The Duke of Cambridge, Islington

Smug. Bland. And ridiculous. I went here for a friend's birthday on Friday and one of our party had baked a special birthday cake. But when they tried to bring it into the pub, they were barred. The reason was that as an organic pub, no non-organic food could be consumed on the premises (due to their organic certification).

We countered that saying the cake hadn't been made in the pub kitchens, hadn't been sold by the pub and that their kitchen was closed anyway. But no.

We then asked if we could at least cut the cake and sing happy birthday inside. But again no, non-organic food could not be cut or sung over on the premises. In the end, we had to go outside and serve the cake in the freezing cold and rain. Nice.

Otherwise, the service was surly, the food overpriced, the atmosphere ordinary and the cider terrible.

If you want a good, friendly pub that serves organic ales, go to the Charles Lamb down the road. It's excellent.

3 Nov 2008 10:09