Loved this place. I read through many of the reviews before we went and I didn't have high hopes. I mean, the food was ok. Fish and Chips were a little dry, but to be fair I asked for it all well done. Curry was more like pulled meat, but it wasn't bad. I love the layout and the snug at the back. It's what a real pub ought to be. I wish there were west end places like this instead of all the fly by night hipster joints.
The service was efficient and funny. I don't know what people are expecting from servers these days. Honestly, if you go into your local, the servers are usually locals, too and they may well have a little attitude (our server didn't). I like this snarky quirk. But seriously-- she was great-- we came in as a big group and were all on separate bills and arrived at different times. She was amazing at producing our bills when we all needed to leave at different times too. A total pro.
I was pleased that there weren't any children there. I don't want to chat with my friends while some kid throws chicken wing bones and cries or watches a show on his or her iPad. If your kid can't sit through dinner in a restaurant without distractions, you didn't raise them with proper table manners and you shouldn't bring them to a restaurant for dinner. Also, I don't want to hold back on my swearing and drinking and such because I feel bad that your kid might overhear me.
Overall, a great little pub that I'd be pleased to come back to. it made me nostalgic for my east end days and the loyalty that east enders have towards their local haunts. we could all take a dose of authenticity from the Roy.