The Montpellier

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

The pub can't be held responsible for what its clientele says, though if it did happen, it is horrid.

Is it true they charge 12.5% service - and wield the silver trays for tips? That seems a trifle greedy.

[David Mc]

I wasn't aware of a service charge when I bought a drink at the bar but the tray but was true.

[tommy]

Service charge on food brought to your table (although if drinks are in your order I suppose you end up paying service on those being brought to your table as well)

No service on drinks bought on the door - that would be a tad extreme

Bouncer on the door on Friday - looked very nice an atmospheric with candles on tables when I wandered past around 10pm

[David Mc]

No service charge except on food - if you think you had good service - and no sliver tray last night. Maybe depends on the bar staff?!

[David Mc]

No service charge except on food - if you think you had good service - and no sliver tray last night. Maybe depends on the bar staff?!

[Keef]

I hate any bar that gives you your change in a silver tray, i really bugs me. I'm a big believer in tipping, but that just makes me make a point of taking every last penny back.

[Bellenden Belle]

?3.25 for half a pint of Leffe (pints of Leffe are not served). Ouch! This has actually increased considerably since our first visit the previous week.

The waitress explained this was because it was so strong and because they were "trying to get rid of certain people" (she did quickly add tht was not a reference to us!). A very bizarre explanation (perhaps the bar is battling against an unsavoury customer base) and no excuse for what does seem extortionate.

Also we did feel rather pounced on at 9pm on a Saturday night - shown to our table, approached several times by the waitress enquiring if we wanted more drinks. I like the place, and the food - but please guys, chill,. And sort out your prices.

[SeanMacGabhann]

BB - I think you hit the nail on the head re: customer base and I have some sympathy with them on that score. If you are in the position of trying to relaunch a pub but want to get rid of the drugs and aggro (NB to anyone about to bring class into the argument - I do not mean getting rid of well behaved punters of any class) then your options are pretty much limited to teh one they have taken.

Now, how far one takes those prices is another matter and I think they may have pitched it juuuust ( © Mockney Piers) too harshly but they have time to change

And I agree totally with your comments on the over-attentiveness - absolute sweethearts they may be, but we can figure out a way to a table, bar etc...

[Jeremy]

I hate toilet attendants, and actively avoid bars/pubs with them.

I really object to being made to feel I have to pay for the priveledge of washing my hands after taking a pee. And I really, really don't want some wierdo with a gold bracelet trying to squeeze liquid soap onto my hands.

[Keef]

I've only just read this thread in full (boring afternoon in the office), and a couple of points...

First, Tommy, yes The Wishing Well was the pub in "Last Orders", and what a good film it is too!

Now, toilet attendants... I don't mind occasionally handing over a quid for a stick of chewing gum, or a squirt of body spray. I do f**king mind feeling like I have to run out of the bog without washing my hands because I have no change!!!!!

A friend's sister runs quite a flash club on Oxford Street (I think, I was drunk when I went there about 4 years ago), and she told us that the toilet attendants pay them to be there, and keep what money they make, much like a burger van pays for it's pitch at a festival.

Don't know if it's the same everywhere, just thought I'd add the point.

[tommy]

Thanks for the confirmation Keef

Going back to what a pub has to do to encourage a decent (non trouble making, etc) clientele - what do people suggest is the best approach ?

The Montpelier has tried with its music, candles, food, doorman on Friday night and now maybe pricing - so I will be supporting them, and hope like minded people will do the same. As another thread about anti social behaviour and gangs summed up, by using public spaces, parks and areas people can reclaim them or change behaviour of people around them. I sure the same thing can apply to pubs

[SeanMacGabhann]

What with one reason and another I have ended up in the Montpelier 2 days running. I have good things to say so am posting them (unlike bad things to say which I try not to - let's just say the bad things refer to something new and Italian in another part of town)

My original posting about them being open-but-only-just was at least good enough to make me want to try again. This place is not that local to me but I am in Peckham more weekends than not, and i often end up in the Rye or Bar Story so this place deserves an equal chance

Most of my initial reservations have been sorted - entrances can sometimes still be overwhelming -"are you eating?? would you like a table??" etc x 2 but the staff are genuinely lovely and really look after you/one (delete to taste) - but apart from that service/ambience are spot on (Sat and Sun afternoon anyway)

Food follows a slightly depressing familiar route (see posts passim) but with a slightly more adventurous sea-food bent - that said it's quality stuff (burger buns excluded on personal taste grounds - not bad, far from it, just wrong for burgers... some sort of sour-doughy, chewy business) and the Sunday roasts are pretty darn fine

I like this place - good on 'em I say

[neilly1973]

Agree - i've been twice now and think it's a FAB addition to the area!! :)

[georgina]

I had Sunday lunch in the Montpelier yesterday, and I say the following!:

Food 8/10 - Roast was very good

Atmosphere 7/10 - needs art on walls + see below

Staff 7/10 - rushing/running unnecessarily, creating a distracting atmosphere, but very polite and attentive.

TV - I say 5/10, Boyfriend says 10/10 as its huge and shows sports (?)

??? - Reasonable - 2 roast lunches, 2 large glasses of vino and beers + desserts for ?40

Just the sort of Pub the area needs I think, I live between Denmark Hill and Peckham Rye, and tend to stop into the Phoenix or Canning after work, but might now drop into the 'Monti' from time to time too!!

Well done I say!

[Rolo Tomasi]

georgina Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Atmosphere 7/10 - needs art on walls + see below

Totally agree with you on this one. The vast white space really does need some artwork

> Staff 7/10 - rushing/running unnecessarily, creating a distracting atmosphere, but very polite and attentive.

You'd think there was a gas leak the way they ran all over the place, though in their defence they are probably just trying to make sure everyone is having a good time.

> TV - I say 5/10, Boyfriend says 10/10 as its huge and shows sports (?)

Have to agree with B/F. I think i've found somewhere to watch Footie other than the EDT.

Me and my mate were in their yesterday too and we thoroughy enjoyed it! So much so, that It's on the cards for a return visit next weekend.

[SeanMacGabhann]

So at least 5 of us regular forumites were there yesterday lunchtime??

[mockney piers]

Be warned, the telly may be big but they won't put the sound on.

Of the service, if I was an unfair reviewer I might suggest it's flirting with being intrusive, but luckily the staff had enough charm to stay on the right side of that. In fact our waitress, Ella, was so pleasantly barking mad that it added to the whole experience.

Ooh, and the food was nice too. Everything less than a tenner too, which after being at a Young's pub on saturday with mains up to 14 quid for average food, was a pleasant surprise.

[Rolo Tomasi]

Looks like it Sean. Well i was sitting under the big mirror with my mate from 4:20 for about an hour!

[david_carnell]

And me and the missus from about 3:30-4:15. Could have been EDF drinks if we'd known who each other were!

[bald marauder]

Anyone else in this (Sat) lunchtime?

Mrs BM, baby BM and I were there between 12.30pm and 1.30pm.

Had burgers, meat and chips were fantastic - though agree with Sean about the buns.

Top place though, the waitresses certainly weren't too manic today, and I quite liked the slightly spartan but comfortable feel.

BM

[SeanMacGabhann]

didn't make it down today but it's still on my "go back" list. Shame - would have liked to say hello BM

[brianb]

take some time of this forum and you might get to visit the pub

[SeanMacGabhann]

going to the pub is the OTHER thing I need to cut down on ;-)

[Jimbo]

On the strength of a few postive posts about Montpellier, I have booked in for lunch this afternoon. I can't seem to find a web address for them can anyone direct me to it? I wouldn't mind having a look at there menu to speed up the decions making process.