Spaniards Inn, Hampstead Heath

Having grown up in the area, The Spaniards has always been a benchmark for pubs in around Hampstead and Golders Green. Unfortunately my last two visits have shown that this once charming boozer has gone completely downhill.

On both occasions I have chosen to sit the the beer garden and each of the many tables were littered with dirty plates, empty glasses and crisp packets. When any members of staff did come outside, they returned to the bar empty handed. On counting last night we realised our (large) table had 14 empty beer bottles, 16 glasses and 4 plates on it which weren't ours - and we'd been there two hours.

One friend's steak was passable, the other had vegetable lasagne brought to him when he ordered a lamb burger. Without any sort of apology his burger arrived 15 minutes later and was clearly pre-packaged supermarket food. At this point we left.

It would be a tragedy if this pub were to continue like this. The Spaniards was always our choice on Christmas Eve, for big Sunday lunches and most recently, for a friend's wake. I know we won't be returning for a while yet though.

26 May 2008 13:11