Polish Gospoda, Reading

Visited for a Sunday evening meal today. An incredible transformation from its previous incarnation... really tastefully decorated, and felt like a cosy place to sit out the torrential August rain. Food was really quite good expecially the starter (sauerkraut and sausage stew thing). Beer range is a bit disappointing - only Zyweic on tap (sold by the half litre rather than pint) alongside the usual stellas and guinnesses. But as a venue, good... 7 out of 10 from me and I'll go back.

10 Aug 2008 20:33

The White Horse, Parsons Green

The beer selection here is excellent, including interesting American and European beers among a good selection of bitters.

However, the service seems to be going downhill fast. Yesterday, with the pub almost empty, I still stood for over ten minutes at the bar waiting for just two pints and a bottle of Goose Island IPA. Everything behind the bar seemed to be going in slow motion and although I didn't say anything in complaint, the service was blunt and delivered with a frown.

At the next visit to the bar, I glanced at the bottle I'd bought, to find that the Goose Island, not cheap at �3.50 a bottle, was four months out of date. Not a word of apology was issued (I'd already had one, after all) and it was only when I mentioned that I felt I shouldn't have been charged so much for an out of date beer on the previous round that I was offered an alternative beer for free.

This has the potential to be such a good pub but poor service and the sale of out of date product really devalues it.

7 Jan 2008 15:24

Zero Degrees, Reading

It's something a bit different, and it's rather good too. Decent value food, and the beers are fresh tasting and interesting. The pale ale in particular is very nice. The bar seating area already seems to be looking a bit scruffy at times, and can feel a bit impersonal because of all the exposed pipework and steel, but the restaurant section is very pleasant.

26 Nov 2007 16:13