The Maid Of Muswell, Muswell Hill, N10

Official site of The Maid Of Muswell - www.themaidofmuswell.co.uk

Official site of The Maid Of Muswell - www.themaidofmuswell.co.uk

I popped in here a couple of weeks ago after a very long absence and I still found it to be the gastro pub that I remember. Pride, Landlord, Broadside and Adnams Wheat Beer were the four ale options and there was also a selection of six premium beers which were from Germany, Belgium and Czechoslovakia. Hidden away almost out of sight there were also four standard draught products from which I enjoyed a nice pint of Guinness. Being a gastro pub the selling of food is obviously important to this place and I thought that the menu looked quite interesting with a mix of standard pub fayre and some more unusual dishes. It seemed to be reasonably priced for the area, but I didn’t eat or see anyone else eating so I cannot comment on the quality. Sunday is £9 a pop roast lunch day which can be enjoyed whilst listening to live chilled piano playing from 2pm until 6pm if this is to one’s taste. There is a plasma screen which was turned off and I doubt that any sport ever gets shown here, but there was some 1970s instrumental session music playing which the bearded barman seemed to be enjoying. My Friday afternoon visit was very relaxing as the pub was almost empty, but I have been in here when it has been busy and I didn’t think that the atmosphere was great due to the well heeled locals not being the most accommodating to strangers in their pub, but things may have changed now. It is quite a thin pub, but there is a bay window at the rear and a larger bay window at the front which gives it a bit more width and a larger feel. There is also some outside seating at the front and around to the side of the pub which is separated from the path and busy road by an attractive fence made from garden canes. This place is ok for a change or maybe for a bit to eat with the other half, but I wouldn’t go just for a pint on my own again.

The Maid appears to have changed her clothes since my last visit there in Jan 04. Then it was a straight forward, no nonsense, 5 pints of lager, footie on screen boozer. 18 months on and the ugly duckling is not so ugly anymore and is now a bit more fitting for such a “well to do” area. The patio outside now looks very smart with a wicker fence and potted plants. Inside has been transformed with a more up-market customer base in mind. It still retains some of the original stripped back features and bare floorboards but these now blend in with a mix of seating styles, potted plants and subtle lighting. The bar staff were very welcoming and the well kept beers include London Pride and Marstons Pedigree. Unfortunately, it would appear that the change has come at a price - £2.90 for a pint of Addlestones Cider compares badly to the £2.70 a pint I pay in Central London but, if this is your local, then you can probably afford it. The Maid won't be everyone's cup of tea but there is little competition in the area. Handy for Alexandra Palace, 5 minutes walk up the hill.