Randomness Guide to London - Differences between Version 6 and Version 5 of O'Brien's, TW8 8JB

Free house in Brentford, in the Good Beer Guide. (Formerly the Northumberland Arms.)

It's not particularly large inside, though not tiny either; there's probably seating for about 40 people. Some of the seating is tall tables and stools, though they do have normal tables as well, and a banquette along one wall. Wooden floorboards and a fairly open, clean-looking feel. There's a beer garden of some kind out the back.

The first of Kake's two visits so far was on a Friday afternoon in October. There was a scattering of other customers, all of whom knew each other, but I didn't feel at all out of place or unwelcome. They even persuaded me to join in the conversation. Beers available were Twickenham Scrum Down, Oakham Ales Bishops Farewell (£1.40/half pint), Everard Pitch Black, and London Pride. (This was slightly at odds with the beer blackboard outside, which had Butcombe Gold in place of the Bishops Farewell, but it's a good sign to see the beers advertised outside!)

Second visit was on a Tuesday evening in November; same kind of clientele, apart from a small group of possibly-students (well-behaved ones though). Still like it here, will happily continue to use it when in the area. The beers had changed since my last visit; I drank Old Growler this time at £1.45/half pint.

Food is served noon-3pm and 6pm-9pm Mon-Fri (roast lunch served noon-4pm Sun). The food is chalked up on a blackboard, and looks like it changes from time to time. On my visit in October 2007, the menu included tomato-basil soup with crusty bread for £4, baguette sandwiches (chicken, avocado, and bacon; mozzarella and tomato) for £4.50, and a selection of main courses priced between £6 (e.g. sausage, egg, and chips; chilli con carne and rice) and £7 (pork chop with piquant sauce and rice). I think it's home-made rather than frozen-and-microwaved, but I was slightly too late in the afternoon to try it, so I can't verify quality.

See also:

• Beer in the Evening comments

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