BITE user comments - fullersfan
Comments by fullersfan
Jack Boc, what has happened then since January? It was not busy and I think I know why.
I had a visit planned in the back of my mind since being told about this place by a landlord of a pub in north Kingston so was pretty disappointed and a bit annoyed when I spent a bit of time in here. A pint and two small bottles of beer cost over £12!?! I was thinking of eating and had a quick look at the menu before seeing the prices and quickly forgetting it! No decent Ale only expensive lagers.
I know Thames Ditton is full of 4x4 Porsche driving maniacs who like nothing better than a bit of poncing. That does not mean you can charge those sort of prices unless you are trying to cater for a souless poncy poky little pub attracting these sort of tossers.
I remember the Red Lion to be pretty bad but now it is a complete disgrace.
4 Apr 2013 17:18
The Poltimore Arms, Yarde Down
The Poltimore Arms is possibly the best pub in England. The landlord was telling us that they are not on the national grid and they have a sometimes unreliable generator providing the power as he lit the candles but I don't think that should bother you. The pub has a nice roaring fire, excellent beers and fantastic food. You will realise that there are still great people running pubs during and after your visit as they were friendly, helpful and generally a good bunch of people.
As mada points out, it is still too far from home. This pub would definitely be my local if it was closer.
FF
31 Mar 2013 22:43
Shame as this pub is now a Thai restaurant. I suspect the Green King IPA was probably the death of decent beer being served here.
On a happier note the Thai is pretty good.
FF
10 Mar 2013 20:05
I have stopped drinking in here as the beer (although good) is just too expensive. The beer (London Pride) in my local pub is just as good and 50p cheaper for a pint.
Oh well, end of the era and all that. Still a good place to go if you are hungry and have won the lottery.
10 Mar 2013 00:23
Visited this pub this evening for dinner. Sharps Doom Bar was excellent. I had the car so could not taste the other beers but impressed they have Skinners Cornish Knocker and will be back to snaffle the other ales on pump.
Nice food as we had dinner too. The chef knows how to cook a steak.
Good relaxed atmosphere.
FF
16 Feb 2012 23:16
The Waggon and Horses, Surbiton
Met friends in the Wagon the other weekend. The usual Youngs stuff on pump with the usual lagers on the tap. Yawn.
Atmosphere is still good in this pub as there are the usual nice bunch of people but watch out for the worldly wise 'jobs-worth' dark haired bloke behind the bar who likes to tell everyone what they can and cant do every five minutes (irritating).
They do need to bring in more guest ales and bring back the ciders they once used to have, Addlestones etc then I am sure this pub will return to the best in Surbiton once again. The food was very good so if you are thinking of eating here I would recommend it as a good place.
FF
16 Feb 2012 21:46
Excellent little pub opposite Giggs Hill Green.
Fullers London Pride, Sharps Doom Bar and Timothy Taylors Landlord all excellent. Ales are well kept with the usual stuff on the taps (lagers etc)
Relaxed and informal atmosphere in this pub with a comedy bar upstairs. Friendly staff and punters, a great place for a few pints.
FF
21 Nov 2011 22:14
The Waggon and Horses, Surbiton
Popped into the Wagon the other weekend for a couple of pints. It was good to see the old boys at the bar but I left with the impression that this place has changed for the worst.
What the hell is that at the front of the pub? The space that had always been for cars is now a ridiculous seating area next to the main road in the traffic smog. Well done..that is really...why would you go and do something like that?
The staff were friendly, noting who was waiting and serving them quickly. The beer though? Tribute was ok. Nothing to sing about.
I will have to go again soon but the first impressions of the pub under new management...? In fairness not sure yet but they do have alot to live up to.
FF
3 Nov 2011 18:37
Lol Laughingduck,
This place is still dreadful. Caters now only for students who don't really care what hole they drink in or the misguided lost souls who know no better.
I wish the staff, instead of writing their own reviews, would spend the time cleaning the whole pub, perfecting the ale and lager and concentrate on the general upkeep of this shambolic pub.
I'm still laughing at 'the gorgeous garden' comment.
What a loser.
3 Nov 2011 18:05
The Dog and Fox, Wimbledon Village
Disappointment.
I have known this pub for years but I do not think I will ever go back again. I hate having to argue when trying to return a bad beer. The Ale is poorly kept which is completely unacceptable especially as they bang on how good it is?
Both Doom bar and Bombardier were ridiculously vinegary and cloudy. I told the bar staff and they replied that they are meant to taste like that? The girl behind the bar asked me what I usually drink and suggested that I did not know what a real ale tasted like!?! The lad behind the bar tried to look through the cloudy mess and told me it looks ok!?! Very patronising and ignorant.
Avoid this place like the plague as the bar staff really have no idea what they are doing or even what they are talking about. The Ale is very very bad and I really hope that someone from Youngs gives them a very stern talking to.
A real shame.
FF
24 Sep 2011 15:27
The George and Dragon, Thames Ditton
A good pub. Shepherd Neame serving Spitfire and Masterbrew (I think).
Asahi beer on tap which is always good. The food is reasonable and the service is pretty good. I can see where Pompeyron is going as some of the regulars propping up the bar can be a bit unfriendly but on the whole the rest of the punters seem pretty decent and up for a laugh.
Good place to watch the Cricket on the outside telly.
FF
29 Aug 2011 23:25
Loveleedshatebates, that does not surprise me as they always seem to make an arse of any sort of event. Past managers and present, have a bad attitude to their customers.
Try the Saucy Kettle for 3d TV where you don't have to buy the glasses - they leave them on the tables and pick them up afterwards!
FF
12 Jun 2011 10:00
Came into the pub at the beginning of the week for dinner.
Excellent pint of London Pride but dinner was expensive with not that much on the plate. Sent back the yellow Watercress (why serve it anyway?). What happened to the food? This place used to be unbeatable for pub dining but (as the reviews also suggest) seems to be becoming ordinary.
Service was pretty slow, the restaurant section was not very busy.
Shame.
18 May 2011 22:24
The Abinger Arms, Abinger Hammer
Great pub.
Enjoyed a great pint of Betty Stoggs the other weekend and a Sunday lunch. Good atmosphere and great service.
FF
2 Mar 2011 22:21
Was in this place last weekend. Pushy rude children ordering drinks being served by letching muppets serving only the under age girls first.
Disgraceful.
Too cool for school or a pretencious (expensive) sh*thole?
2 Mar 2011 22:15
The Park Tavern, Kingston Upon Thames
After coming to this pub for over 15 years I have to agree with Brakslover, the Park Tavern is the best pub in Kingston and I too drink in there every month or so with friends and we are always recognised and given a warm friendly welcome too. The PT is warm and comfortable in the winter and bright and cool in the summer and the ale is always kept in a perfect condition (although I agree it is a little pricey). The punters are always friendly and a good bunch.
It is such a shame that other pubs can't consistently be like this one as it is a credit to the community who surround it - a good traditional pub with behaved customers. There are a lot of comments about the lack of guest ales and yes the choice has diminished but what they do have is still better than all the other pubs in the local area?
11 Dec 2010 20:11
Came in to this place again with friends the other week. The lights and heating were off (power-cut on Victoria Road) although the pub was still packed. Says much about the place that punters are happy to sit in candlelight and the cold to enjoy the beer.
Pride (when it is on) is usually very good. Seafarers and Bengal Lancer also excellent.
You can hire out the little raised section at the back of the pub for �14.99 per person? Pretty laughable really as there was no discount or deal on the bar tariff available although a cheap bottle of bubbly and light buffet (probably a fish finger or two) was offered in the price. Perfect for a large group of 15-20 people :(
Is it possible that the management are trying to earn a quick dirty buck on the backs of decent punters? Shame.
11 Dec 2010 19:12
Not sure what to make of this place.
Nice to have a pub around the corner in Thames Ditton and appears small but cosy with a big beer garden. The bar staff are friendly and serve you well. Its a shame I can't be nice about the beer as ordinary on draught. Stella Artois tasted as good as a Weatherspoons. Not good.
Most punters at the front of the bar seem a friendly bunch but some do look at you suspiciously if you are a stranger.
Funny pub this one and not sure how to rate it.
Walking up to the New Inn we got in a conversation with a young drunk bloke who reminded us of one of the hillbillys from the film Deliverance. On entry to the pub, the drunk bloke got in, went to the jukebox and started playing the banjo duel from the film Deliverance as we were waiting to be served. Waiting at the bar you do get the feeling someone is about to say 'squeal piggy'.
Maybe I was too sober to like this pub?
?
3 Dec 2010 00:01
Good Beer.
Surprised Mike_L had a bad visit but I have also shied away from little gems after a poor first impression. Just bad luck maybe?
Went to this pub a couple of weeks ago for dinner and a pint. Two menus (cynical side of me always thinks badly of this); one 'a la carte', the other cheap and cheerful with the usual pub grub.
I went for the lamb rump and my better half had the haddock fish cakes. Both dishes were excellent and well cooked. The service was friendly and the Sharps Doom Bar was very good.
Rugby on the telly, warm relaxed pub, altogether a good atmosphere.
FF
2 Dec 2010 22:22
Not so sure about this pub. The beer is ok, normal pub stuff with nothing on guest (or was it IPA? same thing) and not really catering for ale drinkers.
Went in there for a dinner and was not really very impressed. Steak was expensive and at just under �18.00 was disappointing. You can't really go wrong cooking a steak but they managed it somehow.
The rest of the dinner was ok but nothing special. Reading the reviews, this might have been a one off in fairness but I'm not sure I want to give dinner a second chance in this place for that amount of money.
Can't complain about the service. It seemed very good but then again it should have been, there was less than 5 people in the place.
I hope this was a one off but still, approach this place with caution.
FF
7 Aug 2010 16:50
The Waggon and Horses, Surbiton
Service is really very good so until the local pubs in the area step up and start to challenge this place their prices are going to remain high.
I know what you mean, the price of beer is disgraceful, especially when �10.00 won't even cover three pints but that is Youngs all over. Some consolation, at least drinking in this pub makes that bearable rather than drinking in a Youngs complete hellhole (there is one on Victoria Road) and getting absolutely fleeced in a souless place.
Supply and demand or Stay at home and drink indoors?
20 Jul 2010 15:50
The Kings Tun, Kingston Upon Thames
Pretty ordinary sort of place. Weatherspoons pubs do take alot of flack and it is understandable. I find it hard to understand why Weatherspoons are on any beer site for the simple reason:
The lager is always really grim (it seems to be the same in every Weatherspoon pub I have been to) and always seems to taste of the caustic stuff they clean the pipes with. The taste of the beer burns the back of the throat after each sip. Has nobody ever checked or noticed this? Flush out the pipes completely after cleaning! It is not that difficult surely?
Until a Weatherspoons pub can consistently provide an acceptable pint the chain is going to keep it's very poor reputation and only serve to the morons who do not know any better.
Rated 1 for potential.
10 Jun 2010 13:53
Good place. Beer is nothing special and the food is pricey but it is the best pub food in Thames Ditton.
The staff do have my sympathy as the place can get really packed but my sympathy does wear a bit thin when they serve impolite punters (you know...the ones who push in and don't even look at anyone else) before the rest of us who are waiting politely and patiently for a drink.
Please work out who is next, it is so annoying to be 'invisible' at the bar to the untrained eye.
26 May 2010 22:43
Woodman101,
Making money helps but it is not the sole reason to do anything?
Although I agree that it is never nice to be spoken rudely to I have to disagree with you on your belief that all pubs, to make money, have to show the football.
I am glad that this pub is not showing the football as it brings with it some disgraceful people who behave (occaisionally) when England are winning.
From watching England supporting scum glass other England supporting scum in the last world cup outside the Elm Tree (after England lost) or the amount of swearing and violent behaviour when Croatia knocked England out of Euro Qualification (there was also a lot of trouble) it is completely understandable why football should not be shown if they (the manager) chooses not to.
Go run your own pub and put up with that for an afternoon.
A pubs reputation costs more than a bottle of bleach to clean the toilets after a football match on the TV, after the idiot punters. I bet it costs more to put the football on in the long run, paying Sky etc. .
I think it is a brave move for a pub not to show football and I wish them the best of luck.
FF
26 May 2010 14:30
This pub used to be good but has got pretty bad. The beer is far too expensive (well, that's Youngs all over) and the food is not good. Some bar staff are pretty friendly but the majority don't really seem to be happy. The atmosphere is also lacking fun or friendliness.
A real shame as the Victoria was once a great pub.
13 Nov 2009 16:18
Best bar in Surbiton. Not sure about the disco on a friday evening (grown out of it now) but a great selection of beers and great food with a good menu.
Excellent atmosphere too, the best sports bar in local area during the day with good punters. I recommend this place!
9/10 - would be 10/10 but they charge you money for beer.
6 Oct 2009 13:04
BeerConnoisseur99 why don't you just come out and say that you're the manager of this pub? I can't believe you have the cheek to write your own reviews on here.
Stop trying to fool people into 20 minutes of torture.
27 Aug 2009 13:39
Great little pub. Hopefully moving to Thames Ditton in the next few months so had to check out the pubs before signing the dotted line. We were so glad we found this one! Fullers London Pride and Sharps Doom Bar were excellent. Friendly helpful barstaff and nice punters.
10 Aug 2009 12:31
The Waggon and Horses, Surbiton
Good pub in Surbiton. Cannot call it the best as the food is slightly pretencious and completely overpriced. Food used to be great but..(after a couple of bad experiences) i don't want to remortgage and risk a dismal dinner. What happenend to the sandwich menu and the Sunday roasts?
Beer is usually very good (though not cheap) and the service is faultless.
8 out of 10.
20 Jul 2009 13:16
taijix - what are you like?
You are wrong 5 times over! Many 'happy' regulars? Tasty food? Lovely atmosphere? Exciting vibe? Friendly & Skilled barstaff? Ok, it has barstaff (I suppose...though have never really seen them).
Why have you hidden your profile? Do you work there? It would be great if you do work there, you could help put this place back on the beer map rather than mislead drinkers into 20 minutes of misery before sorting the place out.
16 May 2008 12:41
Went in there again a month ago - (tried hard not to but I was in a round with friends). Pretty dreadful place - no point in saying anymore - still not changed.
29 Feb 2008 17:02
Bar Eivissa, Kingston Upon Thames
Pretty souless place filled with poncy pretencious folk. If you are a ponce - you will love the place.
24 Aug 2007 15:43
Whats this rumour going around about the Flyer turning into a wine bar (see comments on Antelope).
The Flyer is an excellent pub and serves Pride too - what more could you want! Wine? I hope not.
8 Feb 2007 17:12
Around 10 years ago, The Ram used to be a fantastic Pub with great beer, good food and friendly, lively, knowledgable staff (Landlord/lady took a great deal of interest in their pub). Unfortunately this pub has changed hands a few times to owners that appear not to give a toss. The beer is awful, service is disgraceful and the food (used to be so good) is dreadful. I advise anyone walking past to carry on walking.
8 Feb 2007 13:10
The Park Tavern, Kingston Upon Thames
Absolutely, without any doubt an outstanding little pub
8 Feb 2007 12:56
The Waggon and Horses, Surbiton
Got to agree with daveo, the pub has lost most of its character. Now a souless thai restaurant that has taken the back section and garden of this once great pub. A big shame. Beer is Youngs with now nothing great on tap. What could have been eh?
4 Mar 2016 16:51