BITE user comments - Mike_D
Comments by Mike_D
The Mad Bishop and Bear, Paddington
Surprisingly not shit for a station pub (like the Head of Steam before it, over Euston way). Decent selection of beers, but the food is generally pretty rough. Zero atmosphere, but worth a visit if you've 20 minutes before departure.
16 Mar 2008 11:48
My favourite Paddington-area pub, if only for the dart board and the reasonable bar prices. It's nothing amazing, mind - simple as. Decent for a post-work pint before heading homewards.
16 Mar 2008 11:47
Undeniably the bet of the three key Tulse Hill boozers, if only because it lacks the stickiness and slight air of prickliness that blights the White Hart and the faded decor of the Tavern. The beer's generally okay, although I don't recall ever having an ale in here (the Tavern trumps in this respect), and a weekly pub quiz is generally recommended. The food's not too bank-breaking, and it must be one of so very few pubs that serves halfway decent pizza, if for some odd reason that's what you're after. Plus it's right next to the station - miss your train, you've 30 minutes to wait. Might as well bless that wait with a pint.
16 Mar 2008 11:44
This place used to be a decent boozer.
Its reinventing of itself as a halfway house 'tween a restaurant - the prices are way too high for even a gastro pub - and a pub leaves it succeeding on neither count.
What a waste. I shall not be visiting again.
12 Jun 2006 16:33
The recent revamp's done this place a world of good, and they've lept the pool tables (even if they are �1.40 a pop).
Food service has improved a great deal, although the menu is still basic, a la 90% of pubs around Kensington.
2 May 2006 16:19
Do keep an eye on your belongings - my girlfriend had two cameras stolen from here, and other friends have also suffered thefts. That aside, though, this is an average boozer with some decent ales on tap. None are kept amazingly well, but trial and error produces a winner. It's a T&J place so you know what to expect decor-wise, but for a single big room, it retains a semblance of atmosphere not too out of touch with a smaller, more intimate place.
To be fair, it's probably the best pub in the area, i.e. just off Notting Hill Gate. The Windsor Castle and Churchill are much better, but a wee walk away.
19 Apr 2006 10:38
The Fettler and Firkin, Paddington
Decent, rarely crowded boozer (even when the football's on in my experience), selling a well-kept pride (and Directors, I think) for under �2.50. Food's okay - cheap and cheerful - and the bar staff are pleasant. A few tourists make their way in from the surrounding hotels but are generally quiet and keep to themselves. Other than that, the clientele is regular Johns, those that've finished work and fancy a pint. Simple, sweet, recommended.
19 Apr 2006 10:33
Used to frequent this place a fair bit, not always for a live band. Good atmosphere, and the not-so-recent refurb opened the upstairs, too.
12 Apr 2006 15:49
Dating from the 18th century (when it was a coaching inn), this is Fair Oak's standout pub (although The Fox & Hounds is also worth a look). Nothing special to look at, it nevertheless has a decent atmosphere and at least a pair of ales on. Pride's a given, and last I was in there they had Bombardier on. It's essentially split, with two bars - one with TVs and seating, the other with one screen and a pool table. The landlord has a couple of big but friendly dogs. The only real downer is that it can get very smoky inside, during the winter. For the summer there's something of a beer garden, although it's basically a bit of decking in the car park...
12 Apr 2006 15:46
This is the only pub in Eastleigh that's actually WORSE than Lucky Jims. No critical prose can ever do its awfulness justice.
12 Apr 2006 15:42
This 'pub' is awful. Eastleigh's hardly spilling over with quality boozers, but this is perhaps one of the worst. Shit beer, shitter atmosphere. Yuck. Avoid.
12 Apr 2006 15:41
The Prince of Wales, Kensington
Decent ale selection. Not a session boozer, but suitable for two after-work pints. Food is okay. Is currently undergoing some sort of refurbishment... perhaps it's already re-opened, actually.
12 Apr 2006 15:40
The ale is always bad. Always. Their cellar must be like the tropics...
12 Apr 2006 15:38
The Faltering Fullback, Finsbury Park
Far and away the best pub in Finsbury Park - the nearest place that can hold a torch to it is probably the Harringay Arms on Crouch Hill. There's always a fine pint of Pride on, decent Guinness and the Thai food is good too. It has a nice spread of different-sized rooms, so many a taste is catered for, plus shows a lot of football and has a beer garden.
So yeah, go.
12 Apr 2006 12:59
White Lion Of Mortimer, Finsbury Park
I actually had a half-decent roast in here once, although my opinion of it may be based wholly on the fact that the till wasn't working, so we got two meals for about a fiver.
That's one of the two times I've been in... or three, maybe. Anyway, it's a stinker. Why go here when the Fullback's over the road?
12 Apr 2006 12:57
The Harringay Arms, Crouch End
I like this pub. Lots. Don't go in as often as I should as it's the other end of Crouch End and I'm a lazy bugger, but a good time is always had when the effort's made.
7 Apr 2006 13:44
This is my local, and sadly I don't get to visit it enough.
It does an average ale, but bitter drinkers are advised to avoid the Abbotts. Something about it in here isn't right. They did have Ruddles on a while back though, which was decent enough (Smoothflow though it was).
I always enjoy my time there, all the same: it has a great, relaxed atmosphere, and even if I'm away for a few months I never feel unwelcome when I step back in. Although it is a locals-only kind of affair, newcomers needn't fear a frosty reception a la so many other similar establishments. So far as pubs in and around Crouch End go, I reckon this is up there with the Haringey Arms.
6 Apr 2006 16:47
Gloucester Arms, Knightsbridge
I can only agree with both Boony and his friend Marc, although the Guinness is that much sweeter when they're paying for it.
This pub needs a dartboard.
6 Apr 2006 16:44
The Fountains Abbey, Paddington
Decent ale selection, and the upstairs is ideal for football. But the bar can become very crowded at peak times - prepare to wait ten minutes to get served. The menu has recently been changed, exchanging value for the same homogenized choice available at the Dickens, etc. So-so on eats, then, but time your arrival and you'll be alright here.
16 Mar 2008 11:50