Ye Olde Mitre Inne, Barnet

Wonderful Historic pub hidden behind a rather unremarkable frontage. Good if safe selection of beers always kept well, great friendly and efficient bar staff terrific mix of customers and unbeatable atmosphere it really feels like a country pub. Finally opened up interior access to the rear Stable bar which can be hired too. Also quite large pub garden area by the former stables. Also ideal for a well earned drink after a longish walk through Hadley Common, as we do from Cockfosters. Probably my favourite pub in the Barnet & Enfield area.

29 Apr 2013 11:33

The Five Horseshoes, Little Berkhamsted

This used to be a favourite pub of mine u to 2008 when on a Sunday you could barely find a table inside or out, food and drink very good and prices reasonable. Then something happened new managers came in and a new chef whose name was plastered all over the menus apparently to impress us that the massive price hike was worth it. Clearly this was a blatant attempt to milk a very successful pub. Until last week we hadn't returned but having a voucher we thought we would try it again. The clientele is still scarce unfortunately but the waitresses were very friendly and the choice of wine and food was pretty good, though the service was a little slow. While I would not yet give this a glowing review we shall certainly put it back on our map when we are in the area. I have given it a 6 but probably worth a little more had I not compared to it at its best and a certain cynicism that will take time to erode.

9 Jun 2010 17:05

The Dog and Duck, Winchmore Hill

The Dog & duck is one of those increasingly rare things these days, a locals pub, a friendly pub, a traditional pub all combined within a London suburban environment. Its as close as you are likely to get to being in a country pub in a city. Better still you get a devoted manager who takes not only his job seriously but links it to sustaining the immeasurable value that atmosphere has to the pubs success. Small pubs like this are usually the first to be considered unsustainable but you see here how the right approach and friendly dedicated staff who rarely seem to change can bet the odds and show the way for others. The beer is always good, the screens, even when showing various sports not too obtrusive, the garden a delight on a summer's afternoon and a wonderful round of sandwiches on a Saturday just adds the cherry to a great pub experience. There is nothing quite like it in the area.

11 Nov 2009 13:48