Eating & Drinking Guide 2009
”The Queens is big enough to contain a large pub bar with plenty of comfortable corners & a spacious dining room. The menu is an enjoyable mix of gastro pub faves & more individual adventures. The baked sole with new potatoes & savoy cabbage was exceptional. The wine list is interesting & well priced. Friendly staff work hard to keep customers returning”
Review by Stephen Farmer
01/02/2010 “A favourite of all those Crouch Enders lucky enough to have it on their doorstep, The Queens is a magnificent pub serving up great food, good beers and an incredibly warm atmosphere. The Venue: Just down the road from the famous clock tower and in the heart of Crouch End, the sumptuous authenticity of the Victorian exterior continues inside, with dark woods, cosy nooks, stained glass windows and almost impossibly high ceilings. Whilst you are eating however, you can enjoy the spectacle of seeing your food expertly cooked from a huge open kitchen whose contemporary chrome fittings offer an apt juxtaposition of what makes the Queens so appealing, namely great modern cooking in an authentic, original setting. The Atmosphere it’s predominantly relaxed and friendly, and even the slightly more formal feel to the restaurant area is offset by cheery, well informed staff who seem more than happy to have a chat if needs be. The bar, however, is the stuff of Sunday dreams; perfect for an afternoon of reading the papers, nursing hangovers and making the far-too-easy-to-make mistake of carrying on until it’s too late and you’re drunk and it’s closing time. The Food: Don’t go to The Queens expecting fine dining fare, this is a place where relatively uncomplicated dishes are done superbly, with fresh, good quality ingredients and more often than not, very generous portions sizes. The menu is hardly expansive either but when the execution is this good, it really doesn’t matter. The Drink: Testament to The Queens equal emphasis on both its pub and dining room, the drinks list is varied, and indeed every bit as impressive as the food. The Last Word: It’s easy to see why The Queen’s is still so popular with Crouch End locals but don’t let them have it all to themselves, get to Finsbury Park, jump on a bus and enjoy one of the capital’s best boozers.”
The Queens enters Time out London’s top 50!
“The refurbishment of this ornate Victorian pub raised the gastro game in Crouch End, and the pretty stained-glass, dark wood panelling and cream floral plasterwork continues to look spick and span, maintained by friendly staff. Tables laid with wine and water glasses, and yellow roses in bud vases lend a smart edge to the dining room, distinguishing it from the equally good-looking bar. It’s a large place, and to encourage steady custom there are draws such as ‘fast and fresh’ lunch dishes (a choice of three for just a fiver). Breaded plaice with hand-cut chips and tartare sauce was generous and well executed, and less than half the price of the beer-battered haddock on the regular menu. Apart from being given the wrong ice-cream with our sticky toffee pudding, we had no complaints, and enjoyed watching chefs going about their business in the small open kitchen. Thirst-quenching drinks include Crabbies alcoholic ginger beer, and watermelon daiquiri, while wine appreciation extends to an annual summer rose festival. Among the hand-pumped ales are Adnams Gunhill (a dark, ruby beer), Wells Bombardier and Sharp’s Doom Bar. The coffee is good too. The Queens is part of the Food & Fuel group; not all its members are gastro pubs, but we recommend the Roebuck in Chiswick (stylish, yet good for families) and Chelsea stalwart Lots Road Pub & Dining Room”
Hornsey Journal
London 24 Food and Drinks Awards
Fresh locally sourced ingredients have helped a Crouch End pub take the Best Gastro title in the restaurant awards.
The Queens Pub in Broadway Parade is as well known for its airy dining room as it is for the welcoming atmosphere and sweeping Victorian bar.
And the quality of produce cooked up for the customers has helped the dining room secure the coveted gastro gong.
The dining room makes a point of informing customers where food is sourced from and its all fresh and made on the premises. Thats why people like it. The menu changes often to use seasonal produce and the kitchen is visible so you can enjoy the chefs at work!