The Crown, Southwold

The glass was hot and the pint wasn't a full one, so the Adnams bitter was slightly not the right temperature and slightly not a pint. Bit sloppy really for the brewery's back yard. The place was a reasonably well preserved and appealing, even though I suspect this is the result of a sympathetic make over recently rather than being fully original (the brass thing in the back bar is a giveaway for me) but that's ok.

The food was good as far as it went but if you like your main course to fill you up you'd better order two if you can afford it. To be fair when we pointed this out to the waiter he offered us free desserts, but I'm not a dessert man so went to bed peckish.

I have to say that with the exception of the big tea shop cafe at the harbour (lovely home made cakes) Southwold is one big rip off.

10 Nov 2008 21:38

The Royal Oak, Borough

I just can't speak highly enough about this place. Harveys beers are so good and stand out from the usual national stuff, service is outstanding, interesting menu and good food, and the customers and surroundings are amenable to a relaxing pint.

I do agree about the acoustics though, when it's busy or there are a few noisy customers it can be difficult to hear conversation. All that glass and wooden floor. Perhaps some curtains would help.

28 Aug 2008 20:32

The Dog House, Kennington

Nice surroundings and atmosphere, and the beer was just about ok. But the aussie manager is the type who gets his kicks by humiliating his staff. We were served by a Brazian guy who was very helpful but a few moments later the manager was shouting at him in the bar and pointing his finger in the guy's face.

5 minutes later he was shouting at all the staff because one of them had left some lager in a glass behind the bar. He then told them not to chuck it but to use it for the next pint. Maybe he was having a bad day, but I note the previous comments about service.

28 Aug 2008 20:12

The Cat's Back, Wandsworth

It's an interesting and different pub but watch out. I had a pint that was slightly cloudy and just past its best so I took it back. The barman referred me to the other guy behind the bar who I suppose was in charge. He asked me "did you order it?". "Yes" I said. "Well then you can't complain". I thought this kind of attitude had disappeared long ago. I told the guy upstairs in the restaurant and he went and got me another, but of course it was the same cloudy appley beer.

On the night we went the restaurant was doing 50% off the food. But they charged the 12.5% service charge on the full price of the meal, i.e. a service charge of 25%. Shame because the service was good. And so was the live music.

28 Aug 2008 19:53

The Prince of Wales, Kennington

Lovely looking pub with a good feel to it. Shep was OK although it's not my favourite beer - they would benefit from a guest. On the downside, when I called in one of the customers had a big dog that was allowed to roam around the pub, and the gents floor was very wet. Worth another visit though to see if these are just one offs.

5 Feb 2008 13:35