It's hard to believe that this pub is just five minutes' walk from the mania of Upper Street, but…read morethere you go. It's in an area of tranquil, attractive (and doubtless eye-wateringly expensive) terraced streets a stone's throw from the Regent's Canal.
Built in 1839, the building was originally three shops, and was converted into a pub in the 1920s. The current owners renamed it in 2005 after the essayist Charles Lamb (1775-1834), who penned his collected 'Essays of Elia', published in 1823, which gave the name to the road. ('Elia' was his pen name).
The exterior is traditional with painted brick and rich brown tiling, and the two-room interior is clean and modern, with wooden floors and a light colour scheme.
It's well known both as a gastro-pub and for its selection of real ales, which include Dark Star's 'Hophead' and at least two other guest ales, including recently Kelham's 'Pale Rider'. It's certainly worth looking out for an interesting beer. They also have a reasonable wine list if you prefer grape to grain. It's in CAMRA's 'Good Beer Guide' and 'Les Routiers Places to Eat' UK guide.
I haven't tried the food, but it has been strongly recommended, and is - refreshingly - relatively sensibly priced for this neck of the woods, with starters and puds in the £4.50-£5 bracket, and mains around £9-£11. They do some interesting off-beat bar snacks (toasted broad beans etc) too, but not crisps.
There are board games available and special celebrations on Bastille Day in July (petanque in the street). Service is friendly and reasonably efficient, and the managers are friendly and have an equally friendly dog.
The only issue really is that it's a bit too small for it's current popularity, with punters regularly spilling out onto the street (there are some tables and chairs on the pavement, but don't count on sitting down).
Said punters are a wide mix of Islington locals, from students and office workers to the occasional creative type, looking like they have dropped out of the 'Its Grim Up North London' cartoon.
Well worth a visit if you are in the area.