The Hill
Royal Hill, SE10
I've heard and read very different opinions and reviews of this pub. I rather wonder whether those who don't like it miss the old Barley Mow, (not that I ever went in it - it didn't really appeal to me. Presumably, if it closed, it didn't appeal to anyone else either.) What is it, by the way, landlords don't like about pubs called The Barley Mow? Gordon Ramsay's new place, The Narrow, used to be The Barley Mow, too. Maybe there will be a backlash - like, thank God, there seems to be with pubs called stupid names in the 80s and 90s reverting to their original titles - witness The Frog & Radiator's 'new' name The Ship & Billet.
But I digress (again...) Back to The Hill.
Personally - I like it. It's not a drinker's boozer, really, better described as a gastropub. It does Adnams Bitter but not much else other than the usual lagers. Sometimes the waiters forget to mention the bitter, so if you don't order at the bar, then at least go there in case there's anything else that's been forgotten.
Outside it's been tarted up with white paint, the Victorian tiles highlit rather nicely. Inside, it's all stripped floorboards, pale walls and candles - which I don't dislike - and the main eating area is up a couple of steps at the back, with a small dividing wall containing an old stained glass window. Outside there's a little garden with the omnipresent decking - not wildly exciting, but then so many pub gardens aren't. I wish more of these places would put a bit of effort into making their gardens as nice as their interiors.
The food has always been good when I've been there, though rather pricey for what it is - a salad I had the other day was definitely a bit thin on the plate.
I particularly enjoy the fish and chips - especially the rosemary chips, which I've been known to order as a standalone meal. Juicy and fat, and excellently cooked, they're definitely the best thing about The Hill.
The service varies. I've not found the waiters bolshy or inattentive, more absent-minded, really. They're usually friendly and eager to please but they can be a bit hap-hazard - they'll take ages to bring your meal, forget to mention special items (or beer) on the menu then ask three times if the food's ok.
The Hill is somewhere I return to on only an occasional basis, but always look forward to doing so.
I've heard and read very different opinions and reviews of this pub. I rather wonder whether those who don't like it miss the old Barley Mow, (not that I ever went in it - it didn't really appeal to me. Presumably, if it closed, it didn't appeal to anyone else either.) What is it, by the way, landlords don't like about pubs called The Barley Mow? Gordon Ramsay's new place, The Narrow, used to be The Barley Mow, too. Maybe there will be a backlash - like, thank God, there seems to be with pubs called stupid names in the 80s and 90s reverting to their original titles - witness The Frog & Radiator's 'new' name The Ship & Billet.
But I digress (again...) Back to The Hill.
Personally - I like it. It's not a drinker's boozer, really, better described as a gastropub. It does Adnams Bitter but not much else other than the usual lagers. Sometimes the waiters forget to mention the bitter, so if you don't order at the bar, then at least go there in case there's anything else that's been forgotten.
Outside it's been tarted up with white paint, the Victorian tiles highlit rather nicely. Inside, it's all stripped floorboards, pale walls and candles - which I don't dislike - and the main eating area is up a couple of steps at the back, with a small dividing wall containing an old stained glass window. Outside there's a little garden with the omnipresent decking - not wildly exciting, but then so many pub gardens aren't. I wish more of these places would put a bit of effort into making their gardens as nice as their interiors.
The food has always been good when I've been there, though rather pricey for what it is - a salad I had the other day was definitely a bit thin on the plate.
I particularly enjoy the fish and chips - especially the rosemary chips, which I've been known to order as a standalone meal. Juicy and fat, and excellently cooked, they're definitely the best thing about The Hill.
The service varies. I've not found the waiters bolshy or inattentive, more absent-minded, really. They're usually friendly and eager to please but they can be a bit hap-hazard - they'll take ages to bring your meal, forget to mention special items (or beer) on the menu then ask three times if the food's ok.
The Hill is somewhere I return to on only an occasional basis, but always look forward to doing so.
Labels: Drinking, Eating Out, Regional Greenwich
posted by The Greenwich Phantom at
08:36
24 Comments:
I haven't had a bad meal there yet, and I totally agree with you about the fish and chips - the chips are excellent. I really enjoy going there for lunch as it is not so crowded and the staff have a bit more time for you. What I do like is that the menu changes quite regularly (other than the fish and chips)so there is always something new to try.
I've noticed this place a few times whilst at Buenos Aires.. But the big question is, what are the prices like? I'm all for trying new chips but not if they are £5 plus as some places in Greenwich seem to charge..
The chips/wedges in the Coach & Horses also come highly recommended.
----
Greenwich Lalas
D'oh - I really must remember these things. To be honest, ahem, I can't remember the exact prices (I will start writing htem down, honest) but I'll ask the people I was with. At least one of them should remember ball park figures. I vaguely remember two to three quid for the yummy chips.
went there last week for the first time. A bit disappointing I'm afraid with the starters and puds very average. Service was friendly and prompt enough and main course ok but probably won't rush back, with places like the Inside a cut above.
The excellent fish and chips have crept north in price now and I'm pretty sure you can't get change from a tenner for them.
We live very close to The Hill and are very happy to have it on our doorstep. The Barley Mow had a pretty unsavoury reputation (usually more well known as the Charlie Mow, for the amount of dealing that was alleged to take place there). It is a bit pricey, but the food has improved consistently in the last year or so under the watchful eye of David, the tall Irish manager. The wine list is pretty good too and have some interesting and reasonable choices.
One thing we really love is that they have been known to let us taake our dessert home when we have been to full to eat and then they knock on the door for the crockery and cutlery later.
As for the rosemary chips, they are great but they have admitted to stealing a few sprigs from my front garden when they have run out from the fruit and veg provider - we're glad to provide it to the good of Greenwich's culinary wellbeing!
Presumably they would consider it rental for the crocks and cutlery. But that's great - the idea of taking your pud home. Just what a local eaterie should be about...
Living at the top of the hill in question, the Hill at the bottom is a godsend - a perfect resting place before the slog home. I've always been very happy with the service - friendly, welcoming, and though occasionally inattentive, no problem. In any case, the restaurant is small enough that you can usually attract attention quickly enough. The only minor gripe would be that the menu changes so quickly you can't always find favourite dishes (bring back the shredded duck thing, it was delicious). Beer-wise, a couple of ales would be great - though please don't lose the Leffe Blonde in the process. Roll on July 1 when the small bar at the bottom becomes inhabitable for non-smokers. Grim at the moment....
I'm sorry to say that my partner and I visited The Hil last Sunday and had an atrocious meal. My starter was meant to be a pork Mille Feuille but looked (and tasted) more like a ham fisted stuffed apple bake than a delicate and thoughtful appetiser.
Again, my main course was a duck breast with aubergine and feta salad (should have guessed from the ingredients!) and turned out to be 5 goujons of meat on an ineptly and childish created mess. I think the basic premise of this dish was to put most anything red/purple on the plate in the fashion of a 5 year olds play doh tea party.
My dessert didn't fare much better as I had great hopes of the cheese board. What with the restaurant being only seconds away from a premiere 'fromagerie' I had hoped that the selection would be interesting and the cut generous. Nope. Stilton, chedder and some something else completely forgettable and bland. Don't get me wrong, I love English cheeses and always Buy British where possible but come on! Imagination. Oh well, maybe Tesco (surely where The HIll makes up it cheese board?) hadn't had a fresh delivery that day.
I am being cutting about this place because, quite frankly, the meal was aweful. Consider that we spent £45 (including a bottle of wine) on this tosh when the previous week we spent LESS at Chapter II in Blackheath on a superb sunday lunch.
Don't put up with bad food!! The service was lovely and very attentive but when you are gagging (metaphorically not literally) on the grub the lovely young waiters and waitresses can't make up the shortfall.
Until they have a change of chef (i use this title very reluctantly with the young lad from The HIll as he surely doesn't deserve such a grand title) I can't justify the cost or put my stomach through that experience again!
Score: 2/10
Tut, tut, tut. They ARE going to have to pull up their socks if the food has gone downhill like this, because it's a local restaurant and word gets round. Let me know, folks, what YOUR meal is like there. I'll give it a short while and then re-review myself...
I ate at the Hill on Friday and the food was wonderful. It's a bit harsh for P&D to presume there are problems with the so called young chef. I had a lovely prawn and coconut starter and my main course of duck was perfect. The staff were as professional and friendly as ever and the price was spot on.
I love The Hill, it has a really good feel and is always welcoming.
As for their food I think the cheeseboard is one of the best around Greenwich and Blackheath.
Just out of interest, does anyone actually know how old the chef is?
it saddens me to read p&d's review, i spent a lot of time and effort on training the chef in question, and though he is young, 20 for the record' he is a very promising chef with a well developed pallette and a passsion for food, perhaps he just had a bad day, we all do, i've been a chef for 15 years and still occasionally have a bad day too. unfortunatly i now live on the other side of the world and cant get back into the hill to have a yarn with the boys in the kitchen but i implore p&d to try the hill again, perhaps the sunday roasts would be more to their liking.
now its time for my 2 cents worth on online reviews,and this is by no means directed at p&d
while i love the idea of the public being able to review a food service venue i feel that sadly a lot of people let their own likes and dislikes cloud their judgment and end up giving a place a bad review. if a dish is well executed but not to the reviewers taste, it the dish good or bad? often in the reviewers eyes, because they didn't like it, it is a bad dish. which makes a far from objective review.
in my tenure as head chef at The Hill we received a number of reviews from the public, all but one of these tables i remembered serving the table and what they ate, of the people who did have something negative to say, it was only said in a public forum after the fact, on the night they will say everything is grand, which poses a problem for staff, if we think you are happy, then we see no problem, if you tell us your steak is under cooked, we are always more that happy to remedy it. we have a lot of professional pride and honestly want every person to enjoy their time in our care.
any way, i'll spare you all my full rant and leave it at that.
Just to put my two penny worth in, and its great to see Toby sticking up for the "young chef". As his mother I am very proud of him as he worked very hard for three years at college and now for a year at The Hill. For the record, he is not he Head Chef, but no. 2 in the pecking order of the kitchen.
My Favourite Place! The blue eyed boy is back and the place seems to just get better, but when he is not there it feels a bit careless on the service front.
Food is always good and there is always something new to try. I love the seabass with the cassoulet only thirteen quid in countrast to the prices at Inside.
Definately the place to have a drink for a half an hour and move on to have a meal later the evening!
Absolutely Marvelous> I wish I knew of the place earlier. Greenwich's best kept secret! Food excellent. Sevice Excellent. a Pub/restaurant of Note. If you can find it enjoy!
It does seem that I have caused a bit of a storm over this one but I need to set the record straight.
Firstly, I am unconcerned with the age of the chef as age is no indication of talent. I would also point out that I was impressed with the service, both with courteousness and speed, and would employ any one of the three staff I have encountered.
However, I read the comments and made a return visit on Boxing Day with my partner and my mum (my previous visit was in July). I was wondering if I had been a little too harsh or, as Toby Cannon suggests, had gone on an 'off night'.
Sorry to say that the meal was again aweful. Amateur and indelicate. It really is food that a first year catering student might dish up.
I am not being nasty, I am being honest. I sincerely wish The Hill every success but at present, it is not reaching its full potential. I enjoy local places and always choose Greenwich over an 'up town' experience but this venue is going to have to raise its game to maintain long term sustainability.
I've eaten at The Hill twice now and shan't be returning until they have made some fundamental changes to the kitchen staff.
There really is better food for better value in Greenwich.
Score: 2/10
Sorry to hear that P & D had a bad meal at Christmas time. This cannot be blamed on the "young chef" though as he left the Hill at the beginning of December and can now be found half way up a French mountain working as a Sous Chef and sking in any spare moments. It has been so lovely to read the comments of other local folk who have enjoyed his cooking though. Gave me quite a lump in the throat.
we ate there last night. As always the food was brilliant. There really isn't anything bad to say about The Hill or its food.
Its probably not a good idea to expect the best from any restaurant on a boxing day. Especially if they have been open on christmas day. I had a really bad experience at Nobu one Boxing day. it just goes to show!
"Its probably not a good idea to expect the best from any restaurant on a boxing day. Especially if they have been open on christmas day."
You are kidding me? If you are paying for a meal it should be at the top of its form ANY TIME OF YEAR.
No excuses.
My husband took me to The Hill last night for Valentines and it was wonderful. My husband had the steak which was both tasty and cooked to perfection and my peppers in a spinach cream were heavenly. In fact the whole evening was really lovely. The waiters and waitresses make everyone feel so special and they had a set price of £35 which was well worth every penny. We had such a good time that we are now taking my mother for Mothers day. That's if I don't manage to sneak in a cheeky dinner before then!Yum!!
Lucy B
My family were lucky enough to be invited to lunch at The Hill last Sunday. I can't express how wonderful it is to finally find a place that serves such a great Sunday roast in such pleasant surroundings. Loved the Pork!In fact all our party enjoyed their food. Great time had by all and we will be back. Thats a promise!
agree about rosemary chips:) Also, I like their garden - so nice and cozy, I would say the best pub garden in greenwich
Just had a midweek evening meal at The Hill. I had seared scallops with grilled cougettes and oyster mushrooms. The meal was good although anyone with a larger appetite than mine would probably need a side dish as well. This would have taken the price up to £17. Very pricey for a main course. My partner had fish and chips for a tenner. The chips and salad were good and the fish was huge, however the batter on the fish was anaemic and soggy -letting down the whole dish. The service was prompt and polite but found the waiter asking if we wanted bread, olives, side orders etc. made us think they were trying to add money making extras. This was later confirmed when a 12.5% service charge was automatically added to the bill, although the small print did say 'optional'.
I use to like the Hill. Unfortunately, after Sunday i can't see us running back unless they change their policy toward children. Lunch was ruined by kids running around the place screaming at the top of their voices. The staff had no control and quite frankly its not what you expect when you go out for a quiet lunch.
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