The Clock House pub

[savvygirl]

Was there on Sunday and it was heaving, probably due to the warm weather. Packed both inside and out. It was very very noisy and difficult to have a conversation. I guess this is because there are now no carpets and the noise just bounces around. People seemed to get louder and louder, shouting at each other even across a table for four! In my opinion the pub has not changed for the better. It now has a constant flow of beings who change every week but who somehow all look the same. It's no longer a local with interesting people, it's just another eaterie full of families with kids and the odd poser or two! It sadly seems to have lost all its warmth and charm along with its regulars!

[Callie]

They should have changed the name of the pub too because sadly it's not The Clock House at all anymore.

[Sue]

Well it still has a clock outside!

We went in on Sunday to have a look and we both thought it was a vast improvement.

The "old" pub - the "local with interesting people" described above - was in my opinion a dark, dreary pub with little or no character, and not a very pleasant place to eat or drink. I certainly didn't notice any "warmth and charm", particularly in the back section!

Every so often it went through minor changes, which never really seemed to make things any better, and I'm guessing the latest refurb was do or die for the pub. Judging by the number of people in there, seems like it will be successful. Better than closing it down completely, surely?

Can't comment on food - or drink prices - as haven't eaten or drunk there.

[Callie]

I walk past it twice a day & haven't seen more than 1 person sitting outside the pub even in nice sunny weather. Whereas before it used to be packed out. Probally too expensive now.

[StraferJack]

The see you coming and duck inside Callie

[Help-Ma-Boab]

Is it open when you walk past?

ETA: don't recognise that its empty. The last couple of times I've walked past on a fine evening it was packed. In fact Wednesday evening I don't think there was a spare table outside in the front or round the side.

Callie Wrote:

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> I walk past it twice a day & haven't seen more

> than 1 person sitting outside the pub even in nice

> sunny weather. Whereas before it used to be packed

> out. Probally too expensive now.

[Sue]

Had post-gig lunch there today.

We both had the so-called "Posh Chicken Kiev". Haven't had Chicken Kiev for years, and have quite fond memories of it.

It was weird, and I have no idea what was supposed to be "posh" about it.

It seemed to have been deep fried in batter instead of breadcrumbs, and there was a bit of garlic in the middle but no sign of butter.

Surely the whole point of Chicken Kiev is when you cut it open and a load of garlic butter oozes out?

It came with cabbage and smoked bacon, and the flavour of the smoked bacon just overwhelmed everything else.

The celeriac mash was OK-ish.

I still think it's a nice space, and a far nicer place to sit and read the Saturday paper than it was before, but I wouldn't rush back there to eat.

Nice to hear Otis Redding singing "My Girl" though, which was one of the first singles I ever bought :)

[StraferJack]

Youngs food

Youngs food

Youngs food

Forget which pub, in which part of the country

If its youngs you are stuck with the corporate brakes brothers fodder.

[Sue]

StraferJack Wrote:

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> Youngs food

>

> Youngs food

>

> Youngs food

>

> Forget which pub, in which part of the country

>

> If its youngs you are stuck with the corporate

> brakes brothers fodder.

xxxxx

:(

[polla2256]

just popped in for food today and I'm sad to say by no means did it live up to expectation.

my food was actually nice (cottage pie with bone marrow, though it needed some thyme) my wife's was extremely disappointing (beef Sunday roast). it was obvious the kitchen staff were beginning to run out of food or cutting corners, the place was very busy and Sadly the staff struggled, as a result the quality of food was low compared to any other place in the area.

on to dessert and what the hell ? the chef obviously can't make desserts or couldn't be bothered. I won't be going back.

[samyb1]

Ahh the clock is meant to be a pub , they now sell cake and do baby massage . what has happend to a pub ? im a childminder ,but when i go out for a wine i dont want cake , or to loose my seat to a massage mother ..... its a pub ... go to a church hall ... yes i have children , i love kids , but its a pub ! i want pork scratchings not cake and a rub down !!!! bring back pubs xxxxx

[DJKillaQueen]

Well I finally went in there for a drink last night and really don't know what to make of it. It's certainly not the Clock House anymore....in any respect.

I kind of like the decor but just don't think it feels like a pub anymore. It also feels incredibly small. I felt like I'd walked into the Mad Hatter's doll's house (not that the Mad Hatter had a dolls house), which is another way of saying it feels cheap and pokey. The room upstairs that some seem to like, is also small, and you'd be lucky to get enough peace and quiet to read anything up there.

On the positive side, I can now buy unfiltered cider on tap, and whilst at ?4.25 a pint it's a little over priced compared to other pubs, it is cheaper than the ?5.05 a bottle of unfiltered cider would cost me in there before.

Didn't try the food but have no desire to do so any time soon. I agree with all the comments above regarding how noisy it is in there. Prefer more serene surounds for dining out.

[ultraburner]

Went there for the third time since the refurb last night.

Positives: It does look a lot fresher than before although (as others have said) it feels a bit bland and soul-less. It was in dire need of a makeover before.

Front of the building looks great now, and good use of the first floor. Staff are friendly and attentive. Certainly much busier than it ever was before.

Negatives: My favourite corner in the front garden is now fenced off for the bins :( ho-hum....

The wine glass racks above the bar look dangerous to me, being tall I almost headbutted them when leaning in to order a pint. Move them back a bit maybe?

The food. I really want to enjoy eating there but it always goes wrong in some way. Last night ordered fish and chips for 11 quid. 45 mins later no food. Had a word at the bar and they said the computer had gone wrong or something. Waited another 15 mins or so, still nothing, so asked for a pint on the house which they agreed to, although I felt it should have been them offering not me asking considering the wait. Try to cancel food after another five mins to be told its just being put on the plate. Ten minutes later food turns up; nice chips but very small portion of fish for the money and the batter wasn't like you get at a good chippy. It reminded me of the stuff I get from Tesco tbh. Sorry clock house, but if you are charging these sort of prices you need to do better. Will not be eating there again anytime soon.

['bout now]

is it a pub? Is it a Brasserie? Who knows but ?9.48 for 2 pints( 1 was Peroni), and a card machine offered back with a suggestion that I might leave a tip? Sorry but I won't be back.

A shame because it has the best location of all the pubs in the area and is a mystery to me how it can't be made to work.

?9.40'kin8, thats preposterous and I work in Soho.

[Live4mykids]

Aren't baby massage and similar activites held in the morning (and upstairs out of the way of others)? Isn't that a little early for wine? Everyone likes a bit of cake surely :). Mums (new and experienced) are very entitled to a seat at a pub/wine bar/brasserie/cake cafe just like 'normal' people.....

[Sue]

Live4mykids Wrote:

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. Mums (new

> and experienced) are very entitled to a seat at a

> pub/wine bar/brasserie/cake cafe just like

> 'normal' people.....

xxxxxx

YES !!!!

[binary_star]

Total rip off for what was absolutely dire food. Those who ordered food had all eaten pre refurb - verdict: food was same if not worse than pre refurb but pricier. Drinks prices gone up too (?5.15 for bottled cider, lager shandy was around a fiver).

I just can't get over how awful the food was! How they managed to mess up fish and chips, burgers etc so badly I don't know!? And it took ages to come. Disappointing as used to be nice to sit outside in the summer. Doubt I'd eat there again. Might go back for a pint on warm days but lucky pub in that respect due to it's location opposite the park.

[pmcmullan]

We went in shortly after it opened and found it to be like so many other gastropubs now - wooden floors, open kitchen, "funky" decor and more focus on eating than drinking. Not somewhere that you can relax in.

We probably would have stayed for something to eat except that the veggie options all had goat's cheese in them which we both hate.

Haven't been back since because there are so many other places to choose from in ED.

Real shame, but since other people say it's packed, they are obviously doing something right.

[fluffy]

So so disappointed, food is AWFUL. Was pretty bad before but with the new 'foodie focus' I thought maybe it would be better. Clearly I was wrong. Also dreadful attitude from the staff yesterday when someone else was complaining about being hugely overcharged. Shame as it could be so lovely and is in such a good location.

[boosboss]

Went a couple of weeks ago, during the nice weather and sat outside with the dogs. Only popped in for a quick drink, but after being joined by friends ending up staying all evening. Enjoyed a burger and a few(?)Peroni's. Nice atmosphere and very friendly staff. Wasn't looking to fault the place. Another thing in its favour, it's just across the common from home, so no need for a Taxi ;-)

[swissjoel]

?4.75 for a Greenwich Meantime Ale. Enough said.

[Sue]

TheClockHouse Wrote:

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> Hi Everyone,

>

> Just wanted to introduce myself, my names Laura

> and i'm the events manager at The ClockHouse. I'm

> so pleased you like our refurb!

>

> We have tried to bring in a menu that is fresh,

> funky with scandinavian influences and all locally

> sourced ingredients.

>

> Any questions just ask :)

>

> Look forward to seeing you in the pub soon!!

>

> Laura

xxxxxx

Hi Laura, Don't know whether you have read the above?

Do you have any response to the comments on the food?

The chicken kiev I had was very disappointing, and it seems that most of the others posting on here have been disappointed with their meals too.

Could you tell us what exactly are the "locally sourced ingredients", and what are the "Scandinavian influences"?

And why what should have been garlic butter in my kiev appeared to have been replaced by just a sliver of garlic?

[stacey-lyn]

We ate at the Clockhouse recently and did enjoy it. Decent portions* and extensive reasonably priced wine list. The rose bubbly by the glass was a nice alternative to the standard white. Good service which is becoming a rarity around ED - the waitress was charming & attentive. Really like the revamp. It's spacious and comfortable and very child friendly. Will return (next time with the pooch).

Blue Tomato Clockhouse review

* It tasted freshly prepared and certainly not what I'd call 'Youngs food' as was mentioned previously. Like most places though, the vegetarian options are very limited.

Edited to add *

[kp4]

I was very excited when the pub re-opened as I live on Barry Rd. I had a huge disappointment when we were charged over ?7per glass of wine and that was one of the cheapest ones! Don't take me wrong I do like a nice good quality of wine and happy to pay for it but it wasn't anything special.

I do agree it is a bit over-priced and not sure if I'll be coming back any time soon which is a shame.

Kat

[fernado]

Tasting "freshly prepared" is the very least a place serving food should be aiming for.