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RickWhiteHorse

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Posts posted by RickWhiteHorse

  1. Both lion and horse will be open 12-9ish daily. Core menu and takeaway available.

    not taking bookings so it’s all first come first served and if it chucks it down likely to only be takeaway available.

    🍺🍺🍺 Rick 

    • Like 1
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  2. 34 minutes ago, NeilB said:

    There's a Polish restaurant I've been to in Gothenburg a couple of times that has the perfect solution to the dilemma  of not being able to decide what to order from the menu.  They offer 1/2 plates so you can have both !!

    Not seen this in the UK so could be something different.

    Would work well I think although I am sure kitchen would hate it.

    a lot of our dishes are tough to half up as such. We did something similar last year as a trial by making a smaller plate version of most specials to aim at our older crowd that worked well

  3. 6 minutes ago, MauriceMynah said:

    We'll drink again, don't know where, don't know when,   ...

    Rick, What plans do you have for your pubs come April 12th? I'm hoping to get New Nyx out and about then. (She will still be displaying "Corsica 2" as her name for a while!)

    Here's hoping you (and the other pubs) can capitalise on a bumper season. I am hoping to do my best to compensate you all for last year!

    Hard to say at the mo. I keep changing my mind. Lion I think we will open from the thurs 16th and do thurs-sun. Horse is a bit trickier as we only really have the courtyard area so mainly suitable for drinkers. If we open the new beer garden it is situated past the car park so staff costs go through the roof to open it so maybe just sat and Sunday day for that. 
    It is all so weather dependant really. 

  4. 7 minutes ago, Smoggy said:

    My local has "the fridge of doom" and it is very popular (and good for expiry dates), basically the rear corridor of the pub is 3 double door glass fronted fridges packed full of all sorts of weird and wonderful options.

    May see you this year but the thought of all the staycationers is putting me off turning left at yarmouth this year more than ever, not sure I'm even looking forward to the southern broads.

    20616027_339981016426324_245975866278706

    Thing of beauty that is (apart from the electric bill)

    • Like 1
  5. 8 hours ago, Karizma said:

    Local live music is always a great addition (as well as a good selection of real ales).

    Use to love mooring up at Reedham ferry back in the day to listen to Jon Collorick.

    Will definitely pay you a visit when things get 'back to normal'.

    We have done quite a bit of music now at the lion and it is still very hit and miss in terms of success. Often we have to go quite late to make it work.

    I am sure we will do a few more events when restrictions are eased

    cheers

    • Like 1
  6. 10 hours ago, NorfolkNog said:

    Hi Rick

    Good to hear from you. I am a big fan of both pubs and look forward to visiting again as soon as possible. 

    I very much appreciate the model you and the team work to and can't really think of anything I would change. There are many positives. I am a big real ale fan and think the choice and quality of your beers is very good indeed. I know that Ian Stamp speaks very highly of you. Your team members are also excellent - always friendly and helpful. Give Rachael a particular mention. :91_thumbsup:

    We often come in winter and I appreciate the way that you keep the pubs open (particularly the Lion) when trade is less busy. We have never been kicked out early from either pub in the evening which is not the case with some Broads pubs I'm afraid! 

    I would basically say keep doing what you do extremely well!

    All the best

    Howard 

    Thanks Howard, 

    hopefully we can carry on in the same vein. We have added a bottled/can beer fridge into the lion also for reopening to expand the range a bit further.

    rachel will be looking after the horse in the near term to help build local support up again so that should be positive.

    see you both for a bevvy soon enough

     

    • Like 1
  7. 8 minutes ago, Chelsea14Ian said:

    Very much hope to visit at sometime in the not distance future. Always enjoy going to both pubs. Marina very much likes dairy free ice-cream.Best wishes Ian

    Hope your well after your ‘scrape’

    been looking at the dairy free ice cream for a while, any brand you recommend?

     

    rick

  8. It’s been a while all!

    Hope that we can get back to normality sometime soon.

    We have been busy redecorating and reorganising since our short summer and would love to hear and thoughts/feedback how we can improve going forward if anyone has any.

    Cheers as always

    Rick and team 

    • Like 4
  9. On 31/01/2021 at 20:25, Bygoneboozers said:

    On signs, and going back to the Eagle in Neatishead. Its sign used to be in Fat Cat in Norwich at one time. Might even still be there.

    we are in possession of one of the eagle hanging signs (unsure of its age) hoping to have it hanging at the white horse soon inside

    • Like 5
  10. 3 hours ago, NorfolkNog said:

    I would urge everyone to consider buying beer from Rick or any pub doing takeaways rather than supermarkets where possible and feasible obviously. The beer is better and more importantly this trade will hopefully do a bit to keep our precious pubs afloat if you'll excuse the pun. As I've mentioned before, get yourself a growler!! 

    DSC_1740.JPG

    thanks pal, going to be a long slog to get through this. I also think many a pub will go under, many will play the system and just come back like nothing has happened without recourse but that is life. 

    cheers! to fighting the good fight!

    • Like 4
  11. 2 hours ago, marshman said:

    I note Ricks comment about the Councils - I am amazed how they seem to be involved in almost every "reopening" decision putting more and more obstacles in every path!! However they won't be very slow in voting themselves yet more expenses because they think  they are doing a great job!!!

    cannot comment on councils overall job but frustrating thing was we only had the scrutiny because of positive press coverage whereas a lot of other venues have done what they wanted and got away with it. 

    we have provided toilet facilities since the council ones are shut and also offered up extra bins for people visiting as the council ones are inadequate.

    • Like 4
  12. 3 hours ago, Smoggy said:

    Good luck with it Rick, I take it drinking take away beer is still not allowed on your own garden?

    nope afraid not. the rules state ALL food and drink must be consumed OFF the premises. so that should be stopping every pub from allowing it. 

    People can choose to sit in fields and on land nearby but we are not allowed to provide any seating or facilities on those areas. I have heard all sorts of crazy ideas of leasing and sub letting land and furniture to get around this. Its madness. This way or working isn't ideal but certainly better than nothing.

    • Like 2
  13. On 21/05/2020 at 15:55, grendel said:

    they have pictures on their facebook page

    hi all! been away trying to salvage some sort of business from this covid -19 **** show!

    greenhouse will have safety glass and probably a lining also. custom made benches and they are over sized to create a spacious feel. Nothing is perfectly safe but should be good. Already had a raft of people try to book them and they aren't even here yet!

    here is hoping we all make it through this and can have a great summer next season!

    until then we are doing food and drink takeaway

    stay safe all and feel free to message me with any queries

    cheers

    rick

    • Like 8
  14. On 19/05/2020 at 13:03, Mouldy said:

    It would be a shame to see any pubs closing due to the corona virus.  They help to make a holiday on the Broads even more special and increase the options that holidaymakers have.  Ricky has made such massive improvements to The Lion over the past couple of years and good luck to him with his ideas to maintain some cash flow over these difficult times.  
    Depending on whether the rules regarding sleeping on our own boat are relaxed or not and following the cancellation of our holiday in Cornwall at the end of June, we may well be spending the week onboard Norfolk Lady instead and I will certainly try to get to Thurne to visit.

    thanks mouldy, certainly is a bit dire at the mo but we are trying!

    • Like 3
  15. AN OPEN LETTER FROM TEAM LION AT THURNE

     

    Thank you all for the support we have received since our opening in late may. We have now closed for work to commence on finishing the refurbishments ready for us to open for Easter time.

    These include secondary toilets, lobby area, new windows, fascias and guttering, staff area, new septic tank, new gas tank, secondary garden space, car park and a few finishing touches internally.

    Contrary to rumours we are not closing permanently but at the same time we made the decision to close earlier than planned as it wasn't financially viable to stay open any longer without getting the rest of the work done.

    This year has been a tough one with ill health (myself/family/staff), chef crisis after chef crisis, equipment failure, building issues and general poor luck.

    We have struggled our way through and have not always been at our best and we apologise to any customers we have let down this year.

    We have a clear idea of what we need to do going forward and are already hard at work trying to address all of the areas brought up by various people this year.

    This business has been the toughest challenge I have ever undertaken and it has nearly cost me my other pub in the process but we will not be beaten.

    Thank you to all of my amazing staff that have worked so hard to get us through.

    Hope to see you all next year!

     

    Rick & Staff

    • Like 17
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  16. 2 hours ago, Wonderwall said:

    In all my many years visiting pubs, I have never known of someone being hit with a dart ..Pool tables and dartboards tend to be strategically placed . :default_biggrin: Ideally you have a bar for socialising, and a lounge for eating and being chilled  

    i have ran town center pubs and there are many incidents with stray darts and pool cues

    2 hours ago, Chelsea14Ian said:

    Don't think Rick does darts or pool try Norwich or Yarmouth 

    we have a dart board in our 'top bar' at the white horse no room for pool tables though

    2 hours ago, Bobdog said:

    Ah, that's a point.  In the White Horse they have little wooden trays with three holes in them, and you can have three one-third pint glasses of three different brews to sample. Lovely idea for those of us unfamiliar with the range, and who, faced with an array of taps, find it difficult to decide.  I tend to sample three, and then have a pint of whichever I liked best afterwards.  Didn't notice if the same facility was on offer in the Lion?

    yep we offer it at the lion as well, normally have 26 ale, lager, cider choices but this weekend we have 32!

    1 hour ago, Chelsea14Ian said:

    Why not ask,many pubs will do so but don't always  advertise the fact.

    we always offer a sample, it lends itself to what we do very nicely

    • Like 3
  17. 5 minutes ago, Poppy said:

    I will drink coke before I will EVER drink ANYTHING from Green King. I dislike their business model intensely !

    i love you poppy! haha.

    I just shouted at my manager the other day for ordering a marstons beer in (pedigree). never order from them or greene king.

    • Like 4
  18. 8 minutes ago, MauriceMynah said:

    MauriceMynah lays his cards on the table  with a feeling of optimism....

    My idea of an "old fashioned pint is one that is mid brown in colour (not that important) is NOT over hopped, double hopped or is in any other way "very hoppy" (rather important) and does not have "a citrus aftertaste" or "elderflower taste that lingers" (vital)

    To give a general idea of what I look for in a pint.....My favourite pints are...

    Shepherd Neame Spitfire,  Abbot ale,  Adnams best,  Adnams Broadside,  Courage Best,  and my top of the tops is Fullers London Pride. When served well any of those I like, or any beer with those general characteristics.

    I find that when kept well (sadly rare) Greene King IPA is pretty acceptable.

    The beer I like least but will drink if I have to is Woodefords Wherry,  Only once (out of many occasions) have I been to the White Horse and not found a beer I liked, but even then I found a mix of half Wherry and half something else worked well for me. The something else was rather strong and a bit sweet with a smokey tang to it. Can't remember for the life of me what it was.

    you would like our farrier 4.5% rich malty best bitter (6 grains, dark brown, english hedgerow hops) or our etty ann malt 3.7% low bitterness, good body, caramel notes. I brew these regular but this time of year we can't keep up

  19. 10 hours ago, NorfolkNog said:

    There's been a lengthy thread about the Lion changing hands, the last couple of pages give a bit more info. I went in early June, the place has been transformed, superb beer and I had an excellent pizza to take away.

    I don't think there is either a dart board or pool table though but happy to stand corrected.

     

     

    no pool table or dart board, dart board will probably come when we renovate the other side of the pub. pool table may go into the arcade next year

    3 hours ago, Chelsea14Ian said:

    We went for a meal last month.Yes Rick from the white horse,done a great job on the pub beer and food.Thamk heavens no dart board or pool table.He intends to improve the moorings.There has been talk about broadshaven.No info for some time.

    Moorings have had around 13k spent on them to make them safe and usable for the next few years. Our side is currently free and the farmers side is £4 overnight. Next year there will be a charge both sides of £5 TBC as we will be renting the farmers side.

    3 hours ago, Bobdog said:

    I guess it depends on your taste in pubs, but to my mind the changes to the Lion at Thurne are a huge improvement.  The sticky carpets have gone for a start.  I believe the refurb so far is just a basic one, with more to follow after the summer trade has died down.  Good selection of decent beers.  The food menu is short, but gives a reasonable range of simple meals.  From experience I can recommend both burgers, and the ham, egg and chips, and SWMBO enjoyed the asparagus thingy (I didn't look too close, not my kind of thing, but I think it had beetroot and feta cheese, or something like that).  Again I understand the menu will expand once they've done some more work on the kitchen later in the year.

    Thanks, the menu has started to expand and be tweaked already. We are nearly back up to a full kitchen team so we can tweak a bit more soon.

    59 minutes ago, MauriceMynah said:

    The Lion is much changed, some aspects I like, some less so. I've not eaten there yet but I'm sure I shall. The range of beer is excellent though I have trouble finding the old fashioned pint I crave. (I will admit that this is getting to be a problem wherever I drink these days)

    If I were to level any criticism about the Lion is that having taken the carpet away (sticky or not) the place is now rather echoes when there are fewer customers there. The White Horse doesn't have this problem owing to all the nooks and crannies there.  

    I am awaiting some dosh to come in and i can then get a few soft furnishings to hopefully help with that. I may brew an 'Old fashioned Mynah' as one of my Christmas beers :)

    42 minutes ago, Poppy said:

    Do they still produce 'Double Diamond' ?  Stella or John Smiths may be an alternative option  - but not at Rick's place :default_norty:

    I have 'BASS Ale' on this weekend for our beer festival :)

    36 minutes ago, MauriceMynah said:

    Rick's place??? Of all the bars in all the world.....

    i need to make up a range of merchandise i think

    • Like 4
  20. On 7/24/2017 at 11:40 AM, NorfolkNog said:

    Geoff and Lorraine run an excellent pub and I'm sure that such a decision would not be taken lightly. It's a traditional family friendly pub and really not the place for large groups of Stella swillers. I applaud their courage and it will indeed be interesting if others do follow suit - the Lion springs immediately to mind. 

     

    On 7/24/2017 at 11:56 AM, thingamybob said:

    Groups of "Steller swillers is the last thing that The Lion needs. Rick needs to build the pubs reputation and is doing an excellent job of it. The last time I visited a few weeks ago the pub looks like a place for family dining and responsible drinking. A few locals are also using the pub which is always good for winter trade. Hopefully The Lion will follow suit.

    Whilst we are on the subject, The Lion has a very quirky washbasin stand in the gents. Visit to find out!  

    we are carefully monitoring the situation just as we have done previously at the white horse. in 3 and a bit years we have only had one large male group be unruly which resulted in someone throwing up everywhere but surprisingly when i thrust a mop into the hands of the groom he cleared it up no bother.

    we are hoping due to our offer we don't really attract such large groups as firstly we don't sell stella etc and most rowdy groups come in realise we are focused on craft beer and ale, have a couple and then toodle off to somewhere a bit more mainstream such as the ferry at horning (no offence meant).

    • Like 7
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