Constructive Criticism

[Emil Miller]

When thinking of travelling I have found it a good idea to check out other peoples opinions on hotels, restaurants etc., while allowing for a measure of subjectivity in their assessment. It's in this connection that I have made the occasional contribution with regard to pubs; which I hope have been useful to those who, like myself, want to know what's on offer.
Do other members read and submit their views on goods and services they have experienced?
Here are a few examples of my own submissions to give some idea of the sort of thing I mean:

The Wibbas Down Inn, Wimbledon
I have finally stopped drinking in the Wibbas Down after giving it one more try. I don't say that it is markedly different to other Wetherspoons pubs, as they have a reputation for down-market hostelries, but in recent times the proliferation of old plonkers in baseball caps talking a lot of bollocks at the top of their voices has placed the Wibbas Down beyond the pale. When Wetherspoon first started opening pubs, they were a haven of tranquil drinking and good conversation until the pot-bellied plonkers discovered that the beer was cheaper than elsewhere; since when, they have converged on the pubs like a pack of Rab C. Nesbitts on speed. Nothing will return the pubs to their former glory except a reasonable dress code and an elocution test to be taken by all who enter.
28 Nov 2011 22:21


The Smith and Western, Boxhill
Occasionally I walk up Box Hill and make my way to this pub but only because there isn't another in the vicinity. It's an embarrassingly naff 1950s style Western theme pub. The last time I was there they were playing Rhinestone Cowboy and the name should tell you all you need to know about it. The beer is watery and only sold in half pints: Clint Eastwood would not be pleased, I haven't eaten there so I don't know about the food, but today I arrived at 11.42 a.m. and was told that there was no alcohol until (high) noon. I felt like saying "Smile when you say that stranger", but I simply turned and left the premises. It really is a pity that there isn't another pub nearby.
28 Nov 2011 21:16


The Wibbas Down Inn, Wimbledon
I happened to be in Wimbledon and decided to have a pint in the Wibass down
which I hadn't been in for a year. As it was around 2pm there were only about 5 or 6 other guys in the Wimbledon theatre end of the pub. It was nice and peaceful and I was enjoying my pint when someone who looked exactly like the tramp that used to introduce Monty Python's Flying Circus emerged from the other end and took up position outside for a smoke. Then he came back inside, and inspected the beer pumps with a magnifying glass before ordering one and disappearing into the far reaches of the pub. I was relieved to see him go and was about to order another when I heard the barmaid say "Hello Charlie". Charlie emerged from the same direction as the tramp, and holding a pint took up position at one of the tables; at which point, I made a quick exit. You see, Charlie seems to spend all his time there and is the reason I hadn't been there for a year. Because Charlie is the biggest bore in Christendom and will collar anyone who happens to be having a quiet drink and belabour them with his totally uninteresting life story. And this highlights a basic fault with Wetherspoons pubs in general in that they invariably attract weirdos on account of the cheap beer. This is a pity, because if you choose the correct time of day, it would otherwise be possible to enjoy a couple of pints in a civilised atmosphere.
20 Jun 2011 18:10

[LitNetIsGreat]

Ha, ha love the short reviews. I have never written these before but I have often read a few off the trip advisor website, though often you find a strange mix of "fantastic 5 star, not to be missed" or "woeful, one star, avoid with your life" which doesn't help much. I was almost pushed to write one about the meal I had at the Strines the other day which wasn't matched by the price unfortunately, so I wouldn't eat there again.

Ha, a quick look at the trip advisor website for the Strines backs up what I'm talking about:

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g186364-d1013736-Reviews-Strines_Inn-Sheffield_South_Yorkshire_England.html

"A real pub with great food" and "terrible avoid."

Not much help.

[Calidore]

I think the best approach is to ignore the one- and five-star reviews, which eliminates the paid shills and those with an axe to grind. What's left are the people who are willing to give both the good and bad.

On the other hand, if your hotel experience was so bad that your review can take the form of a classic comedy series, go for it.

[Emil Miller]

Ha, ha love the short reviews. I have never written these before but I have often read a few off the trip advisor website, though often you find a strange mix of "fantastic 5 star, not to be missed" or "woeful, one star, avoid with your life" which doesn't help much. I was almost pushed to write one about the meal I had at the Strines the other day which wasn't matched by the price unfortunately, so I wouldn't eat there again.

Ha, a quick look at the trip advisor website for the Strines backs up what I'm talking about:

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g186364-d1013736-Reviews-Strines_Inn-Sheffield_South_Yorkshire_England.html

"A real pub with great food" and "terrible avoid."

Not much help.

I agree that reviews are often mixed but that may be due to human nature as it's not possible to please everybody but, on balance, the reviews are very positive and most probably give an accurate picture of the state of play. Its hard to believe that the negative reviewer found £8.95 too expensive for his meal.

[LitNetIsGreat]

I agree that reviews are often mixed but that may be due to human nature as it's not possible to please everybody but, on balance, the reviews are very positive and most probably give an accurate picture of the state of play. Its hard to believe that the negative reviewer found £8.95 too expensive for his meal.

Yes you're never going to please everybody. You are forgetting the northern stereotype for tightness though. I paid £9.80 for my 10 oz gammon and chips (30p extra for an egg that never arrived) and that wasn't worth it. The gammon was nice but the veg was tried and the chips few. The service was pretty poor too as it was just plonked down and that was that, no sauces on offer, even salt and vinegar or nowt. I wasn't that bothered though as I was just out biking/reading and was looking for a quick meal, even if it is one of my pet hates having to scrounge around for salt and sauce. I think as the review shows people eating out today do expect value for money as well as quality and service. I find that some people don't mind paying a bit more for quality and service but when they are lacking as well it is not good. The Strines can get away with it though because it is such a stunning place, it's nearly always busy especially on Sunday with the Sunday lunch brigade. The reviews for The Ladybower Inn another fine inn look a lot better though, there are no negative reviews. I might be off there next week for a ride or a walk around and a bite to eat. I don't think I've been down there this year as yet.

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g209969-d1315394-Reviews-Ladybower_Inn-Hope_Valley_Derbyshire_England.html

There are some great views from this pub, only spoiled by the busy road that links Sheffield to Manchester. It's a regular favourite stop of for motor bikers and walkers alike.

[Calidore]

What's a gammon?

[Emil Miller]

Yes you're never going to please everybody. You are forgetting the northern stereotype for tightness though. I paid £9.80 for my 10 oz gammon and chips (30p extra for an egg that never arrived) and that wasn't worth it. The gammon was nice but the veg was tried and the chips few. The service was pretty poor too as it was just plonked down and that was that, no sauces on offer, even salt and vinegar or nowt. I wasn't that bothered though as I was just out biking/reading and was looking for a quick meal, even if it is one of my pet hates having to scrounge around for salt and sauce. I think as the review shows people eating out today do expect value for money as well as quality and service. I find that some people don't mind paying a bit more for quality and service but when they are lacking as well it is not good. The Strines can get away with it though because it is such a stunning place, it's nearly always busy especially on Sunday with the Sunday lunch brigade. The reviews for The Ladybower Inn another fine inn look a lot better though, there are no negative reviews. I might be off there next week for a ride or a walk around and a bite to eat. I don't think I've been down there this year as yet.

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g209969-d1315394-Reviews-Ladybower_Inn-Hope_Valley_Derbyshire_England.html

There are some great views from this pub, only spoiled by the busy road that links Sheffield to Manchester. It's a regular favourite stop of for motor bikers and walkers alike.

It's a good job you don't eat in this neck of the woods, because you would probably pay double for a steak that size. I know that service is often a cause for complaint but it seems to me that staff are too often rushed and inevitably upset some customers. I tend to put myself in their shoes and would hate to work in a restaurant but often it's the only work available to them.
As I mentioned in my reviews, it's usually the customers who are the problem in pubs rather than the bar staff although there are always exceptions.
The reviews for your intended visit are excellent and the scenery quite amazing. I'm not surprised that you want to try it out and I hope the food lives up to its reputation.

[LitNetIsGreat]

It's a good job you don't eat in this neck of the woods, because you would probably pay double for a steak that size. I know that service is often a cause for complaint but it seems to me that staff are too often rushed and inevitably upset some customers. I tend to put myself in their shoes and would hate to work in a restaurant but often it's the only work available to them.
As I mentioned in my reviews, it's usually the customers who are the problem in pubs rather than the bar staff although there are always exceptions.
The reviews for your intended visit are excellent and the scenery quite amazing. I'm not surprised that you want to try it out and I hope the food lives up to its reputation.

Yes that's why I'm often not one for complaining overly much unless something is really bad. Still I don't know why there was one salt pot and vinegar bottle for the entire pub (as far as I could make out) but that's not down to the kitchen staff anyway. My brother works in restaurants so he sees things from their point of view as well, so equally doesn't complain over smaller details.No, I certainly wouldn't pay double that for 10 oz gammon, not for unlimited salt pots even.

Yes Ladybower is very nice with some great walks around there. I did a 27 mile walk starting from there two years back and it nearly killed me, it's not just the distance but the gradient - we started on Win Hill actually which is a killer:


http://www.peakdistrictinformation.com/outdoors/walk16.php
(click on image 1 or 2.)

You can just make out the pub in the distance beyond the bridge. Oh I've been to the pub many times, but I never eaten that much there, usually on account of having to bike up the hill on the way back. Not good on a full belly but it might be worth it.

[Emil Miller]

A 27 mile walk would have killed me. The most I have ever done was 19 miles and that was more than enough. There are one or two killer heights in the Surrey hills where the gradient is what's totally punishing rather than the distance covered. I usually arrive at the summit in a state of collapse but the thought of the pint waiting along the next stretch of the route keeps me going.

[MANICHAEAN]

When back in the UK (or Hatfield in Hertfordshire to be precise), I gravitate between two extremes regards pubs:

1. The Town Centre: An almost Dickensian mixture of; the underemployed, Polish immigrants, small time drug dealers, mastiff dogs and kids. One bar, 6 plasma screens, a punch bag, pool table & the smokers sit outside nursing their discounted pints of bitter as if they have lost touch with eternity. Everyone seems either to know one another or to be inbred and the bar maid is the scariest thing this side of Halloween. Don’t even contemplate eating there, but the establishment in my own perverse view, is judged to have “atmosphere,” if you are of a disposition to enjoy joints where one can just sit, watch & get quietly plastered.

2. The Candlestick up at the back of Hatfield Park Estate approached by a six am start route march up rural lanes to be there for opening time. Good exercise. The country set holds court there with; retired colonels, local landowners and magistrates. Equestrian characters trot past & inside the ploughman’s with crusty bread, cheddar cheese & Branston pickle washed down with fresh tasting Palmerstone bitter is to die for. Suitably refreshed, I ring my eldest daughter who drives up in the Audie to retrieve her dear old father who has once again fallen among sinners & publicans.

[Emil Miller]

When back in the UK (or Hatfield in Hertfordshire to be precise), I gravitate between two extremes regards pubs:

1. The Town Centre: An almost Dickensian mixture of; the underemployed, Polish immigrants, small time drug dealers, mastiff dogs and kids. One bar, 6 plasma screens, a punch bag, pool table & the smokers sit outside nursing their discounted pints of bitter as if they have lost touch with eternity. Everyone seems either to know one another or to be inbred and the bar maid is the scariest thing this side of Halloween. Don’t even contemplate eating there, but the establishment in my own perverse view, is judged to have “atmosphere,” if you are of a disposition to enjoy joints where one can just sit, watch & get quietly plastered.

2. The Candlestick up at the back of Hatfield Park Estate approached by a six am start route march up rural lanes to be there for opening time. Good exercise. The country set holds court there with; retired colonels, local landowners and magistrates. Equestrian characters trot past & inside the ploughman’s with crusty bread, cheddar cheese & Branston pickle washed down with fresh tasting Palmerstone bitter is to die for. Suitably refreshed, I ring my eldest daughter who drives up in the Audie to retrieve her dear old father who has once again fallen among sinners & publicans.

Although I have done some country walks around Hertfordshire, I don't recall ever visiting Hatfield, but a couple of reviews of the pubs mentioned seem to confirm your description.


The Town Centre Inn

I didn’t get the friendliest welcome from the cocksure barman/governor and had great difficulty extracting some information out of him on the whereabouts of the gents. Not a great start and it didn’t get much better as the smattering of locals on my week night visit were the sort that you wouldn’t get into a conversation with at the bar.

The pub has two bars with a pool table in each and numerous plasma screens for Sky Sports. The larger main bar has a couple of dart boards which was good to see, but it would take more than them to get me in here again.

Cheap pub food is served, but I think that I’d rather eat at the kebab van that seems to be permanently situated outside.

I’ll not be returning to this pub again. Strongers - 11 Sep 2009


The Candlestick

I often wonder how this place actually survives as it's as off the beaten track as somewhere this close to London can be. Although it's a McMullens house they do have a guest beer on. I dropped by one midweek evening to find an empty car park and a crowded bar - yet there are no houses in the vicinity. Had visions of a Wicker Man being constructed in an adjoining field. Beer is pretty good and it is a little more accesible to public transport than the Woodman ( a mile or so down the lane)
Snarling_Mallard - 29 Aug 2009

[osho]

Criticism, constructive or destructive, is something that works to popularize writers or else who will know you. Nobody is perfect in this universe and maybe in some aspects we are always second to somebody. A critic, if he or she is efficient points out your shortcomings so that you can improve on your weaknesses and build on your strengths.

Most writers are critical of critics. In fact they are path blazers

[MANICHAEAN]

Osho

I indulge in order to write, not to criticise.

Every writer should be a watcher by definition.

Regards
M.