pub grub guide
Discussion
For me, it's always been about value for money, that could be spoons, beer and burgers to Michelin star; I don't like to feel I'm being ripped off.
What doesn't help is being interested in cooking as a home cook. With the middle tier of restaurants and pubs, I often come away spending a fair amount of money, knowing I could do better, the reason for the evening out aside of course.
I want something I can't do myself, which often means proper pizza; despite having a pizza oven attachment for my Weber, I really struggle with it.
As for the post, I've not been to many pubs recently that have impressed me, other than Fordwich Arms and Sportsman, which are local, but they aren't really pubs!
What doesn't help is being interested in cooking as a home cook. With the middle tier of restaurants and pubs, I often come away spending a fair amount of money, knowing I could do better, the reason for the evening out aside of course.
I want something I can't do myself, which often means proper pizza; despite having a pizza oven attachment for my Weber, I really struggle with it.
As for the post, I've not been to many pubs recently that have impressed me, other than Fordwich Arms and Sportsman, which are local, but they aren't really pubs!
I think we’re all grown up enough to know what we like and don’t, with the exception of very touristy destinations, most places won’t survive if they’re not good.
I used to leave reviews, but only positive, if I don’t like a place I simply don’t return. The only exception to this was a Western restaurant in Shenzhen, which had rave reviews, but was actually bloody filthy. I no longer leave reviews as the sites seem more geared to sustaining themselves, than serving businesses.
I think I’m lucky, having been in the position to taste some outstanding food, but still I would not consider myself in a position to critique others output.
Having said all that, I can’t think of the last time, I had a bad meal; could be, I just manage my expectations.
I used to leave reviews, but only positive, if I don’t like a place I simply don’t return. The only exception to this was a Western restaurant in Shenzhen, which had rave reviews, but was actually bloody filthy. I no longer leave reviews as the sites seem more geared to sustaining themselves, than serving businesses.
I think I’m lucky, having been in the position to taste some outstanding food, but still I would not consider myself in a position to critique others output.
Having said all that, I can’t think of the last time, I had a bad meal; could be, I just manage my expectations.
As above, I'll take time to leave good feedback if somewhere stood out as being excellent, and if it's rotten I just don't go back.
When visiting a new area or going on holiday I do still read reviews beforehand, but filter for only the best and the worst as that tells me all I need to know. You can usually spot whether someone giving a 5 star review is potentially clueless about food (usually accompanied by a blurry photo) and if the 1 star reviewers are just delusional or moaners. Filter them out and you know what to expect.
One thing I have noticed is that Brits love to rate food on whether it is 'piping hot' or not. Michelin starred food would get a 1 star review from some if only warm or hot - got to be burn the skin inside of your mouth piping hot to really earn that 5 star review
When visiting a new area or going on holiday I do still read reviews beforehand, but filter for only the best and the worst as that tells me all I need to know. You can usually spot whether someone giving a 5 star review is potentially clueless about food (usually accompanied by a blurry photo) and if the 1 star reviewers are just delusional or moaners. Filter them out and you know what to expect.
One thing I have noticed is that Brits love to rate food on whether it is 'piping hot' or not. Michelin starred food would get a 1 star review from some if only warm or hot - got to be burn the skin inside of your mouth piping hot to really earn that 5 star review
Type R Tom said:
For me, it's always been about value for money, that could be spoons, beer and burgers to Michelin star; I don't like to feel I'm being ripped off.
What doesn't help is being interested in cooking as a home cook. With the middle tier of restaurants and pubs, I often come away spending a fair amount of money, knowing I could do better, the reason for the evening out aside of course.
I want something I can't do myself, which often means proper pizza; despite having a pizza oven attachment for my Weber, I really struggle with it.
As for the post, I've not been to many pubs recently that have impressed me, other than Fordwich Arms and Sportsman, which are local, but they aren't really pubs!
This is my approach. I hate the term Gastropub. They are inevitably pubs serving cook, chill, reheat food, typically from Brakes or other factory outlet. With overpriced wines from generic UK merchants.What doesn't help is being interested in cooking as a home cook. With the middle tier of restaurants and pubs, I often come away spending a fair amount of money, knowing I could do better, the reason for the evening out aside of course.
I want something I can't do myself, which often means proper pizza; despite having a pizza oven attachment for my Weber, I really struggle with it.
As for the post, I've not been to many pubs recently that have impressed me, other than Fordwich Arms and Sportsman, which are local, but they aren't really pubs!
The poorest value for money are starred restaurants with over elaborate decorations and menus, but with portion control that makes you go meh. I remember once going to a flash place for Christmas lunch and bought fish and chips on the way home, as we were hungry.
Our favourite restaurants are typically French Michelin recommended, run by husband and wife team serving, perhaps, 20-25 covers per sitting. These typically cost €70-90 per couple with a decent wine. At the other end, we like cheap Tapas bars for lunch in Spain, where all the food has been prepared in-house and 4-dishes and a couple of Cervezas cost €16-20 per couple
Very few places in the UK deserve a 5-star review IMHO. We discovered an Italian a couple of weeks back and went with lowish expectations. The food was possibly the best ever, including in Italy. Their 3-course lunch menu was £20 pp with £33 for a bottle of decent red. Their surroundings were crisp Italian design and brilliant service from smart Italian waiters, rather than kids trying to cover their Uni fees and complete indifference towards their customers.
21TonyK said:
Ignoring the moral and legal responsibilities of slagging off a pub on a public forum I find people are often quick to criticise when they are not in a position of experience or knowledge to do so with any credibility.
One man's meat is another man's poison... and all that.
I very much agree with this, and would add that the truly sh*t places are either in complete denial, or know they're sh*t and don't care.One man's meat is another man's poison... and all that.
rdjohn said:
Type R Tom said:
For me, it's always been about value for money, that could be spoons, beer and burgers to Michelin star; I don't like to feel I'm being ripped off.
What doesn't help is being interested in cooking as a home cook. With the middle tier of restaurants and pubs, I often come away spending a fair amount of money, knowing I could do better, the reason for the evening out aside of course.
I want something I can't do myself, which often means proper pizza; despite having a pizza oven attachment for my Weber, I really struggle with it.
As for the post, I've not been to many pubs recently that have impressed me, other than Fordwich Arms and Sportsman, which are local, but they aren't really pubs!
This is my approach. I hate the term Gastropub. They are inevitably pubs serving cook, chill, reheat food, typically from Brakes or other factory outlet. With overpriced wines from generic UK merchants.What doesn't help is being interested in cooking as a home cook. With the middle tier of restaurants and pubs, I often come away spending a fair amount of money, knowing I could do better, the reason for the evening out aside of course.
I want something I can't do myself, which often means proper pizza; despite having a pizza oven attachment for my Weber, I really struggle with it.
As for the post, I've not been to many pubs recently that have impressed me, other than Fordwich Arms and Sportsman, which are local, but they aren't really pubs!
The poorest value for money are starred restaurants with over elaborate decorations and menus, but with portion control that makes you go meh. I remember once going to a flash place for Christmas lunch and bought fish and chips on the way home, as we were hungry.
Our favourite restaurants are typically French Michelin recommended, run by husband and wife team serving, perhaps, 20-25 covers per sitting. These typically cost €70-90 per couple with a decent wine. At the other end, we like cheap Tapas bars for lunch in Spain, where all the food has been prepared in-house and 4-dishes and a couple of Cervezas cost €16-20 per couple
Very few places in the UK deserve a 5-star review IMHO. We discovered an Italian a couple of weeks back and went with lowish expectations. The food was possibly the best ever, including in Italy. Their 3-course lunch menu was £20 pp with £33 for a bottle of decent red. Their surroundings were crisp Italian design and brilliant service from smart Italian waiters, rather than kids trying to cover their Uni fees and complete indifference towards their customers.
21TonyK said:
Ignoring the moral and legal responsibilities of slagging off a pub on a public forum I find people are often quick to criticise when they are not in a position of experience or knowledge to do so with any credibility.
One man's meat is another man's poison... and all that.
Yep the guide on here is pointless tbh.One man's meat is another man's poison... and all that.
As I have commented previously if one were to judge on the man on the Clapham omnibus's opinion one would think the best eating in a town is a some grim takeaway or cheap and cheerful hungry horse in a lot now TA cases.
Likewise negative reviews too. Most on TA are after freebies as per the scummy threads prevalent on PH about compensation for if anything someone's own fault. But such is the way society is going.
I frequent Beckford group establishments amongst otheres when schelping between east and west. And one has imo gone downhill big time food wise since the previous chef left. The new guy is a loveky bloke, young, local, presents well but the food has gone from superb to meh. Haven't left a TA review as there is no validity in most of them. I just visit it less and go to other places.
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