Woodman, Eastcote, Pinner

In addition to reverting back to its previous name, it looks like this pub has also reverted to being much more of a drinkers' venue since the last review on here over 7 years ago. In fact, it was its listing in the 2024 Good Beer Guide that brought me here. There is a small bar area to the front, which is split into two distinct sections. Off to the rear is a separate dining/function room which was empty on our Friday evening visit. In fact, apart from a group of elderly locals in the bar, the majority of customers were youngsters enjoying a warm evening on the outdoor patio to the rear. It was quite a boisterous crowd using some choice language. Rebellion IPA is the regular beer. Guests were Timothy Taylor Boltmaker & Woodforde's Wherry. A food van in the car park was doing a roaring trade, not just with customers from the pub, but also from people turning up from elsewhere. It was making the car park quite congested. I have to admit that this place was not quite what I was expecting. It enjoys a nice location in a leafy area opposite the local cricket club, but the loud cockney types drinking here made it feel a bit more like an Essex local. Not really my cup of tea, but you have to give credit to any place that has decided to re-focus on being wet-led.

Formerly The Woodman, this roadside pub is now primarily a restaurant, although not the 'bar and grill' style implied by the current name, and it's run by the Lido Group. There is a small, bordello-like reception area at the front where the public bar once was, while the former saloon at the rear has been extended and made into a glittery dining room whose predominant style is shiny and black, a bit like an explosion in a patent leather factory. It works at a Disneyesque fantasy level, but it's not somewhere I'd bring my granny for supper. The foreign staff were slightly scatty but nonetheless welcoming and helpful, though none of them understood the concept of CAMRA. The background music was too loud and a bit intrusive, though they did turn it down when asked. No real ale on draft, but when pushed they did eventually find bottles of Doombar and Pride left over from a party. The food took a long time to arrive, and when it did, it was over-fussily presented by an unnecessary clutter of skewers, dishes and strange metal hangers all over the place, when all I actually wanted was a plate. It tasted OK though. Fine for an evening meal if you have the time, but not worth including on a crawl.