The Tally Ho, North Finchley, N12

They had five real ales on in here - Black Sheep Baa Baa Ale; Hobgoblin; Old Golden Hen; GK Abbot; and Purity Mad Goose (£1.65 a half). There were also three Lilley ciders on - Tropical; Strawberry; and Rhubarb. Assuming they were all really on - WhatPub casts doubt on this. I stuck with the beer of course and the Mad goose was definitely available. The usual Stonegate pubco menu, with all manner of byzantine meal deals was available. I kept it simple and went for the all day breakfast at £6.29. This is a massive landmark pub in the centre of town. Even the bus stop is named after the pub. Inside it's still split into four distinct drinking and eating areas - there were probably even more in years past judging by the unused doors. I sat in the room on the corner, which is carpeted and furnished entirely with normal tables and chairs, and which also has the access to the garden. The main bar is up a couple of steps, is bare-boarded with loads of tall tables/tall stools - but is where the handpumps can be found. There are two further rooms back down a couple of steps on the High Road side of the pub. When I was in the drinkers were congregating in the main bar area, with anyone eating sitting in one of the other three rooms. It's a Stonegate pub so the ale choice is never going to be exceptional, but the selection in here is better that any other Stonegate pub I've been in. The all day breakfast at £6.29 looks to be the same as the traditional breakfast available bedfore noon at £4.99. I reckon it's a bit better than the the 'spoons version, although theirs is a bit cheaper. For a Stonegate pub it's good. As you might expect it was doing a good trade at lunchtime on Wednesday, being the nearest thing to a 'spoons around here. It used to be a 'spoons of course.

Official site of The Tally Ho - www.greatukpubs.co.uk

Official site of The Tally Ho - www.greatukpubs.co.uk

A Spoons located in a lovely old building abutting a junction, though sadly the interior is grubby and battered which lets it down – though on hearing that the place is on the JDW disposal list perhaps that explains why. It’s less open-plan than the average Wetherspoons and there’s a lot of traditional pub touches that gives it a bit of character (wood panelling, red Victroriana wallpaper, latticed windows etc). Also, there’s an unusual and pleasant enclosed garden area at the apex of the building’s footprint. Our visit was a sad comedy – the place was incredibly badly run, staff with little-to-no skills and only three ales on with just one genuine guest, an appalling Nethergate Growler which went back, to be replaced with Abbot which tasted suspiciously like GK IPA to me. In short, this was dire and one can only hope that its new owners get it back up to muster – there’s the fabric of a very good pub here.

This is a landmark pub located in the crook of a junction which is known locally as Tally Ho Corner. The pub is presently operated by Wetherspoons, although it does form part of the latest tranche of their pub estate to have been put up for sale, so the future is not entirely clear. This is a great shame, as my visit found a well run branch set inside an interesting building with plenty of traditional pub character. The right hand bar, on the upper side of the building, seems to be the main drinking space. The room is carpeted and has lattice windows, floral wallpaper, dark wood panels and the usual varied mix of ‘Spoons seating options. For a main bar in a Wetherspoons, it’s surprisingly compact, creating a degree of cosiness depending on where you manage to grab a seat. The prime seats to bag are one of the two marvellous heavy wooden chairs which are carved to look like elephants – it sounds odd but they look fantastic. Plain mirrors and photos of the local area cover the walls and there is a staircase to one side which has an old pub sign for The Snooty Fox hung halfway up, although I have no idea where this comes from. To the front of the pub, at the apex of the junction, you can go down into a small side room which is also carpeted and benefits from lots of dark wood panelling and comfy seating, creating the feel of an old club house. This in turn leads out to a surprisingly secluded garden area, with lots of seating screened from the roads running wither side of it. On the left side of the pub, there is a smaller, lower bar which was much quieter than the main room and benefited from more panelling and a lovely long, curved window bay, although seating was fairly limited here. A step leads down again to a rear lounge, which was also dominated by dark wood fittings and had a pub mirror, dartboard, black and white photos and a couple of old portraits on show, all of which gave the place a real ‘pub-like’ feel that this chain doesn’t always capture. I believe this was one of the chain’s earlier pubs, which perhaps explains the more traditional pub feel – the rooms upstairs even served as Tim Martin’s office space for a period. The ale range was reasonably good, offering a 50/50 split between guest ales and regular ‘Spoons offerings (four of each) with the final two pumps bearing ‘Coming Soon’ signs. I tried a pint of Bragdy Conwy California which was well kept and served by one of the efficient young bar team, who were on their toes to deal with a lively, mixed Friday night crowd. I hadn’t intended to visit this place, but decided to pop in for a quick look as I was passing and I have to say I’m very glad I did. I found a thriving branch of this well known chain offering good beer and quick service in very pleasant surroundings. Ironically, I suspect it is the ‘old-fashioned’ look of this pub that has prompted them to put it up for sale, as it doesn’t really fit the profile or direction their estate is taking. I hope whoever takes it on will keep this fine building open for future generations to enjoy.

Not improved on the Ale front since last review tried three guest ales all drinkable but none outstanding or in good condition. This pub is badly let down by some of the customers it attracts like smokers hanging around the doors and groups of local yobs. Too many young in experienced staff don't help. Again this regular wetherspoon thing they never know who's next or don't care if the friends are waiting. I will give it a miss for another year.

Bit of a tatty multi -roomed Wetherspoons.Very poor cask beer selection and none of the new craft keg beers seen in other branches.Had a tin of Bengali tiger which was decent enough and only £1.99.