Randomness Guide to London - Differences between Version 3 and Version 2 of Red Lion, E11 3AA

Version 3 Version 2
== Line 12 == == Line 12 ==
Altogether, the Red Lion has got off to a promising start, and is already attracting a good crowd through the doors. With the addition of noise-muffling drapes around the window, and of course hot meals, it would be an even better venue.
Altogether, the Red Lion has got off to a promising start, and is already attracting a good crowd through the doors. With the addition of noise-muffling drapes around the window, disabled access, and of course hot meals, it would be an even better venue.
== Line 16 == == Line 16 ==
category='Drink,Real Ale,Real Cider,Step-Free Access'
category='Drink,Real Ale,Real Cider'

Located on Leytonstone High Road opposite the junction with Church Lane, the Red Lion has stood for over 300 years and been through many incarnations. Thankfully it has now returned to being a community local, and although it’s only been open since 15 June it is already establishing itself as the sort of place where you will run into someone you know.

They have an impressive selection of drinks – 10 handpumps and 5 keg taps, usually with at least 7 real ales on cask (often a real cider), and 3 more ales on keg along with a cider and a lager. Cask selections change every day or two and have recently included Redemption Urban Dusk, Thornbridge Jaipur, UBU Purity and Brodies Amarilla. CAMRA members get a 10% discount on ale.

Otherwise, there’s the traditional fare of lagers and ciders on tap, but these are backed up by several interesting alternatives in bottles, several organic and single varietal ciders for example. There are a good range of spirits too, usually of a high quality – Hendricks gin for example – and even three tequilas!

The pub is still a little rough around the edges – the floorboards are dusty and it took a few weeks for the accessible toilet to open. I hear the regular toilets have holes in the wall with pipes or wires sticking out; it's a work in progress. The kitchen should follow later in summer 2011. The space is big and open plan, and the lack of carpet or curtains means it gets quite noisy and in some seats can be hard to hear your friends.

Although they don’t yet serve food from the kitchen, they offer pork pies and scotch eggs, and vegetarian versions of both (my friend enjoyed the veggie scotch egg). They also have cashew nuts in jars, flavoured with either salt and pepper or chilli. This, as well as Furrows crisps, meant that we didn’t go hungry.

Opening hours are currently 4pm – close on weekdays, and 12pm - close at weekends. No doubt when the workmen have left and the kitchen has come on stream, these hours will be extended.

Altogether, the Red Lion has got off to a promising start, and is already attracting a good crowd through the doors. With the addition of noise-muffling drapes around the window, disabled access, and of course hot meals, it would be an even better venue.


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