A few of our favorite things: Old pubs, old friends

This one tops Nicholas' favorites list. We've enjoyed getting to know some of London's most historic and cozy pubs, a few of which we are lucky to have right in our neighborhood and are best enjoyed with old friends (also in our neighborhood, in fact just across the street).





You can't swing a cat without hitting a pub in London, but not all are created equal. Here are Nicholas' reviews of our favorites (and a few photos, where possible. Low lighting is what makes these pubs great, but near impossible to shoot in a surreptitious, untouristy manner!).

Earl of Lonsdale
-The best place for a cold pint after walking Portobello. Great lounge area
with a fireplace and cheap cheap food and beer. Where we first met George.

Portobello Gold
-On Portobello, right across from the Earl of Lonsdale. Live music on
Sundays that always seems to feature a great band. Excellent staff and a parade of eccentric, but friendly, locals that are in there every night, as well as Bella, the 15 year-old pub dog.


(she often sings along).

This past weekend, we discovered the Smokey Angle Shades, who are coincidentally performing at SXSW this March. Their sound is 60s-ish, sort of a blend of the Band and British invasion? They were excellent and we hope to check out their show when they're in town (you guys should too).





Churchill Arms
-Pub right down Kensington Church St. themed after, you guessed it, the man
himself. Excellent and cheap Thai food served in the back, traditional
English pub in the front with incredible décor all around. Winston
Churchill night with people dressed in period garb and an authentic
look-a-like speaker was especially memorable. Not to mention the free fish
and chips.

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese
-One of the oldest pubs in London hailing from right after the Great Fire.
Past clientele to tip back a pint of Sam Smith's include such literary icons
as Voltaire, Dickens and Twain. Had a great evening nestled in the cellar
with Eric, Ben and Eliot from the UT program, Jamie and Lisa.


Fuller Arms
-The pub with maybe the best view in London looking out over the Thames toward the Millennium Bridge and St. Paul's Cathedral. Large flame lamp heaters decorate the front deck. Met our friends from Cinque Terre, Richard and Tessa here for a pint.

The Cow
-Gastropub in northern Notting Hill. Excellent food ranging from fresh oysters (their specialty) to haggis to savory venison pies. Also not a bad bar on the front with a patio.

Windsor Castle
-Another old one located on the border between Kensington and Notting Hill.
Back in the day you could see Windsor Castle in the distance from the roof
of the pub giving it its name. An old stop for farmers coming to market in
the city, its also reputed to be the final resting place of Thomas Payne's
bones after his son bartered them to pay his bar tab. Good food enjoyed
here by all our wonderful guests who visited us and even a celebrity
sighting one quiet evening (Claire Danes).



The Prospect of Whitby
-The oldest pub we went to in any country, this one has been around since the 1500s on the banks of the Thames. Maybe the prettiest pub we've been in, worth the visit if you are anywhere near Wapping.


The Argyll Arms:
Just off Regent Street (literally outside the Oxford St. tube), this one is a surprising gem in tourist hell. It's a true Victorian pub with great food, a great stop if you're out shopping the high streets, or maybe had enough of them. We were eating here today and saw the snow start to fall in huge fat flakes while Silent Night played in the background. My wife started crying (she doesn't want to leave).