Strutton Arms

This pub, the Strutton Arms, is now called the Grafton Arms pub. The Grafton Arms pub received fairly strong reviews from others on Unilocal,and I believe we caught them on an off moment. In terms of atmosphere, the place appeared to be well set up for tourists with clear signage and instructions on each well-​numbered table to wait and order food. The interior has a gorgeous wooden bar, a la the classic British pub. The place was cozier towards the back, where we found a fireplace and comfortable arm chairs with a solid oak table. Unilocal indicated that the pub was open until 10PM on Sundays, but in fact, the place was closing at 9PM. We sat, and sat, and sat, and no one came to take our order until I sauntered up to the bar to discover the kitchen was closed and they’d already called last call for alcohol 10 minutes earlier (we were seated for 15). Long story short, the pub looked pretty good, and it would be better if we returned during their normal operating hours. I will say the service was pretty bad. Not a smile nor a thank you to be had, the man behind the bar was rather put out that I even asked — I clearly inconvenienced his cleaning of the bar. I was especially careful to be polite (for which, alas, most Americans are not known abroad), and if that softened his stance, it did not show. We did ask for another recommendation and were steered to the Albert Pub on Victoria, which went excellently (see my review on the Albert under separate cover). I was a waitress for many years to get through university, and I know how trying it can be to deal with the public, but a little kindness goes a long way. We had been traveling for 36 hours. We just wanted a seat and a drink, which ultimately we found elsewhere.

This place is now called the Grafton Arms.
Beer selection was good and quite fresh. Service was friendly and prompt.
Food was just so-​so.

After being used to typical Australian pubs where you can’t hear yourself think, it was great to go into a English pub with a nice ambience and you can have a conversation without shouting. It was like being in a nice lounge room, the kids even went to sleep on the bench seat!
Bangers and mash were great as was the chicken pie. I’d describe the nachos and treacle pudding as fair. The ales were lovely and tasted fresh.
It reminded me that other countries might try and replicate a real English pub but few succeed.

This wonderful pub gets five stars because the beer is excellent — fresh, served properly, and at a VERY good price. And because a recent lunch special — a cheese burger, no chips, for 2 pounds — was tasty and filling and the right price. And because this isn’t a tourist joint, crammed with clueless chattering nitwits. It has real people in it — folks who live and work in the area. And because the Goons wrote scripts upstairs! But there isn’t a self-​congratulatory sign posted anywhere!
Just a nice, welcoming, neighborhood-​y place for a pint and a bite. Like it a LOT.

No hubiéramos esperado comer tan bien en un pub… En serio. Típico pub inglés, de maderita, venga decoración cervecera-​deportiva. Y un camarero algo «seco».
Conseguimos pedir la hamburguesaca, y ¡sorpresa!: deliciosa. De-​li-​cious darlings!
No les quedaban filetes de ternera, así que todos hamburguesa. Y qué rica estaba!
La cervecita no se quedó atrás. Una tostadita, bien fría, en vaso de pinta, por supuesto.
No tomamos postre. No cabía. Pero parecían exquisitos.
La hamburguesa te la ibas construyendo tú, en varios niveles, entre un montón de ingredientes: cheddar curado, bacon ahumado (riquísimo), cebolla pochada, chilli, jalapeños, jamón, huevo frito…
En algún momento, mientras nos conectamos al wifi gratuíto del local, un «paisano» se calzó una buena &%stia al caerse del taburete. Quizá por las doce pintas que llevaba en el cuerpo… o quizá porque tenía problemas de equilibrio. No hay que juzgar! ;)

This is one of my favorite places to watch football and relax. I’ve never had a meal, but what I’ve seen looks/​smells pretty good — general pub fare, and sometimes that’s OK.
The best part is that this is a pub where everyone seems to appreciate it is a pub. It can get a little packed, but people are friendly (even if one is supporting the wrong club). Go for a football match and get there a little early for a decent spot, then just enjoy a nice friendly atmosphere.