Review: The Old Haberdasher, New Cross (From News Shopper)

Review: The Old Haberdasher, New Cross

10:07am Wednesday 3rd October 2012 in Freetime latest news By PubSpy

PUBSPY'S VIEW

If I’d known a wild Kosovan was going to smash into my tiny motor, sentencing me to whiplash and house arrest minutes after going to the pub – I would’ve stayed in bed.

But like they say, hindsight is a wonderful thing.

Maybe it was the heavy rain which put everyone in an unhelpful mood, or perhaps we just bumped (and crashed) into the wrong sorts that day.

We’d come across The Old Haberdasher in New Cross and, deciding it looked positively delightful from the outside, parked up and wandered in to grab some lunch.

Trying my best to ignore the familiarly annoying football drone from the TVs, I saw a few couples doing the same and enjoying romantic dates – the place is so dimly lit in places, it’s easy to imagine it was night-time.

My companion ordered a large glass of white wine (£5.50) and a beef burger (£9.95) and asked the smiley, yet indecently unaccommodating, barmaid for some matches.

“We don’t have any.” She replied, offering no solution but grinning like the Cheshire Cat.

I went for the Cajun spiced chicken burger and a Diet Coke and we found a cosy corner away from the supposedly beautiful game.

Desperate for a smoke, my frustrated friend noticed a shelf full of candles which are clearly placed on the tables later on.

So when the smiley waitress brought over our cutlery, my mate asked her to borrow a lighter.

“I don’t have one.” She took great pleasure in saying.

“Well how the hell do you light the candles?” My dearest muttered under her breath as the barmaid sashayed off.

Ready to claw someone’s eyes out, she was even less impressed with the portion of chips we received with our burgers.

“Count yours.” She ordered, furiously adding her hand cut fries up.

“I’ve got nine.”

I had no choice but to burst out laughing – I’ve never seen a more irritated reaction to a miserly helping of potatoes.

“I’ve blown my diet for this.” She explained.

“I wanted it to be in a much more spectacular way.”

I guess if you are going to cheat it should be with Johnny Depp and not Johnny Vegas.

The food was alright, nothing to write home about however, and rather overpriced we thought.

But if, unlike us, you’re fascinated with footie and love a decent pint (and a nice-looing roast on Sundays) this could be the place for you.

With Aspall Suffolk Cyder available alongside Guinness and lager, there is a whole host of wines to choose from to suit every taste.

And although fairly dark, the pub is decorated stylishly with romantic glowing orbs hanging from the ceiling and an upmarket paintjob.

Sadly, neither of us left feeling overwhelmed with satisfaction.

So off I went to get smashed – and not in a good way.

Address: 44 Lewisham Way, New Cross, SE14 6NP

Decor: **** (rather stylish and elegant)

Drink: **** (long list of wines)

Price: ** (painful on the purse)

Atmosphere: *** (relaxed but ruined by football)

Staff: *** (friendly yet unhelpful)