Joseph's reviews
Review of The Lock Tavern
26 Aug 08, 12:18
Solent Teens 
Don't go here at night if you are over 24. The relatively speedy service, reasonably priced drinks and good but not intrusive music are not worth the inevitable depression caused by looking at a hundred odd young people enjoying themselves. It's like a strange, expensive students Union. Come here for lunch, or a mid afternoon pint.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Edinburgh Cellars
21 Aug 08, 17:25
Polenta with your pint sir? 
Why did they do it? Why?
Ok, the previous incarnation was a bit crimey - in my final two visits I was offered a bass guitar and a pair of Levis by a fat junkie, the next time a plainclothes policeman arrested a guy midway through his attempts to sell me a stolen mobile phone - and it was a bit scary when the landlords boar sized muscle dog fell asleep on my lap, but it had charm, a charm which it now sorely lacks.
The previous thai food was great, the regulars friendly and it was a good old fashioned boozer. The newly ponced up version is staffed by nathan barley sorts with asymetric hair and too many buttons on their cardigans, the booze is more expensive but no better and it seems to play mid 90s house music. Its ok, but I reckon its a crying shame that most of the regulars have been forced out but yet more unnecessary brewery rhinoplasty.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Alwyne Castle
12 Jul 07, 14:11
Alwyne a days work
For a gastro pub with such a large, complicated kitchen the food in the Alwyne is pretty lousy. I have eaten there twice - the first time yielded a Tesco readymeal style Shepherds Pie which tasted like it was mainly comprised of ketchup and bisto, whilst the second meal (on my birthday) was a dry lukewarm burger in a boring bun with the worst wedges ever. Just do it with chips lads, you can't go wrong.
That said, it is a pleasant, spacious boozer, tastefully decorated and frequented by a pretty nice crowd.
Never mind all that food crap, what of the booze? They have a great selection of Lagers (including Fruuli) and bitters, but the highlight is the cider. They have the usual Bulmers and the more unusual Aspells (sweet, medium, dry and a kind of blackcurrant one) but they also have some pretty strong farm boy brew - you can get yourself a pint of Perry, which at 7% proof provides a challenge to a thirsty man on a hot day.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Prince Of Wales
12 Jul 07, 13:57
Load of Boules 
Stroll off Kennington Road and the right point and you might be lucky enough to find yourself in Cleaver Square, an up-market Regency style (I think) area with a central tree lined open reservation. This slightly incongruous part of Kennington is home to many of the great and the good in politics and the media, and in the Prince of Wales they have a pretty choice boozer.
Its compact inside, but the church benches and chairs are comfortable enough, and there is amble seating outside. In the summer months the drinkers spill out all over the square like so many thirsty gulls.
The food is ok, but one of the main attractions of the Prince is the offer of a game of Boule. Rent out one of their sets, get yourself a jug of pernod, repair to the gravelled square and toss your boules with gay abandon. Squint and you could be in a small French village.
The Prince also does Asahi and Oranjeboom on tap, which earns it huge brownie points in my book.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of The Alexandra
12 Jul 07, 11:41
Snakebitten 
Now lets get this straight - yes, I betrayed South London defecting to Islington some time ago, and yes, the beloved Clapham of my youth is now full of Ultimate frisbee playing Corporate Bankers and Lawyers, but the Alexandra remains an oasis of sanity in a sea of overpriced bars and microwaved nachos.
Its a large, common or garden pub. No gastro pretensions, no poncey embellishments (although there is a large amount of farming equipment fixed to the walls and cieling).
It has ample seating, loads of tellys for watching the football (including one at the bar!) and a brilliant upstairs area (inexplicably decorated with pictures of British Prime Ministers from Campbell Bannerman onwards). In the summer they throw open the screen windows allowing you to feel the cool breeze and hear the honking of Volkswagens on the high street as you sup your Snakebite and Black (yes, they WILL serve snakey b).
The fact that there are two bars means you dont have to wait long for a drink, especially upstairs, and this remains a near perfect place to watch football.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Review of Lord Clyde
12 Jul 07, 09:26
Best pub in London. There I said it.
Nestled in an inaccessible alley off Southwark Street, 'The Clyde' is a hidden gem. A good old fashioned London Boozer, the Clyde's friendly staff serve all the usual booze to a variety of regulars, builders and local office workers. They also serve lovely homemade hot food - I had one of the best BLTs I have ever tasted there, as well as the occasional stew or casserole. The smoking ban seems to be confusing some of the old boys, but with a small outside seating area everyone should be happy.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.