The Garden Gate, NW3

I wasn’t expecting much from what looked to be a very busy pub in the heart of Hampstead Heath. But I was encouraged by the sight of handpumps clipped for Hopback Summer Lightning, Brakspear’s Oxford Gold, Liberation IPA, and Downton Ed’s American Red, as well as Old Rosie and Wyldwood ciders. Sandwiches, including chips are around £7, and main courses mainly £10 - £12. The pub’s now been completely opened up, but it still retains one or two interesting features, such as the leaded light glazed panels at the top of the windows, and the glazes “Saloon Bar” sign in one of the doors. The furnishings are good quality normal tables and chairs, and all the tables had on them a small sprig of flowers. There was also a large vase of lilies on the bar counter. These all show that someone is making an effort to make the pub comfortable and welcoming. There is also a beer garden to the side, which was very popular on a very hot July day. This is not the sort of pub I would go out of my way to visit, although the ale selection was pretty good. Or perhaps I’m becoming blasé. But I would definitely drop in for another pint if passing.

I visited here on Saturday night after an absence of over three and a half years looking at the date on my previous comments and I have to say that my major complaint then was the service which I’m glad to report is much improved. The five strong ex public schoolboy management and staff are quick and polite, but the measures are still a little shy, although not quite enough to kick up a fuss. The layout is the same with a U-shaped seating area and no TVs or music, but there is still a bottle neck at the bar which is far too short for the size of the pub and the seating opposite is too near meaning that it is difficult to move around the pub when busy. The premium lager selection is still available and there are five hand pumps that were supporting a cider along with Brains Dark, Cornish Coaster, Scottish Joker IPA and Old Speckled Hen. This is still a food led pub and it is probably more prevalent now that it used to be as it was packed with people still dining at 21:30. The food did look good, but the pricing is at the top end for a gastro pub. The garden is still a major draw with covered seating all around the edges and a BBQ that is fired up on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in the summer months, but again it is pricey with the cheapest plain burger coming in at £6. This place is so much better than it used to be, but it is far to food orientated for my liking and although I would have no problem returning I wouldn’t stay for more than a couple of pints.

Official site of the Garden Gate, contains menu - www.thegardengatehampstead.co.uk