Kerry H.

Review of The Cricketers

17 May 08, 11:09

Proper Brighton Pub

The Cricketers is one of those places that everyone tends to meet up at before a big night in town. Well the slightly older 'I-hate-Yates' crowd anyway. One half of the pub is VERY traditional with heavy red velour seating and walls adorned with...well as much as they could cram on them to be honest. On a Friday and Saturday night it can get uncomfortably busy and hot in there.

The courtyard bit to the right though is really cool...stone floors and big wooden tables. Much more comfortable if you're not the sort that enjoys being jostled about by the bar. Something for everyone then I guess. All good.

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Review of Sussex Cricketer

17 May 08, 11:03

By the cricket ground...oddly enough

The Sussex Cricketer is owned by the same brewery that run The Sussex down on the seafront in Hove...and you can see the similarities in the decor and size of the place. There's usually plenty of room in there except of course on days when the cricket's on and then it's rammed! Good pre-match atmosphere though and what do you expect from a pub that lives virtually on the pitch?!

Aside from cricket days...I had a stint as a quiz regular (not that I can remember what night it was on...sorry) and really enjoyed it. The questions can be pretty hard but you feel well pleased with yourself when you get one right! Besides it's the taking part that counts isn't it? Isn't it?!

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Review of Cobblers Thumb

15 May 08, 08:34

Cosy pub

You can't miss this pub...it's as you head down New England Hill towards Preston Circus...and it's got a GIANT thumb on the front of it!

It's a proper pub...i.e.it probably hasn't been decorated for a while but that's all part of the charm. It's never rammed so you can usually find a seat. It's great for a quick after work drink...or on a Sunday lunchtime. No complaints here.

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Review of Prince Albert

14 May 08, 18:39

Never again

This should be a wicked place to go. It's a fantastic music venue in a great location right next to Brighton station. It's like being in someone's house because of all the different rooms and mismatched furniture...and you'll find a nice piece of Banky's handiwork on the wall outside. I won't tell you what it is...wander by and have a look.

However...the last two times I've been to the Prince Albert there have been some very unsavoury sorts in there. My female friend was actually threatened by some guy when she accidentally took his seat. It was really unpleasant and I won't go back. Shame.

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Review of Eagle

14 May 08, 18:20

Standing room only

I do really like The Eagle...their food is excellent although a little over-priced. The main problem with this pub is that it is just too small and too bloomin' popular. I know that's a good thing but you can never find a seat and if you do you spend half your night getting elbowed in the head as people squeeze past you sloshing their beer down your neck!

I'm well aware that I sound like a miserable old cow but I just wish there was a bit more room in there...I'd go more often.

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Review of Walkabout Inn

14 May 08, 17:55

Big and sporty

Walkabout in Brighton is pretty much like any other Walkabout you'll find...but without the attitude. It's a huge place with plenty of seating and standing areas and the staff are up for a laugh. Drinks are cheaper than you'll find in some of the city centre bars and they do good pub food too. The toilets can be a bit minging but all in all not a bad place to go especially for sports on the GIANT TV screens.

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Review of Charnley Arms

13 May 08, 11:29

Good value

OK...so turning up at this pub just off the M6 on the same day as Man Utd were playing Wigan on the last day of the season probably wasn't a good move but once the 50 or so fans had left the pub it was fine!

We stopped off there for lunch during a mega motorway journey. Their menu offers the usual pub grub but with a two for one meal deal it's a bargain. They don't do many veggie options...and the one I picked they'd run out of. That said the veggie burger I had in the end was decent. My other half had an almighty sausage in a giant Yorkshire pud...looked good.

Not a bad spot if you're sick and tired of service stations...and you get a good feed for half the price.

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Review of The Chambers

07 May 08, 19:11

Good starting point

Chambers on London Road in Southampton is a big place usually pretty busy and very lively. It's a great way to start the evening off if you're out and about in town. They show the footie on big tellys if you need to know what's going on in the world of sport...oh they do great pizzas too. It can get a big warm in there when it's packed...what with big pizza oven and all. Apart from that nothing to moan about here!

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Review of Hanover

01 May 08, 10:42

Gorgeous food

I've only been to the Hanover once but would certainly visit again. It's a big place that looks like it's been fairly recently decorated. There are nice big tables to squeeze you and your mates round and the staff are very lovely indeed. We had a real laugh with the guys serving us...we were treated like regulars.

There are many pubs that serve really good food in Brighton and this certainly gets a spot on that list. The menu has a good selection...we all ordered something different and agreed at the end of the meal that every dish was excellent. Although we were full we somehow managed to squeeze a quick apple crumble in for pudding...yum!

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Review of The Crescent

01 May 08, 10:37

Nowt special

The Crescent is ok...I've been there quite a few times as my mates live nearby but it's not really somewhere I'd choose to go...particularly for food. It's not bad for Friday night drinks...I quite like the atmosphere of the place.

However, we went for a roast a few months back. I was absolutely starving when I got there and absolutely disappointed by the time I left. Burnt roast potatoes that were hard in the middle, soggy veg and watery gravy. Surely the great British roast isn't that hard to get right? Well...it seems The Crescent have lost the recipe.

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Review of The Lion & Lobster

01 May 08, 10:32

Large portions!

The Lion & Lobster is on one of the little streets that run off Western Road towards the sea. You can't miss it...it's painted lobster pink!

It's a cosy pub with a nice 'local' feel to it. There are a couple of TV screens dotted about for the sports fans but they're not too imposing if you're not bothered. The food is very decent pub grub and the staff take the time to chat as they serve you. A lovely friendly place all round.

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Review of Pub With No Name

30 Apr 08, 06:56

What's it called?

Now either the owners of this pub are creative and original or they just simply couldn't be bothered to think of a name for it. The Pub With No Name is almost at the top of Southover Street on the corner of Toronto Terrace. If you're walking you'll be exhausted by the time you get there but at least you can just roll back down the hill afterwards. It's cool inside and out...but has a nice homely feel too.

You can hire out the upstairs rooms for parties...it's a bit like being in someone's house as it's all divided up. The food is decent and the staff friendly...a very typically Brighton pub...

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Review of The George

28 Apr 08, 20:56

Veritable veggie feast...

To the untrained eye The George on Trafalgar Street looks like any other Brighton pub. Wrong! This is so much more. For a start it's really nice inside...lots of different nooks and crannies to settle in and a proper Brightonian atmosphere. Very laid back but good fun.

But the amazing thing about The George is the outstanding vegetarian menu. Now you can get good veggie food in most Brighton pubs but this place really stands out. I've never had a meal that was less than brilliant here...and my meaty mates love it too. If you've not yet made your way down there you're doing yourself an injustice. Go now!

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Review of The Dragon

28 Apr 08, 20:46

Yum!

This used to be my local when I lived in the Kemptown area...and a damn fine one it was too. We popped in within the first few days of moving to the area and received a very warm welcome. The pub is comfortable and cosy but not old-manish and there's plenty of room.

It can get busy at weekends...they often have musicians and djs performing in the pub...Sunday's are particularly popular because of the excellent roasts The Dragon serves up. All in all just a great pub...

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Review of The Spinnaker

28 Apr 08, 08:25

All you need from a pub...and more

The Spinny is one of the pubs local to where I was brought up so it was probably one of the places I first had a legal drink!

It's a pretty big place all told and has been extended over the years. There's a decent sized restaurant at the back and they also offer accommodation. They've built a few chalet type rooms behind the pub itself. Lots of my friends stayed there after my wedding and were very impressed.

It's just a decent all-rounder really. Nice traditional pub feel at the front...good traditional food in the restaurant...lots of parking...and you can stay the night too if you need to. They've got it all covered!

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Review of The Station

28 Apr 08, 08:18

We waited...and waited...and waited

Now The Station at Hove could be a really great place...and I've had a couple of decent nights in there with work mates but mostly because of who I was with. It lacks a certain something...maybe it's the size & layout of the place.

My last visit there really put me off...they do a buy one get one free pizza offer on a Tuesday (I think it's a Tuesday anyway). I went with 4 other mates and although we all ordered our pizzas all together they came out about 45 minutes apart. Even then they got the order wrong and they really weren't that nice either. P*ss up and brewery spring to mind! I'm sure I'll go back to The Station but it won't be to eat...which is a shame because it could be really good.

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Review of The Elm Tree Inn

27 Apr 08, 20:24

Proper English pub

OK so I'm a little biased because I grew up on Swanwick Lane and worked at the Elm Tree for many years all through college and university but you really can't go wrong here.

The Elm is a lovely, traditional, cosy, welcoming pub. Pure & simple. It could probably do with a lick of paint inside but who really cares when it's such a nice place to spend a few hours. There's a public bar at the front...then you walk through the low beamed doorway out to the lounge bar and restaurant. The food is decent and reasonably priced and they serve a wide range of real ales too if that's your sort of thing. The garden is really lovely in the summer too. Well worth a visit...and that's not just my nostalgia talking I promise!

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Review of The Grapes

27 Apr 08, 20:15

Proper city centre pub

The Grapes is bang, smack in the middle of Oxford Street and the perfect place to start your night whether you're eating in one of the countless nearby restaurants or just sticking with the liquid diet for the evening.

It's been around for a dog's age and is a proper Southampton pub. Non-regulars feel welcome here and the bar is well stocked with anything your heart desires. Good all-rounder for sure.

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Review of Pitcher & Piano

27 Apr 08, 19:30

Great spot...

...disappointing food.

Granted I've only been to Pitcher & Piano in Southampton once and although I love its waterside location for drinks I doubt I'll go back there to eat again.

There was very little choice for veggies...there's quite a lot of us these days...it's not that difficult. When my food eventually arrived at the table it looked as if it had been sitting about for a while and was only just warm. It was pretty bland too. It was early on a Sunday lunchtime so pretty quiet in there. The staff seemed polite and friendly but service was slow considering how few people they had to look after. Maybe they'd had a big night out on the Saturday??!

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Review of The Fortune Of War

26 Apr 08, 16:47

Pub on the pebbles

The Fortune of War is the only pub right on Brighton Beach. It takes up a couple of the arches under the main road and is nestled comfortably in amongst all the cafes and clubs along there. It doesn't look that much from the front but there's loads of room upstairs. It's all curved wood ceilings to give it that nautical feel. And there are doorways to the underground tunnels used by smugglers back in the day. Love a bit of history!

It's laid-back yet always busy...a great place to start your night...or just to sit outside during the day taking in the (sometimes disturbing) sights on Brighton beach.

It just feels a bit special compared to some of the pubs in the area. The Fortune of War is in a class of it's own. The only reason I haven't given it 5 stars is because it can take a while to get served...but that's purely down to its popularity.

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Review of The Black Lion

26 Apr 08, 09:59

Funky pub

I really like the Black Lion...it's just the right size and has a couple of sofas dotted about if you're lucky enough to nab one. I wouldn't particularly call it cosy or intimate but then I guess that depends what time of the day you go in.

It's good for a night out with a few mates or to start your night off if you plan on going dancin' later. I would have given the Black Lion 4 stars but was a little bit disappointed with the food last time I went. The staff are dead friendly but got our order wrong and when our lunch arrived it looked a bit like it had been chucked together...not a lot of love there!

Definitely good for drinking though...worth a visit.

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Review of Koba Public House

25 Apr 08, 22:39

Birthday Bar

I had my 30th at Koba...they have the perfect room upstairs that fits about 50 or so people in with your own bar and funky, chunky seating all around the edge. They wouldn't let us bring a DJ though...that was a bit of a shame. We had full use of their CD player though so that was something.

This is a cocktail bar...so that's their speciality of course. The choice is huge and there's even a small selection of virgin cocktails for the drivers amongst you...or the tee-total freaks like me (don't worry it's not catching).

As an average punter this is a place to slink into late at night to finish your evening off in style if you can't be arsed to go dancing.

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Review of Jinty Mcguinty's

25 Apr 08, 21:56

Up for the craic

Jinty Mcguinty's covers the Irish Bar genre in the West End nicely. It's a tall, skinny place and the walls are adorned with the requisite Irish memorabilia. It makes up for in atmosphere what is lacks in sophistication...although be prepared to wait for your drink. Service is slooooooooow.

The beer garden was packed on my only visit here...clearly a favourite with locals and tourists alike. You can watch the loony world of Ashton Lane wander by from your table and if you're as lucky as we were there'll be an astonishingly good busker perfoming just outside to keep you entertained. I like Jinty's...good for a quick stop off at anytime of the day.

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Review of The Horseshoe Bar

25 Apr 08, 18:48

Proper Glasgow...

...in pub form.

Ok so I'm English and you probably think I haven't a clue what I'm on about but I was with a local...and he told me it was...so there.

This is the official home of Travis...Fran and the boys rehearsed there for years before they hit the big-time and there's a special gold plaque for them on the wall don't you know. It was a Saturday afternoon when I went to the Horseshoe bar so it was packed out with blokes getting on it watching the football results come in on the telly as well as those knackered from shopping.

Infectious atmosphere and plenty of character...what more do you need?

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Review of Lamb Inn

25 Apr 08, 17:53

Baaaaa...

The Lamb at Hooe is really very lovely. I've only been there once but thoroughly enjoyed it particularly as the sun was shining and we could eat our lunch in their pretty garden. You'll get a good feed here...we were starving when we arrived and left feeling more than satisfied. There were some good choices for the littl'uns too...my mate's boy was quiet for at least 7 minutes!

As it's just off the A259 between Pevensey and Bexhill so if you've got a bit of a trip on your hands this is the perfect place to refuel...yourself I mean...they don't have petrol pumps there...

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Review of Park View

25 Apr 08, 09:04

Big pub...big character

I don't live anywhere near the Park View but as I don't drink I'm more than happy to drive over to meet mates. It's just off Preston Park and never have any trouble finding somewhere to stick my car.

It's pretty big inside...there's an upstairs and downstairs for you to choose from. The garden is the best though...just perfect on a summer's evening...and they do a stunning barbeque with decent veggie options too. They do a weekly quiz in the bar...I only went the once. That's not because it's not enjoyable...just that I'm a bit thick really.

The Park View is well worth a look.

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Review of Plough & Harrow

24 Apr 08, 10:05

Cosy country pub

I've taken a trip out to the Plough & Harrow at Litlington a few times and it's well worth the drive. You get to it by turning off the A259 just east of the Exceat bridge before Seven Sisters Country Park and just follow the narrow country lane...you'll come across it eventually.

It's in a beautiful spot...Litlington is a sleepy country village with stunning Sussex Downs surroundings. They do good quality English pub food...including great roasts. You're made to feel very welcome by the hosts and it's clear that the pub's a popular one as it's always busy at weekends without being crowded.

If I had one tiny negative thing to say...the cheese and biscuits I ordered last time I was there were a little disappointing. But that really is a very small criticism for an otherwise lovely pub.

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Review of The Hartington

21 Apr 08, 21:15

All you need from a pub

The Hartington is my mates' local. It's just up the hill off Hartington Road which runs off Lewes Road. I'd never been there until my mates moved to the area and now I go all the time. I like it because it's out of town and filled with the lovely locals that live near by. And it's not the sort of local where everyone stops what they're doing to see who's just come in the door. It's warm and welcoming.

They do fantastic food spanning different nationalities or you can go for good traditional British pub grub like the sausage and mash or a big fat burger. Everything tastes fresh and it takes a reassuring amount of time for your food to get to you...cooked to order not microwaved! The staff are great too...always very smiley. They clearly like where they work.

They display work of local artists on the walls...some really beautiful pieces. Oh and there's a pool table too.

Give it a try...you'll like it I promise!

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Review of Biscuit Factory

21 Apr 08, 18:55

It's The Wick Inn these days

This is one of my locals...and a very decent one it is too. I've not sampled their food yet but go there regularly for drinks with mates. Since becoming The Wick (again) the place has had a full re-fit and looks really good. It's all dark greens and heavy wood...a little Dickensian I guess.

The funky round bar means you get seen and get served pretty much straight away...the staff are really quick and efficient. My favourite bit of the pub though are the big squishy chairs upstairs right at the back by the window. I've spent many an hour there watching the action below on Holland Road...most entertaining!

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Review of Shepherd & Dog

21 Apr 08, 18:32

Perfect spot

This is probably one of the nicest pubs in Sussex...in one of the nicest locations. It's at the foot of Devil's Dyke so is often full of walkers. For the lazy-arses amongst us (i.e. me) it's a really beautiful drive through the stunning Sussex countryside to get to it.

The pub itself is not that big so if the weather's bad you may have to wait for a table. That's no problem though...it's a lovely place to sit back and relax...and remember good things come to those who wait!

When it's nice there's plenty of seating in the garden and a little stream that runs by all adding to the idyllic setting. The scenery is quite breath-taking.

The food is excellent...a favourite of mine is the Sunday roast which they get just right. The only reason I haven't given The Shepherd & Dog 5 stars is because it is a little on the expensive side.

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Review of The Talisman

21 Apr 08, 12:08

Good all-rounder

I don't live in the Park Gate area these days but whenever I'm visiting the family we usually end up at the Tali. It's a big pub with lots of character...plenty of room to park at the back too.

The best thing about the Talisman is the garden...lots of big chunky wooden tables and umbrellas surrounded by hedges and plants so when the sun's out it gets really warm. Their menu is excellent too...I suppose you'd call it a gastro-pub really. I'm a veggie and although there isn't a huge amount to choose from in terms of non-meat/fish based dishes what they do have on offer is always really good. I've never been disappointed anyway!

Inside the pub there are several different sections to sit and eat or drink in. Oh and roaring fires in the winter. There's a huge bar area for the Friday night hardcore...it does get really busy at weekends. But then in fairness there aren't really many good pubs in the area...the Tali does the job nicely.

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Review of Farm Tavern

21 Apr 08, 11:57

Relaxed and friendly

I love The Farm (the pub...not the band....actually I quite like the band too)...it's tucked away just behind Barney's on Farm Road just off Western Road. It's the second pub on the left up the hill. It's popular but never packed out...it's very rare that you don't find a cosy table for you and a few mates. It's the perfect Friday night pub if you're not up for a hectic one.

It's not flashy in any way...and the food is excellent especially the Sunday roasts. My favourite spot in the pub is the big table in the window upstairs. You'll have to get there early to nab that one though. The upstairs is pretty small but is available for hire. We've had a couple of dos there and you can get a set of decks in and about 25 people without it being uncomfortable. Just right if you haven't got that many friends...!

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Review of Coopers Cask

21 Apr 08, 08:06

Great food...

...but not a lot of room!

It's fair to say the Coopers Cask is very cosy. It's a tiny pub so you're lucky to get a seat at busy times but if you're the patient kind and very hungry it's well worth checking out. The veggie selection is particularly good and the prices are more than reasonable for what you get.

It's ideal either to get in there early for your tea before your night out or if you're just drinking it's one of the places to take in as you head towards town. There's a few tables outside too and as Farm Road is one of the quieter little one-way streets in Hove you don't have traffic screaming past you as you while away a couple of hours on a sunny evening.

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Review of Freemasons Tavern

21 Apr 08, 08:02

A mixed bag

The Freemasons is a good pub but I think is going through some sort of identity crisis. Esentially it's a pub downstairs with some cosy round booths. They serve decent food...especially the Sunday roasts although they do start to run out of stuff around 2pm.

Upstairs is the cocktail bar which is swanky with lots of mirrors (too many actually...you don't need to see yourself from every angle as you make you way to the toilets), blue lighting and perspex. Friday and Saturday nights it gets absolutely rammed with the pre-club crowd. They sometimes have a DJ on downstairs and pack the place out. That's all very well apart but you do end up looking a bit bedraggled by the time you leave!

All in all the Freemasons is worth a visit but not if you're looking for quite and intimate. Not a chance!

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Review of Western Front

20 Apr 08, 17:35

Perfect shopping fuel

The best thing about Western Front is that it isn't one of the many chains that you normally end up in for lunch when you're out shopping all day. It's just at the bottom of the steps as you come out of Chuchill Square at the H&M end. During the day you can sit out on the pavement...plate full of nachos and a large cold drink watching the loony world of Brighton drift by. Upstairs there are big sofas in front of huge windows that over-look the shoppers so it's just as good a vantage point when the weather's bad.

It's not plush inside by any means...wooden floors...wooden tables and chairs (even a pew or two I think) and a rickety staircase that takes you upstairs. It's got that 'Brighton' feel to it though...friendly, funky staff and good music on the stereo. The lunch menu is extensive and includes gems like ham, egg & chips, fish finger sandwiches and of course the aforementioned stack of nachos. Apparently they're for two people...no-one told me that!

I've been in The Western Front a couple of times during the evening too and it's usually packed with the usual Brighton mix of Indie kids and the like. When I say kids though I mean the grown up variety...it's not rammed with 18 year olds. Don't worry...they're all in Yates' on West Street.

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Review of Village Inn

19 Apr 08, 17:43

Unimpressed

I'm from the Swanwick area originally and used to drink in the Village Inn with all my mates back in the day...good times.

Many years on and the place has had a full re-fit and is now part of the Ember Inns chain (think that's what it's called anyway). I went there for lunch a few Sundays ago when I was visiting the family. We were pleased to find the access was good for those with mobility problems...my nan was able to get to our table without there being any annoying steps for her to tackle.

The food however is really very uninspiring. There wasn't much on the menu by way of veggie options and the one thing I really fancied they didn't have. I went for the rice noodles with chinese vegetables and halloumi. Strange combination I know! The noodles were all clamped together as is the effect when it comes straight out of the microwave and the halloumi had just been melted over the top. Very odd indeed. Granted it is very cheap but that really is its only saving grace. Mind you the staff are very pleasant...so not all bad.

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Review of The Rodmill

19 Apr 08, 17:12

Good lunchtime pub

I used to work at the college across the road from The Rodmill so it was great to pop to for lunch when there was a birthday in the office...or for any other reason for that matter.

It's a big pub with plenty of seating and lots of different sections so you don't feel like you're rattling about in there. It had a full re-fit in the past couple of years so it's comfortable and clean. The pub grub is decent and pretty cheap too...just all round good value.

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Anchor Inn

18 Apr 08, 23:33

A beautiful spot...

...once you find it!

I recently visited The Anchor at Barcombe on many friends' recommendations. After getting lost a couple of times we found the long country lane that takes you all the way there. In fairness it was pretty well sign-posted. I'm just a bit dense.

The pub is situated right on the river and is really very gorgeous. It was a sunny early spring day and the place was full of locals and families and walkers and their dogs. We ordered Sunday lunch and it was warm enough to sit out in the sizeable garden to eat it. The food is excellent although a tiny bit pricey but that didn't put us off in the slightest. Oh and then there was the sticky toffee pudding and custard I had for dessert. Oh. My. Word.

Most certainly worth a visit on a hazy, lazy Sunday.

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Review of The Blind Busker

18 Apr 08, 09:53

Average pub

The Blind Busker is ok really.

It's up the road from where I live and they show all the big football games...it gets rammed on these occasions and a bit moist (!) I've only eaten there a couple of times and was pretty underwhelmed by all accounts. It is very cheap though so I guess you get what you pay for.

It is probably the most central pub for me and my mates in Hove so we do end up going there quite a lot. I like the layout of the place as it has lots of different sections so it has a nice atmosphere about it...and the staff seem friendly too.

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Review of Hove Place

16 Apr 08, 09:53

It's all about the garden.

This is my local...and a damn fine one it is too. You feel a bit like you're going into some underground carvern as you take the steps down into the pub but it's not like that at all inside. It's got three 'sections' to it...the middle bit is the busier bar area where people tend to stand in groups to do their drinking. The other two areas are cosier with plenty of tables and chairs.

Hove Place is at its best when the sun is out though...the garden is really gorgeous with tons of seating and umbrellas and little heated areas for the smokers. I've only ever eaten dessert there...I think it was some kind of gooey chocolate brownie and I wasn't disappointed. I really must try the rest of the food someday...

Oh and one more thing...they were very kind to me when I left without paying once. They did have my card behind the bar but found the whole thing amusing nonetheless!

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.

Review of Ancient Mariner

14 Apr 08, 08:58

Sausage & mash heaven!

I really like this pub...especially the food. They have an amazing sausage & mash menu. Pick your sausage...pick your mash...pick your gravy...or beans...yum! They have other stuff too but why would you bother? Unless you're like my exceptionally weird mate Kathryn who doesn't like mash...what?!

The pub gets really busy at weekends but has a really nice feel to it...lots of locals but not in the slightest bit clique-y. Good sofas...exhibits of local artists on the walls and a nice heated outside area for the smokers. The ONLY thing I would knock them down on is that the bar service can be a little slow. Other than that...all good.

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