The Robin Hood, Sutton

This is a large backstreet corner pub just off the town centre, L-shaped inside with a central bar and mostly regular seating. The overall feel is of a timewarp community pub, nothing at all wrong with that of course, there were the less often seen bowls of complimentary nuts on the bar, pork pies and sausage rolls under glass as well as a main menu, pub rather than gastropub prices, sandwiches £3.50, burgers £5.50-£6.50. The often bumped up in price rump steak, chips, salad and onion rings comes in at £8.50, I've seen that double that in many pubs. Décor has the usual B&W photos, a signed Sutton Utd shirt and scarf, there are a pair of tiled fireplaces and a number of retained leaded and stained glass windows. Carpeted and with mostly regular seating, banquettes around the perimeter walls. There is a bit of a garden to the rear. The TV was off on Friday afternoon, entertainment consisting of listening to a few old boys moaning about life in general or you could make use of the selection of board games, cards and reference books on a side table. A steady trickle of mainly older customers drifted in and out during my short stay, I reckon this is a well valued community local. It's a Young's house, Bitter, Special, new to me Blonde plus Bombardier. The Blonde tasted much like any other CW/Youngs beers do these days. I like to see pubs like this doing well, it seems to serve it's customer base well and the service was friendly too. A comfortable steady sort of place.

The Robin Hood always has been a nice little pub in the time that I've known it. Now Ken & Michele have moved on to pastures new, it's Adam's turn to put his stamp on it.. If he can keep the beer quality up to its usual standard, and keep churning out good value pub grub, then he's on to a winner. Personally, the Robin Hood loses a point for its decor with me - it's a lovely pub, but it feels *too* traditional.

The fact that the Courage beer is Directors, not Best, the shirt is Sutton United not Brazil!!!!!!!!! the previous reviewer gave a balanced opinion.!!!!!!