BITE user comments - istenem
Comments by istenem
the dartboard is the wrong height but the dalmatian is awesome.
the beer can be a bit off but the dalmatian is awesome.
some of the common patrons snort coke in the toilets but the dalmatian is awesome.
1 Jun 2013 16:02
i am not Scottish nor militant so there is no reason i'd choose this pub over some of the less shabby pubs around Paddington. having said that i did pop in recently with friends from Glasgow. the beer was disappointing, service compotent, clientele noisy drunks.
i paid for a round with a �20 note which the barman pointedly checked for its validity and was given back six pound coins (each and every coin was a counterfeit).t).
29 Apr 2010 15:58
Prince Of Wales, Covent Garden
the beer is routinely foul in here which is a pity. actually, for a pub to not be able to serve a decent pint is worse than a pity; it is unforgiveable.
having long since learnt the lesson to not risk a pint here, i went in for some food today. and that was dreadful too. it is a pity that so many pubs are closing but equally a pity that so many dreadful pubs are thriving in central London. the staff are friendly enough but i'm afraid that is not enough.
3 Nov 2009 21:26
i agree that it is better, but from a starting point of minus two, that wouldn't be difficult.
it seems to be populated by some of the stupidest people in london which is not necessarily a bad thing. don't risk drinking the lager though, it comes with a free shot of pipe-cleaning fluid. the staff here clearly don't know/care what they are doing after cleaning the pipes.
27 Aug 2009 11:25
The Leicester Arms, Piccadilly Circus
this is a beautiful, characterful pub in a prime location.
however, it is let down by the beer which is permanently foul. also you'd be wise to check your change, the polish barmaids often see fit to tip themselves from your change.
27 Aug 2009 11:18
this is one of the few pubs in central London where you can get a drinkable pint of Carling. but it varies one helluva lot. sometimes it is spot on, other times it is soapy and sharp. and it is often unavailable too. but, like the little girl with the little curl: when it's good it is very very good and when it is bad it is horrid.
take your chances if you want an English lager but it is certainly your best bet in the vicinity.
27 Aug 2009 11:14
this pub used to be an exceptional boozer when Gerry and Steve were running it, yes, it was shabby but a proper pub should be. i'd rather have a good pint in comfortable surroundings than a glass of poison surrounded by yahoos and amateur drunks. imo it has gone from a comfortable 9 to maybe a 3. this is a real disappointment.
now it is just like any other chrome-filled city-centre bar with no character. the staff are friendly enough but the quality of the beer has gone way downhill, nobody seems to much care about that which i find bewildering. i have only had a hangover twice in the last six months, each time was after two or three (reluctant) drinks in here.
for a "pub" to get the beer so fundamentally wrong is unforgivable. you might expect it of a wine bar...
i haven't tried the food: i go to restaurants to eat, nor have i used the accomodation (only one M, the huge letters outside tell you that) but i have tried the beer and it was off, twice. so i have found another pub to drink in when i'm nearby. and it is a proper pub which can keep and pull a pint (English of course) properly.
if you like ithe new kings arms, keep going but you have risibly low expectations if you think it is a "good pub".
this screed isn't a direct attack on the management (the publican seems very personable); there are dozens of foul pubs nearby which i also avoid for the same reason of undrinkable beer.it is however, a true pity that what had previously been the best local pub was developed so insensitively into yet another identikit, poncey, joyless bar.
in isolation it is one example of an outstanding traditional pub whoring itself to consumerism with little regard for quality. but it is part of a disheartening trend towards dumbing down what should be, has always been and should be cherished as an important part of our culture.
27 Aug 2009 10:55
well, it is not the oldest pub in London for a start; that is irresponsible marketing. but, if they majored on food it would do very, very well. i have eaten at nearby restaurants with michelin stars and whatnot and the menu here compares favourably. for value, this place is phenomenal: a tenner for exceptional food is very good. pity that the beer is not good, the staff are beautiful and friendly but not very good at serving a decent pint.
6 Nov 2008 22:23
it has charm and elegance but the beer is not kept well. a real pity for what could be a great boozer.
6 Nov 2008 22:16
The Spinning Wheel, Northfields
an excellent pub in two ways: very good beer, cheerful staff but the publican is an oik. pity.
he is thicker than the shit of two pigs but he knows how to clean pipes, this is all that really matters in a pub.
go there but don't expect an intelligent conversation. and be prepared to get barred if you try to speak to him in words of more than half a syllable.
20 Jun 2008 23:40
the food is dreadful, i have long since realised the dangers of risking a pint in here but it is an attractive bar. but if a pub serves poisonous beer and tepid, unpleasant meals it doesn't tick any boxes. the cock on fleet street is the same brewery chain but (no exaggeration) at least 50 times better.
a real pity that the publican in this prime location couldn't care less that his pub is crap at being a pub.
15 Apr 2008 16:27
the food is very disappointing, the drinks are not kept well and the quiz machine still owes me money.
one redeeming feature; the two fellas who seem to run the place are very accommodating and very friendly. pity that the fundamentals are so lacking.
28 Jan 2008 15:49
the food is uncommonly good in here. other nicholsons houses nearby run the same menu but they do not even come close. no idea about the booze as i don't drink during the day but if they take this much care over their food, i'd be astonished if it is any less than exceptional.
this may sound gushing but it really is very good. even though i lost my �4.50 change in the quiz machine.
28 Sep 2007 15:28
the beer is poor, the service is poor, the food is poor.
other o'neill'ses in london are perfectly adequate pubs, this one is dreadful. walk past it and go to any other pub nearby for a much better beer in the evening.
20 Mar 2007 12:14
The Bishops Blaize, Exeter
exactly what you want from a boozer, any time i am in Devon i make sure to spend a couple of evenings in here. friendly publican, good beer, well-kept. karaoke, darts, quiz machine. hard to improve on this pub in Exeter. keep up the good work.
1 Jun 2013 16:05