please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Suggested this place to a friend as I live a tube ride away and it was one of the few places remaining for me to do in Time Out's list of best beer gardens in North London. Well, the pervading sentiment is the following: is it a pub and beer garden? At £4.20 a pint for the Deuchars I should have felt the warning signs straight away. Then, on proceeding to the garden, half of the tables had the damned signs on them and we had to stand. Not too bad on reflection, but I don't really do pubs for food, let alone look favourably on pubs that devote about three quarters of their space to diners. That's not what a pub is. If I'm hungry and want pub food, I go to Wetherspoons. And after two, we ended up in the White Swan and paid £7.50 for two beers and chips. Job well done.
Won't be returning, not because of rudeness or slow service or anything, but because it doesn't have what I look for in a pub; much the opposite in fact.
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Not sure that this place should still be on BitE as it is a restaurant masquerading as a pub. 90% of floor space has been given over to dining, so God forbid should you want to spend a whole evening sitting down with friends enjoying a drink or two. The food is very nice and the staff are pleasant but as soon as you finish eating, your table will be turned and the dining conveyor belt will carry on while you are left standing squeezed into the small area that still qualifies as a pub. Beer selection of Ringwood Bitter and Deuchar's IPA isn't particularly exciting either. There are better places to drink around here and the location is awkward too so if anyone were to ask me for a pub recommendation for the area, I would never suggest this place.
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Spent a very pleasurable Sunday afternoon there celebrating a 30th birthday and despite all the crap reviews around was pleasantly surprised...good selection of beers and a good sunday lunch menu all catered for by responsive, if rushed-off-their-feet, staff.
VERY Expensive and the epitome of Islington 'millionaires row'...but then what do you expect in a lovely part of Islington?
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Had a pleasant visit her on a Friday (Early) lunchtime. Barmaids excellent and couldn't do enough to help. Had a nice couple of pints of Ringwood whilst sitting in the sun filled garden. A pint was nearing the �4 mark, but what do you expect in the Islington area with it's Millionaire neighbours?
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5 bar staff managed to do an impressive job of ignoring me, the only customer, for a good couple of minutes. A couple of them looked busy but the other 3 were just leaning.
And they had no ale anyway. And when they do its close on 4 pounds a pint.
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I came here between Christmas and New Year with a group of friends - there were 8 of us. There wasn't much choice in the area, as most of my favourite food-pubs were closed, and I was the one organising the night.
As soon as I entered, I noticed the place had a sort of depressing atmosphere. Couldn't quite work out why. One of my friends said the lighting was a bit too bright, and a wrong choice of music. Another suggested it was the people there that night.
We were there for food and drinks. I like a good ale, so went straight for the bar to check out the selection. There was "Grandma Wouldn't Like it", Loddon, and something else. After tasting, I ended up with Loddon, which for my taste, was just about drinkable, but far from perfect.
We ordered food, which was quite pricey. I had the sea bream, which arrived with cabbage instead of frise. It was ok, but worth nowhere near the hefty price tag. It was exactly the same as I've had at the bargain restaurant "Le Mercury" on Upper Street for around �6 (though the fish was bigger at the pub).
One friend had the lamb, which was very good, but incredibly small. Another ordered a terrine starter with chunky chips. The bar lady said it was a good combo. It was all very dry, and mostly not eaten. Others thought the food acceptable, but far too expensive for what it was.
At desert time, the creme brule was sent back as it wasn't yet set, and replaced for a set one. I had the apple crumble with ice cream. It was the best apple crumble I've ever had!
The staff were pleasant. They looked like nice people who didn't particularly enjoy working there. There was definitely no going out of there way to make it a pleasant experience for us, but neither were they rude in any way.
None of us would think of going back there in the future. Poor ale selection, depressing atmosphere, mediocre overpriced food. Saying that, its not an offensive pub. Shame, as I heard it used to be a fantastic place once.
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I was only in there for about half an hour, so I can only echo the comments of the poster below. The ale was a little on the expensive side when you consider that good ale in a specialist ale pub can cost only about 60-70% as much.
Full of yuppy types, mostly inoffensive but pretty insipid.
Its a pleasant enough gaff, and the service was good but I guess its just not my kind of crowd.
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�3.60 for Black Sheep really sums this place up. GK IPA also available.
Large pub with an outside seating area. Very "new labour". I'd say that there are better places in the area, so would go back.
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Its a shame but The Albion has really gone downhill in 2010.
The service used to be good and came here lots but now its nothing sort of terrible. The staff look sullen and stressed. We came one sunday recently and were made to wait 50 mins for our main course while they fawned over two big table outside. No apologies. Then they brought us the wrong dishes. Then the right ones. Which were cold. We complained but the staff didn't really care we had had a bad experience. They're making lots of money at the Albion but i think its made them a bit complacent. Avoid it and go to the Duke of Cambridge in Canonbury. Really friendly service and great food.
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Do not go here. The bar staff were rude which we could live with, and the pub was full of a really loud party having a children's party and the entrance door was blocked by them but when we came out to find our bikes were stolen it was the final straw.
The boy behind the bar looked very annoyed when I asked for olives and asked us grumpily if we wanted anything else. He looked disgusted when I said I was choosing.
We chained our bikes to the railings right in front of the pub where other people were sitting. When we came out they were gone. The manager said there was no CCTV even though the police said moped and bicycle theft is a real problem in the area.
Do not go there if you want polite bar staff or if you have a bicycle.
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This is a beautiful pub- lots of rooms and nooks in a lovely wisteria and ivy clad building, a great seating area out front and an a beautiful big garden at the back. It was refurbished a few years ago � unsuccessfully - the new d�cor and improved garden are let down by a mediocre beer selection, unremarkable food bigged up on an overpriced menu and poor service from surly staff; I live around the corner and have dropped in occasionally in the hope that its got its act together but sadly it hasn�t so far.
sudbh - 25 May 2010 10:21 |
Had very mixed experiences here - having lived 2 minutes up the road have visited through the seasons, pre and post refurbishments and management change. It's a beautiful pub in the most beautiful area of Islington and I've undoubtedly had some of the best lunches here sitting outside in the sun here, as well as enjoyed some great escapism on a winter's evening by the fire with a pint.
However, that has been offset by a couple of ropey experiences, mainly spoilt by poor / aloof service and the kitchen most likely being overstretched, not to mention the sometimes hoards of Islington glitterati who go to remind you that you are not in fact sat in a quaint village pub, rather one of the most expensive areas of North London! Either way, I'd recommend it.
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I took my father here last night for a special treat he loved it and they made a real fuss of him which was sweet.
He thought the Black Sheep was top notch.
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I love this pub. Especially the dog bowls and treats so rare for a London pub
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I went the Albion this weekend and felt compelled to leave my thoughts. After reading the other comments I almost cancelled my booking for my husband�s 40th but I�m glad I didn�t.
Rarely in London have I been to a place that�s so accommodating especially as we were a large table with children. We�d ordered a pig which was perfect and easily feed the 15 of us.
The staff were great (especially the manager who likes like the guy of strictly).
Highly recommend.
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I think it's a bit of a joke that this pub, once my favourite local, has been awarded the Best Sunday Lunch 2009. Before the renovations, this was a hidden gem with no pretensions; just a nice beer garden, friendly staff and a comfortable feel. Now, the philosophy of the place seems to be that customers should feel lucky to score a table in order to experience horrendous service and overpriced food.
Six of us recently went for a special farewell lunch. We literally waited an hour and a half for our main course to arrive. After waiting patiently for 40 minutes, we began to enquire about the state of our food. No explanation was given each time we asked only that it was on its way. The manager only came to our table after we demanded he do so and took his time about it (he arrived another 15 minutes after we requested to speak to him). He offered no apology or explanation only that the food was coming. Finally our food arrived, lackluster and lukewarm. Money was taken off of our bill ONLY after we ourselves insisted that we should not have to pay full price for a meal that took an hour and a half to arrive.
More angering than the delay was the attitude of the staff who seemed to have no concept of customer service. If the food were the nectar of the goods (and believe me, it isn't) I wouldn't return here for lunch, dinner or a drink.
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I want to The Albion last Sunday � I was with friends walking around and we were looking for a place to have a Lunch. We saw that board outside the pub: �Public House with Garden�. The pub from outside seemed like a friendly country pub and with the lovely weather we decided to get in for our Lunch.
I had an enjoyable time and can�t describe how I felt. This great garden is like �Un petit coin de paradis sur terre�. I had a baked crab cake and nice slice of their Chocolate Sponge by way of dessert�. I can still feel the chocolate of that cake on my tongue and the smelling of that�s beautiful purple flowers all around the garden.
I will go there again for sure!
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So, I think that The Albion is a very nice looking pub. You would think it's large beer garden is great for a few summer drinks with friends, so long as you friends are huge, dull, TOFFS.
I don't think that the staff are particularly rude, but they're obviously told how to behave.
I recently decided to invite my friends to The Albion because it was my birthday. My friends are designers, writers, scientists etc. They may not wear corduroy slacks, Ralf Lauren shirts with a v-neck jumper slung over the shoulders, but certainly respectable folk. They all felt that they were made to feel uncomfortable.
After looking through the menu, we decided to order some food, but were then told (at 8.30pm) that we couldn't, because the garden would be closing and they were not going to serve more food. But, people around us were still ordering and being brought food and the garden didn't close until 10pm.
So we decided to eat a slice of my birthday cake (we were hungry!). Only to have a waiter rush over to tell us that if we cut into the cake, we would have to pay �2 each person. For what? We inquired. This cake was home made, certainly not using any of their ingredients or equipment. We even had brought a knife and serviettes. It would have cost us around �30 to eat the cake! NOT how you would treat a group of people who chose your pub to celebrate a birthday in, so we had to retire to The Draper's, which is altogether a more welcoming and enjoyable experience.
For the record, the single malt whiskey I had tasted awful, I don't know what they did to it, and the Black Sheep ale (a good one) was very poorly looked after. Not what you would expect from somewhere with such a high price on their drinks.
If you don't like the Great British pub, but want somewhere 'posh', pretentious and soulless to go, then I'd fully recommend The Albion.
It can have one star, because they do (reluctantly) sell alcohol.
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Nothing seems to have changed since my similar review a few months ago. I know that many pubs in Islington have 'sharp' service and also a bit of an 'attitude' but this place takes it to a new level.
Such a shame as it is a nice building with a great garden. You can imagine that you are in a country pub.
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I went to this pub on a sunny friday after work with a small group looking for somewhere to relax and have a drink and possibly some food.
I knew there was something not quite right about this place as soon as we walked in. I walked in and headed for the beer garden to find a seat only to be pulled up by a staff member and asked if I had a reservation, I looked out to the beer garden to find that out of probably 20 tables (about 4 taken) they ALL had reserved signs on them (1st time I've seen that in a pub). I started to look in side and fortunately (or maybe not thinking about it now) I found enough chairs to seat our small group.
To follow was beer, very average food & crap cocktails, did I mention we had to clear our own tables of plates.
Watch out for the massive service charge added to the whole bill, at the end of the night for the privilege of leaving them with your card and setting up a tab.
Service charged for drinking beer in a pub.(Another 1st for me)
Bottom line.
If you want a good drink around this area go to a near by pub.
If you want good food around this area go to a near by restaurant.
If you want both combine the above.
Not worth the walk from Upper street.
3 weeks later I am still annoyed enough to register and write this review.
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It's only the very good or very bad "pubs" that prompt me to post on here and this place falls in to the latter, its only saving grace being that it was so bad I ended up laughing...until I remembered how much money I had parted with. Rude staff, with the exception of one guy behind the bar, lazy service and unremarkable food. Yes...even the one thing it is supposed to excel at came in mediocre, a decidedly average burger on a burnt bap with cold chips.
The evening started off badly being charged �3.90 for a pint, got worse as I couldn't get the umbrella to work outside and as a member of staff sorted it out, tried to have a laugh at how daft I'd been and got a haughty sneer for my troubles. For some reason when we asked for a menu at around half eight, we were barked at by the manager that we "had to order in five minutes". Righto sunbeam. Anyway, the food came, as other people continued to order way beyond the five minute deadline, and it was mostly bar snacks but me being a fatty I ordered a burger. They didn't bring me any cutlery and try as I might to attract the attention of the surly ones, I ended up going and getting it myself. I'm not a snob, I don't mind doing that sort of thing if a place is busy but they weren't and I had just paid a 10% service charge, something I can never work out when you order food at the bar.
Seriously, this is a terrible place...wouldn't even make the top ten in my opinion within a two mile radius, never mind across London. I only meant to type a quick opinion but something about this place just got on my goat. Pricey beer, awful service and even the one thing it prides itself on, the food, didn't hit the spot. Admitedly it is a beautiful location, but christ on a cross, it is not as if London has a shortage of beer gardens. I won't darken its doors again, but I'm sure they wouldn't give a damn.
anonymous - 15 Jul 2009 09:26 |
I went to a birthday party at The Albion a week ago. It�s a lovely looking �country-style� pub, with a large beer garden. I was expecting a great afternoon, the sun was shining, and The Albion has great reviews (from The Observer no less).
That said, you�d have to pay me to go back. I couldn�t believe how monumentally rude the staff were. When I asked what �St Telo� was on the menu, the barman barked �CHEESE� as though I was being offensively stupid and turned his back on me. It took three attempts to even find out where I could place an order for food, and had to ask another three waiters to actually take my order. And shamefully, it�s not just the barmen or waiters, it�s a problem that goes to the top. There were about 15 of us there so we spent a lot of money that afternoon. When we tried to pay the bill, the manager (yup, manager) repeatedly turned his back on us and walked away mid conversation. We were gobsmacked. How can a place like this get away with it? By buttering up critics from newspapers I imagine.
The true �icing on the cake� was the fact that the birthday boy�s girlfriend had made him a cake the night before. She was told that to have it on the premises, everyone in the party had to pay a surcharge of �2.50. When she said this was ridiculous considering we had booked a large meal and were paying through the nose for it, the restaurant manager eventually relented, graciously saying we could have it in the pub, but we weren�t allowed to �publicise it, let the staff know we had it, or even eat it�. Thanks a bunch. We felt so welcome we left soon after.
Having read other reviews about the service at The Albion in Barnsbury, I shouldn�t think anyone would want to go. But if you�re a bit of a sadist and want to feel like a scumbag who shouldn�t be in a pub, by all means go and meet the staff there.
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This pub is beautiful. What a massive shame that the staff are beyond rude and the food is overpriced. Our party booked a suckling pig, as it was a special occasion. It was delicious, but paying over �30 each, for what is basically a posh roast dinner is overpriced nonsense. I'm not sure what the observer was thinking. Perhaps they should re-visit undercover to get the real deal.
The bar staff were rude to most of the members in our party and i was ignored on more than one occasion. We wanted to bring a birthday cake with us and were told it would cost a surcharge of �2.50 each! Taking into account that our table probably spent around �800, though out the day and, although this cost was overlooked eventually, it slightly tainted what should have been a very special occasion.
This upmarket gastro is trying to be a restaurant, although it seems to overstretch itself. Personally i would avoid and never recommend to anyone, unless you have very deep pockets and are thick skinned.
sophw - 15 Jun 2009 13:14 |
"An OFM award is the sign of quality". An entry into pseuds corner awaits you, Tom.
Seems the opinions are more or less spilt into two camps for this one:
a: Those who treat it like a restaurant and thus enjoy the food.
b: everybody else.
Question is, why are the 'a' group commenting on beerintheevening? My last visit was pretty brief: I walked in, saw nowhere to sit and pretty much nowhere to stand. I was asked, unprompted, if i'd booked a table by some front of house staff as I walked through to the garden.
I left again. If this is people's idea of a country pub, I suggest they get out into the country a bit more.
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An OFM award is the sign of quality and having tasted the Sunday roast, FULLY AGREE!
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I was at tghe ALbion this weekend and both food and service were absolutely fantastic. I had the melt inthe mouth bone marrow followed by Paoched Salmon in a homemade cockle sauce which was perfectly light and tasted of the sea it was so fresh. We sat in the garden which is truly a piece of the country in the middle of London. A truly perfect pub and afternoon!
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Popped in for a drink yesterday about 11.30am. Nice building and just like a country pub. Detected a bit of an 'atmosphere' with the staff. This is very much a food orientated pub with virtually every table laid out for food. Also at least 3/4 of tables were reserved (at 11.30am??) .So I got a drink and sat in the excellent garden on one of the few tables that were not reserved. After a while, one of the staff came up to the table. He didn't ask if I was eating but instead slapped a reserved sign on the table and walked off. I got the message and left for the Barnsbury nearby where the welcome was a little less frosty.
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Every time I pass this pub on my way home from work, I smile. It's utterly gorgeous both inside and out. It's like a little cotswold hideaway in a street that bears no relation to London. Unfortunately, on the occasions when I actually go in, I rarely leave smiling. The rudeness of the bar staff - and I refer especially to the managers - is quite breathtaking. After spending 10 years behind a bar myself I always make an effort to be pleasant and uncomplaining with bar/restaurant staff - I'm never difficult and I always ask for things with a nice smile. If only they could extend the same courtesy to me! You know when someone is so rude to you that you are smarting for the rest of the day? You replay the conversation in your head and can't believe the injustice of it? That has been my experience, every single time I've been there. I just don't understand it. It's such a lovely pub - do the owners know how bad their staff are I wonder?
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Had lunch at The Albion last Sunday (coincidentaly the day it won a Best Sunday Lunch award in a national newspaper) once again it was great, brilliant Yorkshire Puddings.
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Overpriced - �3.80 for an orange juice and lemonade? Ridiculous.
Surly, lazy, can't be bothered staff.
Such a shame, looked nice and apparently the food is good, could have been great if the service was passable, but I left after one drink and won't be going back.
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Should be great but it isn't; as has been said before it's not the place if you want a relaxing pint.
With the mysterious demise for the nearby Draper's, it's now my local but until it removes itself from it's own ar&e, I won't go back.
Staff, and particularly the manager, take rudeness and lack of customer-service to new depths.
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Bloody love this pub, keeps delivering every time i visit. Best Sunday lunch in town!
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What used to be a great boozer has become, perhaps, London's least welcoming pub. Sure, in the past, it relied on its beautiful location a bit much, but this was still a place where OAPs could rub shoulders with media luvvies and get on famously. Not any more. The Albion is no longer a pub, it is a restaurant in a former pub staffed by inept, unwelcoming staff and a selection of managers with degrees in moodiness.
Last night I went to celebrate my birthday with my friends and girlfriend � herself a restaurant manager. I knew it'd be busy, so was prepared for a bit of a wait for table. I wasn't prepared to be informed that I wouldn't get a table ALL night as they were all for diners. One group enjoying a beer and crisps (Kettle chips naturally) were unceremoniously shoved off when the ubermensch eaters arrived and had to huddle in a little corner with us. Here, you certainly knew your place.
After an hour of this ineptitude and rudeness (getting short-changed by a tenner was typical of our night) we decamped to the Barnsbury pub. Not only did a table appear after half an hour, but we � and people who don't fit the Albion's narrow demographic � were welcomed and made to feel at home. Why, the place even had people with � gasp � grey hair in it. Some had food, some didn't, but we all had a good night.
I'm a fan of gastro-pubs, they can often turn previously ordinary boozers into great places to go. But they are still pubs. You want to eat then you'll eat well. You don't want to, well that's cool too. Around the Albion, boozers like the Barnsbury, Easton and Crown manage to do this, but one of the great secret treasures of London drinking has become an example of everything that's wrong with the current pub scene. A despicable place.
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A slightly odd pub/restaurant, the saving grace of which is the fantastic beer garden. Worth it for a quiet beer on a sunny day, not worth it for the overpriced and underwhelming food.
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The steak costs �18 (sic), and is comparable to a small Sainsbury's rump steak chucked in a frying pan. I know there's a recesssion coming, but they might want to consider cutting their prices as well as their costs...
The staff are very unwelcoming as well, but then maybe they're being ripped off by the owners as well.
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From all these comments about waiters and bookings and food, you'd think the Albion was actually a restaurant plonked into the shell of a pub.
Oh that's right - it is. Pubs are supposed to be relaxing places, but with the amount of diners and the crowds, this place really isn't.
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Went for a Sunday lunch this weekend and loved the Albion - yes it's a bit pricier but it's worth spending a bit more to get food of this quality. I had a delicious sunday roast with perfect Yorkshire puddings (a pre-requisite for me seeing as I can never make them like my Granny's). The staff were courteous and attentive, even though they were ridiculously busy. The (Italian?) manager managed to find us a lovely table in the window even though we hadn't booked and turned up at 2pm.
Overall a brilliant pub (LOVED the bloody marys, well done the bar staff!) with great service, the only thing it could improve on is reducing the prices (not likely but it would be nice).
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Went here for a meal and a few drinks on Sunday. We didn't go expecting pub grub and great ales, but were hoping to make the most of summer in the sun. Of course, the rain stepped in to ruin our hopes of the bbq but the Manager offered us a table inside (as we had booked table outside). The service started out slowly but did improve. The meals were quite good (especially the Lamb, the steak was a very rare medium rare) and the wine list is superb. The Black Sheep is well kept too. The service really picked up through the meal and the friendly waitress with the short black hair earned her gratuity (albeit added onto the bill rather than suggested). I know that this isn't a pub but it is quite good at what it does, which is high end gastro pub food. If only they could somehow give all the Islington Media luvvies a lobotomy...
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Great Pub, great food, superb wine list. I prefer mid week to the weekends, they are far too busy, but there are few better places to spend a weekday lunch in London.
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I like restaurants. But if you want to run a restaurant, buy a restaurant instead of wasting a potentially cracking pub in a great location.
See the 'pub' bit? That means 'public'. I know it's your pub and you can do what you like with it, but the point of a public house is to allow the public in to generally hang out and feel at home.
This evening I was literally barred from the garden on account of there being nowhere to sit. I think I was 15 the last time I was chucked out of a pub, my route being cut off by a black-clad waiter who apologised for the fact that I couldn't be allowed to do anything so vulgar as to stand with a pint in the spacious garden.
Absolutely absurd, and remarkably even managing to top the last time I tried the place (yes, I should've known better than to give it a second chance). Having been admitted to the hallowed garden, I wasn't allowed to order any food there because it looked like rain. Well yes, it might rain and it might be a bit inconvenient. But then the pub might get hit by a meteor. Might be for the best.
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I like restaurants. But if you want to run a restaurant, buy a restaurant instead of wasting a potentially cracking pub in a great location.
See the 'pub' bit? That means 'public'. I know it's your pub and you can do what you like with it, but the point of a public house is to allow the public in to generally hang out and feel at home.
This evening I was literally barred from the garden on account of there being nowhere to sit. I think I was 15 the last time I was chucked out of a pub, my route being cut off by a black-clad waiter who apologised for the fact that I couldn't be allowed to do anything so vulgar as to stand with a pint in the spacious garden.
Absolutely absurd, and remarkably even managing to top the last time I tried the place (yes, I should've known better than to give it a second chance). Having been admitted to the hallowed garden, I wasn't allowed to order any food there because it looked like rain. Well yes, it might rain and it might be a bit inconvenient. But then the pub might get hit by a meteor. Might be for the best.
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Used to love this place - a country pub in the city, and a nice outside area for Summer sun - but last time I looked in it was all Greene King. The staff looked at me like I was something they'd found on bottom of their shoe. I turned on my heel and scooted out. Why is it we read that pubs are desperate for punters and yet they do everything possible to drive you away? I don't want fawning over, just a pleasant atmos. Too much to ask for?
ofrex - 29 Jul 2008 14:18 |
Nice interior but overpriced and, if you don't look like the the usual, upper class, Islington crowd, expect to be served last and the service to be minimal. They even had the nerve to charge gratuity on my bill! Never again!!!
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Albion has a very nice interior -- I like it more after the refurb than before. I don't agree with the comments that the decoration is soulless, by-committee, etc. To me it looks like someone has put some time into the decoration although it may not be to everyone's taste.
Also has an extra-large beer garden out back. Expensive GK IPA and Black Sheep on draught in addition to the usual continental lagers. Wine list looks much better than the beer options, though.
Most of the outdoor tables seem to be reserved for diners, are there any pubs in this part of N1 that are not actually restaurants? We did not eat there, only had a couple of pints, and once again (cf. Barnsbury on the same day) felt that we were drinking in a restaurant rather than a pub.
I appreciate this may be the only way to keep a pub in business in this area, but it's disappointing when all you want is a nice drink or few in a pub....
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One of the best but that is not hard.
Be a bit pricey and be a bit sterile.
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The Albion used to a really nice locals pub. A bit of a hidden gem with a good atmosphere. But having been there recently it's a shame it wasn't bought by property developers and turned into flats before the recent refurb! The staff are so RUDE and pompous and that includes the manager. Service is terrible and the food is ok but hideously overpriced. Stay well away unless you're merely popping for a quick (and expensive) pint on the way to a much nicer and friendlier place to drink in N1.
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No soul indeed. A pointless refurbishment that has spoiled a once welcoming pub. There is little sign of the oncoming recession in Islington if this place is anything to go by - designed by focus group. A scandalous disrespect for tradition.
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I really do like this place, but the staff are too often useless and rude.
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The Albion is very appealing from the outside with its lovely villagey type setting and pillored entrance. The recently refurbished interior is decidedly upmarket and perhaps geared more towards the winers and diners. The front bar area is quite plain with a few settles, an expanse of polished wooden floor and and an abundance of candles. The music is low and the atmosphere sedate. To the rear on the right is the designated dining room whilst behind the main bar to the left is a lounge area that almost begs you to put on a smoking jacket and slippers. There are plenty of al fresco options with a a patio and benches at the front or a spacious partly covered beer garden to the rear. 2 Ales - Green King IPA and Black Sheep which at �3.20 a pint doesn�t come cheap. Despite a packed house at the nearby Emirates (a brisk 20 minute walk) there were barely half a dozen people in the pub prior to the game but then this isn�t really a place for the sporting fraternity. It is more suited to trying to impress a first date but as pleasant as it is, it is not really a place I would spend an evening, especially with the high bar prices and tame ambience.
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We had our second visit (post refurb) last night for a meal and a pint, and once again the food was excellent and the Black Sheep on draft was well kept. The pub had a welcoming atmosphere (especially with the open fires), and last nights staff were polite and efficient. I think it is giving the Drapers Arms round the corner some stiff competition, but we still retired there for a pint of TT Landlord, with a preference for the more diverse selection of ales.
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Completely spoiled the pub with the refurb.
Barmaid got drinks order wrong and I only ordered two drinks!
Nowhere to sit as most of the tables are now reserved for diners. Despite there being literally no diners.
No soul
roddy - 23 Oct 2007 00:21 |
I recently wandered away from my local to the Albion for the first time and was impresed with the decor but I can see how the refurb has vastly cost the customers. I ate there and was very unimpressed with the bland and very over-priced food presented pretenciously. I had the summer veg pie which was presented to me on a chopping board with two square metal dishes ontop, one with leaves dressed in salt, salt, more salt and olive oil, which was unedible and the summer veg in the other dish, which consisted of pea carrot and mang toute in some kind of creamy sauce which tasted of nothing. My partner had a very small mackerel with 4 potatoes and lemon, Iv'e made better meals than this when im defrosting my freezer.
Im going to stick with my local The Crown, which has really tasty, very well considered food without any pretence.
anonymous - 18 Jul 2007 21:43 |
Recently visited while doing a tour of the pubs in the area. After starting at the bottom of the Liverpool Road, it became very evident that every pub in the area is now a gastro pub. It'd been a few years since I was last at the Albion but it was one gastro too far. Agree with comments about the staff- they were hopeless, we gave up waitng to be served and moved on. One or two gastro pubs in an area can be good but surely some people still want to visit a pub to drink and not to sit and eat.
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I am a local of The Albion and I must say I was delighted to see it being very nicely refurb but above all the foods had gone from shitty burgers to very nice gastro menu at very decent prices.
One numerous occasions I have taken a lot of my friends there and we enjoyed great meals.
However if the food is still excellent the quality of the service has completely gone horendous in the last month of so. the great managers and staff that initially took over have just deserted the place!
I am writing this because my experience at the Albion service-wise has been so unacceptable on two occasions that I don't think I will spent money there...which is a shame given the fact that the food and premises are really great.
On two occasion I went with a big group of friends for big slap up meals and left my card behind the counter so we could have a tab.
On these two occasion when at the bar to pay my bill, the staff member went straight for the credit car machine withoiut even presenting me with an itemised bill.
After requesting my bill (which was clearly making me a pain in the a** if I beleive the attitude to the staff), on two occasions I noticed that my bills where
LOADED with drinks I had not had or even ordered .
I am not talking about small amounts. Forty quids added to your bill once, maybe...twice: it's unacceptable...especially when the manager hardly apologises and is not considering a goodwill gesture.
To recap:
Great Beer Garden
Great Drinks
Fantastic Food
Rude and Careless Staff and Management
From now on it's back to the DRAPERS ARMS round the corner where 10/10 is guaranteed.
anonymous - 27 Jun 2007 14:08 |
Great location, great garden and often good for the odd Islington C list celeb. Bad selection of beers, made up by a better wine list. The management should seriously look at the attitude of their staff - having witnessed on numerous occasions outright rude behaviour where frankly it was unnecessary. Seriously let down in that respect.
anonymous - 13 Jun 2007 18:02 |
Dropped in for an afternoon brace and the ales were good. Food is now the focus and it looks like a nice place to eat, re-furb work looks good. Certainly plenty of column inches in local & free London papers suggesting good food, although like the Barnsbury & Drapers not at the cheap end.
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I spent a fair few quid here on Monday night on food and wine for 2. While the quality of the food looked excellent, I was disappointed with the veggie options. One starter (please � no more goat�s cheese!) and one main course. The main course of Spring Veg Pie was largely just a pea pie with a few green beans and spuds thrown in. While it was tasty, at �10 it was well over-priced and not worth it. And I think The Albion needs to worry about the Trade�s Description Act, since when does a scattering of leaves (and I mean a small handful) constitute a mixed side salad!? The meat dishes looked much better VFM, the side dishes generous enough and the 3 times cooked chips were sublime!
The biggest disappointment however was that the bar staff didn�t know anything about the wine on their lavishly priced wine list. At almost 30 quid for a bottle of white wine, he was unable to tell me anything about it � dry, sweet, oaked, Chardonnay � he knew nothing and when you are forking out that much money it�s not on. I quite like the d�cor though all that green is over-kill. As my boyfriend said, �it�s like sitting in the Wizard of Oz�s waiting room�.
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I think The 'New' Albion is lovely, the garden, the decor, the food. How people can pass negative comments about it I have no idea, have they not looked at any pubs in London?
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hear, hear! great if you like Fosters, Ikea, average food, poor service and a hole in your wallet. shame as it's a great location
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Spent �23 on dinner for two and was throughly disspointed wiht the tiny potion they served. When I complained to the Manager, turned out the General Managers' were sitting at the table next to us and accused me of 'trying it on', 'having a big stomach' and told me that for �11 I 'would be better off eating at MacDonalds!' Great customer service and good manners all round then. Avoid this place with their cheap plastic garden furniture and lame selection of beers and give your money to a place that appreciates it and knows how to deal with customers. Amen. PS to the nice Manager Michael, get a new job, your managers suck.
anonymous - 18 Apr 2007 13:17 |
have to say, this was never a fine looking pub, it was a vaguely ok 'fake old' fullers/youngs type pub fit-out. food was microwaved veg and soggy yorkshire puddings. the pub has changed for sure but definitly for the better.
plus the beer garden is looking great.
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Morning Mist! Like it. Only someone with a vested interest could come up with that. You've taken a fine looking pub and made it look like a childrens' play area.
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It's not turquoise, it's Morning Mist. The colour comes from a colour palate that dates from the building's late georgian not victorian construction.
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An excellent refurb - if you like turquoise.
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An excellent refurbishment, with a really nice if a little up-market atmosphere. We spent an entire saturday afternoon and evening here for my birthday and we were treated fantastically well.
The food was absolutely top class and the beer certainly went down well (pride, bombadier, Kronenbourg, san miguel, addlestons cider and the usual others). Seems to be run by some people who really know what they are doing.
The rear beer garden (which used to be the only reason to visit the pub) is being refurbished and perhaps expanded. will be interesting to see how it goes in the summer, I can see this place being very popular.
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Still a great pint, but the whole place has been painted turquoise. Probably the most bizarre redecoration of any pub ever, perhaps in a misguided and pretty laughable effort to "feminise" a Victorian boozer. Would love to see the business case for this work. - "I've got it! All the young trendy monied things will be falling over themselves to come here if we install a coffe machine and paint the whole pub turquoise". Rating still high due to quality of beer. If that goes, the rating will plummet.
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This pub has re-opened as of today (20th Feb 2007)
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Currently closed and undergoing renovation.
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Was in here a few weeks ago and the Pride was really very good indeed. Probably best pint I've had in Islington for a while bar any visits to the Wenlock.
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Having only been here for several lunchtime drinks I cannot comment on Cardomom's views which I assume were of the evening. At lunch time it is quiet so good beer & food with matching service. This is a big place with the garden area offering some shade on sunny days for alfresco supping. I promise to visit in the evening to get a better view of this place!
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If you start queuing at the bar now then you might get served by the time hell freezes over. Those looking like old regulars were definitely more likely to be served first, although saying that they were probably sprightly teenagers when they started to order their round.
Garden is unbeatable for the summer; inside looked good enough but the service really is that bad as to be off-putting.
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I think it's an improvement on the previous, slightly grubby incarnation. The right-hand room at the back used to smell of piss, due to its proximity to the gents', and that problem seems to have gone. The spacious beer garden is still the Albion's biggest selling point, and that seems untouched. Service is still shoddy - they never have enough bar staff on and those who are around are well-meaning but slow.
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Have frequented this pub on and off for a long time and loved the Olde Worlde look and feel. Unfortunately a recent visit left me sadded. Whoever thought that a naff sub-IKEA look would work in this place? I won't go back until they change it back!
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Now open again, is really nicely done. food is good, beer lovely and it has a really nice feel to the whole place. nothing to w�%ky here, just people minding their own business.
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Currently closed for a re-fit and nothing in the window to indicate a re-opening date.
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Changed hands recently, new management. The food seems a LOT better + better priced than before. Defintely a nice 'local' pub. It's just down the road from me, I'd keep going back if the drinks weren't at Central London prices (although it is in posh/expensive Islington)
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This is definitely a summer pub. The inside isn't particularly nice, but the garden is glorious on a hot summer's day. Watch out for a few of the barstaff. One of them's a real truncheon polisher. The drinks are only slightly over-priced.
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Nice place for summer, a pool table would not be a bad idea for the place, as well as a new food menu with new prices... CHEAPER prices...
Collin - 12 Oct 2004 14:55 |
Quite low key, very standard, non-pretentious place. I wouldn't call it formal. Feels a bit like you're in a pub out of London. A good comfortable standard regular, rather than a special place to go. A few real ales on tap.
I've always found the staff to be quite friendly and helpful, and up for a chat, if that's what you're after.
If you want upmarket, go to the Drapers Arms up the road and around the corner. If you want a quiet one without having to be dressed up, here's the one for you.
Brett KS - 15 Apr 2004 14:21 |
Quite expensive considering it doesn't have much vibe. Tacky "Ye Olde English" decoration and furnishings. The garden is nice enough, though. :)
Ewan Booth (local resident) - 31 Dec 2003 19:43 |
Used to OK in the summer (big garden out back) but more recent attempted country style manages at once to feel both overly formal and quite tacky, seems rather staid compared to vastly superior neighbours The Crown and The Drapers.
Food is very basic (mostly microwaved pre-prepared meals by the taste of it) and over priced.
Perhaps if the staff managed a smile and some sourtesy while taking your money the generally poor standard wouldn't leave a such a nasty taste in the mouth?
Jonny Angel - 11 Dec 2003 17:32 |
A real rarity, tucked away in Barnsbury. Large beer garden, with so little traffic noise that in Autumn and Spring it can feel like a country pub. Busy on the weekends. Typically two real ales on: London Pride and one other.
Ben - 16 Aug 2003 11:42 |
