The Windmill, Mayfair, W1

Side street Youngs pub. A partial remodelling of the two buildings knocked together to create the place in the 1980’s has created a dog leg interior with some points of passing interest amongst the corporate fittings, including some intricate ceiling mouldings and (presumed modern) tiled wall. Upstairs is a bijou roof terrace. Eight pumps with two off and a cider, leaving 3x Youngs, Sambrooks Wandle and Twickenham Grandstand. I went for the Youngs Special which failed to live up to its moniker, being warm and pump tired. I didn’t see much to make me want to reappear at a future date, really. 5.5

A first in here the other night, ostensibly for a meal with drinks in the upstairs dining room and something I rarely do in a pub. It's also hard to believe that this is a modern conversion - 1988 - which in part was an escort agency! The interior is moderately deceptive in that it does look as though it's always been a pub but there's much modern clinical tiling and acres of tedious blue/grey gastropaint. The ale range was obviously from Young's with a couple of guests such as Truman's Zephyr and Doom(?). Absolutely packed, a meal it was in the upstairs dining room with food that revolves around the humble pie and a darn good steak and mushroom pie it was too with every indication that it was handmade. The mash wasn't quite so successful being a bit gluey but overall it was much appreciated along with a couple of pints of very well kept Special served by a couple of charming and friendly waitresses. This isn't a bad place though it's very pricey but that's only to be expected if you venture out for a drink in the world's most expensive residential area and I wouldn't make an effort to return.

One downstairs room and a Pie Room upstairs. Young's pub with their usual selection of real ales. Nothing above 4.5% ABV.