BITE user comments - scarletwest
Comments by scarletwest
I really like this Wetherspoons. The staff are always polite and friendly and there's always a good choice of drinks and food.
The selection of books on the bookshelves are quite interesting reads. 1920's law books and loads of books from the 70's. And Sister Wendy's Book of Meditations. (oops, sorry, I stole that one for my Mum). But I've spent a lot of money in here over the years so I hope they treat it like a Christmas present to me.
Sometimes I go in here at 9am for a pint cos I work night shifts. It's good that no one gives you weird looks in here if you're drinking alcohol at that time. There's always a few old men drinking too and I've had many an interesting conversation with the locals in here.
I agree with the last person though, they could clean the tables more often but this seems to be an ongoing problem with all Wetherspoons pubs. Service is sometimes slow but that's more of a Wetherspoons on the whole thing as well.
Other than that, great for a cheap pint and I do like the booths at the back of the pub so you can just sit quietly if you don't want anyone talking to you.
25 Nov 2010 11:10
I've visited this pub on numerous occasions over the years and have always found it to be an enjoyable experience. There's something going on more or less every day of the week and there are regular art exhibitions that grace the walls.
They have a lovely garden out the back and sometimes a fiddler comes to play on a Sunday afternoon in the summer.
It get's quite lively on a Friday and Saturday and I've met some interesting people in here, all quite arty types but not up their own arse types.
The food has always been good and you get quite a lot of it so I reckon it's good value. I do like their selection of hot toddies too.
Last time I came here on a Monday and bangers and mash was �5, I think it's a Monday special. And excellent bangers and mash it was too although I could have done with a bit more gravy but I like gravy.
I've always found the staff to be friendly. I've had no complaints. Just a bit more gravy though.
23 Nov 2010 15:17
I feel like the street this pub is on should be called Narnia. Turn right somewhere on the other side of the road from McDonalds's and there you go.
It's like escaping into another land. I came into this pub alone. My friend left me cos he had to go off to the O'Neil's just up the road to sort out something or other but he said "Just go down there and you'll find something you never expected." And so I did.
Now this is a regulars pub and at first they all looked at me a bit weird but I just sat down and ordered a pint of Kronenbourg. They all got back back to their drinks and let me get on with mine. As the night drew on I got talking to the friendly barstaff and wonderful landlord.
It's haunted too.
Nice beer garden, interesting pictures on the wall. And that jukebox.... Elvis, Morrissey, Pink Floyd, Bowie, Pixies and I didn't touch the thing.
As I said, this is Narnia. It's amazing. A pub crawl in Leytonstone is not complete without the discovery of this place. Shame it took me 6 years living in Leytonstone to discover it!
11 Nov 2010 03:03
It had been opened for three months in my local area and I had overlooked it,thinking that the change in opening hours had just turned it into another non eventful gastropub. However, I was mistaken.
On arriving I wasn't greeted with a menu, I had just eaten and was just after a beverage. It always makes me feel awkward when they expect you to buy food.
Old rock 'n' roll was playing, perhaps on an i-pod or whatever they have nowadays. The place was lit by candlelight and 70's lamps. It was really fascinating just to sit and look at all the old stuff they have; sideboards, a mini bar, a 5 shillings Elvis annual, numerous bits and bobs like that. The strange thing is that it doesn't like it's been organised in a way that a pretentious pub designer would do it in. It's like they've done it themselves, over the years just collecting these types of things.
Anyway, we got a bottle of wine at �13 and some green olives for �2.50. A half of Heineken was �1.70. I don't know about the food yet but I will certainly be returning. It was also good to see that the other locals were back in this pub too. It has a wonderful atmosphere and friendly staff.
11 Nov 2010 00:19
The Roebuck, Kennington
I've visited this pub twice now for the Sunday roast and have had a pleasant experience both times.
You get a generous amount of roast and the vegetables are served on a separate plate. The desserts are also very nice. The chocolate fudge cake and toffee apple pie were both delicious. The staff were quick and friendly on both occasions.
There are some interesting local characters about the place. The ageing rocker mentioned by the previous reviewer is harmless enough. He sits at the bar and drinks his bottle of rose. If you watch carefully he waters down the rose with a jug of water he keeps nearby. He might look a bit dishevelled but on both occasions I've visited he doesn't go round bothering anyone. I reckon he adds character to the place.
There is a sheltered smoking area outside and what appears to be a very nice beer garden. There is also a lovely conservatory.
My only problem with the last visit was the rap music that played inbetween every Perry Como type track. Less rap music and more Perry Como please!
21 Mar 2011 10:56