The Bald Faced Stag, East Finchley - pub details

Yes I can fully apprecuiate some of the reviews below, but if you are going to do a gastro make over on an old run down Victorian boozer to keep it alive as a pub/restaurant, this is the way to do it.
Like most I am very quick to moan and bitch when a traditional pub is lost by the Ikea internal designers moving in , ripping out all its character and turning it into a restaurant.
But the Bald Faced Stag is run by the Realpubs group who now own about 14 well positioned, mostly Victorian boozers in North and West London and they are doing a very good job at finding the balance between traditional pub and gastro restaurant in my honest opinion.
Yes, its the usual clean characterless modern gastro interior but this is still better than the old incarnation and at least there is a dedicated bar section where the multiple bar staff do focus on wet sales and I've had no problem getting served within a decent period. And no-one can deny that the external elevated garden is not a really good spot for an alfresco pint on a decent evening.
And whats the alternative, another closed boozer, and then East Finchley really would be a pub desert.
The bar now supports three operating hand pumps and these were dispensing something more interesting that the usual London stock ales of Pride, OSH, IPA e.t.c. Last night the beers were Sambrook's Wandle, Alton Pride and Caledonian Nectar and the brews from the Alton and Caledonian brewery were well kept.
And another positive is that it has a late licence on a Saturday night so if you come out of the Phoenix Theatre opposite (yes without contradiction the finest Cinema in London) post 11.00PM, you can still catch an after film pint.

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Gann - 26 Jun 2011 09:56

Generally all right still - not as gastrofied as the Clissold and the food, wine and beer are all above average (quality and price).

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meurglys_iv - 18 Mar 2011 17:01

I've eaten here a couple of times and it's quite expensive but the menu was always interesting. However, the last time I went I ordered a shellfish dish, which cost me £13, and was presented with a portion which in no way, shape, or form was worth that amount of money, and then the next day I was ill so I've never been back since.

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catfitz - 10 Apr 2010 14:06

This place is not too bad for a modern food Type Pub. At least it don't feel like you drinking in a restaurant like some tend too do. The Ales on Tap when I went in recently were Black Sheep & Landlord both were in good condition. It Was mid afternoon on Thursday when I went and it was reasonably quiet so the service was good & quick

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Alesonly - 28 Feb 2010 10:36

I have to concur with the previous posting about the poor service at this pub. On a number of occasions it appears that cleaning the coffee machine of wiping tables takes precedence over serving customers. On one occasion I and three other customers were waiting for a full 10 minutes while the staff were fiddling around with various pieces of barside equipment. I got fed up and left. On the occasions I have been lucky enough to get served the ale is drinkable but nothing special.

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Snarling_Mallard - 4 Oct 2009 10:43

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