Something that simply can’t be missed when being in London is visiting a classic British pub. Even though some may feel a little grungy and the opposite of “posh” they’re a lot of fun, and their divey feel is very much a part of their charm.
A few of us from work visited one of these classic pub establishments called the Crown and Goose, in honor of our colleague Kylie’s going away party. She’s getting married soon so we wanted to do a proper send off, as well as to celebrate the holiday season.
Atmosphere:
Located on Arlington Road, which is just off Camden High Street, otherwise known as the main drag in Camden, the Crown and Goose is easy to get to. I like that it rests in a slightly more residential area, which is quieter and much more laid back, suiting us well in the middle of our hectic work day.
The interior showcases a classic pub design with a mahogany bar, and a mix of stool and table seating. There’s an upstairs dining room, which is great for bigger parties, and this is exactly where we sat and conversed. It made for a festive atmosphere, especially when they turned up the music, still to a very comfortable level where we were able to chat with each other easily.
Food:
To be honest, I didn’t have the highest expectations when it came to food since at home, classic pubs or dive bars have pretty standard food. However, Crown and Goose’s gourmet offering pleasantly surprised me, delivering on all levels.
Roasted Duck – Originally ordering the pork belly dish, I was disappointed to find out they no longer had it available. The duck I’m about to describe was actually its substitute, which turned out to be a very happy and delicious happenstance.
Boasting a generous portion of a beautifully roasted duck leg, I truly enjoyed the delectable meat that I dutifully picked off its bones. Another highlight was the crispy skin, which was flavored with a sprinkling of fragrant spices that totally exemplified the holiday season. In terms of sides, the duck was accompanied by an earthy succotash, baked potatoes and string beans, which all worked well together and accentuated the flavors in the duck.
Service and Cost:
Just like in any good neighborhood pub, the service felt casual, friendly, making us relaxed and comfortable. I was impressed with the organization with which the Crown and Goose is run, as we were asked to put in our order ahead of time, so the staff could adequately prep for our large group. All dishes came out in good time and I couldn’t help but have a little food envy when I saw some of the other amazing plates come out, especially the fish and chips.
Costs are moderate to a little expensive by NYC standards, but fit the bill when it comes to London. My roasted duck dish and a cider set me back about 20 pounds or $32.
3 Mmmms
Crown & Goose – 100 Arlington Road, Camden, London NW1 7HP
020 74858008
Underground to Camden Town Station
www.crownandgoose.co.uk
Currently back in London for work, there are plenty of fun culinary finds to explore, including in Camden, the neighborhood where I'm currently residing. For those of you who've been to Camden, you can liken it to a funky, alternative neighborhood such as the East Village in NYC where there's never of shortage of something different and interesting.
On our first night here, my friend and colleague Rebekah and I stumbled upon a pie and mash pop-up shop called Pieminister. I didn't put two and two together that night since it was late in the evening already, but it turns out I've already tried it this summer at Borough Market . This was more than OK with me, as they have tons of fun varieties of meat pies to choose from, so this gave me yet another opportunity to do that.
Atmosphere:
Situated just a few short blocks from the Camden Market food stalls on Chalk Farm Road, the Pieminister pop-up shop is easy to spot, as it's still very much on that main drag. The facade takes your attention right away, as its adorned with a large "Cattle Market" sign with bright pop art of cows and pies in the window. I didn't actually notice the Pieminister branding until I came inside, and shortly after recalled this place from when I visited Borough Market back in August.
The inside is spacious and comfortable with plenty of communal seating in two separate dining areas. Loving the playfully colorful decor, there's a lot of bright reds, yellows and overall fun pop-ey design that makes the atmosphere cheerfully playful. I stopped in during lunchtime and was happy to see that it wasn't overly crowded, allowing me to have a pretty peaceful respite.
Meat Pies:
Since I tried a beef based pie last time, I wanted something lighter and went with the Chicken of Aragon. Filled with free range British chicken, smoked bacon and tarragon it was oh so flavorful and comforting. The crust was well done and golden on top, and at the last minute, I decided to pour the whole thing over with some meaty gravy. The latter totally did the trick and enhanced the pie overall, as I remember the one I had this summer being tasty but a tad bit dry. I'd highly recommend this particular pie, as it's not too heavy, and the portion was a good one for lunch - no sides needed.
Service and Cost:
The staff here is really friendly and attentive. After ordering my pie and leisurely sitting down at one of the big tables, my food was brought to me in a mere 5 minutes. My pie was beautiful, fresh and piping hot.
Each pie will set you back 4.50 pounds (or $6.50). If you add another 50 pence on to that, you'll get the gravy too, so for about $8, you'll get yourself a very tasty and satisfying lunch.
3 Mmmms
Pieminister Pop-Up Shop - 21-22 Chalk Farm Road, Camden London NW1 8AG
07582390124
Northern Line Tube to Camden Town
www.pieminister.co.uk
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