Thursday, February 19, 2009

pembury Tavern, 190 Amhurst Road, Hackney

   I visited this pub for a birthday do in early February after finding reviews of it on the internet.  It's a large pub that serves a range of real ale and mid priced food.  Most of the real ales come from the Milton brewery  in Cambridge though there is a regularly changing range of guest beers as well.the food menu also changes from day to day though there are some dishes that are always present.  For more details visit the website at
 
My main impression of this pub is that the staff are friendly and service at the bar is excellent.  Food can take a while to arrive but it is generally fresh and of decent quality.  I had pork pie with pickles and salad followed by Thai spiced fish cakes and spicy rice.    Pork pie was decent supermarket quality.  the fish cake was like a large English fish cake but with Thai spices.  I wanted to have some pudding but I was truly stuffed and couldn't eat anymore..  Others tried the sausage and mash and Pork in cider was also on the menu and people seemed to like the food.  Ales were generally well kept and while I have seen larger collections in one pub, this one has enough choice to keep most people going.
 
The atmosphere in this pub is a bit like being in a hall or school gym.  there's a lot of echo and it can be quite hard to hear people over the other side of the table even though there is no music.  It reminds me a little bit of the old Firkin pubs of a few years ago in that way.  All wood, no soft furnishings at all.
 
I was generally impressed with the quality of the beer and the food.  Some of the people there had guide dogs and there was no issue with this at all.  the dogs were welcomed.
 
Over all I give this pub 7 out of 10 and say it is well worth a visit.

No comments: