The Flask, Highgate

The wife and I stopped in here for a quick glass of wine on Bank Holiday Monday, after visiting the namesake in Hampstead Village. There is really no competition between the two Flask pubs - Fuller's has the edge in every way. Saw people eating here, and at least the food looked edible, unlike its Hampstead 'rival'.

We'll definitely call in again.

14 Sep 2009 19:25

The Flask, Hampstead

We re-visited The Flask when back in Hampstead over the August Bank Holiday - and what a disaster it was!

What a complete difference from the pleasant experience I encountered last Summer. The food (when it finally arrived) was dried-up, flavourless, unseasoned and generally awful. The person serving on the bar informed me that there was no Young's Special or Bombardier available - yet people were being served it in the public bar. Maybe it's drawn from a secret well somewhere?.. Ordinary had obviously come to the end of the barrel. When I pointed this out to the woman behind the bar, I was rudely informed: 'no-one else in here has complained about it. You must be wrong'. Hardly the sort of exchange that I would expect to get into with a member of bar staff. My wife and I decided to stick to wine after that scene - wine was satisfactory, despite being our third choice from the list.

By judging the tone of the service at the bar, we quickly realised that there would be no point in complaining about the quality/service/price/wait for our food, as there was obviously nobody in charge in the pub. We stayed to finish our wine at the back bar - only then were we aware of the Manager standing next to us, voicing her opinion rather loudly about complaining customers - absolutely unbelieveable! I don't know if this is still managed by Young's or is a leased pub, but they certainly need to take it back into the fold and take a serious look at it. Such a shame to see a rapid decline such as this spoil what is, essentially, a characterful and charming pub in an envious location.

We will not be returning until dramatic all-round improvements have made, which I doubt will happen in my lifetime.

14 Sep 2009 19:18

The Prince Alfred, Maida Vale

I love everything about this pub. The food, beer, customers, staff, location - everything!! Not the cheapest place in the area, but better than any of the pubs around Maida Vale. I suppose if you want quality, you have to pay for it...

19 May 2009 16:28