Radcliffe Arms, Hitchin — Restaurant in North Hertfordshire

Visited here recently and left a tad....but just a tad confused. It wasn't a restauarant and didn't have that feel of a pub, certainly not one you could sit in and enjoy an evening chewing the fat with friends. It seemed to lack that cozy comfort and personality for a longer stay in my opinion. Unless you were here to eat (and I beleive you must book a table in advance for this) I can't imagine this as a choice to go to for a few drinks with friends. There wasn't much of a selection of draught beers on offer, maybe one of each type to choose from, cider, lager, pale ale, stout etc. There may have been two lagers on draft, i'm not sure but nothing I fancied so my choice was a "make do" compromise. The choice of draught beers is something we struggle with in the UK as a whole and if the establishment is not really of the mindset to be a pub, the offering at the Radcliffe is fairly typical. I didn't notice any guest beers, I MAY BE WRONG AND APOLOGISE IN ADVANCE if I missed them. I'm sure the Radcliffe will correct me if I'm mistaken on this. If I was right, one or two even would be a fantastic addition. There were bottled beer and cider options in the fridge, the usual stuff. I did also dine here on my visit. I had chicken wings and Pepperoni Pizza to which i added green chillis. The wings were really really small, the smallest i'd seen. I think the serving was 8 pieces, I can't even remember their taste sorry. Wings are so cheap to buy wholesale, I'm amazed they don't make a statement with these given their current popularity and wow they can offer with some creativity. The pizza wasn't too bad and most would would find it very good no doubt. The sauce was a little light on taste for me. The Pepperoni was nice, the cheese was nice, the crust had good flavour. Not a standout, nothing wow and overall a bit light on topping in my opinion. I also added green chilis and they added about 10 slithers that were literally 1mm thick if that. I added them for taste but there wasn't enough for that so just had to enjoy the kick from the heat. I did enjoy the Pizza overall. In summary, i think there will always be places like this about that are neither pub nor restaurant. If you want a pub primarily, there are two Hitchin standouts. The Coopers Arms and The Victoria. Both are very much pubs, have engaging staff and great food. In the case of The Victoria, really good pizza and burgers. You can also do beers and feel very welcome and comfortable. I'm not suggesting you're not welcome at the Radcliffe. I'm just saying the above two do it better and haven't forgotten...

In Hitchin town, where tales are spun, Stands the Radcliffe Arms, beneath the sun. A pub of old, with stories to tell, Where diverse souls gather, an eclectic spell.

But amidst the laughter and merry cheer, Lie creatures strange, causing quite a fear. Disgusting, smelly, Bodhi beings roam, Unwashed and untamed, they find their home.

Their odor wafts through the smoky air, As patrons crinkle noses, trying to bear. Inebriated minds falter, senses sway, As Bodhi creatures play, night and day.

They stumble and stagger, with hairy limbs, Leaving behind trails of mess and grim. The pub echoes with their boisterous cries, Unruly and rowdy, their spirits rise.

Their presence, a challenge, a test of will, To find compassion, in hearts uphill. For beneath the grime and untamed stench, Are beings seeking love, a soul to quench.

Their eyes hold stories, untold and true, Of hardships endured, life's trials they knew. Once beautiful creatures, now lost in strife, Yearning for acceptance, for a chance at life.

In the Radcliffe Arms, they find a place, Where judgment wanes, and acceptance embraces. For amidst the laughter and clinking of glass, The Bodhi creatures too, find solace in mass.

Their presence a reminder, to look beyond, The surface that tarnishes, hearts so fond. In this pub, a lesson of empathy lies, For even in the grotesque, a beauty belies.

So, let us not judge these Bodhi souls, But rather seek understanding, as wisdom unfolds. In the Radcliffe Arms, let compassion bloom, For even in the darkest corners,...

I would like to say thanks for the range of wonderful beers at your pub.

My friend and I arrived at 3:15 (I know this as his train arrived not long before). We proceeded to chat and drink through ‘til 6 when one of your colleagues, plonked a sign on our table and said, that the table is now reserved from 7pm and so we’d have an hour left. There was no question as to whether we would be staying (we had started to think about eating there) or the fact that we had already been there for around 3 hours.

Come 7pm we were approached by a man who asked us to move as he had booked the table. Three of them sat down, and started to watch the football. We had nowhere to sit, could not watch the game and had to leave the pub. We felt that we had been kicked out.

At the time, we see no other tables in that area being reserved and it seemed to us that the three men had called the pub, booked the best table for the football (they showed no menus or signs of wishing to eat at the time) and your staff complied, and indirectly evicted us. I can’t think of a pub that would move people away from a table so that another group could take their place to watch the screen.

I sent this in an email. It was polite and intended to make a constructive point but the email was ignored. We won't...