Randomness Guide to London Menu

One of those Real Pubs redevelopments, this is a very capacious gastropub just along the road from East Finchley Station, with plenty of tables and a separate dining area. There's also a nice little hideaway room to the right of the bar, with a curtain to separate it from the main area; a sign suggested that this area can be booked. Seating is generally leather and plush, with several sofas scattered around; the floor is hardwood; and the lighting is chandelier-and-wall-lamp style. There's a good beer garden as well.

They have three handpumps, which as of March 2009 always host guest ales rather than regulars. Two were on offer during Kake's March 2009 visit; Holdens Springheeled Jack (£1.60/half) and Deuchars IPA. The barman gave me a very generous taster of the former even though I was only ordering a half, full marks for customer service! In October 2007 Ewan also noted Addlestones cider, Hoegaarden, Leffe, Staropramen, and the standard range of lagers on tap, with a good selection of bottled beers as well.

The menu has a good selection of food, though tends towards the pricier end (£9-13 main courses). In October 2007, Ewan's butternut squash polenta with wild mushrooms, spinach and goats cheese was extremely good, and Jo's butternut squash tart with halloumi (sensing a winter theme, here) was, despite being from the starter menu, still perfectly substantial and tasty. In March 2009, Kake tried the fish soup from the lunch menu (£4.50) photo; it wasn't bad, perhaps edging towards being a little too rich, but the flavour was fine and although the soup itself was quite smooth the croutons provided a decent textural contrast. Photo of the March 2009 lunch menu.

On Ewan's October 2007 visit, the background music was fairly loud but not too distracting. On Kake's Tuesday lunchtime visit in March 2009, the music was a more reasonable volume and fairly laid back in style.

A visitor called Sarah Dee (July 2008) comments that there's free wireless; we haven't confirmed this, though.

Accessibility: Two steps up at the front entrance, but there's a side entrance which only has a sort of shallow ridge, no steps. There are some toilets accessed via the room to the right of the bar, which requires navigating a step - not sure about toilets elsewhere in the pub though.

See also:

• Beer In The Evening comments
• Fancy A Pint review
• Time Out review
• BarBlog review
• This Is London review