please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
On the basis of the foregoing decided to give it another try - very difficult to pinpoint what exactly is wrong but it feels too soulless, bright and the service remained similarly slapdash. The standard chain "gastro" menu is not entirely inspiring. A good meeting point but not a destination!
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Enjoyable maiden visit last night. Found the pub in Camra's 2009 Good Beer guide and decided to give it a go.
I discovered a spacious welcoming hostelry comprising three distinct drinking areas, with the north wing of the building affording the most intimacy. Following a recent but sympathetic refurbishment the interior colour scheme is white and maroon, with plenty of exposed unpainted brickwork. Mainly low comfy seating and coffee-tables in the north and south wings of the house whilst the middle section offers high tables and raised pews. Bare floorboards throughout.
Subdued tungsten pendant lighting and de luxe warm white LEDs on the walls afford a cosy atmosphere within, whilst very tuneful and interesting choice of recorded music played without being too obtrusive. I found the staff to be very friendly and good-humoured.
Whilst food is served here – and my sample dish of smoked salmon pâté and hot toast was perfect – drinkers-only are welcome in all sections of the pub. Food prices are very reasonable indeed with Sunday roasts under a tenner and most regular main courses are £6-£8 in price.
Last night there were five ales available plus a real cider from Weston’s. A quaffable pint of Everard’s “Wacko Jacko” Hallowe’en mild was followed by two perfect pints of Timothy Taylor’s “Landlord”. Also available and on good form was a keg from Meantime brewery in Greenwich complementing an interesting range of lagers.
The rock star photos mentioned in the Good Beer Guide are gone, but the following additional pub facilities should be noted;
• Films shown on big screen Sunday evenings
• Live music staged – check with pub for details
• Children admitted up to 1900 daily
• Dogs welcome
• Credit/debit cards accepted
It is well worth paying this pub a visit.
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For all those who have posted a poor comment in the last few months, highly suggest you pay a return visit. Food is wonderful, fresh and has that very home cooked feel, great vegetables, a rarity in a pub these days.
Inside very comfortable, with pleasant garden, lots of space and very clean.
Staff are first rate, ery friendly and helpful ( I am in a wheelchair and each visit staff very prompt with their assistance.) And they all SMILE!!!!!
One of the best pubs in North London!!
Thye had a party of at least 20 in today for lunch, but still produced a high level of service and a great Sunday Roast!!
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Recent "refurbishment" has not been too extensive - sadly the staff attitude that led to commnents below is back with a vengeance. To be accused of not knowing what you ordered when it's clear that the server is preoccupied with one knows not what is unacceptable - and the "new" menu is tired and quite expensive for what it is.
Will try again and attempt to find a member of staff without comprehension problems and a grudge against humanity...
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This has to be the worst pub I have ever been in!!
Toilets were overflowing and covered with graffiti.
I went to the bar, barman was incredibly slow, any slower and he would have been clinically dead, He didnt seem to be new. Few punters in front of me so waited my turn.
He then served people who arrived after me, the first one I let drop, when he served a second person, my protests were ignored. He then served this person a white wine, first glass was filthy, as was the second. When he pulled a third dirty glass from under the counter, I tapped my mate's shoulder and said lets go.
Maybe it was a bad time, but I wont be going back there.
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was in this pub two weeks ago. bar staff were good apart from one very rude man who instead of asking us did we know what we wanted, started saying 'well come on what do you want?'. nice! then he spent his whole time on his phone. great manners.. not!
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Really good real ales on here and a very nice beer garden.
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does anyone actually know what happened to the manager and his wife? i think they left, hope they doin well
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A great pub, just outside the tube station with a fantastic range of beers and well kept ales, the menu looks pretty nice too. Just one problem - the staff. They are invariably too busy chatting (or flirting) with each other, have no idea who is next to be served, have no sense of urgency and seem incapable of dealing with people. Landlord - kick this lot up the arse or get rid!!
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Typical openplan modernised North London pub; youngish custom; distinctly average Deuchars. Another very disappointing Good Beer Guide entry from this part of London.
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i used to live in the area around about 2001 and left again in 2003. this was before the pub had been done up (this happened about 4 months before i left)
the regulars got priority - but name me a pub that doesnt. there was a lovley scottish girl, not sure of her name, that worked behind the bar. i think she also lived upstairs too. the assistant manager was an awful scary woman with short hair and bad taste in clothes. brian was lovley as was josh. rarley seen the manager or his wife. ok pub for beer and food and was always made to feel welcome - but not a regular
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Not a too bad Pub Its in a good location & has reasonable Decor inside If a little bit on the dark side. Prices seem to have reduced a bit since I last used this pub over a year ago whitch is good news. Food is Good specilly the Sunday Lunch Has a good choice of Wines as well. The Only down side is the service is very slow takes ages to get served I still give it 6/10
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I made my first visit on New Year's Eve, and was very impressed. Food was excellent and they had a choice of six ales (and I don't class £2.80 a pint as sky high). I'd certainly come here again if I was in the area.
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Nice makeover - someone told me it cost 1/4 million quid.
But the prices are sky high and the bar staff don't give a damn. Still probably the best pub in the area - so much so that the Bald Faced Stag has copied the idea. (Take out the TV's, paint the walls brown and add a quid to the price of every pint.)
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Went in tonight on way home as I came out East Finchley Station before getting on 102 to Muswell Hill. Its still as Dull & Dreary as ever seems too dark & dank and the staff are Just too slow takes 10 Minutes or more just to get a pint and this was at 16:30 in the afternoon its God knows what its like on a busy evening. Now just a shell of the former original Great Pub that was the Old White Lion with three Bars. Its a real shame because this could be a Real good ale house with the right Management and maybe some Proper tables and chairs and some better Lighting.
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This pub had been going down hill. Its is now the best in the area (not difficult). I would go there a lot more if the staff gave a damn about the customers.
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Comments about the staff seem to be consistent in their slowness, and it must be said that the food and drink when it comes is adequate rather than special. Indeed, for a pub which is in the new GBG the quality of ale often leaves a great deal to be desired. Not quite as good as it thinks it is - it needs active management to remedy its deficiencies.
anonymous - 25 Nov 2007 22:46 |
After the Bald Faced Stag remodelled and now looks ;ike a sports bar chain, we found the OWL and love its kitchy decor. Food is good and New Years Eve Part's are great.
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Marvellous! I've been in twice over the last month, once when drunk at the end of a night out and once at the beginning. Both times, I was impressed with the selection of both food and drink on offer, and the beer garden feels cosier and more European than any other I've been to in London. Yes, the staff are a little slow but they appear to know their stuff, and generally the customers are quite laid-back and patient. A good 8/10 from me.
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Good food, great decor, has long been my favourite local but customer service lately has been shocking. Popped in on a quiet afternoon recently and was ignored for 10 minutes by bar staff member who was chatting on the phone. What a shame.
anonymous - 10 Sep 2007 21:38 |
I used to go in this pub in the early 80s when I was based At East Finchley Station it was Known as Platform 5 to us then. In them days it was 3 separate bars and a Much better Pub than now.
Its far To dull & dingy and the service is diabolical I waited at least 10 Min's to get served but then Again its not a proper Pub now its a glorified Restaurant selling beer far to expensive there only Interest seems to be selling over priced food.
I say Bring back the real Pub.
CAMRA LM.
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looks nice but the bar staff are terrible.. sorry guys!
anonymous - 31 Aug 2007 17:33 |
The manager actually complained that he had too many customers the other night, also about the fact that people were ordering drinks that were taking too long!
Sorry for the inconvenience.
anonymous - 21 Jun 2007 21:22 |
Great pub with a relaxing atmosphere. Food is nice, if over priced. A really good pub to enjoy with friends - bar staff in the main are great, although there is one particularly arrogant and obnoxious member of the team who does not appear to grace himself with a any customer service skills. It really lets the other staff down and has put me off returning. Shame. Maybe he will read this and self reflect on his attitude and approach to his customers...and his what feild of work means...HOSPITALITY
maren - 18 Jun 2007 13:16 |
Great if you dont mind waiting 20 mins for a beer and thats on a good day!
Go to "the alex" on fortis green.................
anonymous - 22 Apr 2007 15:15 |
Great choice of beer - Landlord or Deuchars - a nice big fire, sofas, and the food looks good too (though I go there for the beer!) Best pub int he area without a doubt, and worth making a detour for.
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I can see why some people would like this pub, but I’m afraid it did not take my fancy. It may have had something to do with the 20 year old hooray henrys sitting next to me that were bellowing so loud that I couldn’t hear myself think.
Maybe I’m being a little harsh on the pub as they cannot help this particular gripe, but I did find it sterile even if the Amstell and Star were very good.
I did like the weekly Roasting Times printed on the back of the food menu which listed all the current guest ales and times/entry fee/rules of the quiz and some other general info about the pub – great idea.
I would probably only go back if I was going to eat something as everyone else around me seemed to have gone for that reason.
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I find this pub really frustrating. It's a nice place for a drink, trendy bohemian decor, comfy sofas etc. They have a good range of interesting booze, the food is good if a little pricey for pub grub, friendly staff but...
They just don't see to be that bothered about running it well. When it's quiet the staff are pleasant but preoccupied with their own chat, when it's busy the place is woefully understaffed and it takes 20min to get a drink from an understandably stressed and bad tempered barman. When you've decided to have food the menu is never fully stocked (if a cook has turned up) to the point where we always take 3 choices to the bar with us.
I can't help but like the place, but the bad management makes me crazy!!!
Wooly - 28 Feb 2007 23:54 |
Nice pub, but could be even better. The decor and music are good, but the service is pedestrian even in the middle of the afternoon and the toilets are always a state. Food is good, but portions are small and overpriced. Still the best pub in East Finchley though.
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Very pleasant pub right next to the tube station. Good range of well kept beers; lots of comfortable sofas to sit in. An old pub that has been recently, and pleasantly, renovated. Definitely one to visit.
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Have to say I found it quite nice, it's had a full renovation so not many original fittings, but has relaxed low-lighting with comfy sofas, and good ales also. Avoids that overlit harsh feel that so many renovated pubs have. Didn't have food though.
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Used to be nice when I lived in the area, but a recent visit with 7 friends was terrible. We ordered food, which took ages to prepare, and when it came it was cold. But we could not bear waiting another hour for the food, or longer, so we ate it nonetheless. Portions were small, but the price was high, and stood in no relationship to quality and quantity.
I did not think staff was friendly or pro-active either. Not recommended.
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Must agree with cxe78 and Muzthing. Three behind the bar. Three in front of the bar. EIGHT minutes to get served.
No wonder it was quiet.
The Range of Belgian beers on draught is a con - they just can't be bothered to remove the old pumps.
Hoegaarden was in good nick though - and well (if somewhat belatedly) poured. Also served too cold - but that is standard in London so no further comment.
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This pub could make a lot of money out of me. But the bar staff are about as much use as a chocolate teapot.
Looks ace, wicked beer garden but you could die of thirst.
anonymous - 12 Jun 2006 17:47 |
I had a very pleasant visit one sunny evening. Appealing selection of fancy beers, cask ales, Belgians and draught lagers. The pub was populated by young professionals in their sharp suits enjoying after-work drinks. Everyone was having a nice time relaxing in the pleasant beer garden. The service was a little slow, but these things happen and I did enjoy my beer in the comfy upmarket surrondings.
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well done, you can tell its a bass house as they all look the same but fair enough, they are doing a great job.
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used to live in the area and frequented the pub many a time (this was 3yrs ago). mostly a regulars pub, food was ok, staff seemed ok, apart from a scary short haired girl (assistant manager think) she was quite grumpy. Seemed to have good clientel so suppose was ok apart from scary girl!!
anonymous - 9 Apr 2006 16:19 |
Great place since the refurb. Gone 'upmarket' without going to 'yuppy pub'. The non-smoking room is great - spacious with plenty of sofas/table. And the food is
(for most menu items) really good for pub food.
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This pub is excellent. Post refurbishment the management and staff have tried really hard to meet the needs of local pub goers.
Have just had the best sunday roast I've had since I left home twenty years ago, made all the better because the meat is marinated in one of the amazing beers they offer here. If you like Fosters and Kronenbourg, don't bother, but if you really know your ales from your lagers and your Kolsch from your Grolsch then look no further this pub is the real deal.
I get depressed when people lament the loss of a "real pub". Wake up this pub sells real beer and real food. The licensing laws are changing it's about time your expectations did too.
XXXXX
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much nicer now, but the service is appalling...
anonymous - 4 Dec 2005 12:26 |
lovely place. was ok before but post-refurb is very nice boozer. Great big no-smoking room, nice sofas, good range of beers, and decent burgers
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Recently re-opened following a refurbishment, and its certainly quite a bit trendier than it was before, as well as pricier. The food is good though, and there are some interesting beers and cider on tap. And its right beside the tube station which is handy!
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opened again, more gastro-pub-esque now
anonymous - 31 Jan 2005 13:32 |
Currently closed for refurbishment
anonymous - 18 Nov 2004 17:27 |
beer is good. london pride.
really comfortable armchairs and sofas. Nice garden.
two pool tables but the doors and windows at that end of the pub don't open, which is horrible in summer. staff seem pleasant enough.
andrew - 9 Jun 2004 00:43 |
Duncan from Blue used to be a barman here. Amazing - but true
anonymous - 2 Jun 2004 15:59 |
I used to work opposite this pub, it's large but without much soul or character. It has a big patio outside and comfy sofas inside which was nice for a lunchtime beer especially in the summer. The food wasn't all that wonderful apart from the chips which were big chunky ones served with pot of mayo. I hardly ever visited it after work however and preferred to walk up to Highgate as in the evenings the awful landlady used to appear behind the bar who scored a 0/10 for customer service as she was incredibly unwelcoming (never smiled or look pleased to see you)surly(didn't acknowledge you or even look you in the eye)grumpy(often snatched the note from your hand and would sigh a lot if you took longer than 3 seconds to find the right money)and would unfairly serve a couple of regulars who propped up the bar every day ahead of anyone who dared only to visit on a Friday after work, she may have left by now though as I haven't been there since I stopped working nearby. Handy for the station though!
EMMA - 16 Apr 2004 16:05 |
It's ok, good pub quiz, outside bit, not a huge amnount of atmosphere, but not much else in area that's better
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