The Crown Tavern, Lee, SE12

This is a Young's pub, with the usual pair of Special and Bitter on. This is the sort of pub where I just knew when I entered that I would be paying more than £2 for my half of Ordinary - and I was right when it rocked in at £2.25. Even for London that's expensive for a half of bogstandard Young's Ordinary. Food is available of course. I didn't get to see a full menu, but a blackboard advertised the "Skipper's Catch", with three choices of sea bass, etc, at £16; or black bream or poached salmon salad both at £15. There were little bar snacks menus on the tables, offering such things as pork belly bites, pork and leek sausage roll, hand raised pork pie, all at £5 a pop. A version of South London tapas I guess. Probably overpriced, but I didn't order or see any so don't really know what you get for your money. This is a surprisingly large pub. The original building is massive, and a large single-storey extension has been added at the back, being used as a discrete restaurant area. A function room is advertised - and is free to hire apparently. There's a fairly large outside seating area at the front which is straightforward enough, but inside it's a bit of a mixed bag. There's a blue tiled splash area surrounding the bar counter; there are booths separated by exposed brick walls; pine clad pillars; and some odd framed railway-themed posters. Furnishings are mainly bucket armchairs and normal tables, with banquettes in the booths. It really has got the hotel lounge look off to a tee. But I did see live music advertised (the Entourage Band), and it does have a car park. I'm afraid that I didn't really take to this place, as it doesn't really feel like you're in a pub - more a lounge bar. But that's just my subjective opinion, and no doubt others will love this sort of massively spruced up place.

Official site of The Crown - www.thecrownlee.co.uk

Official site of The Crown - www.thecrownlee.co.uk