The Porchester, W2

Surprised and disappointed to find this is a Youngs pub.Nice looking high ceilinged interior with lots of plank tables and high stools.3 Young,s beers and Brains -SA Gold none of which I would want to drink but the coffee is fine.

This is still a Young's pub, although all the external Young's signage has now gone. The ales on were Young's Bitter, Special, and Winter Warmer (£2.15 a half). I've always liked their Winter Warmer, and the half I had was in great nick. Single sheet lunch menus were on the tables, nestled up against the single dahlia stem. Sandwiches are from £5.50 for cheese up to £7.50 for the "pulled pork and Kentish apple sauce". "Skinny fries" are an extra £1.50. The main meals aren't particularly cheap, with both the beefburger, and the haddock and chips, at £11.50. This place has been given a most savage makeover, even by Young's standards. Anything of any heritage interest has long gone. Around the edges of the room are some royal blue upholstered banquettes; some bright orange upholstered seating in the booths by the window; a couple of solid tall tables/tall stools; a mass of large solid wooden tables with backless benches in the middle of the room; and a few normal tables and chairs. The pillars and one of the walls are painted yellow. It's all a bit too bright and lego coloured for my taste. There were some prints on the walls that didn't seem to feature anything recognisable as far as I could see (although admittedly I didn't bother to walk over to get a closer look). Near where I was sitting there were five framed letters on the wall: E, S, T, E, and R. I couldn't see why they were there until I saw five more on the opposing wall: P, O, R, C, and H. I'm still not convinced of this as a decorative feature, but there it is. I really enjoyed my Winter Warmer, but this is the sort of place that I might give a miss in the future.