I agree with Nork - the Dolphin garden is beautifully landscaped and was a perfect magical venue for the "Midsummer" production this summer.
Love the Dolphin ambience, artwork and wine although the layout could lend itself to some little cosy areas for intimacy. Could do with some interior greenery - perhaps some giant vases of gorgeous orchids - orchids can last forever if in the right setting. I enjoy the French/European styley menu and I DIG the chunky CHIPS (heart-unfriendly I know). The landlord chappie seems friendly enough although the rest of his bar staff could do with cheering up! The sofas need some TLC or just plain replacing - once I sink into those very worn sofas, need to struggle to climb out. Not good.
Visiting friends are always taken over to the Dolphin - I think it's just what we need in Sydders. (I reserve judgement on the Golden Lion as I don't tend to drink there - but hey - horses for courses. THUMBS UP for the Dolphin
I feel very comfortable in the Dolphin AND the Golden Lion. But not in the Two Half's or the Railway.
They are so different, more importantly the Dolphin has brought a fair number of ThorpeFolk (& offspring) back into the community. Its all about ambience and enjoying company. Frankly if I really want to enjoy good beer I simply go to Belgium or Waitrose. Its cheaper than the GL.
Now then - I really need advice on the public punishment I should heap on Bensonby for outing me as unbeautiful
well...the dolphin, i don't think, is aiming to market itself at people who want a pub that's a proper boozer, just the same as a place like the bricklayers isn't aiming to start serving haute cuisine.
I think the Dolphin is so nearly there but it lets itself down on a number of fronts:
- service is terrible, I often have to wait 10 minutes to get served even if it's virtually empty
- the staff never smile, ever
- the food menu is plain weird, not sure a chef is needed to put cheese on a bit of wood or cook chips
these are all easy to fix but they don't bother. I have started to go to the Bridge House instead even though it's on the wrong side of the tracks...
Willy, you don't strike me as a shrinking violet/wallflower type - so it's curious to know why the Dolphin bar staff take their time in serving you? As I see it, the more custom they get through good efficient service means that there will continue to be demand for their job. Could it possibly be that you shy away from making direct eye contact with them? Or look down to read the paper when they scan the bar to see who needs service? Well maybe someone needs to raise this with the pub landlord as their lack of prompt efficient service will drive away custom so it's not a good thing. I must say I haven't yet experienced poor service but read that others have come across this unenthusiastic attitude.
Could it possibly be that you shy away from making direct eye contact with them? Or look down to read the paper when they scan the bar to see who needs service?
That's the problem, they don't scan the bar to see who is waiting, they all huddle by the coffee machine trying not to catch people's eye! There's only so much note waving a man can do to get attention..
To be fair they are not all rubbish, the Australian guy knows what he's doing and the manager has her moments although when A midsummers Nights Dream was on they were complaining they were too busy which I thought was odd.
