BITE user comments - ThirstyDrinker
Comments by ThirstyDrinker
I went there recently for a frankly unimpressive Sunday lunch: the food was 'formulaic', bland and served in an uninspired way. Our part of the pub was shared with a family with bratty young kids and a dog that repeatedly sniffed round me in a quite offputting way as I was eating. There was hardly anyone in, either. What a shame as the building and location is fabulous. If you want a Sunday lunch, go to one of St Albans' many other superb pubs. Cheers.
20 Jan 2013 18:21
I headed here earlier this week to watch England vs France in Euro 2012. Upon entering the pub (which had its big-screen all ready, St George's Cross bunting out, etc) about 45 mins pre-kick off I asked why the TVs were all showing Sky Sports News with the sound on mute and why they weren't showing BBC1 (which was broadcasting the game - the pre-match analysis was already well underway) and turn on/up the volume. After all, there were loads of England fans already in the pub and no-one wanted to watch Sky Sports News (on mute). The bargirl (who seemed eastern European) didn't understand my request - indeed the poor belle barely seemed to speak any English. After repeating my question three times she asked the manager, who said 'I'll maybe switch to the BBC in 10 mins'. Extraordinary - especially given the pub was championing its screening of the match! When the manager finally switched channels there was a loud cheer from the amassed hordes - an ironic cheer, at least partly. In positive, the lager (Carlsberg) was chilledand there were loads of staff on. In summary, two tips: 1) employ staff who speak English and have customer-service skills; 2) if you're trumpeting the screening of a sports event, do indeed screen it FFS!
14 Jun 2012 20:55
The Crooked Chimney, Welwyn Garden City
I went with the missus to this pub for an evening meal (our first visit). It was not good at all. Our concerns were: 1) it took two full circuits of the pub to locate any staff to let us know the 'procedure' (i.e. if any tables were free; if we ordered at the bar, etc); 2) our main courses took absolutely ages to arrive: so long, in fact, that cancelling and walking out increasingly appealed (our neighbouring table - a large family - were made to wait even longer and had embarrassingly completely run out of conversation); 3) the main courses (I had a pie, with peas and chips; my missus had chicken, peas and chips) were very insubstantial - about half the size of a normal pub meal (and not in a trendy way, either). It seems from other reviews as if long waits for food are common. What a shambles. A shame because the decor and menu (in theory) are very nice. We will not return.
31 May 2012 15:12
We visited this pub today after not having been here for maybe three years, when we lived locally. It still seems to attract the mix of local eccentrics (a bit) and UK/foreign (mainly US) toruists. A pint of London Pride was c. �3.60. The big shame is the time it took for the food to arrive (ages, and ages after another table that ordered 15 mins after us) and that it seems some of the staff don't speak particularly good English, which meant basic 'asks' of the bar-staff were staggeringly difficult (and reserving a table over the phone was also difficult due to the bloke's inability to transcribe my very basic English surname properly). Whoever runs the place should ensure better knowledge of English from the staff.
2 Jan 2012 16:39
I visited this pub last Sunday. My friend had pre-booked a table in front of one of the screens, so we (six of us) could watch a Sky football match over Sunday lunch. Everything was great until 15 mins left in the football when - without consultation - the screen was switched over to preamble of a rugby match involving Ireland and France (with the sound switched off).
Given that we had chosen the pub (and the table) with the express purpose of watching the football (which the pub had said would be shown), this was channel-switching of the most rude and bizarre kind, especially as i) we had spent about �100 in the pub on food and drink; ii) no-one apparently had any interest in watching mute interviews involving foreign rugby-players 30 minutes before the rugby match had started; iii) the football had just 15 minutes left; iv) the channel was switched without consultation despite us having sat watching intently for 75 minutes.
Upon us all asking for the football to be put back on, the manageress (?) reluctantly and rudely agreed "as a goodwill gesture". Christ! "Goodwill"!? Almost unbelievable business management. Apart from this, the food was OK, (other) staff competent, decor lovely, and beers good.
17 Feb 2011 12:57
The Hare and Hounds, St Albans
When I moved to St Albans in 2009 I had a feeling initially that this place would be my 'local'. I used to visit it a fair bit. However I have not been there for months now because the service is pretty unfriendly. The bloke who seems to run it never seems to acknowledge me. He always seems to be in the Beehive taking the football too seriously. He used to have Sky in his own pub but I don't think does anymore.
9 Jan 2011 19:34
I used to live on Mill Lane and West Hampstead, and used to enjoy trudging up to the Alliance for a quiet Fosters. I don't like there any more, though.
31 Oct 2010 15:03
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The Great Northern, St Albans
Jeezus this place is rough. This place is a potential goldmine: loads of money in St Albans; great location near road intersection(s); major new housing development across the road planned, not to mention the new art deco cinema due to open next door in c. 2014; also potentially a very attractive building. But - instead - the clientele all look like they need a good wash. Quite horrendous. Note to investors: BUY NOW!
30 Jun 2013 18:04