please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Currently visiting a pub for every station on the London Overground. Did this one for Kensal Rise. A very nice, spacious pub. Real ale was decent. Seemed to cater for those dining more than just drinking - tables were already set out with cutlery. A strange part of the pub to the right of the bar with wierd seats. Would visit again.
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A very good pub to have an excellent Sunday lunch in. Staff always friendly and the atmosphere relaxed. Maybe too many toddlers and babies but they arev the future punters I suppose...
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Redecorations in late 2009 took away much of the pub's character and now it's an advertising manager's dream with its light pastel colours, long, plush sofas and unbearably smug Brazilian lounge music. Both the real ale pumps were off so I had a Bloody Mary, which was reasonable but not outstanding. The menu is no longer posh tapas, but fairly predictable posh English pub fare. We had dropped in for a late lunch of a Sunday roast, which was mostly fairly good apart from the price tag of �16 and the roast potatoes, which seemed to have been hanging around for a long time so that they were dense and chewy instead of crunchy and crisp. The last time I had roast potatoes like that was in the school canteen. The pub reflects the ongoing bourgeoisification of the area and will probably be to the taste of the marketing types that now infest the area, but it doesn't appeal to me.
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Not very good pint of Young's Kew Gold, but people seemed to be enjoying themselves
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There's a very nice beer garden at the back as well as pavement tables at the front and they serve good quality posh tapas. The beer quality is very variable (two pumps, London Pride and guest from Cottage Brewing), and it seems as often as not to be off, or at least ropey. Half price cocktails on Friday are very tempting. Rooms to hire upstairs.
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Sexy waitress called Kasia.
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ale was off
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Large open space for service counter but several comfortable sofas at rear, wood floor, expensive �3.10 pint although kept well Fullers & Cottage when we called, not tempted by �12+ roast lunch
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First visit wasn't too promising - their guest ale had turned to vinegar, and despite being polite about asking for a replacement, didn't get anything approaching an apology. Service was pretty lacking; nobody seemed to be particularly interested in serving, and once in the nice beer garden waiting for tapas, we were fairly sullenly told one of the dishes we chose was off the menu. He wasn't prepared to wait for us to select a replacement either, so we had to walk back inside to order the replacement dish. All in all, the attitude we seemed to get was that we were putting them out by being there. To cap it off, I'm 99% certain it was one of their oysters that gave me food poisoning.
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Not bad. Like the tapas on a lazy afternoon in the sunshine. Each to thier own though, i think i prefer the more traditional feel of The Masons.
Nice to have the two so near.
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We ate Sunday lunch here yesterday. Food is served until 4.30pm on Sunday. The food was excellent, really nicely cooked, reasonable sized portions. The service was excellent and they have a nice beer garden. Food was a little pricy �16 for two courses.
I will be going back.
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I enjoyed a meal and drinks with some friends at the William IV recently, although used to be there every weekend a few years ago when this was my local.
Since then it has had a refurb and put tapas on the menu instead of the usual pubgrub. At first i wasnt sure about the tapas idea, but it really works and the quality of the food was excellent.
The atmosphere and service were as lively and friendly as i remember (even a few familier faces which was a surprise) and i had a great evening.
William IV has changed over the last few years, but changed for the better.
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This place is getting better and better. Always been a good night out, but now they have a happy hour until 8pm on friday nights and the music is always good.
Always busy, but the place is big enough not to feel too packed, and it is a good mix between locals and beautiful people there for the night or some pre-club drinks.
Wicked atmosphere, wicked service & a damn good night out.
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Good pub, does what it does well without seeming to try too hard and also providing good attentive service. Music is good and their is a good crowd providing relaxing, fun and friendly times.
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WIV, Masons, Paradise, Island and Regent all have their good points.
Food at WIV is always good and its more relaxed than the Masons (although the latter is still less than 18 months from its makeover).
anonymous - 24 Mar 2007 11:03 |
where else in the area can you get half price drinks on a friday night? I rate this place highly - it is an honest place that doesnt rip people off, doesnt have pretentious service, and gets the important things right.
Music at the weekend is great, and im loving the food, especially when it is 3 for the price of 2 on the tapas. Sunday lunch is top drawer aswell.
Kensal Green/Rise is a good area, with some decent enough gastropubs/bars - but william iv is the best of the bunch.
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I disagree wholeheartedly with the last comment - The WIV is so much more fun than the Masons. Far more relaxed and friendly, and the music at the weekends is great.
Ive always felt that the Masons is pretentious and the staff seem to have an issue with smiling! No such problems at the William!
Much better drinks selection too.
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I've tried to like this place as many of my friends go here. In fact i do quite like it as a place to go for a quiet light lunch, but i'm sorry it'S The Masons Arms for me. It's just got so much more character.
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Had sunday lunch at the William last week, and the place was packed to the rafters. Despite how busy it was, i was still very impressed with the service and the food was top drawer.
I would advise booking ahead, as we saw plenty of people turned away, but after enjoying the food as much as we did im not surprised that it was that busy.
One more thing - they had a great guest ale from a micro-brewery in somerset!
TOP PUB!
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For my money, the WIV is the best boozer in the area. Great food (if you like tapas - which I do), great atmosphere, and friendly staff.
I love wine, and this place definately has the best wine list in the locality - not to mention the cocktails which are half price on thursdays!
Kensal Green has got a few good pubs/bars nowadays, but William IV is definately my favourite.
Keep up the good work!
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Not what it was and that's a fact. Used to love the place and the staff were great but they all seem to be unfriendly now. Also, the palce resembles a creche at the weekends and the ghastly 'yummy munny' types will not,of course,keep their little brats under control as they are too busy with their nose in the Sunday papers. Never had a good experience with the food there, so can't comment on what it is like these days.
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Worst Sunday Lunch i have ever had! A slab of overcooked beef on a plate and the veg arrived 15 mins later having had to ask twice. Rubbish!
anonymous - 6 Nov 2006 19:23 |
Lovely pub and was served pleasently and efficiently by barman and lovley serving girls in the resturant. Had a lovely tapas, one of the best tapas I have ever had, and the portions are large so we only needed four items for the two of us (usually it's 3 a piece). Would easily and very happily go back and eat there again. The garden is nice and you can eat in or out. The only minus was the music, but you don't hear it outside and can talk above it inside, it's dancy stuff or was when we went and needs to be updated a bit...
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I'm far less impressed than I used to be. The staff here used to be lovely, but now they seem to be selected mainly on looks. On one recent visit, an incredibly snooty blonde barmaid tried to shortchange me by �7 then barely managed an apology.
anonymous - 8 Jul 2006 14:58 |
Above average pub which does put the effort in; good food, friendly staff, well maintained seating and garden. Also found it to be an excellent place to go in the evening after Notting Hill carnival (try it next weekend)
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The William rocks since the refurb and the Tapas menu is a fantastic idea! Food is superb!! The only let-down is the pale shades of wood sued in teh bar, feels a bit Pitcher/Slug-esque (sorry). Anyway, the place is superb, Tom you're doing a sterling job!
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Bah - What used to be a really good restaurant out the back has been turned in to a tapas place. Food was crumby when we went recently. Potato salad was so cold it made my teeth hurt. Service had gone right downhill too. Such a shame, hope it picks up again. at least they haven't changed the bar!
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We had an excellent (post wedding) family lunch at the William IV this week. The staff were friendly. The service was superb. The food was very well prepared, with a very good choice. When the manager learnt of the purpose for our celebration he opened two bottles of champagne on the house to toast us. I will certainly be using this restaurant again. Many thanks.
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Great, lively, buzzing atmosphere. Heaving on a Friday night, but very pleasant with it, even for someone not much into crowded pubs. The staff are lovely, and the customers are fun to watch. Huge place with large and small rooms, nooks and crannies, and large beer garden. Wine by the glass is very good, but expensive.
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great food and lively friday and saturday atmosphere
nick - 12 Jan 2004 10:59 |
The Belgian ale range has slimmed down to only Leffe and Hoegaarden but it's otherwise as good as ever.
anonymous - 20 Dec 2003 14:16 |
best pub in the whole of london, by far and no i do not work there
paul - 29 Sep 2003 15:10 |
