BITE user comments - Wharflad
Comments by Wharflad
Last remaining pub in a pretty village that used to boast several. Predictably insular and unwelcoming to "outsiders". It's ok, but nothing special. Landlord seems to be counting the days...
8 Oct 2008 13:26
I'm guessing the previous review from steve23 is intended to be hilariously ironic? "Up-market and has a great feel" it definitely ain't! The only original thing about this depressing hole is in its name. It is full of apparently under-age scallies with no manners - and that's just the people behind the over-priced bar. The entire Surrey Quays "Leisure Park" is a god-awful desert of vandalised concrete and tarmac. Despite being just over 10 years old, it has been pencilled for demolition and complete redevelopment. Not before time. Woeful and dispiriting.
8 Oct 2008 12:06
The Quebec Curve, Surrey Quays
The gods of good watering holes have been merciful - and the Quebec Curve has been closed down and remains so after six months. The pub - or more particularly its management - were a disgrace in its declining years and any goodwill remaining rapidly evaporated. Is it missed by the locals? Not for one moment.
8 Oct 2008 11:45
The Narrow Street Pub & Dining Room, Limehouse
Impressive menu - great food - pleasant service. Pricey, but not overly, given the surroundings. Classy crowd.
4 Sep 2007 15:00
The Punch And Judy, Covent Garden
Drearily predictable tourist watering hole. Unfriendly service, overcrowded on sunny afternoon. Balcony overlooking Covent Garden is a nice feature, but spoiled by charmless, pushy punters who elbow you out of the way to get a better view. Apparently, very popular with aussies and kiwis - but singularly uninviting otherwise.
4 Sep 2007 14:50
Slightly mystified by some of the negative postings on here. In three or four visits, I've never failed to be impressed. Staff are friendly without being over-familiar - service is great, and not overly expensive given Imbibe's location.
Possibly swamped by the suited, loud-mouth, after-work crowd but delightfully inviting mid afternoon when the sun is shining. Good selection of wines. Beer garden is attractive and inviting for smokers. Regular BBQs are unambitious but reasonable value.
4 Sep 2007 14:37
Disappointingly unambitious cavern of a pub. Attracts a distinctly downmarket crowd. Food borders abysmal - microwaved or deep-fried frozen processed products served without love, care or attention. Had no ice the evening I visited - bottles were warm - and staff unapologetic. clearly designed to attract a passing trade - or the spectacularly undemanding guests from the neighbouring YMCA. One to miss, methinks.
4 Sep 2007 14:21
Bit of a tourist trap - punters who should know better. Ho-hum service, not very focussed on customer satisfaction. Never felt inclined to eat here - never really wanted to stay. Functional, but disappointing pub.
4 Sep 2007 14:15
Previous reviews say it all, really... It's eccentric, cramped but a delightful change from the production-line chain pubs. No, it's not everyone's cup of tea - but well worth a visit with an open mind. Occasional chav invasion make it a hit-and-miss affair...but generally worth a speculative visit. If all else fails, pop round to the Ship & Whale nearby - which nearly always delights.
4 Sep 2007 13:56
The Ship and Whale, Rotherhithe
Thankfully, a gem of a pub in SE16 - close to the Greenland Dock river bus pier! Delightfully restored interior. Pleasant and attentive staff. Uncrowded early evening - especially inviting on a warm summer's evening with attractive walled garden. Prices seemingly keep the chavs at bay - they're all drinking at the Moby Dick, these days! Food untested, but looks and smells good! Well worth the walk - and encouraging to see a legend of a historic pub return to its former glories! Best local in the area, by a mile!
4 Sep 2007 13:46
The Quebec Curve, Surrey Quays
Another inexplicably dismal pub in the SE16 area. Modern, purpose-built location from mid-nineties, this bar is as uninviting and badly-run as they get! Mid-week is deserted and unfriendly.
Recently visited for lunch. Literally, no other customers in the bar - and yet still stood waiting to be served whilst TWO staff members finished their conversation! No greeting, no smiles - just perfunctory slapdash service. Food below par, served without pride or notion of customer service.
Despite being deserted, the piped music was on so loud - inside and out - it was impossible to have a conversation with my partner! It appeared to be solely for the benefit of the staff - who studiously ignored us throughout our inevitably brief visit. Toilets were unpleasant and general interior looked unclean and neglected.
This bar reflects the attitudes of its very young target market - it is surly, slapdash and horribly complacent.
4 Sep 2007 13:40
Heartily endorse most of the comments! This is an inexplicably awful pub. With such a promising location - overlooking Greenland Dock - with a spacious interior, why is the service so unutterably dire and unwelcoming? Staff are disinterested to the point of rudeness - unhelpful and often pointedly hostile. Routinely attracts a "chav" crowd at weekends which drives away the true locals who just crave a decent well-managed watering hole in the vicinity. Ship & Whale is far superior in every respect. Food is very average but poorly presented - and WHAT is it about the slice of orange on EVERYTHING?!
4 Sep 2007 13:26
The Three Willows, Birchanger
Pleasant, welcoming and very obliging staff. Food is unambitious at times, but well-presented and reasonably good value. Interior pleasantly free of braying children! Long may it continue this way!
8 Oct 2008 13:29