BITE user comments - The_Man_From_Soil
Comments by The_Man_From_Soil
Interesting Victorian pub with very welcoming staff. Only tried one pint (Late Red), but well kept, so no complaints there. Could happilly spnd more time here
1 Mar 2010 11:02
I had high hopes of this pub, sadly whilst the welcome and the atmopshere were fine, the beer was poor - perhaps we visited on an off day?
1 Mar 2010 11:00
By some margin the best pub on our all day crawl around Faversham. Shep's well kept, super bar staff made us most welcome as did the locals. Regretted leaving to walk all the way to the other end of town to a disappointing pint in the Elephnt - should have stayed here.
1 Mar 2010 10:59
A bit nervous to be invited to lunch here after reading the reviews below, but, it was fine - friendly staff, standard Shep's range of beers, all in all a very pleasant, if not exceptional, experience. Would I go back? Not to make a special trip but no where near as bad as others have reported (and I'm fussy!)
1 Mar 2010 10:55
As toss up between the Brewers and the Gardeners as the best pub in Lewes. Both very different in style, yet according to your mood, both equally satisfying. (Please note these comments apply to the front bar only). On a Sunday night a pint here can be an uplifting experience, avoid on a Friday night when all the teachers from the Grammer School nearby are baying at full volume - not nice!
22 Feb 2010 14:00
harvey's really should give up on this one. In the last two months two landlords, the first could'nt be bothered to open on a Saturday night and the current one pulled me the worst pint of vinegar like beer (Hadlow) I have been unfortunate enough to taste in years (and had no idea or understanding whatsoever that it was seriously off). Only a matter of time before this is housing! (And on my last three visits, not a moment too soon)
22 Feb 2010 13:57
In a twon which is home to what must be some of the worst pubs on earth, the Robin Hood shines out - well worth the five minute walk from the high street. Well kept Fuller's beers, great staff and very friendly locals. Always a pleasure to visit.
22 Feb 2010 13:54
So close to greatness it hurts - often very busy, beer very good, but why can't they ever serve a pint which is actually full and what's with the competition to hire the most miserable bar staff in Soho? (A competition the Dog and Duck is close to winning). The management should visit the Harp in Chandros Plcae to see how good a very busy pub can be.
22 Feb 2010 13:51
The Gardeners has improved lately (see comments below), I visit two or three times a week and have never found any of the staff to be anything other than very friendly. Plus at last, they have turned the music down to a sensible level. The beer though remains as varied and well kept as ever, a truly delighful, drinkers pub - no pretensions, food or screaming kids - bliss!
22 Feb 2010 13:48
Busy as ever last Friday night, but as usual you are served very quickly by charming staff and the quality of the beer (especially the Hophead) was simply beyond reproach. Only time for 3 before we left for dinner, I would hapilly have forgone the food and stayed here all night. Without doubt one of the finest real-ale pubs in London
22 Feb 2010 13:39
The Wych Elm, Kingston Upon Thames
Taken to lunch on Saturday - this pub is made by its landlord - limited selection of (well kept) beers, but the landlord and his wife (who I understand have been there for many years) were amoungst the most welcoming hosts I have encountered in some time. Would be happy to go back and if I was local would definately be a regular.
22 Feb 2010 13:36
The Snowdrop has just reopened after a major refurbishment. The interior is very well done in a �narrow boat� style reflecting the building�s original use as a bargeman�s house. Harveys and Dark Star Hophead were on of which the latter was superbly kept.
The landlord seemed a pretty decent chap, but the whole thing was spoilt by the same old loud music problem � I don�t want to listen to your I-pod so loudly I can�t have a conversation, so I finished my pint and left � a real shame as I would have liked another. I wish the Snowdrop well, but until I can have a quiet pint there, I won�t be going back.
30 Sep 2009 08:06
Did not expect the Nelson to be good, turned out to be the best pub in my visit, super well kept Adnams (Bitter, Broadside, Explorer and Regatta), friendly staff, lively locals � at last a pub in Islington-on-sea which is not full of nonces sipping overpriced piss-poor beer.
25 Sep 2009 18:53
Quite how this place gets a 8.2 rating is beyond me, the place was filthy, poor Adnams, full of horrible screaming kids � avoid - go to the Lord Nelson instead.
25 Sep 2009 18:50
The surly barman pulled me a pint of Regatta which was the consistency of soup and smelt horrible, then seemed to think I should be grateful? Not exactly impressive and a shame, could be a good pub
25 Sep 2009 18:48
I did not believe it when I read the review below that Adnams is �4 a pint here, well it is but that was a bargain compared with the wine prices (by the glass), �11.50 for a glass of St Emillion which must have been opened a week ago? I must be the wrong market, Islington-On-Sea this truly is. Adnams need to get their act together in their home town � you get the impression that they own everything and just don�t care.
25 Sep 2009 18:45
The Gardeners seems to be suffering from the same problem which is afflicting the Evening Star in Brighton. Unless Peter is on then the music is so loud you can't have a conversation - why ruin a decent pub with music so loud your customers have to shout?
6 Jul 2009 15:07
The Star is going downhill. The beer is as fantastic as ever, but on my last 3 visits the music has been so loud you have to literally shout to have a conversation.
I love the Star, but its a pub, not a teenage disco, I'll give it one more go, but if it stays this loud, then it will be the last.
6 Jul 2009 15:05
Promising from the outside, not a bad pint of Hophead, but...
.. Simply terrible food and service, not allowed to drink unless you are seated), staff confused, very polite e-mail of complaint at 11 of us being served cold (and I do mean cold) food on a Saturday night went completely ignored.
A classic case of trading on reputation, there are far better places to eat (and drink) in Brighton
6 Jul 2009 15:03
Found this pub almost by accident - popped in late on a Friday afternoon - WOW! I can only echo what others have said, a wide selection of perfectly kept ales served by friendly staff in suroundings which reminded me of my local some 400 miles away (Gardeners Arms, Lewes). The couple next to us were about to sip their beer when the landlord came over, apologised to them as said their glassess were not full enough (They looked fine to me and them), he topped them up and brought them back - what a stellar bloke.
I will always make a point of visiting Kays when in Edinburgh - a true gem in a city full of fine pubs
14 Apr 2009 09:15
Simply the best in Lewes, always an intersting mix of people, fantastic guest ales, almost impossible to walk past (which I have to do most days!)
22 May 2008 12:16
Wonder why your pub is empty at lunchtime? Maybe its the miserable, rube barman listening to loud rap music. I joined the other (very few) customers outside for a pint then went to the Lewes Arms. I can't think what posessed me to suggest the Lamb in the first place!
22 May 2008 12:14
The Cafe Royal has just reopened after a subtle refurbishment, all the best bits are the same but the big news is the toilets are now a work of art. Chatting to the manager she told me they had to spend �50k to sort them out including diverting a sewer pipe!
Otherwise the Royal is as good as ever, I enjoyed an excellent well kept IPA and she who must be obeyed and me shared a very well prepared, fresh club sandwhich. This old Edinburgh institution is now better than ever and remains a pub everyone should visit at least once.
2 May 2008 08:17
Super, friendly pub with excellent staff, good beer and great food. The directors of Harveys can often be found eating and drinking there!
22 Nov 2007 18:04
Ignore the luddites! Its still a great pub with one of the best landlords in Sussex!
1 Sep 2007 17:01
Back to The_Man_From_Soil's profile
The Snowdrop, Lewes
Following a re-visit to the Snowdrop, I've changed my mind. The music is now at a much better level and both Dark Star Pale Ale and Hophead were on fine form. Add to this decent food, some rather god live music (again at a sensible volume), very good frindly staff to boot and the Snowdrop is actually rather good.
Well worth the short walk to the end of South Street, I will be going back soon!
9 Mar 2010 11:55