Randomness Guide to London Menu

Pub in Chigwell, near the station.

It's owned by Mitchells & Butlers, and as of mid-2012 is part of their Premium Country Dining Group sub-brand, though it's previously been a Harvester among other things. (Note that we aren't sure which sub-brand it was in during the 2008 visit described below, except that it definitely wasn't a Harvester at that point.)

The back part is more of a restaurant than a pub, including one long table for large groups. The front part is more for drinkers, and there's also a little room with sofas just off to the right as you go in photo. There's a patio area outside as well.

Kake and James visited on a Monday evening in March 2008. We were almost put off coming in here as the music sounded quite loud from outside; but then we realised that they pipe the music out to the patio area. It wasn't actually that bad once we got inside.

The only real ale available was Timothy Taylor Landlord (not sure of the price, but a pint of Landlord and a pint of Diet Coke came to £5.65, while a pint of Landlord and a pint of Staropramen came to £6).

We also tried a couple of their pizzas (£6.50 for a margarita and £1 for each extra topping chosen from pepperoni, chorizo, jalapeno, mushrooms, onions, olives, or peppers). They weren't actually bad; the bases were thin and fairly tasty (though a bit floppy), and the cheese was proper mozzarella (and not too much of it).

According to their website as of September 2012, food is served noon-10pm Mon-Thu; noon-10:30pm Fri-Sat; and noon-9pm Sun, from a menu shared with other pubs in the Premium Country Dining Group.

Kake's verdict: Would probably come back if I was in the area, though I don't know what the atmosphere is like normally since the place was fairly empty on our visit.

See also:

• Beer In The Evening comments