Topic ID 545
Last night in the OXT - Paddy's night one day early. Beer - as ever excellent choice and in excellent condition 5/5 Food - Sally's home cooked Irish stew with dumplings and plenty of it at a good price - 5/5 Entertainment - not a regular feature at the OXT but just the job last night so 5/5 Atmosphere - place packed out. Most people knew at least half of everybody else. Garden full 5/5. Service/staff - as ever, friendly and with humour. 5/5. Good night all round.
Reply ID 5402
thank you [:D]
Reply ID 5403
The word on the street is Sallys leaving [:(]just wont be the same.
Reply ID 5404
[:I] i will miss you to del, im giving up cooking for oysters! your suppossed to be selling furniture not sitting at your computer! p.s my table looks great [:D]
Reply ID 5405
OOppps had no idea it was you...Sorry admin Del out.
Reply ID 5406
its not me its madge...... [:p]
Reply ID 6254
[8D] The Old Cross Tavern has just won the runner-up prize in the South Herts CAMRA Pub of the Year awards (presentation on Monday 2 May, see posters in the pub for more details) so I thought I would add to Sloop’s comments. I help out occasionally behind the bar in the OXT so I have heard plenty of customer feedback. OXT usually only does hot food at lunchtime, not in the evening and not at all on Sundays. All meals are home made using local suppliers where possible, free range eggs etc. A new chef has just started so if anyone has eaten there very recently and has any comments on the food, maybe they would like to post them here. One of the things I like about the OXT is that the soft drinks are sold in 330 ml cans, for £1 which is a good price and you know exactly what you’re getting – I never trust those pipe multi-dispenser things used by many pubs (I’m sure they sabotage my Diet Coke with Fat Coke and you never know what the funnel was poking in before it filled your glass!). I also like the fact that the OXT have newspapers available. The nibbles that are put out on Sunday afternoons are very popular. Things that some people don’t like about the OXT: It has no disabled facilities, fag machine, music, TV, darts or fruit machine. It doesn’t sell alcopops or much in the way of bottled beer – just Becks and Bud. Children are not permitted in the pub, only in the courtyard out the back. The wine choice is limited to three house wines (1 red, 1 white, 1 rose) and some ‘country’ wines like elderberry and cherry which all taste like cough medicine to me. OXT won’t accept credit cards or anything other than cash . The chairs are all hard, the only upholstered seating is in the two window booths and some people have complained about the seats being uncomfortable. Smoking is permitted throughout, apart from when food is served, when it is restricted to one end of the pub but that doesn’t really provide a smoke-free area to dine. Some people have also mentioned that the layout of the pub means you tend to get a crowd of people round the bar making it difficult to order drinks, even when the staff aren’t busy. So that’s the warts-and-all picture but as Sloop indicates, the OXT is pretty unbeatable for a no-frills local with fair prices and a good range of well-kept real ales. Beerintheevening.com contains customer comments about several Hertford pubs including the OXT. There is some criticism about locals hogging the bar and the faux pub ‘tea shop’ feel of the OXT premises but overall comments are favourable. The OXT is running a beer festival in the pub on the late May bank holiday weekend featuring a ‘hog roast’ on one night – see the posters in the pub for more details.
Reply ID 6262
have they got rid of the cigerette machine there used to be one on the way to the toilet??
Reply ID 7170
I understand that the OXT is having one of their wonderful beer festivals this weekend, as I haven't been out and consumed vast quanitities of beer for a few weeks, I will be in there at every available opportunity this weekend!
Reply ID 7198
I feel the Old cross tavern (sorry, OXT is sooooo American to me!) is too much someones living room! Not how a pub should be. too bright too. I like a bit of gloom!
Reply ID 7199
There's no getting away from it, the OXT is a shop converted [unsuccessfully] into a pub. Whilst they have the best pint in town, they have the worst lighting! Some serious "feng shui" in needed!
Reply ID 7205
quote:Perhaps we should remember that the origins of the pub are from a public house. In which case the living room ambience may not be too far off.
Originally posted by Steve
There's no getting away from it, the OXT is a shop converted [unsuccessfully] into a pub. Whilst they have the best pint in town, they have the worst lighting! Some serious "feng shui" in needed!
Reply ID 7207
quote:Anyone who knows Bev woud find 'bright' a very odd word to use. Last one to turn on the lights. Drinking an excellent pint in someone's living room is what an English pub is all about. Not having ever been to the grand old USA can someone tell me if their bars lack TV, SKY, snooker, juke box, karaoke but have a high regard for conversation and a pint of real beer properly served - not killed, frozen and reconstituted as a 'product'.
I feel the Old cross tavern (sorry, OXT is sooooo American to me!) is too much someones living room! Not how a pub should be. too bright too. I like a bit of gloom!
Reply ID 7214
I think you missed my point! [:)] I was simply calling it the Old Cross Tavern, rather than the OXT, because I hate the way the English language is being abbreviated all the time. OXT is so phone text or American. What’s wrong with calling something by it name anymore!? I simple hate the way everyone is calling it the OXT! When does Hertford become Hartfd!? [;)]
Reply ID 7220
Sorry Dude. Did write this post after one too many pints of Triple F; or was it Iceni. Anyway you get my drift.
Reply ID 7231
I find it amusing that someone who dislikes the Americanisation of the English language would prefer to call himself Dude, which of course is an American word.
Reply ID 7233
I know it's off topic but not necessarily Gary: It first showed up in England in the late 19th century, most probably as a variation on "dud," a Victorian slang term meaning "article of clothing" (still heard today as "duds"). The original dudes were fops and dandies, well-to-do young men who were known for their fancy style of dressing as well as their often dissolute "lifestyles." A few years later, "dude" made its debut in the Western United States as a disparaging term for any city-dwelling visitor (also known as a "city slicker") to cowboy country. The taming of the West brought a flood of tourists from the East, and "dude ranches" quickly sprang up to give the visitors a taste of "cowpoke life." In the 1930's, "dude" mutated a bit and came to be used as a general synonym for "guy" or "fellow," without its former connotations of dandyism, and seemed to be slowly fading away. The early 1960's surfer culture of Southern California, however, gave "dude" a shot in the arm, transforming the word into one of its basic units of linguistic exchange. There were no "guys" or "fellows" hanging ten -- only "dudes." or Though the definitive origin of "dude" is officially regarded as unknown, a theory suggests that "dude" was short for "Doodle." The Random House Historical Dictionary of American Slang cites an 1877 reference in an unpublished private letter of the painter and sculptor known for Western themes, Frederick Remington: "Don't send me any more women or any more dudes" he told a correspondent who was sending him sketches. Sorry couldn't resist! [:D]
Reply ID 7265
Well done to the OXT for their most excellent beer fest over the Bank Holiday weekend, good beer, good food, good conversation and great atmosphere! Roll on the next one!
Reply ID 7286
oxt is nice traditional pub with good beer nice friendly people and a relaxed atmosphere i love it when i just want to go sit and talk with a pint in my hand. but for an all round pub i cant find better than the black horse a bit of everything for everyone....[:)] Gini
Reply ID 7386
quote:But dude is a word, not abbreviation. My problem was with the relaxed use of the language, not the new (or old) words. Is dude short for something!? [:)]
Originally posted by Gary
I find it amusing that someone who dislikes the Americanisation of the English language would prefer to call himself Dude, which of course is an American word.
Reply ID 8606
the OXT is a place i miss is it still the same?? This amazingly interesting post was brought to you by... Sally
Reply ID 8746
AMAZINGLY.....Yes.[;)] Gini
Reply ID 8749
quote:Well yes apart from your liver and bacon on the menu.
he OXT is a place i miss is it still the same??
Reply ID 8823
Hi Sal We miss you at B.H. too! Margaret says to get in touch. Hope you are well.
Reply ID 10886
Beer festival at the Old X this weekend!!! Infact starting tonight
Reply ID 14013
In case anybody missed the "closing hours" notice put up in the establishment for xmas eve and new year's eve the regulars will have to imbibe elsewhere after 6pm on both nights as it closes then! Oh, and it's shut Boxing day, New Year's Day. and day after too... The irony is that it says on top of the notice: "The way pubs used to be." ...certainly not the closing hours !
Reply ID 14015
quote:I understand that you would be OK here (OXT) at 9 pm New Year's Eve if you have an invitation!!
Originally posted by neveraxword
In case anybody missed the "closing hours" notice put up in the establishment for xmas eve and new year's eve the regulars will have to imbibe elsewhere after 6pm on both nights as it closes then! Oh, and it's shut Boxing day, New Year's Day. and day after too... The irony is that it says on top of the notice: "The way pubs used to be." ...certainly not the closing hours !
Reply ID 14111
What do you think of the OXT now Sloop? After all, it was you that started this thread but I notice these days you're to be found in/or promoting the BH. A few strange things seem to be occurring which appear to have resulted in the departure of a few regulars. Can you enlighten us?
Reply ID 14112
Although the OXT still does a very brisk trade, regulars have decamped to the BH increasingly....and some will willingly divulge their reasons !!!
Reply ID 14113
I'd be interested to find out their reasons for this as I still find it to have the best range of ales in town and I think the food is superb. I will add however, that it's only the ales and food that I go for, nothing else as it's not a comfortable pub. I found it odd that the change in the licensing laws brought about a reduction of hours in that they now open at 12 instead of 11.30. I have tried the BH but don't like Greede King beers or their compulsory guest list. So until the landlord can choose his own guests I'll stick with the Cross.
Reply ID 14122
The OXT has no atmosphere.
Reply ID 14124
I would rather not elaborate too much but most people who know me are well aware of the reason why I have not been gracing the bar of the OXT of late. Quite a few other one time regulars have also deserted same establishment for a variety of reasons, again mostly well known. Not so well known is that when i first moved to hertford circa 1980 the WH was my favourite pub, local and first port of call for off sales as well. That was in the days of Mick Peck, a beer only licence and a much smaller but dare I say more intimate bar. Have been returning to my roots so to speak and as my job takes me around town visiting some of the other local hostleries as well. The BH fits the criteria - excellent beer, knowledgable and charming mine host and hostess and a good atmosphere, complemented by the odd quiz (31 and a half out of 100) and occassional well cooked Sunday lunch. Pint please Dobbin for that plug.[:D]
Reply ID 14125
There were some very ****** off regulars discussing the OXT holiday hours last week - comments of the sort of "thank you for your trade, now **** off". Whether they will do anything about it is another matter. For the record, normal holiday extensions apart, the White Horse is also due to be open until midnight on both Friday 23rd December and Friday 30th December.
Reply ID 14130
quote:As is the Black Horse, plus Saturday 24th. Bad news for the OXT to close those specified days, but Bev can obviously afford to.
Originally posted by Ray_by_the_Beane
There were some very ****** off regulars discussing the OXT holiday hours last week - comments of the sort of "thank you for your trade, now **** off". Whether they will do anything about it is another matter. For the record, normal holiday extensions apart, the White Horse is also due to be open until midnight on both Friday 23rd December and Friday 30th December.
Reply ID 14232
It's really quite strange, the real bonus the OXT has is that it is a locals pub, however, Bev's actions seem to be putting his locals off..... quite strange really (is there a hidden agenda!!??)
Reply ID 14242
I hear that OXT is open but only to regulars! There is a "secret entrance" for those in the know, so I am reliably informed.
Reply ID 14243
How regular do you have to be? I swear some folk actually sleep there, maybe it is them[;)]
Reply ID 14244
You said it Wizkid. I go to the OXT at least 3 times a week which would qualify me as a regular but as I said earlier, I only go for the excellent beer and food and not to indulge in bar hogging or banter with the members. I would fully expect to be turned away on New Year's eve despite having been a regular for 3 years!
Reply ID 14246
quote:I can reassure you Sarah that there is not a mysterious platform 9 3/4 a la Harry Potter; or a hidden trapdoor in the cellar leading straight into the bar through the fireplace. Just the back door down the entrance to the office buildings at the rear. Mind you, if your face is not too well known you might still not get served. The regulars tell me it was shut at 6.30 on xmas eve and after last years most pleasant xmas morning this year there were more regular faces in the back bar of the Salisbury instead. One man's loss etc etc.
There is a "secret entrance" for those in the know, so I am reliably informed.
Reply ID 14247
quote:Do you think the regulars will smile on New Years Eve[:o)] Mrs CP
Originally posted by Gary
You said it Wizkid. I go to the OXT at least 3 times a week which would qualify me as a regular but as I said earlier, I only go for the excellent beer and food and not to indulge in bar hogging or banter with the members. I would fully expect to be turned away on New Year's eve despite having been a regular for 3 years!
Reply ID 14264
quote:Only if it's a leap year that ends in a zero.
Do you think the regulars will smile on New Years Eve[:o)] Mrs CP
Reply ID 14286
Marvellous ideas re the "secret entrance". However, I was speaking metaphorically, I mean't that if you face fits you might be let in. But clearly this was not the case.
Reply ID 14360
Was there a secret entrance yesterday, because it was shut yesterday as well[:0]
Reply ID 14576
The OXT was finally selling some of the excellent Red Squirrel ales last night (Honey Porter). It was going so quick it has probably all been sold by now. I can't understand why the OXT doesn't sell beer from this Hertford micro brewery more often. Apart from one beer festival several years ago, I think this is the first time Red Squirrel ale has been sold by the OXT. Red Squirrel ales consistently get good reviews and even got a mention on the back page of the Daily Telegraph a couple of Saturdays ago.
Reply ID 14599
Surely Bev is to be applauded for supporting the Red Squirrel. It is great to see local businesses supporting each other and this should be encouraged. I hear the beer sold out really quickly. Well done Bev!
Reply ID 14734
I fully respect that its Bev business as to what beer he buys. It was just as a punter, I find it strange that he doesn't regularly get some of the Red Squirrel ales. Here's hoping that this will be the first of some further orders.
Reply ID 34817
The OXT now has Red Squirrel Bitter (RSB) as a house beer.
Reply ID 34819
quote:Presumably, not suitable for vegetarians.
Originally posted by Ray_by_the_Beane
The OXT now has Red Squirrel Bitter (RSB) as a house beer.
Reply ID 34841
Was the OXT closed at lunch time today?
Reply ID 34843
Well it was certainly closed lunchtime two Mondays ago....
Reply ID 34844
quote:It doesn't open until 4PM on Mondays.
Originally posted by Rooster
Was the OXT closed at lunch time today?
Reply ID 39201
whats wrong with the oxt no one in to talk or have a laught with whats happend to sue she has been missing for a long time any one know why?
Reply ID 40427
There is a beer festival this bank holiday weekend, starting Friday night.
Reply ID 40508
quote:Great, i will be there, beer festivals are great.[:I]
Originally posted by Ray_by_the_Beane
There is a beer festival this bank holiday weekend, starting Friday night.
Reply ID 42270
Went in there for the first time this afternoon. What a lovely pub. I'm not a real ale drinker but my two mates were impressed with the Red Squirrel stuff. Bar staff were superb.
Reply ID 55539
Beer festival at the OXT this weekend. Not sure what the beers are that will be on, though Bev's own brew "Laugh & Titter" has been a recent treat and we got a lager-swiller converted to this a couple of weeks ago.
Reply ID 62819
I just thought I'd say congratulations and well done to Bev and all the team at the OXT on winning the South Herts CAMRA Pub of The Year Award. We popped in last night and enjoyed some excellent Yorkshire Terrier, and Yorkshire Guzzler - and the Red Squirel Bog Standard Pale Ale was superb as well.
Reply ID 63573
The OXT is having a beer festival this weekend and a Hog Roast. mmmmmmmm bacon aaaahhhhhh!!!!![:D]