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Disappointment of the week with Bucking Fastard
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Detail Pages
Spring Tavern, Epsom
Ewell
Postal town: Epsom
KT17 2AY
Pub Type
Premium Country Pubs (Mitchells & Butlers)Reviews (Current Rating Average: 4 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Graham Coombs left this review about Spring Tavern
A prime example of M&B's Premium Country Pub chain with the original pub heavily extended and modernised internally beyond all recognition. A rather upmarket, modern feel with shades of cocktail bar and a large bright restaurant area. Outside are a couple of patio areas but the traffic can be intrusive. Very food-oriented and very popular with groups of females at time of visit. Ales were London Pride in reasonable form and Doom Bar (clip reversed).
On 19th July 2019
- rating: 5
[User has posted 3339 recommendations about 3276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about Spring Tavern
I think that this place might have improved a bit since previous reviewers' visits. But it still looks like an Ember Inns pub even if it isn't one any more. It's the typical hotel lounge style of pub, with bucket armchairs and the like around the place. Inside there's an area to the left that's clearly for diners - tableclothes, napkins, wine glass - but it has to be said that the majority of the seating in this rambling pub seems to be available for those just wanting a drink. They must be doing something right as several tables were occupied y diners early afternoon on a Monday. The outside seating at the front, unfortunately adjacent to a main road, was also well patronised on a sunny and warm day in May. The outside seating to the side of the pub is still there, and didn't appear to be reserved for diners.
Unfortunately the beer's still nothing to write home about, with just London Pride on (£2.15 a half) which wasn't in great shape. I didn't get to see a menu as I steered well clear of the dining area, and nobody asked if I was dining with them today. Personally I think it's worth the five minute walk down to the Tubbs Pubb for a much better pint, but the outside seating has to be the main draw on a fine day.
On 18th May 2019
- rating: 4
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Nick Davies left this review about Spring Tavern
It remains an unbranded M&B outlet related to such other beacons of excellence as the Derby Arms in Epsom and the Blue Anchor in Tadworth. On entering you might be forgiven for thinking you've woken up in a branch of IKEA: fortunately you observe that there's a bar in the corner but any hopes that that has raised are dashed when some halfwit asks you if 'you are dining with us today'. Should you be halfwitted enough to be dining with them you will pay handsomely for your freezer to microwave Brake Brothers delicacy.
There's four quid a pint lager or GK IPA.
The only reason I can think of to enter a place like this is to use the bog, which will be exemplary. One point for nice bogs.
On 6th February 2013
- rating: 1
[User has posted 567 recommendations about 559 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about Spring Tavern
Formerly a branded Ember Inn but the gastro makeover has included a debranding exercise,although the pub is still owned by Mitchells and Butler pubco.The area to the right of the front door is nominally the drinking area with three handpumps visible but only two working dispensing London Pride and a clear but out of condition Doom Bar.The rest of the rambling interior is given over to dining tables, although there are interesting sections to the interior,the modern decor has removed any character.The musak was all pervasive,loud and distracting.
Chosen by a relative ,we went to eat and the new pricing regime is at a distinct premium for the area.Starters £6-7,Mains £12+ and daily specials around £15 featuring a lot of fish .The menu descriptions sounded interesting but the execution didn't match up,and some foodservice products occupied the centre of my plate.However salad and veg were fresh.Service was variable especially considering how few customers were in.There is a large patio at the front for exterior drinking and to the side there is a garden reserved for anyone wishing to dine outside.I understand there is a cheaper fixed price menu option at lunchtime.
Not sure I would use this place again,I prefered the previous incarnation as a value orientated feeding station with a trace of pub atmosphere.
On 24th May 2011
- rating: 4
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about Spring Tavern
I think things have changed John, this is a food led Ember Inn with all the ambience and character of an airport hotel lounge. Light walls, minimalist decor, wicker chairs with throw on cushions and twinkly lights on the floor. Most of the space is set and reserved for diners....there weren't any mid afternoon, the few tables for drinkers being metal topped chunky things. Lots of outdoor seating but with signs saying reserved for diners.
Two banks of three swan necked handpumps, one set almost concealed behind a pile of menus. Of the three two were "on" serving Doom Bar and Pride with the reversed one claiming Adnam's Broadside.
The barmaid started to pour my pint of Doom Bar with the glass fully over the swan neck and succeeded in filling it with froth. This continued for some time until she had the basics of a pint having lost probably two more. She then suggested I might like Pride (who's choosing here?) but with the same resultant froth and foam. Finally, on my suggestion she pulled some beer into a half glass and topped up the Doom Bar to something approximating a pint of beer.
At this point she advised me they don't sell much of "this stuff". I'm really not surprised, the quality was awful but clearly not rejectable as there wasn't going to be a better alternative.
This place is about as far from my ideal traditional pub as I think I have thus far ventured.
On 17th January 2011
- rating: 2
[User has posted 1707 recommendations about 1681 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john mcgraw left this review about Spring Tavern
Although this pub is run by Ember Inns and the emphasis is on food it is surprisingly comfortable and serves up to 6 real ales with Youngs ordinary at £2.30 a pint which is quite reasonable for this area.Located in a very nice village and worth a visit
On 30th December 2008
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2044 recommendations about 2025 pubs]