The John Baird, Muswell Hill

This place is relaxed, friendly, clean and a real-ale drinker's paradise. Everything here feels well run and organised, including the delicious Thai kitchen. Well worth a visit.

10 May 2008 11:19

The Hill Restaurant and Bar, Muswell Hill

This place is really dreadful, it occupies a prime spot in Muswell Hill and after several incarnations seems to have turned back into a restaurant, albeit with cheap plastic table cloths and the kind of furniture you get at a badly catered low budget wedding.

I checked out the menu though and believe me there's nothing low budget about the prices. I'd swerve this place and wait until they go out of business and hopefully get taken over by someone who knows what they're doing.

10 May 2008 11:13

The Famous Royal Oak, Muswell Hill

Don't judge a book by its cover is the best way to explain The Famous Royal Oak. The hideous 60's facade looks and feels like the estate pubs you find in inner cities. Hell holes where local villains and wannabe hard men strut and posture and settle old scores with a pool cue and a broken bottle.

But, in the style of Alexandra Armstrong in the Pimms ads, I feel like saying 'Hang on a minute, this is Muswell Hill!'. For those that don't know this is a distinctly genteel and educated part of North London with diligently pruned topiary and immaculately preserved Edwardian architecture. The Famous Royal Oak which sits a good minute�s walk from the main Broadway in a tranquil residential street cuts a rather odd figure.

But don't be fooled, because inside the atmosphere could not be more friendly and welcoming and so much so that you'd be hard pressed to find anything like it in the main part of Muswell Hill. With exception of the John Baird it's just full of big chain bars for 20 year olds. The Royal Oak is not trendy, stylish or cutting edge, it just does what a good local boozer should do, provide a warm and cheerful oasis for those wanting to watch football, take a rest from walking the dog, or simply pass the time of day with a pint of London Pride or IPA. Perhaps it�s North London's answer to the Rovers Return and if you hark back to the days when people bought their kids and dogs along to pubs, where the Landlord welcomes everyone who walks in, where looking at a stranger brings a smile rather than scowl then give this place a try as places like this are becoming an endangered species.

6 May 2008 18:08