The Lord Kitchener, Barnet

This is a McMullen’s pub that had on a couple of their ales – Original IPA and AK (£1.45 a half). I don’t often get to sample their ales, and it made a pleasant change to do so. The AK was well kept I’m glad to say. The menu was on faux chalkboards above the bar counter - pub grub main meals were all £6.45 and baguettes were £3.75. These are very reasonable priced; I guess I have ventured far enough from Central London to escape its inflated prices to some extent. The pub itself was clearly two separate rooms originally, and although it's been largely opened up a vestige of the dividing wall is still in situ. It's carpeted throughout and furnishings are banquettes, a few small stools, and some high-backed chairs and normal tables. There was a TV on showing the racing when I was in on Wednesday afternoon. The minuses for me were the background music (atmittedly at very low volume) competing with the racing commentary, and the babe in arms one young lady had brought in, which only had one bout of squalling during my visit Despite this, I quite enjoyed my fleeting visit. It's a comfortable locals' pub of the type that I appreciate.

Lord Kitchener pages at the McMullens site - www.mcmullens.co.uk

Lord Kitchener pages at the McMullens site - www.mcmullens.co.uk

This is an OK Mcmullen pub and the barman was very friendly, but my pint of Country Bitter was not the best. Ak was also available along with Stella, Fosters, Kronenburg, Strongbow and Guinness. Not a huge selection on draught, but there was an unused ale pump that could maybe be hooked up to give a little more choice. There is a large plasma screen and a smaller TV and the pub shows Sky and Setanta and the Sky Sports feed was showing during my visit. The beer is cheap and there is a dartboard, but I still think there are better pubs in New Barnet.