The Mitre, W11

It has the look and feel of a low key Gastro pub, opened out inside with little in the way of any ambiance, beers were just Timothy Taylors Landlord and a house beer called Bishops Vice. Not a pub that catches my fancy in any shape or form.

A prominent and tidy-looking pub, which has been gutted inside and filled with leather furnishings, bare brickwork and a glitzy bar, with a raised dining area behind. Apart from looking expensive, I am very unsure what sort of clientele they are chasing, but it doesn't include me. TT Landlord and the Greene King house beer on handpump, but sadly the former was totally undrinkable and the latter not much better. A waste of space.

This pub is largely unchanged since the previous reviewer's visit. The majority of the pub (the large area to the left of the servery) had tables laid for diners, but as I sat at one of the tables on the right available for drinkers, I didn't see a menu. It's obviously still a food-led pub. There is a bit of outside seating in a terrace facing the very busy Holland Park Avenue; either the traffic or the fact that it was a scorchingly hot London day meant that it was abandoned by all other than the occasional smoker forced to endure the 35°C heat. There were a couple of ales on - GK IPA and Truman's Scorcher (£2.30 a half) - most appropriately named on the day I visited - seemingly a gra[pfruit pale ale, and which was unfortunately served far too warm and was too bland for my taste. It's not really my kind of place.

This is a large corner pub rebuilt in 1930 in a slightly Art Deco/modernist style which once incorporated an off-licence to the Ladbroke Grove side. Catering for young and affluent locals, this pub is large inside with a curved central bar which features a monochrome chequered tiled apron. The rear and left peripheries are slightly raised and seem to be reserved exclusively for dining - this is very much a food-led operation. The floor is boarded and lacquered, furniture is largely conventional with tea lights to the tables. To the right side are a few Chesterfields and leather(ette) armchairs. Lighting comes from modern chandeliers but with the muted grey hues and some bare brick, it's a bit gloomy. Music played which was muted, a TV was spotted (mercifully switched off); there are photos of various sorts to the walls. The main Holland Park Road frontage opens out concertina-style, so all those inside can inhale the smoke from the smokers on the beer patio. It also ensures that those inside are deafened by the roar of passing traffic on what is essentially a dual carriageway. Staff were friendly and efficient; on offer were Greene King's IPA, Sambrook's Wandle and Truman's Lazarus which was on form and at £4.05 a pint, is very good value considering the area. Also available were keg beers and premium lagers. On balance this isn't a bad place but it's a bit like a hotel bar - a bit soulless. I'd come here again, but The Castle just down the road beats this place hands down.

Official site of the Mitre with menus - themitrew11.co.uk

Official site of the Mitre with menus - themitrew11.co.uk