BITE user comments - mikem
Comments by mikem
The Castle, Harrow On The Hill
I wouldn't go as far as your "best pub in the whole world" Jason, but as a regular, I do admit it is the best on the Hill. Keep the mince on the menu, better than mincing amongst the blokes at the bar!
7 Aug 2008 11:21
Sarah, the Guv, and her staff are the most cheerful and friendly folk who run any of the pubs in this part of Soho. Their Spitfire is the best quality I've drunk in London, and their Timothy Taylor Landlord is well worth quaffing a pintertwo!!.
21 Sep 2007 09:43
Fear not all ye who seeketh Ken. He's to be found oftimes tending to the regulars and passersby at the Queens Head in Pinner. Still a venerable gent, he can raise a laugh or three with some tales of yore at "The Hay". Be warned!
25 Feb 2007 12:35
The Castle, Harrow On The Hill
As one visitor remarked, "It is such a great feeling to wander into a real pub where the staff enjoy their work, and not only know many customers by first name, but also what they drink." The same visitor also thanked us regulars for entertaining him. Yes, it IS one of those pubs where complete strangers are welcome and do not have to sit outside!!
Drop in for a pintertwo!
16 Sep 2006 10:08
A rare find so close to the city - a real pub!
Tudor building, low, beamed ceilings, merrie landlady, good food, beer garden out the back, its own carpark which is a Farmers' Market every Sunday, cheery locals who talk to you - and, if you have your own pewter tankard, suddenly you have a home for it.
Oh yes, another blessing - NO FOOTBALL!
26 Jun 2006 11:39
The Tide End Cottage, Teddington
Non-regulars beware: There is a sign outside which states the place will be closed for renovatons for four weeks from the 24th April 2006. The gov has promised no change to the ambiance - I sincerely hope he is right!
25 Mar 2006 12:47
The Tide End Cottage, Teddington
Absolutely THE place to pop into if you are visiting Teddngton Studios - forget the Anglers - unless you are under seven years old!
20 Feb 2006 15:42
Went to this sad riverside pub and confirm don't visit at weekends!!
The write-up is absolutely correct, saying the joint was full of tiny rug-rats, either screaming or running amok in front of their fawning parents. (I was looking for the Teddington Studios.)
A gay young lad carrying food, shook his head at a lass (well, I think it was a lass) and said, "Sorry, we don't have special rooms. We are not an aircraft!"
Nursing my pint, I asked what was up.
"I want to change my baby." she answered.
"Oh, that's all." I grinned. "Try the charity shop down the road. You could probably get a good scarf in return for it"
The lad almost dropped his plates, he laughed so much.
I adjourned to the Tide End, next door, for a peaceful drink!
20 Feb 2006 15:36
The Warrington Hotel, Maida Vale
The place to visit if you are bound for the BBC Studios. In fact, some may be tempted just to stay!
Was in there last night and a young bloke walked in with two red seter puppies which he was teaching English to with words like, "Stay", "Roll over", "Lay down" and "Come". Reminded me of my days teaching the language to young Japanese girl students - obviously for many a different reason!
A couple walked in and his lass freaked at the dogs. Waving his hand at the dogs, he asked the barman, "Any place where we can get away from these filthy, slobbering animals?"
The barman glanced over and without a grin swiftly replied, "Sorry mate, all our regulars are like that!" The bar crowd dissolved into hopeless laughter.
They sat in a far corner, quaffed their drinks and hurriedly left!
9 Feb 2006 13:10
The Prospect of Whitby, Wapping
First went to this pub in 1962 - and popped in the other day. Place looked remarkably similar to my memories, customers are more toffs than my last visit, prices relatively the same as before, but bar staff look a lot younger!!!! Perhaps it's me.
24 Dec 2005 16:13
Large interior, but still friendly. The excruciatingly thin lady at the bar knows how to jump on those who must be jumped upon.
Beware, the nearby Shepherd's Bush station closes early and the walk to the Central Line station is quite far, particularly after a 'few' jars!
16 Nov 2005 12:23
The White Horse, Shepherds Bush
This is the type of pub I want to live close to and be classed as a 'regular' amongst the other 'regulars'. I concur with all said herein about the place and only wish there were still a few more of these 'genuine' pubs around, instead of the plastic and plywood we are used to these days - and I'm not just referring to the buildings!!
16 Nov 2005 12:16
Delightful on a Saturday afternoon. Pop in and you may, if lucky, meet characters who seem like the two Johns of BB&F, John Fortune and John Bird in light hearted banter with the Rumploes of the Bailey of this world. The Ship is now open 11-11 on Saturdays, but still closed on Sundays.
15 Oct 2005 18:10
Great find. A dream on a summer afternoon, particularly if you are visiting the Riverside Theatre across the road - at least half the price of Riverside beers!! Best quote "It's ancient as are the locals, and the Lady behind the bar, deserves the capital L, she's great!"
10 Aug 2005 10:30
Super little pub to pop into during a weekday afternoon, when the 'affected' "suits" are not in attendence - but even they are worth a smile! As usual, Sam Smiths' great beers/prices.
10 Aug 2005 10:24
My thanks to DaveTheDog for his comments about Sam Smiths pubs. Read his complaint about The Angel on the otherside of the river, which I liked and thought, "If Dave doesn't like the Captain Kidd, it must be great!" And it is!
Visit it outside of the 'tourist hours' and sit in the alcove watching the ferries, police boats, incredibly expensive yachts(suitably decorated!!), a group of ducks which live nearby and just celebrate the world floating past while enjoying a Sam Smiths beer, which is still the cheapest, real beer in London.
An absolute gem of a pub.
30 Jul 2005 09:50
Great pub to have as a 'local' so you could go there when there aren't too many tourists or drunk patrons who have had too much sun+booze. Service is a bit slow and the governor, lazy, but the place is great.
16 Jul 2005 09:34
And, Edwina, you didn't mention, good crowd usually, except for the occasionally noisy Indian blokes!
10 Jul 2005 12:58
The Churchill Arms, Kensington
Great pub and guvenor Gerry is the first publican I've met who said, "Thanks for coming lads, drop by again soon," and meant it!
14 Jul 2004 10:57
Great in Summer with a huge garden. Food is excellent and reasonable prices. Avoid the place on any "Wembley" Event Nights - us locals don't go there!
6 Feb 2004 10:57
The Angel in the Fields, Bond Street
Great pub but the sign is missing outside. Mind you, it is not easy to miss!
10 Jan 2004 10:58
Nice pubs like this are often loused up by lousy toilets. Otherwise, a nice boozer and although it is close to the Town Hall, thank goodness the councillors don't visit.
18 Dec 2003 10:46
How to pronounce the pub's name comes easily in the following limerick:
Caroline is great at the bar
She is cutest of 'em at the Fleadh,
When I said this to Gerry
He said, "Yes she's merry"
But to us locals, she's a real steadh.
Cheers
2 Nov 2003 18:38
The Horse and Groom, Great Portland Street
Besides the foosball (Whose spelling is that??!) they also have a genuine bar billards table. Well worth a visit on Friday nights. (Visit and discover why!) Cheers.
13 Oct 2003 14:56
The Catcher in the Rye, Finchley
All I can do is echo the comments below. The only "Real Pub", with all that means, in this area. Characters both sides of the bar, and different levels between rooms. When you can't make it back to your seat from the loo, leave! Saw Tim Leffman play there last Sunday, really suits the place, another nice bloke.
30 Sep 2003 10:20
The Hope and Anchor, Islington
What a refreshing change from the mayhem at the other pubs in the area during any football match - there isn't a TV in the bar. Watch out for any time Tim Leffman is playing - there is good reason, he is known as the "Walking Juke Box"!!
25 Sep 2003 09:52
Absolutely beautiful pub interior. As noted earlier, beautiful bar maids. Pity about the loud reggae/rap music, the bloke with dreadlocks behind the bar and the prices - which match the West End. Really well worth a visit, before adjourning to Ye Olde Swiss Cottage for a reasonably priced pint.
14 Sep 2003 11:27
Ye Olde Swiss Cottage, Swiss Cottage
Typical low prices of Samuel Smith's pubs. Interesting collection of au pair types around the place - some of whom are female! Can escape the tv screen in a seperate bar.
11 Sep 2003 10:09
Whoever made the comment about being stared at if you are different. I'm over 50 years old, and yes, they all stared at me. Thank God my kids are older than most of the clientel. They are 16!
4 Sep 2003 10:05
Friendly regulars, casque marque draft beers, charming staff, the tv screen can be avoided by us non-soccerites in the other bar, a Summer afternoon, with the windows open and the delightful lazy fan stirring the air - Ah to be in The White Horse, now that summer's here!
18 Aug 2003 10:53
The Mill Stream, Hertford
Laura and her locals are among the most friendly folk you would ever want to meet in a pub. The draught beer is very well kept. Great place!
24 Nov 2008 11:57