Harvester Mandeville Arms, Northolt

Official site of Harvester Mandeville Arms - www.harvester.co.uk

Official site of Harvester Mandeville Arms - www.harvester.co.uk

A large Harvester on a busy road junction, with its own car park, clean and welcoming at first sight. Very much more a cheap restaurant than a pub, you are faced with a frowning sentry at her dais as you enter, having deftly to sidestep to the bar while muttering that you only want a drink and being glared at. The small bar area does have one or two stools, but these are taken up by shabby locals. The staff then ignore you for ten minutes despite not really being busy, then you have a pointless conversation which they don't really understand as none of them speak English very well. No real ale on, in fact the staff didn't get the concept at all. No decent bottled beers. This place doesn't stoke my fire.

Heavily extended building next to a Travelodge, which - as a Harvester - has the usual multiple seating areas intended for those eating. Some less formal seating near the small 'L'-shaped bar area with several local history photos on display. Fairly light decor throughout. Patio tables to one side by the car park (which is 'pay and display' due to demand from nearby Northolt station). Staff coping well despite all tills having broken down. No real ale, so the bitter 'choice' was between keg Tetleys Smooth Flow and Greene King IPA (£2.95). (NB - Review dates from August 2012.)