The Princess Royal, W2

Dating from 1841, I last came here in mid-1994, it having undergone a multitude of incarnations (unbelievably, once a Slug & Lettuce) before the original name was reinstated – visible in mosaic to the lobby floor – following an enormously expensive and upmarket March 2022 makeover from Cubitt House, all visible courtesy of a virtual tour; there are two terraces designed by Jinny Blom (?) and ‘boutique’ hotel above, each room named after female members of the Royal Family; customers were mixed and not all local, some dining on the lobsters packed in ice behind the bar. Cask amounted to London Brewing Co’s London Lush and Allsopp’s IPA, at an eyepopping £6.90 a pint, drinkable if not exceptional, served by very professional uniformed staff; chuck in a small glass of red wine and the price for a round leaps to £10.75. This place is passable, nice even for those who like this sort of stuff, but although this is my fourth-nearest pub, I doubt I’ll come here again unless instructed to by She Who Must Be Obeyed.

Official site of The Princess Royal - www.cubitthouse.co.uk

Official site of The Princess Royal - www.cubitthouse.co.uk