The Montpellier

[tommy]

Morning all - I see the Montpellier pub on Choumert Road is going through an extensive refurb. Does anyone know if it is under new management, or is just trying to smarten itself up ?

[jim_the_chin]

i had a meal there a few years back with some friends and remember a very crazy chef dude and his son do the waiting - i was a bit drunk, but they seemed drunker. did i imagine it all?

[Apple]

I used to live on Choumert and have walked past this pub recently on several evenings and even with the refurb I don't think it looks like a very relaxed place. I'm not sure if same management or not. Give it a try and let us know!

[TillieTrotter]

I used to go there as a little kid as my dad played for their football team. Have some great memories of lots of us kids being sat outside with our cokes and crisps for many an hour.

[tommy]

The doors were wide open tonight, and it looks like the whole place bar the bar (!) is being replaced. Will pop in when it reopens

[David Mc]

No you didn't imagine it all!! I had a meal like that there as well - it was extremely surreal but my friends and I quite enjoyed it!

[jim_the_chin]

surreal is absolutely the word for it, i couldn't work out if it was a very clever act or if they were as mad as they made out!

[David Mc]

No - neither could we!

[neilly1973]

it is under new management - owned by a bloke that owns a couple of places around S london. I went for lunch yesterday with my boyfriend... relaxed atmosphere, nice staff, lunch was delicious (had the sunday roast) which was under a tenner... can complain really! a brilliant new addition to the neighbourhood! let's hope it doesn't go the same way as the bishop in time and become overrun... we got chatting to the staff who also said they were refurbing the roof so it will soon have a roof terrace which I'm pretty excited about!

more pubs needed with decent food, easy going atmosphere and some outside space - hurrah for the montpellier!

[Catalyst]

They had a (never open) roof garden when it was under the previous management. Hopefully that's developed.

[urbanfox]

Also found the food good - but cringed at the awful practice of automatically adding a service charge. I was happy to pay it but don't feel it should be added automatically on the bill when this was not signposted on the menu.

[northernmonkey]

Went in on Sat lunch, food was lovely, but the place was empty. On entering we were asked if we'd like to take a seat (actually we were told to take one- service is v sweet but some things are a little lost in the translation!) but then service charge is automatically added to the entire bill.

Like above poster, I didn't mind paying it, but think that when the place is empty and people are directed to tables as soon as they come in its a little off to then add 12.5% - especially as there's nothing indicating this on the menus. Some friends of ours also had a similar experience when they popped in for drinks in the opening week, place was empty and serving staff directed them to a table, then added 12.5% to the cost of their drinks.

[Louisa]

LOL what a fabulous story. I've only ever had drinks in there, and that was when it was a traditional working class pub. I dont know if it still is?

[Jah Lush]

I doubt it Louisa. Like yourself it's probably 20 years since I've been in there and by the sound of things I certainly won't be going back.

[Asset]

you don't have to pay it even if it's added to the bill, it is discretionary.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Also, is it not illegal to not advertise the service charge?

[northernmonkey]

I wasn't trying to put people off the place, and certainly didn't want to get into debates around the legality of the service charges, just thought I'd point out that there are some 'teething troubles' that it would be good if they sorted out. My hope is that the owner / manager will read the forum and consider taking some of it on board. It has the potential to be a great pub with fantastic food, exactly what I want, I just think that its a shame that there are elements detracting from that at the moment.

[tommy]

Teething trouble probably - hope you mentioned it to the manager at the time ? Am sure if enough of their new customers pointed it out they would take it on board

[David Mc]

Nathalie - with the red bob (haircut) - is the manager. I told her about this site and she said she'd have a look.