Royal Inn On The Park, E9

This is a large pub right on the edge of Victoria Park – so the pub's name is wholly accurate. Inside it's bare-boarded, high-ceilinged with heavy scrubbed wood furniture. The music was unbearably loud, though one of the bar staff turned it down while I was at the bar getting a drink. Outside there is a large patio looking out over the park, which must be an absolute winner on a warm summer weekend. It was pretty empty on the Wednesday afternoon I was in there but I bet it must be heaving on a warm evening. The had Fuller's ales, plus Gales HSB and Adnam's bitter. As you would expect in a pub like this, it's not cheap. The menu consisted of “designer food”. I went for the smoked chicken and avocado sandwich, which came with a few chips. There were enough chips, not a great deal of chicken, but the crusty bread was delicious. Not cheap at £7.50. I don't think that this is the sort of pub you go to for a family meal (the menu wouldn't suit children) or a quiet pint, but for meeting chums and especially when the weather is nice and you can sit outside.