Randomness Guide to London - Differences between Version 4 and Version 3 of Old Salt Quay, SE16 5QU

Version 4 Version 3
== Line 24 == == Line 24 ==
* [http://fancyapint.com/pubs/pub226.html Fancyapint review] (looking empty)
* [http://fancyapint.com/pubs/pub226.html Fancy A Pint review] (looking empty)
== Line 33 == == Line 33 ==
host='217.147.81.2'
host='86.134.167.15'

Note: Beer In The Evening comments as of July 2007 suggest this pub's now called "The Old Salt Quay", and other parts of the interweb seem to agree; for example, thebestof.co.uk describes a "steak and seafood festival" including a champagne and Pimms bar, and live jazz. Whether the oysters and champagne signal a significant change from its previous incarnation, we're not sure, having been once-or-twice visitors rather than regulars.

The review below was written before the change of name:

Greene King pub on the river in Rotherhithe. It's fairly large. On the ground floor there are a couple of areas leading off from the main open-plan bar area; one with a pool table, and another with sofas and armchairs. A large riverside seating area is also accessible from the bar. There's a restaurant upstairs, also with outside seating (though it's not always open, and I don't know if it offers anything different from the main pub menu).

Accessibility is very good; the front door is wide, the ground floor is all on one level (apart from a 1-2cm high step at the threshold), there's a separate disabled toilet, access to the main part of the patio is step-free, and there's a lift to the upstairs restaurant. The chairs on the patio are a comfortably large size.

Standard Greene King beers on offer; Abbot Ale, Old Speckled Hen, Greene King IPA. They also had Jacques fruit cider (OK, it's basically Strongbow with squash in, but I like it --Kake), and I did spot a Leffe pump too. We paid £4.10 for a pint and a half of Abbot, bizarrely served in one Guinness glass and one 1664 Blanc glass. It was drinkable, though not as good as at the Mayflower just up the road.

The menu looked interesting; particularly the sharing platters (from £4.65 for veggie nachos up to £6.95 for the farmhouse deli board with cheese, ham, pork pie, etc). Cheaper options are topped spicy wedges (from £2.25 for cheese or salsa up to £2.85 for chilli) or jacket potatoes (£3.75–4.75 depending on toppings). Sandwiches and wraps around £5. Mains cost between £5.65 (ham, egg, and chips) and £8.95 (8oz sirloin steak). The mention of shortcrust pastry in the description of the steak and Old Speckled Hen pie (£6.35) gives hope that it's a real pie rather than a travesty. They also have a separate burger menu offering "18 burgers from around the world".

The vegetarian choices are not extensive — only one main course, the butternut and sage risotto (£5.95) — though some are potentially vegan, such as the chickpea masala pitta pocket (£4.95), the jacket potato with beans (£3.75), and the Indian sharing platter (£6.25).

Unfortunately, the Beer in the Evening comments suggest that in fact the food is rather badly executed. We've not yet tested this.

The staff were "Eastern European and rather easily confused", according to Bob, which is consistent with the BitE comments mentioned above.

Has its own car park and bike parking (a dozen thingies to lock your bike to, under shelter).

See also:

Last visited 7 May 2007 by Kake and Bob. Food times and prices taken from blackboard and menu in pub, 7 May 2007.

List all versions