The Mall Tavern, W8

There were three real ales on in here – Five Points Pale, plus the Exeter Brewery pair of Lighterman and Ferryman. I had never before seen anything from this latter brewery before, so obviously did not resist the temptation to try a pint of the Ferryman – a 4.2% brown bitter. To be honest it was OK, without being anything very special. I’m not sure of the price, but my pint together with Mrs R’s coffee came to £7.20 which didn’t exactly seem cheap to me. There were also masses of keg fonts, most for beers I didn’t know. Some were listed in the back room (on a mirror) all at eye-watering prices. Food consists of “mains”, such as “braised lamb shank, smoked mash, and chestnut and salsa verde” at 18.5 – or £18.50 to you and me. Seems a bit expensive – and I’m not even sure what chestnut and salsa verde is. They also advertised “classic” dishes such as cheeseburger and chips for 12.5. But food is half price from 12 – 2 on weekdays, and all day on Tuesdays. They also advertise a happy hour between 5.30 and 6.30 Monday to Friday, where drinks are half price. So, the optimum time to visit for food and drink is 5.30 on Tuesdays! The pub itself is quite ordinary with nothing special about it as far as I could see. Mrs R said she thought it was unpretentious and individual – which is fair enough as it’s nothing like a chain pub. The main bar area now consists of two rooms, now connected by a wide opening which was clearly much narrower in days past. The bar counter is in what I would regard as the main room accessed via the corner entrance and contains the bar counter, with the back room containing the kitchen area. Furnishings are also simple – banquettes around the edges, with some cheap looking normal chair, small round stools and standard tables. No tall tables and tall stools thankfully. There were also none of the fruit and games machines that blight many a pub, and I don’t recall seing any TVs either. I saw a “beer garden” advertised but didn’t visit it; and neither did I visit any of the three function rooms that I also saw advertised. There was little or no traditional décor, apart from the large Charrington mirror in the back room. However, there were posters everywhere advertising pub things – such as Fish Pie Friday; Easter IPA; private dining menus; Friday night music club (bring your own vinyl); Best friends Tuesday (50% off the food); Happy hour; Book your birthday with us. They are clearly making a real effort to generate as much business as possible. I quite liked the simplicity of the place, plus the absence of raucus music and mechanical distractions. I would visit again.

A former Whitbread pub recently taken over by the same people behind The Stag, NW3, former Magdala Tavern, NW3 and attempted Winchester, N6, this pub claims to be in Notting Hill but is resolutely in Kensington. This is a hotch-potch of styles: it's a stripped out pub with large rear room. Sconce lights, bare boarded, part white tiled walls, part blue/grey painted interior, chandeliers, basic furniture, some banquettes and a modern metal square section steel tubular pot shelf/gantry - it's all a bit gloomy. All in, it's not very cosy made worse by music which is really a bit loud which perhaps appeals to the younger crowd in here. Nothing special on the ale front: a redundant pump, thereafter it's just Fuller's London Pride and Twickenham's Summer Sun which was very decent and amazingly cheap at just £4.00 a pint. I can't see myself rushing back here, though the Monday to Saturday midnight licence is a bonus.

Substantial corner pub, run by the small Perritt & Perritt chain. Refurbished, but still (almost) two separate rooms. The front bar has fairly traditional furniture, but to the rear you will find more upmarket decor in the dining area. Busy on a Friday night, with quite a decent atmosphere. Three handpumps, offering Doom Bar, Otter Bitter and the more-local Stiff Upper Lip pale ale from By the Horns (which should - at £4.00 - have been good, but unfortunately wasn't).

The Mall Tavern official site, contains menu and wine list - themalltavern.com

The Mall Tavern official site, contains menu and wine list - themalltavern.com

Randomness Guide to London - Mall Tavern entry

Randomness Guide to London - Mall Tavern entry