Crabtree, Hemel Hempstead

We've been pretty much every Thursday for two and a half years and rate this pub highly. It gets busy due to the quiz night and we get in before 7.30 else it can be hard to find a table. The pub had a makeover last summer and looks better for it, although the two TVs that went in for the World Cup don't show sport and I've only seen one on since and that was news with subtitles. They serve a range of well-kept ales* with up to three guests, although these can sell out quickly leaving GK IPA and Pride as standard. There's a good mix of ages and no chavs except a few in the summer when the beer garden's busy. The bar staff, with the exeption of the newer ones, aren't the most cheerful or efficient in the world but of late they have been quicker in coping when it gets busy.

The food is enjoyable if a bit unimaginative. Avoid the poppadoms: they come glistening with oil and when we asked for some dry ones they came back exactly the same. The chef's, sorry, cook's excuse was that they're deep fried as if the dry crispy ones are abnormal. For some reason, the gents toilet floor is permanently wet from leaking urinals which will, over time, make the new carpet in the toilet lobby stink. My gf says the ladies have most of the traps out of order and the sinks gurgle and emit bad smells. They really need to sort this.

*My mate and I both had beer squirts on one occasion during the summer when the pub had cellar temperature issues and the manager was away. We had to return several different beers and the barman seemed unconvinced that we knew what we were talking about but changed them anyway.

The Crabtree is a decent pub with only minor niggles so I've given it an 8/10.

13 Feb 2011 17:00

The Shakespeare, Victoria

Me and the gf nipped in for a swift half but decided to stay when I saw they had Doom Bar on. Sadly, it was a flat mediocre pint but we thought we'd stay when they changed the TV screens over to BBC for the England v. Italy in the Six Nations rugby. I asked one of the staff if the sound would be on when the game started. She replied, 'Friday'. I tried again but she said, 'Two o'clock'. It was ten past. I asked another member of staff who didn't seem to understand why anyone would want to hear the TV. As we left, I noticed the chalk boards outside inviting punters to watch sports. Yeah, watch but don't listen.

13 Feb 2011 15:27