Sylvan Post

The food may be great, but after the mess I saw yesterday, I'm really not sure I want to try it! I went in on Sunday at around 6pm and there was an obvious shortage of staff and lack of management - the place was filthy. I looked around at every table where people had eaten and not one plate had been cleared. We had to ask a member of staff (who was busy polishing spoons!) to clear the table so that we could sit down. Glasses weren't being collected and the chef's bell kept ringing from the kitchen, but there was no-one to pick up the food! It's a confused place - neither sure if it's a pub or a cafe. It could be a great place, but it really needs to up its game in terms of service and cleanliness.

Been to this pub a few times for Sunday lunch. Never been disappointed. Not sure what the reviewer is going on about. This is a great pub, good atmosphere with a good quality varied menu. The chocolate mousse was the best I ve ever tasted, please bring it back!! They also do a proper Yorkshire pudding. Don't believe TO, this place is worth a visit if you want a relaxing afternoon with good food and drink.

I'm simply perplexed by this review. I've eaten there twice and the food's been top-notch, but even leaving that aside, the place is being reviewed as if it's a restaurant or wine-bar when it's clearly a pub. Maybe Time Out should consider employing a pub reviewer who knows, likes and understands pubs, their conventions and logic, rather than one who would clearly rather be elsewhere. The beer selection's interesting (regulars from Redemption, Tiny Rebel and Moor) and well-kept, prices are reasonable as far as London goes, and the decor and atmosphere are absolutely unique: it is that rarest of beasts, a modern pub with real character and atmosphere, and if it were in North or East London the press would be fawning over it. If only it could sort the music out: a combination of landfill indie and American chart-pop of five years ago. At least it's never loud.

How wrong can so many people be? The Sylvan Post is a great local, something Forest Hill has been searching for for years. Excellent food (I've eaten there too many times to count on my hands now) and a great vibe. Sundays you can get a range of roasts, bring your children and your dog (as they're also dog friendly) and a get pint of real ale from some fantastic local breweries, a great family day. Friday and saturday nights are party nights, always packed. What's even nicer is the bar staff actually know what they're talking about, are very friendly and after just two visits they even remembered my name! Please Time Out, re-review the Sylvan Post!!!

Terrible place

Sadly found the service very disappointing. Busy Friday night and only one working the bar occasionally help by the waiting staff. Really seemed to be a free-for-all to get served with everyone clambering "I was next!". Food was acceptable (but really? 50p for gherkin on your burger?) Think I will stick to the more traditional pub and not this establishment, the kind of place where bar staff can remember who has been at the bar more than two minutes and where everyone doesn't need to pay individually on a credit/debit card.

That review from Time Out is extremely harsh, and it's worth noting that the Sylvan Post's menu has changed recently. The burger is up there with the best pub burgers i've ever had and the chips are fab...i don't know why they said it was mediocre. My girlfriend had a fish pie which was quite simply splendid, and we're food snobs! The whole place has a great vibe, and although, yes, it is very trendy it is not uncomfortable in the slightest. Somehow the quirkiness works perfectly...it really is a lovely place for a drink or food anytime, and i love the way they've integrated all the old post office things...it was an actual post office before. The ales are brill, and they always seem to have a dark ale and decent cider on tap...thank the lord! I can never understand why pubs don't have a decent variety of booze. The Sylvan's range is excellent. I'm a Forest Hill resident and this is most definitely my new local pub, it is wonderful...keep up the good work, and Time Out re-review please!

The food is really good at the Sylvan, I think the reviewer must have been unlucky that day. As other reviewers have said, the service is incredibly friendly, there is always a great range of real ale and personally I find the wine list pretty good! On top of that they are dog friendly and there is a really relaxed vibe, it's the opposite of those bars where you feel you're about to be told off for something all the time! They've got it just right.

It seems odd to acknowledge the quality of the beer (surely one of the principal selling points of a pub) then award the place only two stars. The Sylvan Post plays host to a range of interesting and well kept beer often from small breweries and is worth a visit for that reason alone. The interior is also very pleasant (especially the back room) and the atmosphere convivial.

This review is an absolute joke. The place is easily worth 4 stars - good drinks selection, great atmosphere, fun decor and all set to decent tunes. Also, to say that the food is bad is frankly bizarre as it has always been tasty and well put together.