The Commercial, Herne Hill

Oh dear, the Commercial is circling the drain if our last visit was anything to go by.
It did seem a bit cleaner, but we waited for 50 minutes for some simple bar food. Partly the delay was caused by the wait staff who clearly forgot to send the order up to the kitchen. Then it got swallowed into some chef wormhole where the normal rules of space and time were suspended.
To be honest, we wouldn't have minded if any one of the boot-faced staff came over and apologized. But they don't do apologies at the Lubyanka, sorry I mean the Commercial. Customer service is definitely Soviet style: no bourgeois manners or friendliness here, Comrade.
It's a shame, this is a pub I used to really like.

15 Apr 2010 23:36

The Hootananny, Brixton

I'd love to say that this is my favourite pub as I live around the corner from it. But frankly, it's a dive. These people don't give a flying f**k about anything but their profits.
The noise from Thursday through till Sunday night is a major annoyance to many locals. Despite many calls, complaints etc. it's pretty clear that the Hootenanny is just another carpetbagging bunch of exploitative gobshites who want to get rich on the "Brixton vibe" while treating the locals like shit.
I've lived here for 25 years and have seen the "Canning" through all its phases - this is the worst so far.

15 Apr 2010 23:26

The Florence, Herne Hill

Oh dear, the food is going downhill very fast. Went there last week (we go fairly regularly for a drink) and decided to eat. Husband had an awful fish and chips in beer batter. Note to chef: batter is supposed to be crispy, and fish shouldn't smell of ammonia. The chips were crap too. Shame, as we have had many good beers/food there before.
That said, when it's not packed to the doors and noisy, it's a nice place for a leisurely drink.

4 Aug 2009 00:02