The Jones Family Project, The Three Crowns, The Reliance - Shoreditch

Various near Old Street

I wasn't going to mention The Jones Family Project - a new bar and restaurant opening this month on Great Eastern Street - as I attended a pre-opening party*: not necessarily the best indicator of food, service, or ambience of the place once open. The enthusiastic and polite staff, steak on a stick, and the surprisingly smart interior (yep, The Metro was right - the suits are coming to Shoreditch) changed my mind. I'll be back to try it properly, just keep the dates wrapped in bacon away from me.

Waiting for the party to start freed up some time for one of my favourite pastimes - sitting. Or more specifically, sitting in pubs. The Three Crowns and The Reliance - both crawling distance from Old Street Station - are two great pubs. The former - another smartly dressed venue - gives up more floor-space to food than it does to the bar, creating a cosy atmosphere when busy. There are plenty of seats though and if you can't get a table, you can perch on a stool at the window playing count the fixies and 'spot the red chinos' with the passing traffic on City Road. 

As for The Reliance, I've treated it as a pre-dinner boozer far too often. It just has the look of a pub that pulls a good pint, but if you asked for some food they'd have to blow dust off the microwave. A glance at the chalk-board revealed an enticing menu though - I really should eat there soon.

*Disclaimer: drinks and nibbles at the pre-opening party were provided free-of-charge.

The Weekly - 15 June 2013

Various

Each week I find myself in various pubs, bars, and restaurants that for reasons of time, company, or phone signal I can't flag or comment on. This is an attempt to give those places some recognition.

The Reliance - Old Street, London

Small 'grubby looking' boozer (my friends words, not mine) just around the corner from Hoxton Square with good music, friendly staff, and a host of great beers (just don't ask me to remember them).

Bubbly Bar - Oxford

Don't be fooled by the total absence of customers in the bar - people don't come here to sit inside. Outside, at the back of the building, a homemade lean-to covers a small balcony where locals (and some tourists) shelter throughout the year with shisha. Described by some as 'the most unique place in Oxford'.

Canton Arms - Stockwell, London

Apparently in a previous life this was a pit of a pub. Now gastro-led with an almost separate bar and restaurant, they pull a mean pint - Betty Stogs (4.0%) being my favourite - and offer wild boar, foie gras toasties, and whole legs of lamb to share.

Garden Bar & Restaurant - Latimer Road, London

Possibly Hawaiian themed cocktail bar next to the Hammersmith and City Line. Strangely lacking in knowledge on cocktails, they charge a hefty price to sit in their bamboo-lined garden.

Mau Mau Bar - Portobello Road, London

Serving the best rum punch during the Notting Hill Carnival (source: my mate), this certainly is the 'Bohemian melting pot' it claims to be. Some may be put off by the rowdy looking crowd outside who smell faintly of weed, but it's a friendly vibe inside - even the man with the blazer made of toilet roll said hello. Oh, and they don't take card at the bar.