I was just reading the reviews for this pub and most seem to reflect my previous visits quite well (even down to the changes over the years!). My last visit was Christmas 2011 (just like the previous reviewer) but I can firmly say that my visit was excellent. I will repeat that because it does not happen often it �was excellent". The staff had lain what was one of the best Christmas tables I have ever seen, the fires were roaring and the atmosphere was truly memorable. We were a group of sixteen people who were all seated together on the same table (a tall task in a small pub). The table was complete with pristine black tablecloth, silver candelabra, candles and good quality crackers and cutlery. The food offer was well priced, traditional and very well prepared. It seemed to be no problem for the staff to alter a meal selection for one of our less-easy-to-please friends and the result was that we stayed all night and left only because the business was closing. I will happily concede that often it is the company that makes a night go well but on this occasion it was the venue, the service, the food, the drink and the staff that made a good night, great. I cannot give it a 10/10 because that would leave me nowhere to go when I have my expectations exceeded again but 8/10 is deserved. They left a reasonably old man, very happy, and some younger family members happier still. I would happily recommend this business to those who live locally or are just passing through but whichever you fall into, don't miss out on what you expect but rarely get these days. Well done White Lion, I will see you again soon!

12 Feb 2012 19:02