The Red Lion, Leytonstone

This pub has improved massively now it's reopened under its original name, and deserves a much higher rating than it got when it was Zulus.

The bar has ten or so hand pumps, all in use, plus a few keg beers and an enormous selection of craft beer in bottles. The food is definitely aimed at taking the place upmarket, and the burger I had was excellent.

At the back is a big beer garden with some zany spray-paint art on the walls, and a roofed passageway that seems to get used for events such as beer festivals. This gives the place a huge capacity when the weather's warm.

Definitely one of the better places for a pint and a bite to eat in Leytonstone.

8 Nov 2014 01:41

Lincolns, Leytonstone

Demolished to make way for a block of flats.

8 Nov 2014 01:13

The Parcel Yard, Kings Cross

Splendid pub in a converted parcel office at one end of King's Cross Station concourse.

It's usually bustling inside, but don't despair of getting a seat - a lot of people are just there for a quick pint before catching a train, and you rarely have to wait long before a table becomes free. Furnishings are clean and comfortable, with some leather armchairs as well as dining chairs.

There's a good range of draught beers, usually all the Fuller's ales and a handful of guests. Every pint I've had there has been excellent quality - given the footfall, I suppose the beer never gets time to go past its best. Even at busy times, the bar staff have been happy to give me a taster of anything new.

The food is competently prepared and served reasonably quickly. The menu offers pub favourites like cod and chips along with fancier fare such as roast guinea fowl, all of it in good-sized, filling portions.

I was tickled to find that the toilets have luxury sanitaryware from the legendary Thomas Crapper & Company. It would be useful to have another hand dryer or two in there, though.

It's not the cheapest of pubs, but that's not really surprising in such a good location. You certainly can't beat it for convenience, though I'd happily go out of my way to drink there even if I didn't have a train to catch.

7 Nov 2014 22:00