I have an idea, let's open a pub!
November 07, 2007
It’s hard to believe someone thought it was a good idea to open a new pub/gastropub in this part of town, which has more than any neighbourhod in London, if not the world, and many are the city's best. I sure didn’t think we need another. I remember walking by just before they opened thinking, man they better get everything right or they're going to get crushed. Well turns out I think they did get it right.
Décor wise you wont be surprised to learn they sanded the floors, filled it with used mis-matched furniture, installed a fireplace, surrounded it with comfy chairs and lit a bunch of candles…not terribly original, but it works, which is why everyone does it.
Here’s where they break with tradition though, instead of the usual gastropub offering (or pretend gastro, where the menu reads the same, but the food sucks) they’ve gone for good quality pizza prepared in a special oven, plenty of the usual toppings, plus some like roasted chicken and calamari. I’ve had 2 now and both were superb. On another occasion I had a salad, to make up for the 2 pizzas previously, and it was perfect, fresh and made with all the stuff I love: artichokes, avocado, roast chicken, roasted peppers, etc. To go with the food they offer an average selection of lagers and ales, but manage to save themselves by offering St. Peters Organic and Bitter in bottles. St. Peters is almost certainly Britian's best beer by the way.
The staff are also off to a good start, friendly, making conversation, know the beers ok. My only complaint is I applied for a job and they said they’d get back to me next day, but never did. I’m gonna follow up and see what happened, and hopefully get a job.
The pièce de résistance though has to be the free juke box, which besides being free, seems to have music for all tastes, even good taste, like Johnny Cash, Cold War Kids, Graham Coxon, Radiohead and much more. A refreshing change from the pre-programmed pop crap you hear in way too many places.
And I didn't see a TV which hopefully means they don't have one.