Some friends and I decided to sample the 'Lord Dudley' a couple of Thursday nights ago and the experience was mixed to say the least.
The staff at this establishment need a serious course in customer service!
I was glared at by one of the bar girls when I asked for a glass for my bottle of Newcastle Ale.
It was a very busy afternoon but if you can't stand the heat.....
This was compounded by the waitress in the Garden Restaurant downstairs.Very officious but no smile.
She greeted us with the usual 'Hello Gentlemen" but when she discovered that we didn't have a reservation the looks turned to daggers!
"Only two of you, I suppose we can put you over here but you have to be gone by eight as we get very busy".
The food fortunately was very good. The lambs fry is excellent but could be served on polenta rather than the usual mash. Everything's served on mash in pubs these days.
Our friends caught up with us and decided to head down stairs to the restaurant to eat but were made to feel uncomfortable by the staff even though we ordered up.
"I never thought they'd leave" was heard by us on departing.
I noticed that anyone who was a regular was treated like gold!
The only reason I would return to this pub would be for the food which is worth the rudeness of the people serving.
review by: HannibalThere's a very 'British' feel to this pub. The outside walls are crawling with Ivy, the pointed gables give it a rather medieval feel. Enter through the side door and you'll immediately think "I'm in Britain".
The Pub is divided into a front 'public bar', the back into a lounge area and a set of booths, upstairs is a pokie lounge, and downstairs a rather good restaurant. There are also two privtae function rooms, though how it all fits into this building, I'll never know! The layout has that classic british rambling feel, without actually being cramped (well, most of the time) There's a lot of bar area, but it can still be a squeeze getting a beer on a busy night.
This place attracts moneyed locals, Brits on tour, seekers after atmosphere and many others. The crowd is usually very congenial, and if you're alone you can usually find some pretty good company, especially when the beer starts flowing.
It's been in the hands of "Lord Jim" for the last 20 years, apparently, and he's spent the time restoring the place into it's current glorious state. Wood panelled, carpeted, with low lighting, log fires and British Beers on tap (as well as the usual Aussie selection), it's one of our recommended venues.
Food will set you back between $12 and $20 for a main (good price for this area!) and beers vary from just under $4 upwards. It's also a Honeywell clean air pub, for those of you who don't like it smoky.
review by: pubguide staff