The Westbridge Public House & Dining Rooms, Battersea

Love this place, came highly recommended. I checked it out - fabulous roasts, sure a little over priced, but well worth it. Organised a birthday Sunday lunch there and staff were fab, everyone since raves about the roasts and yes they put the sport on when the boys asked too. Nice wine list too.

3 Jan 2009 21:23

The Holly Bush, Hampstead

This is one of my favourite pubs in London, a real find, real ales, lovely staff and fabulous pies. You won't find tourists here, its cosy, quaint with lots of hidden corners in the downstairs bit. Has never disapointed. My only disapointment is that I have moved to far away to enjoy it more often.

3 Jan 2009 21:18

Spaniards Inn, Hampstead Heath

Keats may have written an Ode to a Nightingale in the garden, which looked lovely, and the pub itself was very charming and cosy. A perfect location after a walk on the Heath.

However its not lovely while your waiting 20 minutes at a crowded bar to get served! Its Saturday lunchtime just after 1pm, its very busy, there is only one girl on the bar, there is already no fish and chips, no chips in general, no gerkins (even though on the menu) for the Ploughmans (nor did the other staff member know what a gerkin was), there was only a few beers on tap (no Guiness or leffe) and only 1 cider despite being taps for 3 different types.

Other people were as bumused as us but reluctant to stay, 3 groups of people came and left the tables near us without ordering, after attempting to get various drinks and food that were obviously unavailable.

We stayed but while the squid was good, it was really not worth it for the average ploughmans and soggy sweet potatoe wedges. Probably won't go back.

3 Jan 2009 21:11