Gastropub deliciousness at The Princess of Wales, Primrose Hill

Primrose Hill is one of my favourite parts of London. In addition to the beautiful houses, fashionable boutiques and expansive green spaces for which it is famed, it also boasts a number of excellent gastropubs - perfect for a hearty meal after a stroll through the park or along nearby Regent's Canal.
So when my boyfriend and I were invited to check out The Princess of Wales last week, we jumped at the chance.

The weather was terrible, so unfortunately our plans for an evening wander through the park were scrapped in favour of a soggy sprint from Chalk Farm tube station, and by the time we arrived, we were cold, wet, and in need of some cheering up. Luckily our tasty dinner (and a few drinks!) did the job.

With a lovely menu of gastropub classics - from bar snacks, small plates and salads, to hearty mains and sharing platters - The Princess of Wales has something for every occasion, whether you're in the mood for something to nibble on over drinks, or looking for a slap-up meal.

After pondering the selection of starters - which included such treats as duck or smoked mackerel pate on toast, Welsh rarebit with crispy bacon, and crab cakes with apple and cucumber pickle - we decided to share the  squid with chilli salt and garlic mayo. This was a great start to the meal - chunks of tender squid in a crispy coating (with a gentle kick of sweet chilli), served with plenty of delicious mayonnaise and a tangle of rocket leaves.

For the main course, I went for the half roast chicken with summer coleslaw, chips and gravy. A delicious take on this pub classic, the summer coleslaw - sweet and zesty, and packed with freshly grated carrot - and the lemon thyme garlic butter took it to the next level. The gravy was excellent - thick and rich, it was the perfect accompaniment to the tasty shoe-string fries - while the chicken itself was cooked to perfection: crisp golden skin, tender, flavourful meat, and spot-on seasoning.

My boyfriend ordered the Princess Burger, which was also very impressive (in fact, he claimed it was the best pub burger he has had!). The fat beef patty was topped with roasted garlic mushroom, blue cheese and bacon, oozing juices from inside its shiny brioche bun. The combination of toppings were incredible together and I had more than a little food envy!

How fat is that patty? Mmmmm

If you're looking for something a bit healthier (although when the burgers are this good, you might want to treat yourself instead!) the salads here also looked great - summery pairings of mozzarella with courgette and broad beans or grilled chicken with avocado and home-made salad cream - while dishes such as the fillet of salmon with roasted root vegetables and seasonal greens provide further alternatives for anyone whose watching their waistline.

I kicked off dessert with a bellini, before asking for a second spoon with which to attack my boyfriend's chocolate and peanut butter brownie. Ordered on the special recommendation of our waitress, this nutty, chocolatey treat was served warm with a scoop of exquisite salted caramel ice cream - simply amazing!

Henry's Cafe Bar, West India Quay - review for Bon Appetit Card

My dinner - yum!

Henry's Cafe Bar is a stylish eatery with locations across London and the UK (including Covent Garden, Piccadilly, Cardiff and Leeds). Having recently signed on as a participating restaurant with the Bon Appetit Card, they invited me to their West India Quay branch for dinner and drinks. My brother's office is in Canary Wharf - just minutes away - so he popped by after work as my plus one.

Housed in a converted warehouse overlooking West India Quay - an oasis of calm amid the high-rise chaos of nearby Canary Wharf - Henry's has a fantastic waterside location. Sadly, the current weather conditions meant that we were unable to take advantage of the expansive outdoor seating area, but I'm guessing this is incredibly popular in the Summer months.

As one would expect for a "thirsty Thursday", the bar had a lively atmosphere, with plenty of people getting ready for the weekend with some post-work drinks. We were seated in a cosy booth, which afforded us privacy without cutting us off from the rest of the clientele.

We started our meal with a nice bottle of red - Malbec, my favourite - while we perused the food menu.
Henry's offers an unpretentious selection of solid, crowd-pleasing dishes; and with burgers, club sandwiches, British Classics like fish and chips and beef and stout pie, and a good range of pastas and salads, there really is something for everyone.

My brother opted for one of the daily specials - smoked salmon and artichoke carbonara on a bed of penne - while I went for one of the Henry's "Signature Dishes", a spicy chargrilled chicken breast served with sauteed potatoes, fresh guacamole salsa, and a refreshing mound of sour cream.

The food was very good: my blackened chicken was tender and full of flavour, its spiciness perfectly offset by the cool sour cream and creamy avocado, and the potatoes - with crisp golden skins and a pleasant hint of spice - were also delicious.

My brother's pasta went down equally well: with plenty of smoked salmon and artichoke in a rich cream sauce, it was an interesting take on the traditional carbonara, and he emptied his plate with enthusiasm.

Portions are generous, and I was pretty full after my main course and accompanying side salad. Luckily Henry's has a selection of mini desserts, which are perfect with coffee at the end of your meal. A dainty portion of two tasty profiteroles - served with a nice pot of tea - satisfied my need for something sweet (along with a few stolen forkfuls of my brother's rich vanilla cheesecake!). Served in a generous wedge, this decadent treat was drizzled with copious amounts of tasty chocolate and toffee sauce - definitely worth considering if you're in the mood for something a bit more substantial!

All in all, this was a great meal - the service was excellent (our lovely waitress was very helpful, and we felt well looked after despite the popularity of the venue), the food was very good, and the atmosphere and location were both spot on.

West India Quay is a bit out of the way for me - I work in the City and live further West - but my brother is already planning his return. Henry's is a fantastic venue for post-work drinks, with plenty of bar food and sharing platters to satisfy hungry drinkers, but it is equally well-suited for a family meal (the wide-ranging menu capable of satisfying even the fussiest eaters). And - if you need any more encouragement - you can get 50% off lunch or dinner with the Bon Appetit Card. Deal!

 

The Trafalgar Tavern: Sunday roast in Greenwich

The weekend before last, prior to the arrival of this year's "Big Freeze" I cycled over to Greenwich to meet my brother for Sunday lunch.

I love Greenwich: with its sweeping river views, magnificent architecture, and verdant wide-open spaces, it's very different to central London, and I alway feel like I'm on a bit of a day-trip when I go there (despite only being a 45 minute cycle from my flat).

I caught up with my brother at the Cutty Sark (a useful meeting point!), and we wandered through the Naval College Gardens to The Trafalgar Tavern, a lovely venue right on the banks of the Thames. It was fairly busy inside, with lots of people relaxing with drinks or enjoying a casual Sunday lunch in the lively bar area, but we somehow managed to bag ourselves a window-side table overlooking the river - a perfect location!

Despite being sorely tempted by the fish and chips (the next table seemed to be enjoying theirs) we decided to stick to our original plan and go for the roast. My brother opted for the slow-roast leg of lamb, while I went for the half-chicken with autumn vegetables, stuffing, roast potatoes, and bread sauce.

It was good, solid fare, nothing exceptional, but tasty nonetheless (I was too busy eating to take a photo of my food, which is always a good sign!). My half chicken was succulent and moist, and paired well with the creamy bread sauce and roasted autumn vegetables, while a fairly average disk of stuffing and unexciting cubes of roast potato were saved by the incredible gravy - deep brown and delectably savoury, it made everything it touched taste amazing. While it wasn't the best roast I've had in London (nothing compared to The Albion, say), it was still very enjoyable and pretty good value too.

All in all, with good food, a lively atmosphere, and a fantastic location, I would definitely reccomend dropping into The Trafalgar Tavern if you're ever in the area. The bar is a great place for a drink or relaxed pub lunch, and if you're after something a bit smarter, there's a restaurant too (which I've heard is very nice).

After a satisfying meal and a good sibling catch-up, I cycled home...just in time to catch this beautiful sunset over London Bridge. A lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Exmouth Arms

The Exmouth Arms is one of my favourite local pubs. Situated midway down Exmouth Market, this green-tiled haven is a great place to grab a drink after a meal at one of the many neighbouring eateries, and - with a wide collection of excellent beers and a fantastic bar menu - is equally worthy of a visit in itself.

The highlight of a trip to the Exmouth Arms has got to be the sliders. The buns (from the esteemed Harvey Rinkoff bakery) are superb - soft and gloriously squishy - and the broad and oft-changing array of innovative fillings will keep you going back for more. (See the menu below for the impressive selection on our last visit).

We decided to try the beef brisket, venison, and thai prawn sliders: all were excellent (the beef brisket - tender flakes of slow-cooked meat drenched in a beautiful salsa - was especially good). At £6.50 for three, they make a great light dinner - or,  shared, a tasty snack - and are infinitely more exciting than a bowl of chips or a packet of prawn cocktail crisps.

 Not the best picture!

Aside from the excellent beer and tasty bar snacks, the best thing about the Exmouth Arms is the atmosphere, which strikes a perfect balance between lively and laid back. It's always busy - but in  a 'groups of people getting together for a relaxed drink' way (no blaring music or obscenely long bar queues here). Basically, it's just how a local pub should be, and if you live nearby (or are just passing through), I highly recommend checking it out.

Monday evening at 6pm - it filled up pretty quickly after this

The Crown Tavern on Clerkenwell Green

Away from the hustle and bustle of its main roads, Clerkenwell is home to a number of quiet, pretty squares: perfect for a drink in the sunshine or a bit of al fresco dining. The Crown Tavern is a case in point: situated on leafy Clerkenwell Green, this popular gastropub has plenty of outdoor tables - a great place to grab a bite to eat on a sunny autumn's day.

The menu changes with the seasons, and boasts a variety of more interesting options (asparagus, mushroom, pea and creme fraiche tart; cous cous and halloumi with a bean and avocado salad) alongside gastropub mainstays such as steak and chips, sausage and mash, and chicken and bacon club sandwiches. My boyfriend has eaten here a few times, and assures me that everything on the menu is excellent. However, on this occassion we were feeling pretty unadventurous and both opted for the same thing: beer-battered haddock with skin-on chips.

We were quickly served with two very good-looking plates of fish and chips. Succulent haddock fillets, encased in a delicious golden batter, were balanced atop a pile of excellent chips: piping hot, these were crisp on the outside, with perfectly soft, fluffy interiors. The mushy peas were also superb, enlivened with the addition of finely diced cooked onion (my boyfriend hates onion, so I got two portions!), while the tartar sauce was replete with chunks of gherkin and capers.

We were looking after my parents' dog for the afternoon, and the waiter obligingly brought him a dish of water with our meal. While most people were there for drinks with groups of friends, the relaxed atmosphere makes the Crown Tavern an equally good spot for families and dog-owners.

Archie the dog

And I couldn't resist including this last photo, taken later in the same day as we walked along the Thames. It was four in the afternoon and extremely sunny, but somehow everything looks as though it's bathed in moonlight.