Dove Free House, E8

Official site of Dove Free House - dovepubs.com

Official site of Dove Free House - dovepubs.com

Another first time pub for me yesterday and another success, a very comfortable feeling place yet the vibrancy of the market street outside carries through to the pub while still maintaining a sense of a traditional pub, ales on hand pump I remember,although there was at least one more were Timothy Taylor Landlord,Crouch Vale Brewers Gold and my choice which was ELB Pale Ale,this was in great shape and would have happily stayed for more if there were not more pubs to visit on the day.I would have no hesitation in a return visit.

Having seeing previous reviewers’ comments, a visit to this pub was always on the cards. And it didn’t disappoint. They had six ales on during my Saturday afternoon visit, including a few less commonly seen offerings like Oakham JHB and the superb Abbey Bellringer. All the ales were £3.50 a pint I believe. As stated previously, decent lagers also feature prominently, including the notorious Delirium Tremens. The brunch menu was listed on a chalkboard, with smoked chicken BLT at £6.50 and that necessary companion to ale drinking, Canadian buttermilk pancakes, at £4.95. The pub was very busy as the market was in full swing, but although all the tables in the front bar area were occupied, the bar stretched back a fair way with plenty more seating in the gloomy recesses. The main bar area is furnished with normal tables and chairs, and with what looked like recycled church pews and a few stools. The ceiling here has a parody of Michaelangelo’s famous depiction of God passing the spark of life to Adam – except that here they are both holding glasses of Leffe. Even with the untypical market customers, this still struck me as a real pub. Six ales, featuring none of the usual suspects, is a real winner in my book. London Fields is a bit of a hike from where I live, but if I find myself in this part of the world again I shall definitely pay a return visit. Also, it makes a pleasant change to get to a top pub before John Bonser!!

This is essentially a Belgian pub transported to one of East London's trendy neighbourhoods. The interior is dominated by dark wood, which, in the evening with muted lighting, helps to create a very cosy and warm ambience. The front room has plenty of seating in an open area, with the bar counter tucked along one side. Beyond the bar is a split level room which offers more seating options and to the left a passageway leads to another room which is reserved for diners only. I didn't see a menu but the food looked pretty good and quite a few people had ordered from a bar snacks menu which seemed to include a few typical Belgian snacks. A number of customers in the back room were playing board games, which I can only presume were supplied by the pub. There are quite a lot of Belgian beer adverts on the walls, as you might expect, and some large mirrors as well. The bar proudly displayed a very good range of Belgian beers on tap, too many to list here, as well as a comprehensive bottled selection detailed in the beer menus available at the bar. One or two standards lagers were also on tap plus some unusual cider and perry options. Ale fans will be glad to hear that they are also catered for with six handpulls dispensing Crouch Vale Brewer's Gold, TT Landlord and Flowers IPA as regulars and three guests which on my visit were Roosters Leghorn and Purple Moose Glaslyn Ale (the sixth pump having a turned clip). My Glaslyn Ale was in great shape and barely touched the sides as it went down. The bar staff were very friendly and knowledgeable and they dealt with some rowdy customers quickly and efficiently without having to resort to calling the doorman over. I thought that this was an excellent pub which has lots to offer and so should therefore have broad appeal. I'm very keen to make a return visit sooner rather than later, perhaps to try some food as well. Highly recommended.

Good detail in Mr Fastard's review below which I'll aim not to repeat. The interior is welcoming and traditional, a nice place to be. There's an extensive and interesting menu of both drinks, including a wide range of Continental beers both bottled and draught, and food as well as daily specials on a blackboard. We went for soup and a pint of chips which both went down well. Beer: Six handpumps: Crouch Vale Brewers Gold, Flowers IPA, TT Landlord, RamTam, Best and Golden Best. We tried 2 or 3 of these and all were good. If I lived close by I'd certainly be a regular and will definitely return if in the area.

The clientele may well have been the inspiration for the Private Eye comic strip "It's grim up Noth London " but dont let that deter you from entering this outstanding beer emporium.On the ale front there are six handpumps with Crouch Vale Brewers Gold and TT Landlord always featuring together with Flowers IPA,Moorhouses Witchcraft,Buntingford Victory and Crouch Vale Whole Hop as the guests on my trip.Ale quality top hole.However the lager selection is even more impressive with many rare draughts and an extensive list of Belgian bottled beers.Check out the large drinks menu.The food also looked impressive and the £12 sunday roast smelt sensational,there is an extensive menu.The pub interior is also very pleasing,with bareboarded floors,an open plan area on entering with traditional benches and settles and the bar running along one side.However the pub is larger than it first appears and there are fine nooks and crannies ,a dining only back section and a lower level seating area at the rear leading to the unisex lavs,all frosted door cubicles and very Bruges.It's rightly popular and seating can be at a premium.Fully deserves it GBG listing ,a must visit for continental lager fans an outstanding pub in this trendy part of London Fields,not far from the Regents Canal.

Randomness Guide to London - Dove entry

Randomness Guide to London - Dove entry