Tues, 8 March 2016, 1:21 pm: This bounty of beverages, this flotilla of fluids, washed down my first 2016 meal in London, at The Crown Pub and Grill in Southwark.
I’d had nothing to eat or drink since falling asleep on the plane the night before, and by this point I just wanted something in my belly so I could go back to the hotel and take a nap without struggling to sleep through its growling. The “insert food here” choice of nachos was mostly an homage to my first ever London trip. I had them in 2006, so it seemed right to start with them on the tenth anniversary London return.
Coffee was a must (I always feel an absence of caffeine more than any jet lag), but so was taking advantage of the early afternoon price break on beer. And of course I needed water; the rigors of travel dehydrate the body as if you were roaming the Sahara.
Following is my in-depth review of the experience. I’d appreciate a “thumbs up” on my Trip Advisor page.
I ended up here quite unintentionally. Fresh off a plane, little sleep since departing Florida the night before, I needed coffee, beer, and food, preferably in quick succession.
I dropped in at quarter past 1 pm on a Tuesday, and there were exactly zero other customers on premises. If The Crown has a weekday lunch rush, I’d clearly just missed it. The entire place was clean and the woman on duty in the main room/bar area was welcoming.
I wasted no time putting the sign’s “all ales only three pounds from open till 5 pm” boast to the test and was quickly met with a Tribute Cornish Pale Ale, assured by the server that “it’s our best ale.” For only three pounds in a city where pints routinely go for more than twice that, I wasn’t likely to be disappointed. Turns out I didn’t love that beer, but I loved the experience of trying it. When I return there’ll be plenty of different ones I’m sure to like more.
My coffee need was dire enough that I had three cups, each prepared individually and each delicious. At two pounds per round, I’ve never found a better price for good coffee in London.
The proud emblazoning of “Burger Meister” across the front window leaves no doubt that burgers are this pub’s “crown”ing achievement, but my mood leaned toward the crispy so I ordered “Texas Chili Beef nachos: classic beef nachos, with a mountain of nacho chips, lakes of melted cheese, and toppings of sour cream, guacamole, salsa, and jalapenos.” Advised by the helpful server that the large version (9,99) would likely be more than I wanted to eat, I went with the small (7,99) and was glad of it. It’s not fair for me to rate transatlantic nachos when I’m used to eating the authentic Mexican/US southwestern varieties, so let me gingerly categorize The Crown’s nachos as perhaps the British type of spicy. Just as with the beer, I’ll go with another choice next time, and the menu has no shortage of possibilities. Daily lunch specials (including drink) start at 5,95.
Before I left, four older gentlemen came in to occupy a table near me. They received service as expediently as I had, and though one of the guys was less than polite in his clipped requests and comments to the pony-tailed blonde, she remained as friendly to him and his cohorts as she was to me.
I reckon you forsake any claims to be a traditional pub the moment you add mac & cheese and pulled pork to your menu, but The Crown manages to retain a bit of old school feel. I’m sure its pleasant ambience only increases with more customers and more amber nectar flowing.
Had the weather been warmer I’d have surely taken my repast in the outdoor beer garden. I am already having visions of filling that space one night next summer with loads of friends and happily depleting The Crown’s beer supply. And with that generous five hour happy hour, we’ll want the night to start in the early afternoon.
