BITE user comments - peshwengi
Comments by peshwengi
This is the closest pub to my house but I have avoided it for years because of the terrible management, poor beer selection and overpriced mediocre food.
HOWEVER it has been under new management for the last month apparently and while the pub itself looks the same, the service, food and beer selection has improved.
Still a Greene King pub but when I visited they had two seasonal specials on which was refreshing. They have a decent selection of wines including Babich Black Label sauv blanc, although it is pricey at 26.50. A small glass of something Argentine was 5.60. I don't remember the price of the two Greene King "guest" ales they had but they were well kept.
The food menu is much much shorter than it used to be which is usually a good sign. We had Free range Chicken, Garlic, and tarragon pie with mash, and sausage and mash with black pudding. Both were delicious and generous portions.
I can't say how delighted I am that the old regime has gone as the pub feels much friendlier now. I know that a few die-hard regulars won't like it but it's about time that this wonderful pub with so much potential got a chance to be more than just a tourist magnet.
7 Jul 2011 09:59
For a short while this was a pretty classy gastro pub. Looks like it didn't bring in enough customers as it is now under new management.
They have got rid of the real ale and seasonal british food (I'll miss those ham hock pasties) and replaced it with lagers and a laminated Indian menu. The floors were sticky and the place smelled of stale beer. I won't be going back.
7 Jul 2011 09:51
Great pub on a sunny Sunday afternoon. I'm not sure why it wasn't busier. We parked in the large car park and I had a pint of "Granny wouldn't like it" which was delicious and well-kept. Then I switched to Tribute, also very good. The barman/landlord was friendly and service was good.
We sat in the covered area on the patio at the back. Very good on a hot day as the shade keeps you cool.
The food was good quality home cooked fare (had rib of beef sunday roast). Would be happy to return again if I'm nearby (or even if not)
27 Jun 2011 09:48
The Porterhouse, Covent Garden
I would have liked to sample the PorterHouse properly, but unfortunately we never got served. It was a not-particularly-busy Saturday afternoon, and my wife and I went there after watching a musical nearby. I had enjoyed going to the Porterhouse in Dublin, so we thought we'd give it a try.
We got to the main bar and stood there for several minutes, which would not be remarkable except for the fact that none of the five staff behind the bar were serving anyone. A girl even wiped the bar in front of us, and we tried to catch her attention but she rushed off to chat with another staff member. We evetually took to waving at the staff to try to get some attention, but it wasn't until we yelled "helloooo?" that anyone even paid any attention. Then the bartender said "We can't hear you!" and turned around to chat some more. When he finally came over, he sarcastically said "Patience is a virtue" and we asked to see his manager. He claimed to be the manager, which I don't believe, and after he insulted us, we decided to leave.
So I can't make any comment other than this: The staff are lazy, arrogant, and rude, and that includes the manager (if he really was the manager!). I won't be going there again, and I encourage others not to.
13 Feb 2006 11:53
I have been going to the troubadour for many years and I absolutely love it. You can't beat having a good meal upstairs and then heading downstairs to see a live band and having a few glasses good beer or nice wine.
It's also nice sitting out in the garden on a sunny sunday afternoon. Or you can drop in for one of their great breakfasts.
Simon and Suzie have doubled the size of the place by buying the next door chippy. The old place used to be way too small but I like what they've done with it.
1 Jun 2005 15:15
Great beers and friendly staff.
I like the pictures on the walls and there is even a history of stratford.
A good place to go when it's not busy.
28 Apr 2005 11:31
Oakham's JHB has won best beer at countless beer festivals many times. It's worth a visit just for that alone.
The other beers they brew are great too, and they also have a selection of Belgian bottled beers which are great if you don't want a pint of ale.
The food is good, but I wouldn't say it's the best ever... still very good for a pub.
One of my favourite pubs in the UK.
28 Apr 2005 11:28
The Bleeding Heart, Clerkenwell
It's a restaurant trying to be a pub, not a pub trying to be a bistro. If you go downstairs, there's a much larger area for seating (but again, only if you're eating). Their main drink is wine, not beer - and they have some very good ones.
The food here is excellent, I hope to go again soon.
28 Apr 2005 11:07
The Mayflower, Rotherhithe
Just visited and they have one Greene king beer (London glory) and two guest ales - Rooster's Yankee and Tetleys midsummer madness, all on cask. Another big improvement!
17 Aug 2011 19:16