The Kings Head, Winchmore Hill

Listen up people! Here speaks a patron of 26 years (don�t tell my mum!). The Kings is a product of its environment: just across the way (30 secs) is the glorious Broadwalk where you don�t pass go without �1m. It is an affluent area and whilst us locals may grumble about paying 20p over the top for a pint it is by far the best all round pub experience in N21.

Over the past quarter century the pub has had a number of stewards and imho the current one is great (no relation!). There are some gems among the staff along with the regulation students/transients but as a general rule of thumb smile at them and they return the favour. The Kings has never set its stall out as a beer mecca, but the choice is pretty good and the Stella is now super cool so I�m happy. I go to W1 a lot and frequent the �Old Explorer� (near Oxford Circus) and whilst their Stella is �just� �2.95 (KH �3.10!), the experience approximates to liquidised cardboard � without the flavour or seemingly any alcohol.

I appreciate that food is an issue � we haven�t eaten there recently but have had some fantastic meals. The pricing does look a little cheeky at times but I can tell you last night they were rammed. The thing you need to know is that the foody bit is a dedicated area with a real sense of occasion � do not even compare to a Harvester! Also chef very approachable so if you have a request; ask! It�s all about communication�

V true about the pub having different crowds at different times, but you obviously need a bit of change to clear out us hard drinking red nosed locals. Singles should get there 9pm Fri/Sat/Sun � if you can�t even strike up a conversation you shouldn�t be allowed out. And as I write on a sunny Sunday morning I wonder have you ever been to a bar in SoHo New York? Well get to the Kings about 12, grab the papers and a coffee or a bloody mary and squint a little and you could almost be there. And if that doesn�t work for you soak up the sun streaming through the big arched windows and gaze at the green � I can personally guarantee the restorative effects!

P.S. I am the one without the red nose!

24 Sep 2006 12:18