Tea Time in Wonderland

Posts Tagged ‘pub’

The British are not particularly known for their cooking talents nor for their gourmet-attitude. They do however have nice traditions such as Sunday lunches down their local pubs…

Living in Farnborough – a very boring dorm-town – I haven’t really had a chance to enjoy a lovely roast dinner in a welcoming pub. We’re kind of lacking those around – let alone child friendly ones.

For that kind of situations, I know no better solution than blogger friends. Mindlegap certainly has quite a few addresses in stock!

We meet at the Black Swan, amidst the countryside. Lovely wooden notes, showing timbers, naturel light, lots of space between the tables, a few antiques here and there to give a nostalgic touch such as this wonderful old style cash-register. Modern and pure lines you expect to find in a gastropub bu a home feeling. As soon as you step in, a welcoming chimney, comfy armchairs in case your table is not ready yet and a pile of board games.

The place has an extraodinary feel good effect. Families do know the place – plenty of children and babies around. We’ll stay 3 hours and a half, chatting the afternoon away with not even a frown from the staff, our kids happily playing around the table.

The menu has a lovely range of British classics -  huge plates for the sunday roast (the lamb is fab), but also excellent fishcakes, wonderful mashes potatoes with spring onions…. and so much to try! Mindlegap strongly recommends the cheese platter. The bread and butter pudding is to die for -  although you could easily share it, I struggled to finish my very large portion! Oh and do steal a spoonful of chocolate-hazelnut icecream from the kids…

Plenty of tables outside for the sun days to come. A few countryside paths around too and a forest a few minutes drive away for a walk.

The place is so pleasant that time just flies. I can picture myself there every Sunday… But do book, as it is quite successful!

The Black Swan
Old Lane
Ockham
Surrey
KT11 1NG

It’s so easy and pleasant to lose yourself within London. Turning here to have a look at this building or there to contemplate a sculpture…

That’s exactely how I stumbled upon the 7 stars, right behing the Royal Court of Justice.

A quaint old fashioned pub, so atmospheric, a little eccentric, law themed posters on the walls, a shelf of books, a log fire… and amazing curiosities windows on the street side.

This one dates back to 1602, one of the rare buildings to have escaped the Great Fire (go to the Monument to learn more!). Weekdays, you’ll meet lawyers aplenty there… and maybe Tom Paine, le local pub cat.

Dishes are simple but delicious. No menu, have a look at the specials board instead. I love to stop there for lunch. Choices vary daily. saudages and mash, oyseters, soup, a cold meat or cheese board… Nice selection of ales and wines too. Prefer the week-end for a quieter time.

Seven stars
53-54 Carey Street
London
W2C2A 2JB4

Love historical pubs? Try the Mitre!

Fancy find a piece of Cambridgeshire whithin London? Come with me – it’s the Mitre pub you need.

You see the sign from a distance, lonly on the pavement, amost suspended in the trees.. Turn right in a narrow corridor – 25 m long! – to find it. You can picture it in a Harry Potter book, hidden away, full of mysteries and wizards.

Very near still stand a spendid palace where the bishops of Ely used to stay when coming to London for business. Stories of the time decribe gorgeous gardens, fountains,  orchards and even vines. They were so proud of it they built a wall to separate it from ugly London. It was even decided it would come under Cambridgeshire’s jurisdiction.

In 1546, the original Mitre is built as a drinking place for the servants working at Ely’s Place. In 1772, it is briefly detroyed only to be rebuilt as an exact copy.

In 1576, Elisabeth I’s favourite, Christopher Halton, succeeds to get possession of half the building. A cherry tree is decided for the limit separating the grounds. The Queen is said to have danced the Maypole around it. Truth or romance? Anyway, a part of it is still preciously preserved.

The pub is usually closed when I walk by… The palace has long been sold to the crown of course. Cambridgeshire has given the rights back to the borough of Camden of course. But this public house prefers to keep with the old rules and still closes at 10.00pm…

Ye Old Mitre
1, Ely Court
Ely Place
London, EC1N 6SJ
Tube: Chancery lane

Parce que c’est LE pub de Southbank. Idealement place, sur les bords de la Tamise, a deux pas de la Tate Modern.
Parce que la terrasse propose des couvertures s’il fait froid (et des radiateurs exterieurs en hiver).

Because it is THE pub on Southbank. Right above the Thames, just a few steps before the Tate Modern.
Because the terrasse proposes blankets for chilly evenings or cold says (and radiators in winter)

Parce qu’on y boit une biere brune aux notes de cacao excellente (meme pour moi qui ai horreur de la biere).
Because their Double Chocolate Stout is to die for (and I do even not like beer).

Parce qu’on aime, lorsque la nuit tombe, s’installer en terrasse, commander des planches de charcuterie, de fromage, de poisson… et regarder les lumieres s’allumer autour de St Paul…
Because it’s the best place for a chat with friends, or even a romantic date… Just order one of their plancha with meet, chees or fish… and watch the lights twinkling little by little on St Paul and in the City…

Parce qu’on n’y entend pas la circulation et qu’on s’y sentirait presqu’en vacances!
Because you can’t hear the traffic there and you almost feel on holiday…

A tester aussi: la Waggledance, une biere aux notes de miel. Ou la Banana bread beer!
Also to be tested and liked: the Waggledance, with honey notes. Or the Banana bread beer!

Founders Arms
52 Hopton Sr
Bankside
London
SE1 9JH
Planches (genereux) : £11.60 – £13.60
Chopping boards (generous size) : £11.60 – £13.60
4 plats pour enfants disponible (puree-saucisses, pates…): £4.75-£4.95
4 kids meals available (sausage-mash, pasta…): £4.75-£4.95