The Diamond Tap - Newbury

Visited 27th August 2010.

Some friends of ours from Newbury who we have not seen for about a year now have invited us out for a meal. They know we like the 'spoons and have planned a visit to 'The Diamond Tap', which until recently was a Chicago's. When we arrived we could see that the place was already busy, luckily we had a reserved upstairs table. First impressions were that it was loud and that it had that still very new air about it. Also great chandeliers. We went upstairs where it was a little less busy and with a lot more people eating. It somehow didn't feel like a beer and burger evening so the guys opted large mixed grills with the ladies going for the BBQ chicken melts. The food arrived quickly and with only one mistake, chips instead of a baked potato with one of the chicken meals. About 9pm the already loud music was cranked up several notches (possibly to number 11) making it impossible to talk or even shout although the vibrations coming up through the floor and chairs gave a very pleasant feeling. We had a coffee but missed out on getting the card stamped as the stamp and pens were all downstairs. "Just show your receipt", we were told but it was way to busy to do that. We left shortly after that, passing a full dance floor and most surprisingly an entrance where people were paying to get in. This was a new one on me, I've not come across a 'spoons that required you to pay to get into, even if it is "only" £2 after 10pm. I was so taken aback I forgot to ask if it was only on a Friday. All in all a nice pub if you fancy a boogie* but not quite so good if you fancy a chat with somebody you haven't seen for a year.

*I was up for a bit of dancing but because of my super power - the ability to clear a dance floor in a matter of seconds - Mrs. S is always reluctant to let me let loose when I'm with her.

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The Cap in Hand - Surbiton

Visited 8th August 2010.

Our last pub of the day was an altogether different affair. Just down the road is 'The Cap in Hand' and it's got a car park. Pudding time. A Belgium waffle with chocolate and ice-cream for Mrs S. and the apple crumble for me. We sat in the conservatory to eat with a fine view of the A3. Hmm, what to drink. Whilst I'm not big on change I do like to try different drinks and my curiosity over the strawberry cider turned out to be overwhelming. I should have remembered my previous affairs with chocolate beer and banana beer, they did not end happily. The photo of the drink does not really do the colour justice. In the photo it looks almost brown, in reality it was pink. I cannot complain. I asked for a taste sample first and the pint was everything I expected and did taste of strawberries. Unfortunately I just couldn't finish it! I would like to say that I've learnt my lesson but I also know that if someday I spot mango beer, fish & chip beer or even a hearty cooked breakfast cider I will still be buying a pint to sample.
All in all a pleasant afternoon out with 'The Coronation Hall' being the real jewel in the crown.

© John Sinner. None of the material contained in this post, or this blog as a whole, may be reproduced without the express and written permission of John Sinner. All rights reserved.

The Coronation Hall - Surbiton

Visited 8th August 2010.

As it turns out The Coronation Hall just down the road from Kingston is also in an old theatre. I spent several minutes chatting with a chap in a blue shirt who was more than happy to tell me some of its history including the fact that Phyllis Dixey, 'The Girl from Surbiton' had performed there as had many famous acts such as Laurel and Hardy. With a pint of spitfire in my hand I spent a few minutes chatting with a couple of other people about the place, everybody had something to say. Whilst taking a photo of the 'Peek-a-Boo' picture a young lady was kind enough to show me how to turn the flash off on my camera (and back on again afterwards) and her friends were kind enough to lean back out of camera shot while also quizzing me on what I wanted the photo for. An interesting pub with more than a few characters.

© John Sinner. None of the material contained in this post, or this blog as a whole, may be reproduced without the express and written permission of John Sinner. All rights reserved.

The Kings Tun - Kingston upon Thames

Visited 8th August 2010.

A little planning on Google Earth and a little typing into the TomTom and we have a plan. A trip out and three pubs close to each other, no problem. First, The Cap in Hand, followed by The Coronation Hall and finally The Kings Tun, what can go wrong? As it turns out neither I or Mr Tom had a clue as to where we were going and as we end up driving through Kingston trying to get Surbiton the plan, smoothly (cough!) changes and we're going in reverse order. No actual problem in that but it just emphasises how the A-team we are not. Anyway, we find a pub in what used to be The Empire. Not sure if this was an old cinema or theatre - maybe I should start reading more of the plaques and pictures in these 'spoons. We venture in and upstairs where we obtain a table number and place our orders. We opt for traditional faire with Mrs S going for the chicken burger and Pepsi and myself opting for the gourmet burger and Strongbow. It's not the best we've eaten, but not the worst either. How can there be so much variety in a standard menu? We decided not to stay to long as we had plans and wanted a quick look round Kingston as well. (Also not to sure about the yellow paint). And we're off...

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The Pennsylvanian - Rickmansworth

Visited 1st August 2010.

It's Sunday afternoon, we're bored and it's not raining. Only one thing to do and that's get the bike out. A quick check of the map and Rickmansworth is our destination of choice. A bit of a boring journey around the M25 but it doesn't take long and being a Sunday it is pretty easy to park up almost right outside. The pub is very busy and at first we thought we might not be able to find a seat but Mrs. S. leads the way, heading into the very depths of the pub which goes back a lot further than we first thought. Unfortunately the downside of going on the bike is that it is Mrs. S. and not myself who gets to have a drink. We like the pub and stay long enough for it to start to empty a little but as I'm not having a drink myself I start to get a little fidgety. Time to be back on the bike and on the road again. All in all a pleasant pub and a decent afternoon out, and no, we didn't go home on the M25.

© John Sinner. None of the material contained in this post, or this blog as a whole, may be reproduced without the express and written permission of John Sinner. All rights reserved.