The Crown Inn, Battersea

The Crown has had a thorough clean-up and redecoration in the last couple of months that's removed a lot of the clutter and restored it to being the solid neighborhood pub it should have been all along. Definitely an improvement, and I'm glad the new owners have turned it around - it's looking much more welcoming.

It's still the only no-nonsense pub on the Lavender Hill that's not really a bar or a restaurant in disguise. It had previously been on a bit of a downhill spiral and really needed this, the new management has drawn in more of a crowd (though it's still not as busy as some of the other pubs in the area at peak times, not that that's necessarily a bad thing - it's nice to get a seat from time to time).

21 Mar 2011 23:40

The Crane, Wandsworth

The Crane, renamed as The Armoury, has had a very substantial makeover. It's clearly had a lot of effort put into it and it looks a lot better - altogether more welcoming, and you could almost forget that it's facing the Wandsworth gyratory. The previous incarnation didn't make too much of the building, whereas the new management have made the most of the features (including the original windows & fireplace, which seem to have been cleaned up and restored).

It may no longer be opposite the Ram Brewery and get drayhorse deliveries (the brewery site's currently empty and awaiting redevelopment) but I was pleased to see they still have some local beer in the form of the (really local - made just down the road in Battersea) Sambrook's. Food's now on offer that looked promising, though I was only passing through.

All in all - a good effort, that deserves to do well - if you're in the Wandsworth area I'd recommend making the detour to the Armoury's admittedly slightly out-of-the-way location.

21 Mar 2011 23:25

The Lighthouse, Battersea

Smart, bright and welcoming pub, can be busy at peak times. There's also a modern beer garden with plenty of seating out the back. Board games, a large wooden tiger (which you have to be careful not to walk into given it's in the corridor), and an interesting range of beers mean this stands out from the crowd despite its off-the-beaten-track location. Frankly we were impressed by the service - one of our group's food was late (possibly forgotten), when we pointed asked about it the staff couldn't do enough to put it right - more chips & drinks for everyone, the missing meal out in about two minutes flat, all on the house - now that's how to encourage return custom! This is noticeably quite a kid-friendly place early on in the evening.

7 Nov 2010 22:38