It has been a while since Ruse has had a review written about it and so it might be good to comment on its recent status.

I have many meals at Ruse and the menu continually gets changed to keep it fresh and new. I would argue that you are unlikely to get a cheaper meal anywhere else in the area.

The menu is simple yet tries to make average dishes have an edge.

Portion sizes are extremely modest and prices range from £3.50 for a sandwich, side salad and crisps up to just under £8 for a steak, fries, salad, peas and peppercorn sauce.

Recently repainted, Ruse is bright and friendly. I have watched many football games during the winter and the place is 'buzzing' with activity during all big match games and Friday night Karaoke.

However, during the busy times, Ruse is modestly staffed and I manage to get served quickly and efficiently.

The staff are always friendly and welcoming and really make Ruse special. Drinks are reasonably priced in relation to neighbouring pubs and cocktail/shot menus are different to a lot of other places.

I would definately recommend Ruse as a place to drink, eat and party. It has a great mix of people and staff so should give it a try sometimes.

Unpretentious is a good word here. You would not go out of your way to eat at Ruse. BUT. Luckily it's just over the road for me so I frequent it, er, frequently. It's hard to make a reasonably priced menu exciting. Ruse has a pretty good stab at that. A newcomer would easily find satisfaction. I on the other hand have had everything many times over so am bound to be a little blasé. One precious commodity that Ruse usually has is the staff. Occasionally lacking experience, but very big on 'social skills' they make a mediocre experience far more memorable. A good place for combining sport-watching with consuming too. If 2 events clash then they show 1 either side of the bar quite comfotably. They seem to try hard to attract punters with evening events too (e.g. karaoke) but I can't comment on those.

Had lunch in Ruse last week, really nice menu in there. I had the Australian beef & cheese pie - it was fantastic. Very reasonably priced as well, think it was about £6 for my main. Staff quick and efficient. Outside could do with smartening up a touch.

Had a geat lunch there the today the food is wholesome and cheap. £5.95 for a main course in Borough expensive(????!!) I am not sure where the previous reviewer eats. The staff were very good and the food was served quickly by a very pleasant young lady.Only thing that is lacking is an outside area, but the bar is big and bright so that barely matters now that it is non smoking.

Definitely best avoided, food OK but much, much better places around which are cheaper. Ruse wants desperately to be a gastro pub or something but just can't do it. I think they would be far better off just being a sleazy bar really. Unfortunately as a group of girls we had the same experience as the other reviewer. We came for a late lunch and the manager wouldn't leave us alone! Staff fairly nice but really much better places to go just a short walk away, would not go back I'm afraid.

Ruse is overly stuffy, cramped and smoky, the food is overpriced, pretentious and slow being served. It's well worth walking 10 minutes up to London Bridge or The Cut for a decent meal rather than go to Ruse.

Ruse is the best place in Borough on a Friday evening. Great atmosphere and service and a good crowd of people who aren't going to fight you or be sick on you. Loved it that you can ask for a song at Ruse and it will get played.

All in all a horrible experience.

Started off well with brisk service, smiling faces and an all round good atmosphere for a few drinks after work.

Then enter the owner/manager whatever you'd call him. He came along with his girlfriend/yes girl and proceeded to be an unruly drunken boor. Putting horrible music on at full blast and being a lecherous old fart to any lady with a skirt on.

I'm not going to go much futher into it, BUT please don't bother spending your money here.

Ruse has fantastic atmosphere and food, THE place to be.