BITE user comments - TheHofBear
Comments by TheHofBear
Lodged nearby a few weeks ago and this became our temporary local for the weekend. Their own brews Raven & Raven Gold, Box Steam Funnel Blower porter, RCH Steam and a now-forgotten beer from the DBC stable were all delicious, with decent platters and Pieminister pies to eat and a lively mix of punters. Barman burned his arm on a hot plate, so I offered him a half to help numb the pain, such was my contentment with the surroundings. The kind of place you could sit in all day.
15 Mar 2011 18:55
Visited Bath at end of January and popped into the Star, packed on a Thursday night. Unspoilt, traditionally laid-out pub with two main rooms but other nooks and crannies in which to sit - if you're lucky - stand, or lean. It's something special because even when it's standing room only, you're glad you're in there. Was offered nibbles from a cheese platter on bar while pints were poured. Think we had an Abbey Bellringer and possibly Bath Star, but missed out on the Bass this time. Perching on the pew by the door might require you to look after other drinkers' vestments at busy times, but you shouldn't mind, as an hour or so in the Star can be a quasi-religious experience for any drinker jaded by the majority of places trading as 'pubs' today. Splendid.
15 Mar 2011 13:54
The pocket of Cambridge in which you'll find the Elm Tree seems almost obscenely well-served by good pubs - from the doorway of one, there are another two only yards apart, in plain sight, with a couple more only short strolls away. After a day traipsing around town, such a chance encounter was like manna from heaven. The choice of TV sport (in the Cricketers, opposite) or a satellite & mobile-free pint (in the Elm Tree) seems a real luxury for a Sunday afternoon pub-goer, but that's the minimum on offer in this neighbourhood. The drink was pretty good too - James Fellows' Legacy, a tasty porter (forgotten the name!) and Nethergate Mild. Plus helpful staff offering tasters of the ales, dozens of Belgian bottled beers, a selection of board games and eccentric locals. Great place.
15 Mar 2011 12:33
Can anyone remember when it became the Perseverance? I have a hazy recollection of it having a different name the first time I went for a drink in the area (8 or 9 years ago). Have since found its name used to be the Finnegan's Wake and before that, pre-1995, it was the Sun (verification would be appreciated!).
Had decent meals there a few years ago, but the downstairs was always too busy to get a pint in first!
Totally agree that there are more than enough great pubs nearby to not bother with it now, but I echo Redriley and Martini in wishing it more resembled its 'Sun' incarnation. I wish I'd been there then to try it out!
29 May 2009 17:18
Tried the Brick Kiln Bitter, in from Frilsham's Pot Kiln. Was a nice drop. Cellar was being refurbished, so beer was drawn right next to the bar.
Visit brought back memories!
16 Apr 2009 13:44
The Cherry Tree Inn, Stoke Row
Good food and a nice pint of Oxford Gold. For weekend lunchtimes, it has more of a 'restaurant-with-a-bar-attached' feel, but still a few locals tucking into a midday pint on our visit. Popular with walkers too.
16 Apr 2009 13:27
The Knights Templar, Chancery Lane
Tried this place last night for first time. Big open room, unsurprisingly given their previous incarnations, like the Old Bank of England round the corner, with cosy mezzanine nooks at one end. A fairly normal mix of punters inside - post-work crowd and some real ale sessioners in there for the JDW international beer fest. Tried a few beers - Itchen Valley's 1644 Battle of Cheriton, Theakston's Cooper's Butt, Cottage's Golden Arrow, GK Gosnold's Glory and another that I can't recall. All of them in pretty good nick - could have happily had more of each. I expect to return before the end of the festival.
16 Apr 2009 13:21
The Old Red Lion, Great Brickhill
Pleasant, popular pub. Tried the Tring Phantom Fiddler - very nice - but can't remember the other ales on. Good food and great view out the back.
27 Oct 2008 11:54
Far From the Madding Crowd, Oxford
After reading BITE reviews, decided to try it out one Saturday afternoon (26th April) in favour of the famous old stagers in the area. Was quiet - 6 or 8 punters - but pleasantly so: quite a haven from the crowds outside.
On first sight, a good range of ales on show, a geographically/ stylistically varied selection reminiscent of the Edgar Wallace, which augured well.
Tried a pint of Battledown What He's Having - nose was sharply overpowering and first sip had a distinctly acrid aftertaste. Another couple of sips were all I could muster, but the barman happily swapped it for a new pint, this time of Grindleton LPA, which unfortunately suffered from a similar problem. Managed two sips of that.
Food menu looked fine, but decided to go and eat at another establishment. Barman was apologetic at least. Will re-assess on next visit to Oxford, but was extremely disappointed that 2 of 6 ales were undrinkable. Come to think of it, the few other punters were on lagers or Guinness if I remember rightly.
Just hope this was a blip, as otherwise it made for a welcome retreat.
11 May 2008 00:10
Popped in with Mrs HofBear for a nightcap during recent visit to Brizzle, as was staying nearby. Glad we did - a real step back in time. Reminded me of old Coronation St clips of Ena Sharples in the Rover's Return, though far cosier. Clientele was predominantly 'mature' and 50-50 male-female split - a good sign. Seemed like a true local, where in the 'Cheers' tradition, everybody knew your name (except ours!). Seats at a premium, but was directed by friendly ladies on their way out to their vacated seats in the snug, so enjoyed some excellent Doom Bar and the splendid decor in comfort (6X & Sharp's IPA on too). Hope to return as part of a Redcliffe crawl on a future visit out west.
13 Jan 2008 22:40
Ye Olde Watling, Mansion House
Nice pint of Harvey's Sussex Best (Broadside & Black Sheep were also on, among others) and smiling bar staff. Busy bar area but secluded back room was a cosy retreat from the cold (radiator was on full blast). Would revisit.
1 Nov 2007 10:49
Not sure if you can look around the cellar by just turning up and asking. Maybe best to phone first. It was Halloween and our guide might have checked beforehand himself. Good luck though - it's pretty creepy down there among the barrels and boxes of KP nuts.
6 Dec 2006 13:32
Good food on Sundays (which is the only time I can comment on), but avoid anything on the menu that screams 'deep-fried' or even simply 'fried' - the chef takes no prisoners. I can't even remember what I had to drink now, which makes for a pretty useless post. Maybe a Guinness, and perhaps a Deuchars, but nothing I had was below par. A busy place in even vaguely clement weather, but the staff exhibit little grace under pressure when it fills up and they need to pay more attention to the lavs which have been the epitome of rankness. Seems that the hygiene threshold of the rugger bugger regulars must be rather lower than mine, a view reinforced by the charming conversation about competitive puking which I felt privileged to overhear.
These obnoxious types aside, the C&B ticks the boxes in most areas.
28 Nov 2006 14:05
Went here for a friend's leaving party. Had enjoyable time (due to the company) but the furnishings seemed a bit identikit and the bar staff were rather slow (in every sense) and tended to be too cool to put on a friendly face. Tried the Deuchars, which was OK, but my main gripe was their supposedly good idea/policy of showing films on a big projector screen that happened to be above our table. Strange decision for a business where the raison d'etre (besides drink) should be fostering human interaction & conversation. Moreover, having subtitles must have been a conscious decision to allow for pounding dance bilge to fill the air instead. And worst of all, the actual film being shown was, wait for it, 'Love, Honour & Obey'- not a film ever worth anyone's attention to start with. I still can't quite believe that my drinking enjoyment was overshadowed by scenes such as Pertwee, Ifans et al shooting a bloke in a cartoon rabbit suit. We asked a barman if they'd mind turning off such unpleasantness, but he looked at us incredulously. Maybe it's to keep the staff entertained, hence their reticence in actually serving drinks... I choose to go to pubs to drink and socialize, and to the cinema to watch films, as most other people would, I'd imagine. Except those running the Yorkshire Grey, evidently.
17 Nov 2006 14:18
Always justifiably packed when I've been there. Stupendous range of beers, whether you're go for the fruity brews or not - if you're with anyone who says they can't find anything they like the sound of, you're better off politely asking them to leave and find themselves the nearest All Bar One while you sit back and enjoy Belgium's finest.
Surpasses its Broadway Market big brother in many ways now, service being most obvious one - friendly yet brisk (not brusque). Food I've had has been decent too, thought they ran out of mushy peas on my last visit, so the fish & chips came with salad - yes, salad - instead. The thought was there, but that's just plain wrong. Otherwise, the Dovetail's a winner.
8 Nov 2006 14:08
The Jerusalem Tavern, Clerkenwell
Tried 3 bottled beers last night - Ruby Red, Lemon & Ginger, then Grapefruit to finish, as only cider remained on tap. All a good sup. Does get packed early on, but wait until post-work crush and you'll be rewarded (although the choice of beer diminishes). Good place to spend an evening, whatever you choose to get down your neck.
1 Nov 2006 14:34
Stopped here yesterday during a Hallowe'en ghost walk. Pleasingly ornate interior retained from its gin palace days, with red copper ceiling and the 16 hanging judges of the debtors' prison depicted round the walls. Anyway, I digress - had a decent pint of Red Fox and staff were all friendly. We were treated to a tour of the haunted cellar, which incorporates 5 cells from when the site housed Newgate Prison. Scary stuff. Manageress/landlady was very knowledgeable and charming. Counts for a lot, as I'm sure I'll be in for a pint when I'm next in the area.
1 Nov 2006 14:22
Recently stopped here on a Tuesday night for Clivey Boy's quiz for first time in about a year. Rather dismayed at the Changing Rooms makeover, removing any character that remained within. Thankfully, those in charge have some vestige of sense left - the quiz and Clivey Boy (and a few familiar teams) march on, despite the unnecessary P&P-ing that has swept throught the Tun. Clive's quiz and a Waggledance or two are the only things that'll bring me back here.
20 Oct 2006 13:50
Not been in for a while, but a definite gem if it's not changed radically over the last year or so since I last drank here. Even enjoying a standing pint outside, you feel well away from the hordes, so hidden is the place.
Now having been reminded of its existence from its addition to BITE, I've promised myself another visit soon. You should do the same!
21 Aug 2006 18:32
Spacious and comfortable (and an oasis in a desert of early-closing/not-even-open pubs at weekends). Nice ceiling, but they missed a bit just in the corner - tsk, what a bunch of cowboys...
Sam Smith's does the trick for me, so it's a thumbs-up all round for the Princess Louise. Cheap beer does, understandably, turn it into a sardine tin post-work, though.
9 May 2006 14:27
Sadly, the British Tapas for which the Edgar was noted are no more. A new menu (which looks decent enough) will be up and running within the next week or two, according to Shane the landlord. It seems that the idea of fish finger sandwiches, black pudding & bubble'n'squeak stack, etc. garnered praise from punters, but this didn't translate into enough sales, hence the enforced menu change.
Hopefully the real ale selection will stay as eclectic and inspired as I'm used to it being. Can't wait for their next beer festival - a World Cup-themed one maybe?
25 Apr 2006 12:14
Stopped off here for Saturday night last orders while visiting friends in Bristol and was quite envious of the fact that it's their local. An atmospheric, spacious, friendly place where every punter seemed to be having a good time. Think I had a pint or two of Barnstormer, but can't be sure, but I do recall that it was a very fine drop of ale, indeed...
18 Apr 2006 14:20
The King and Keys, Fleet Street
Boss Hog, you'd lose that bet, I'm afraid. My recent visit was on the pretext of checking that the pub would be decent enough to stop off at for a pub crawl. In the end, we didn't manage to fit it in on the night (too many pubs & not enough time), but nothing about about the place actively put me off. A shame that other peoples' experiences seem to have been worse than mine, but I can only see as I find, hence I'll definitely pop in again if I'm heading that way. Landlord and staff, please don't prove me wrong!
10 Apr 2006 10:32
I like the Edgar Wallace a lot - excellent range of ales and top notch food (bubble & squeak/black pudding stack matched with a pint of Old Growler is ambrosia indeed.
Friendly staff and less of an irritating crowd than in the wine bars nearby.
Agree that it's difficult to leave once you're sat down - a quick half turned into a whole evening session recently.
Do give it a try (but not too many of you, please - I want to be able to get to the bar myself)
5 Apr 2006 11:13
The King and Keys, Fleet Street
I was also a bit disappointed with there only being 1 out of the 3 guest ales being available when I popped in (it wasn't particularly late in the day), that being Timothy Taylor Landlord, which although a pleasant drop when well kept, seems to be the default guest ale of many places that it's almost a cliche.
To its credit, though the pub isn't huge, and the narrow layout can give a cramped feeling when busy, the crowd in there seems relaxed and varied enough to create a friendly atmosphere, and the staff at least smile and engage with us punters when they serve you (I find that smiling and looking bar staff in the eye when ordering tends to encourage this kind of response - they are human too).
All in all, a decent enough place to stop at, and the quiz and curry evening sounds good fun. I think I'll go back there.
5 Apr 2006 11:01
The Coeur de Lion, Bath
Had a quick lunchtime pint here, having learnt about its existence in the Star the previous night (both being Abbey Ales-tied). Even with a half-dozen regulars in at 3pm or so, it seemed busy, but bagged the last remaining table for a decent Bellringer and a Mild, if my memory serves. Tiny bar in a tiny room - brought to mind the King's Head in Bristol. Rugby schmutter over the walls, a headache-inducing carpet (I seem to recall), and pretty stained glass frontage. Worth a visit.
16 Mar 2011 13:36