BITE user comments - eddierowles
Comments by eddierowles
The selection of bottled beers is getting worse - Holland is poorly represented which is criminal given the plethora of decent beers to be found over there (Molen, Prael, Ij, etc). They may as well just call this a Belgian bar.
Food has always been good - just a shame about the beer choice...
2 Nov 2009 10:55
A nice pub except for the beer - on our recent visit the Pitfield Organic was like vinegar - lots of people turned their noses up at it yet no attempt was made to take it off - it seems they would sell it regardless. A real shame...
14 Jul 2009 22:24
Friendly enough place - very much a locals pub rather than one to suit the new influx of Hoxtonites and their ilk (e.g. nearby Royal Oak).
Had Fullers Pride and Courage Best - the Pride was off but was changed without any problem. The Courage Best was in good condition.
29 Jun 2009 11:42
Dropped in early on a Fri lunchtime so no trouble getting served. Had Meantime IPA on tap - OK.
29 Jun 2009 11:39
The Man of Kent Ale House, Rochester
We were in the area last Sat and had decided to try a few pubs in Rochester but after popping in here first, we just decided to stay.
For a Sat lunchtime is was quiet - probably due to the lack of TVs - and it was nice to hear yourself think.
I've no problems with the decor - relatively basic but I'd call that unfussy - what more do people need? Plenty of tables and stools.
Loads of choice for beers (all from Kent) and ciders plus three from the Meantime brewery.
If you're going to go to one pub in Rochester, go to this one...
8 Jun 2009 09:32
The Derby Tup, Whittington Moor
There is a new manager in charge and he now opens at noon and not 11:30am as it says outside (and on the Castle Rock website) - don't get there early as there's bugger all else in that neck of the woods...
12 Apr 2009 21:49
Another decent pub interior ruined by a crap refurb.
Crap bar service - very slow despite there being plenty of staff - 4 handpumps but only one (the woeful Bombardier) available.
Despite the plethora of staff, you have to order at the bar - what the F**k do they do?
Best avoided - go to the Old Parr's Head nearby - not perfect but at least the service is good.
17 Dec 2008 16:13
It now has a normal licence so you can get served at the bar.
We were very surprised on ordering a pint of the black lager (which wasn't available) that the server poured a pint of stout instead. When I asked why this was done, she said that this was the black beer of the week.
She had absolutely no idea that a lager (black or not) would taste vastly different from a stout. A bit of training wouldn't go amiss.
The beer is OK - quite home brewy and served rather too cold for some of us - but worth a visit., especially at happy hour.
25 Nov 2008 13:41
The Hole In The Wall, Waterloo
On our last visit, it appeared that children were being given the run of the place - standing on stools at the bar and playing pinball with their parents. Not something I really expect well into the evening session. Get the little darlings out into the beer 'garden'.
The beer was OK - the Purity was not on but no one had turned the clip round and the Hogs Back TEA was OK. The odd short measure too.
Not my favourite place but needs must - a bit down at heel that could do with a good scrub and on this occasion full of England rugby union fans - a boorish breed full of their own self-importance.
11 Nov 2008 08:53
Dropped in on Sat (25 Oct) and there was a full set of guest beers available - Summer Lighting, Landlord, Your Centurion and Pendle Witch. The Landlord was very good.
They're keenly advertising their Ale and Food festival but the ales they're getting in are not much different from those they've had on before (eg. Hophead) and the food they're advertising is hardly haute cuisine.
Still they're showing some effort...
27 Oct 2008 15:35
Had one bad pint last night, something that was definitely on the way off - my pint was changed without any issues but it was interesting that it was kept on salerather than being taken off.
Presumably some folk will buy it but won't complain - a bit of a short term tactic if they don't come back again.
Had some gravity Landlord - OK but not brilliant - a bit dull.
7 Oct 2008 09:42
Four non-Fullers guests were advertised last night yet only the Summer Lightning was available - not particularly on form as it was warm and a bit lacking in condition.
Was there no one capable of changing a few barrels?
On recent vists I've noticed that the music is getting louder and more intrusive - also the staff seem more interested in messing around on the laptop.
The sad decline continues...
7 Oct 2008 09:35
A great little pub - four fff ales on, no guests as the handpumps weren't working.
A good place for pre-match beers - about 15-20 mins from the station but worth the walk...
12 Sep 2008 08:57
Nice pub and some decent ales. Well worth a visit.
Two issues:
(1) some of the charis are falling apart
(2) we went into the pub at 11am - and they started blaring out the most inane musak so it was difficult to have a quiet chat. Either turn it down or do without it entirely - who wants crap music at that time of day anyway?
We headed to the Derby Tup after it got too annoying...
23 Apr 2008 08:44
My first visit sine Apr 2007 and beer-wise there is no real improvement which is a shame as this is a nice pub.
A couple of us had pints of Daleside (the guest beer) and whilst it wasn't off, the condition of the beer was woeful and it was not very enjoyable. Even the football was preferable...
Otherwise the choice is Adnams, Greene King IPA and Abbot - not very inspiring, you'd be better off going a bit further along the High Street to the Ye Olde Monken Holt where the beer is much nicer.
2 Apr 2008 08:35
Made another visit yesterday before heading to Hoopers for their winter beers. Guest beers were good and the pizzas were excellent.
17 Dec 2007 11:21
Made a trip south of the river to try this place out last Sat lunchtime - a couple of nice guest beers though a tad disappointing to see the ubiquitous Abbot and Adnams. If you can get decent guest beers, why bother with these?
It seems to be a popular lunchtime destination for parents and their kids (AND their grandparents) as they come in for what look to be very nice pizzas.
Best avoided if you have a low threshold for the little darlings.....
3 Dec 2007 07:51
The Charles Dickens, Southwark
We were looking to start our Saturday crawl here last weekend but don't rely on the advertised opening time of 11:30
It was shut at 11:40 and no sign of life anywhere...
3 Dec 2007 07:37
I'll answer my question - it isn't. The only pub in the Red Car Pub chain to open at weekends is the Wheatsheaf...
30 Nov 2007 13:41
The food and service have always been excellent.
Visited recently after a gap of a few months and was disappointed to see the range of bottled beers has been reduced - I was told that they were going to rotate a selection of the beers so maybe not all is lost.
My only gripe with the place is that in the beer menu when I was last there, there were over 60 Belgian beers listed but only 11 Dutch beers.
OK, Belgian beers are very well regarded but there's a lot of decent Dutch breweries which have come on the scene over the past 5 years or so. Let's have more of them on offer here please!
30 Nov 2007 13:40
Don't know what to make of this place - decor slightly at odds with itself.
An OK but not unusual choice of European beers as mentioned elsewhere.
Two cask ales on - Old Speckled Hen and Adnams Broadside - the Broadside was pretty poor and since we don't like the OSH we left to try somewhere else in the Paddington area...
28 Nov 2007 09:17
I keep trying this place but find it's not somewhere I'd like to spend too long - I think it has something to do with an underlying odour to the place.
They make a big thing of the pies but they look a bit of a rip-off to me - basically a stew with a pastry lid on. Why can't pubs sell proper pies - pastry on bottom, top and the sides?
The beers have been OK - prefer the HoS despite the grumpy barman - although he's been a bit friendlier lately - must be love...
23 Nov 2007 11:48
Made my first visit here last Friday - great choice of real ales, all in great condition. Shame I live on the opposite side of town.....
15 Oct 2007 09:13
The White Horse, Parsons Green
I used to go out of my way to visit the White Horse but I'll think twice in future. It now seems to be living on it's reputation as one of the best pubs in West London.
We dropped in last Friday after a disappointing visit to the Cock & Hen. After being presented with under-filled pints, our polite requests for a top-up were done will a scowl and only just gave a decent measure.
The beer was OK but not brilliant - I expect better from a pub like this.
I'll think twice in future....
15 Oct 2007 09:10
Dropped in here last Friday - the Weasel was very poor - dead as a doornail - and the Bonobo little better.
15 Oct 2007 09:01
An oasis in a desert of medicority.
However I hate the fact that as soon as the football or racing is on, the barmaids/landlord turn up the volume to stupid levels regardless of whether you're sat next to it and trying to have a conversation. Pure ignorance.
8 Oct 2007 15:09
Went past here yesterday - had hoped to eat but it looks to be closed.
The Fat Cat Cafe Bar nearby is OK - Archers beers but not very inspiring. Food OK but nothing much better than you'd get from M&S....
7 Sep 2007 10:05
This is now open as Bar Nokada and I dropped in for a quick pint last night.
There were three Nethergate beers on tap - the one I had was fine albeit a touch on the warm side.
The relatively comfy seating has gone and the bare tables and chairs make the place look a bit spartan.
Still has the big screen TV, blasting out inane pop crap - bloody annoying.
Not very busy although there was one bloke who'd clearly had enough to drink and decided to lie down on the floor. None of the bar staff bothered and carried on regardless...
The jury is still out - the decent beer is still available but it doesn't seem to have the old ambience.
7 Sep 2007 09:13
The Admiral Lord Rodney, Colne
Had a great night in here - four local guests always on tap and some beautiful food make the ALR the place to visit in Colne.
The locals are quite friendly too....
20 Aug 2007 13:23
Looks to be closed - only carpark in use on matchdays. Not greatly missed as it was going downhill badly but the area has a deficit of pubs - and the number keeps droppping....
20 Jul 2007 11:39
We had another wander past on Sat (30th June) and it is still shut - there's an advert for an Indian chef in the window...
2 Jul 2007 10:50
A lovely place to spend a few hours and enjoy the guest beers.
Has been confirmed as East London & City pub of the year too. Congratulations!
27 May 2007 14:47
We went past the Black Bul yesterday and it was still shut - all dark inside so couldn't tell if anything was going.
The rumour is it will be a gastro-pub when it reopens - possibly even an Indian gastro-pub? Should be interesting IF they keep the real ale....
27 May 2007 14:46
We used to like coming here when visiting Underhill. However the selection of beers last Sat were highly uninspiring in comparion to previous visits - it has always been one of the reason we go here instead of elsewhere.
It'll have to be a change of venue next season....
2 Apr 2007 19:49
Enjoyed our visit there on Sat 20th after we'd been wandering round pubs in town - beers on top form as ever. Great conversations with "tired and emotional" regulars, including former punk "legend" Jez.
Great jazz beig played - not normally my cup of tea but suited the mood.
Just a shame it's not on my way home from work....
25 Jan 2007 13:20
Been dropping in since it first opened - draught beer quality is usually OK though I've had a few tired pints there.
Decent choice of bottles but they're kept far too cold, especially the stouts and porters. There must be some middle ground between neo-frozen and tepid that they can achieve?
Bar snacks limited and expensive...
25 Jan 2007 13:11
Have to agree with Stonch, this place is very depressing - it's not as if there aren't plenty of decent places to go in the vicinity...
25 Jan 2007 13:04
I drink in the area quite regularly and used to enjoy visits to the MP. I've been disappointed with my recent visits - the beer quality hasn't been brilliant, being tired and ininspiring.
18 Jan 2007 14:44
Number 22 Alehouse and Canteen, Darlington
Being a Darlo exile, I only get in here every week or two but have never found it cliquey. Maybe they're a bit sniffy about football shirts but I've never had a problem with my dress in there (and I'm far from smart).
Should be supported for the no alcopops/shorts/one-lager/loadsa real ales policy - more pubs should be like this.
I'm always made welcome and chat with various groups of people in there - some reviewers obviously have insecurity issues...
7 Dec 2006 14:08
Any idea what time this opens on a Saturday? We're coming for the football and want somewhere decent that opens at 11 before we go to the Crown.
7 Dec 2006 13:14
Thankfully the beer range seems to be as it was before the refurb. Some of the heavier railway items have gone and the place looks a bit brighter.
I forgot to see whether the toilets had been spruced up and repaired - not one of the pleasantest places to visit.
Be nice if they installed a few smiles on the bar staff...
10 Nov 2006 15:10
After reading good reviews, we decided to visit Hackney on Sat and spent a relaxing few hours there - OK, it wasn't too busy but the beer was on form - also nice to be somewhere without piped music and TV.
The suggestion of a few rolls/sandwiches until the kitchen is ready is good - our search for a nearby pie&mash shop was in vain.
We'll certainly be paying a return visit now that we know where you are.
28 May 2006 14:02
The Swan, Hammersmith
Went in there last night for the first time - looks initially to be an decent choice but the quality was woeful.
First pint was Aussie IPA (Morrisey & Fox) was poorly conditioned and extremely bland. Second pint was Midnight Bell from Leeds - decent condition but slightly vinegary - not quite enough to send back.
Third and final pint was Landlord which was just like drinking water. Not off but just didn't taste as it should - what are they doing to their beers?
We gave up and went next door to the Spoons where we got an excellent pint of Westerham Target - two pints for less than �4 so you've saving money too.
In their blurb Nicholsons say "You'd be hard pushed to find a finer real ale pub in Hammersmith London, or even in West Kensington, Barons Court and Fulham. In fact, we believe The Swan is unrivalled in its choice of quality cask-conditioned beers". If all their beers are like this then let's hope they're unrivalled...
20 Jul 2010 13:50