I'm a fan of this place, but I can't put my finger on why. My partner and I have fallen into the habit of going when we want someplace nicer than most of the other locals restaurants/pubs, but don't want to break the bank.
I never quite know what to expect when I go there. Sometimes we're the only ones there, other times there are a lot of tables filled. The garden out back seems fairly popular, though I've never sat there. I do sometimes get a drink and sit on the patio facing Junction Road, which is nice. Definitely a family friendly place, as the last two times I went there were a few young kids running around. The seats are about as comfortable as you'll get with chairs. The staff, for the most part, is friendly (I tried to make light conversation with one of the bartenders this week while she made my drink, but maybe she was in a bad mood - I was one of two people trying to order drinks and she was one of two bartenders, so I didn't think she was too busy, but she very quickly shut me down).
Every meal we've had here has been pretty good. It's definitely better than a trip to a Wetherspoons or anything like that. They recently redid the menu, and the roast chicken caesar salad is surprisingly good - I'm not going to lie, it's one of the better caesar salads I've had in London, because the chicken has real flavour instead of that bland chickeny taste you get sometimes. The new fish and chips is only alright. I prefer a light crispy batter, this is a bit flat and.... whatever the opposite of crispy is. We both got a side of triple cooked chips last time, and I wasn't really a fan. When I hear triple cooked chips, I think of dark crispy chips. These were neither, and cut just too thick enough that they were too potato-ey. Haven't tried the skinny chips, but I'd probably have those next time (even though I generally prefer thick cut chips).
The drink selection seems alright. I'm not a big beer drinker, but he is, and he always seems quite happy there. I got a lime and soda and was surprised I was charged just under a pound for it - most places give it for free or for 15-20p. Eh, it's only a few pence difference, I'm not going to complain.
TL;DR: Nice place. Consistently good food that's higher quality than the average pub. I keep finding myself back there so they've got to be doing something right. read more