We had been to lickey hills nearby for a volunteer day, hungry and thirsty we ended up here for a…read morelate lunch. We got a table for 9 people, and a couple of colleagues took our drinks then food orders to the bar. Also tried to get a group selfie in with my phone, one of staff shouted over that she could take the photo for us! So we got a couple of pics. The food is standard pub grub, we had fish and chips, salad, pies etc and we all enjoyed it. Some people had starters and also desserts. They have a lunch set price menu which was cheap. I am guessing the portions are different though one colleague told me, you get garden peas with fish n chips on the set menu but mushy peas on the full price menu!

Nestled amongst the trees and below the hills of the Lickeys, the Old Hare & Hounds looks like a…read moregreat, old fashioned place to get a drink on the outside. The building's lovely architecture really stands out, and entices customers to enter the doors. Inside is just as nice too, and the customers are vibrant and in thier masses. It's one of two pubs in Rednal, so you can see why the place is so popular. Drinks are quite cheap and standard to most pubs that you'd find in the city centre, while choices are much wider, and I managed to get a glass of Stone's Green Ginger Wine, although, I don't think most customers ask for this, because the staff were very confused as to how much it cost, and how much to pour in a glass! There's a great outdoor area full of umbrella shades for a hot summers day, and heat lamps if it gets a little too cold (and I was cold, even though it's June!)

Well George you definitely lived up to your name didnt you. I have to say I really enjoyed a visit…read morehere on the weekend while taking a look around the Licky Hills. The outside of the pub is really pretty....but i suppose it has to be to fit into its absolutely stunning setting with forests and hills surrounding the entire venue. There is a decent size smoking/dining area leading into a surprisingly modern bar area. I remember this place from years ago when it was The Poachers Pocket and it was a traditional countryside boozer whereas now it has been brought out it has lost a little of that character and charm.....which is a shame! Saying that the venue is well done if slightly generic.....but i suppose that's down to individual taste. I went for a Guinness and black.....can't go wrong really.... and George's bacon cheese burger.........ok it was an unhealthy choice but it was a weekend treat! The burger was massive and really tasty but I would say our George was a little too generous on the cooking times as it could have been taken off the grill a few minutes before really....one more minute and it would have been over done! Overall a good experience in a beautiful place if you are in the area this is worth a look. The menu here is extensive and really reasonable! Our burgers were like £7 each and included fries :)

As part of a chain of restaurants now known as Generous George, I was highly impressed by the…read morecustomer service and personalisation to our evening. The venue had recently had a refurbishment and it was extremely modern, great on the eyes and not what I was expecting. They've changed the vibe from a chain pub to a unique place. They have a good selection of real ales too and have a loyalty card for collection of stamps to get one free!! The food was presently really well and obviously the refurb included the kitchen and menu, plenty of choice, well displayed and actually cooked. We opted for two courses as they were so filling and we weren't rushed or pressured at any point. This place is really relaxed, great location in Coften Hackett and worth the drive out to the countryside, escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy the surroundings too!

Realy nice (pub) : friendly and really great food Local…read moreco-workers reccomended to try west of Birmingham. Started with a soft drink on the outside patio, then went in for dinner. Of course had to have a local 1/2 pint of beer -very smooth ok by now you realize i am American, so you'll understand why i was not expecting an upscale restaurant labeled as a pub. Starters goat cheese for me and garlic prawns for my coworker. He had rump of lamb, i had wild trout. Came with platters of fries, potatoes au gratin and steamed veg. Mixed desserts 3 minis - tasty Service friendly and efficent. Highly recommended.

Situated between Stourbridge and Bromsgrove in a leafy lane, this long-established pub is a magnet…read morefor folk seeking good beer and excellent food. The current management has boldly expanded the menu, opened for breakfast, provided access to its kitchen garden and detailed the provenance of all of its staple ingredients. Oh, that more places were like this. Whilst there are two car parks, they barely accommodate the number of drivers who patronise the establishment. The one at the front is backed by an attractive decked eating area. My most recent visit was for a light lunch with a colleague, so we each had a pint of Marston's Burton Bitter, and we had a crab and prawn sandwich and a Parma ham, and mozzarella sandwich, sharing a bow of chips between us. This light lunch was delicious, the service was good and the bill, including a large tomato juice, was £26.60. A firm favourite and we'll be back again.

On a day out of the city we visited this super secluded pub on the outskirts of Kings…read moreNorton/Wythall. I actually really like the vibe of the place! Apparently this place brews their own ales onsite which I like a lot I however am not drinking at the moment so went for a reliable diet coke and just took in the country side setting and traditional vibe of the space......oh....and half a pack of pork scratchings ;) If you are looking for a nice quiet traditional countryside pub where you can walk in in your wellies with the dogs this is ideal!

Revisited -8/8/12. I checked the website to read the menu, and saw things were the same; which was…read moregreat I was looking forward to the whiting, and the fillet steak. As I have said before, one of the best places around for a fillet steak. It was our wedding anniversary, and my wife and I were looking forward to the evening. I'd booked a taxi (£20 round trip), booked the table. All set Arrived very few people in the place, the music was bordering on the funereal (ner the end of the evening the CD went into a stutter). Still I had my steak to look forward to. Arrggh! They've changed the menu. No whitebait, no fillet steak. New Chef! I was a captive audience. The next best thing I liked on the starter menu was the pâté. This was good, the toast was nice and hot, the pâté was flavoursome, and the Cumberland chutney added to the flavour. The only thing that let it down was that I was looking forward to the whitebait. Now that I have revisited the site I can see where things went wrong. I used the drop down tab Real Food and looked at the standard menu. I should have looked to the left-hand side and looked at the item: **Take a look at our 2012 main menu** Unfortunately, this wasn't obvious enough on my previous visit to the site. If you have top tabs then that is where I am going to go first and not news items. Drinks to start I had a pint of WHB My wife had a large glass of Pinot Grigio; it would have been more cost effective to have bought the bottle. Again I missed read the wine menu per glass prices. Perhaps it's my age. My wife chose the sirloin steak, and I had the ribeye. They were very tender, but mine was quite thin for a ribeye, and the streaks of fat, that normally makes this steak juicy, were absent. The chips were nice and chunky, but too much for me after the starter. The waitress assured me that the peas weren't tinned, but they had that sweet flavour. However, I must admit that I enjoyed the flavour. It was all washed down with our favourite red wine Marqués de Cáceres Rioja Crianza a bit overpriced at c.£19, shop price is about £9.50. We even order another bottle of wine at the end, a Pinot Grigio, that was nice too. The waitress was very attentive, and took time to chat, but I suspect that was due to the lack of clientele. Also, when I arrived, I couldn't see my name in the book for the reservations. Yes, the evening was clouded by what we expected, and what we went to the restaurant for in the first place. My wife said she wouldn't revisit. I've dropped it one start, but really would only have done so by a half. Shame.27/7/11 Update Food good as usual. One of the best places locally for a good fillet steak. I have mine blue, and no blood oozing out. I didn't have a sweet, but I had a starter of whitebait, which was very nice. My wife went for the traditional prawn cocktail. She enjoyed. This is so 70s, but it's a favourite with most people. I enjoyed the beer. The wine, which we have bought in Spain when on holiday, was perhaps a bit overpriced, but couldn't fault the taste. Only one fly in the ointment I had to wait over half an hour for the bill. -- I haven't been back here for quite some time. When we arrived it was packed with elderly folk, and I believe they do a special deal before 18:30, but I haven't got the details. Starters, not a great selection from my point of view, but that makes for an easier time in the kitchen. I had the pate, and it was fine, I like mine coarser, but still very nice. My wife like deep fried brie, and there was plenty for a starter. We decided to take the chance on the 21 day hung Scottish beef. We both had the fillet. My wife likes hers closer to well done, whereas I prefer blue. If the steak is as sold it shouldn't be a problem. Both were actually quite something. Mine just seem to melt in my mouth, and had a lovely taste. My wife enjoyed hers, and left some simply because of too mu brie. So I helped out. Everything was freshly prepared and cooked. The starters had freshly prepared salad. None of this preparing in the morning, going dry in the afternoon, and served limp in the evening. The staff were friendly, and joined in with the banter. Yep, a place well worth visiting. I was too full for the sweets. I hear that the pub side have very good ales. Comment from their website: The only pub to win the CAMRA Pub of the Year Award four years running. Evening Mail Restaurant of the Year.Returning on the 18/9/09 will do a follow up review. Some people hade said that this place isn't consistent, but it has been for me. I had the Chilli Chicken for my starter, and it was delicious. The chilli sauce sweet, with a little kick. I had the T-Bone steak this time, and wasn't disappointed. My wife had the fillet, and it was equally as good. A chatty waitress who we knew from a previous restaurant. If you get her talking, she won't stop. No, that's not a criticism, she was very nice, and funny, with some witty banter.

First time at the Brewers Fayre at the premier inn rubery. Decided to pop in on Sunday after an…read moreearly showing at the cinema. Was pretty quiet as if missed the carvery so ordered off the normal menu. I ordered the sirloin medium rare, it arrives more medium well, I didn't complain as generally in this type of restaurant they struggle to get the steak cooked as you ordered. So the food was nothing to write home about but the staff were very helpful and friendly hence the 3 stars. I would go back for a drink but maybe not the food

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Came here for a family birthday lunch with the in-laws today. It's stunning inside, very modern…read moreand filled with history tidbits related to the local area. It's a chain pub come restaurant so it's all very predicable but after seeing some of the previous bad reviews, I was pleasantly surprised. We were served quickly, the food came quickly and the food was good. Not outstanding, but what do you expect from an inexpensive pub lunch. My only issue was the really cheap tasting baked beans and my mother in law kicked up a fuss because the mustard wasn't Colmans. Dessert was a little cocked up, we ordered one sharing dessert and got two. The poor waitress didn't know what to do with spare one and looked very confused. My Gran was very confused when she was given brown sugar with her tea. Like Ronseal, it does exactly what it says on the tin.

I recently moved house and my local is now the Thurlestone Pub which is on Thurlestone Road in…read moreLongbridge. When I was growing up round the corner this was very much an old mans pub - I mean, my dad used to drink here so no way would I ever come here for a drink! Now though it's changed. It has a much livelier atmosphere in the evening and now there is a great mix of young people and older chaps who have been using the Thurlestone for donkeys years. There are two rooms in The Thurlestone, although only the bar seems to be open during the day. It's nice and quiet in the daytime and you can tell that most people are regulars, everyone seems to be really friendly and when we pop in with our seventeen month old daughter no-one minds her toddling about all over the place and she's even scored a few Fruit Shoots and bags of crisps off people! Children are allowed in until around 8pm, although if there is a particularly rowdy crowd in the manager will tell us and offered to open the lounge for us the once. It wasn't necessary as we were only popping in for one before heading home, but it was a nice gesture. Prices for the drinks are reasonable, cheaper than the next nearest pub which seems to charge through the nose even though it's a bit of a dive. They also do meals in the Thurlestone, I've not eaten here yet but I'd imagine it's good old fashioned pub grub - I've heard people talking about the food and it all sounds very yummy, I must go and have dinner there one night! The seating is comfortable, it's a nice mix of chairs and stools so it's good to see a pub not buying in a load of leather sofas which always make me feel like going to sleep after a couple of glasses of wine! My fella always likes a few games of pool when we visit The Thurlestone while I flick through the papers that have been left during the day. They hold events, unfortunately we missed the Halloween party as we couldn't get a babysitter but from what I've heard it sounded like everyone had a right laugh! I'm definitely planning to be there for the next party!

A nasty atmosphere lurks here if you stick out like a sore thumb. Not very welcoming at all from…read morethe usual punters that will let you know you're not welcome to standing on your feet, banging into your table, spilling your drink and blocking your car in with theirs. The old landlady with the big dog is not pleasant to talk with and would sooner set the animal on you if you complained about their stale beer and crisps. Big thing here is the large car park at front.

Amazing and quaint joint. Loved the Scallops & Pork which came with some tasty roasted potatoes…read moreand I added a side salad. Nicely pan seared scallops with some nice roasted pork loin. Man it was so good and top it off some wonderful brown gravy. So tasty. The atmosphere is exactly what I needed both times I have gone.

Stumbling upon this handsome pub (after a very short hike) up the Lickey Hills was like running…read moreinto an old friend who always made you feel good. The menu is extensive, with numerous options depending on your appetite. Despite being mid October, we sat out in the sunshine, browsed the weekend papers and dipped crispy baguette into gooey baked Camembert with sweet cherry compote. A large grainy salad added a healthy touch. Gorgeous pub food in a lovely area that I look forward to revisiting.

I eat here often, the steaks are tasty and the prices are good.read more

Yuk, yuk, yuk…read more This has got to be the dirtiest pub in the whole of Birmingham and the most revolting aspect about it is the staff simply do not care! I used to go in here when I was a kid because they have never really cared about age laws as long as they're getting the money, but hadn't visited for years when me and my fella popped in for a quick drink the other day as we were early for an appointment. The first thing that hit me as I walked in was the smell of dirty toilets, not as an overwhelming smell but as an undercurrent to the very stale air in The Woodpecker. It was enough to make me want to turn and leave if I'm honest, but we decided to have one drink and take it outside into the fresh air. This is where the problems began. My partner ordered a pint and I had a Malibu and Coke, the sullen woman behind the bar looked a bit peeved that we'd disturbed her from reading The Sun and banged her way around getting our drinks. As soon as I went outside I noticed my glass was filthy and I don't mean they'd missed a smear of lipstick, it looked like it hadn't been washed for a week and was almost opaque with grime. Straight back in to complain, the woman huffed and puffed and then grabbed another glass and instead of pouring me a fresh drink simply dumped the Malibu from my dirty glass into the 'clean' one. Outside I noticed this one was equally dirty so this time sent my fella in with the instructions to ask her to pour me a fresh one this time. I was outside having a cigarette but he came back out absolutely fuming and said the woman had taken one look at the glass and said it was perfectly clean. Oh yes, but he'd then showed her the film of grease which was forming on the top of my drink - she still thought this was fine but as a 'goodwill gesture' poured me a fresh one into a marginally cleaner glass. Goodwill gesture, it's hardly a goodwill gesture to actually get your job right in the first place is it??? Anyway, the thought of the lack of hygiene in the pub totally put me off my drink so I poured in down the drain outside (poured it away as I didn't want the grubby staff to attempt passing it off to someone else!). My fella said his pint was 'alright' but didn't go in for anothe which kind of says it all really! While walking through the pub to the (revoltingly filthy) ladies toilet I noticed The Woodpecker serves food. Personally I'd rather pull out my own fingernails than eat in a dirty pub like this so didn't spend much time looking at the menu other than a cursory glance while waiting at the bar to get my drink changed. If dysentry is your cup of tea then you can get a meal in here for around £3.99, or sandwiches and crisps are available cheaper. Never again!