3rd October 2008
Frank, burgers and other stuff
Okay, now what's the plan if you go to a restaurant that is average and knows it, but does it well at least? If it executes well, can it reach the heights? Or, much like the new Olympic Gymanstics scoring system, does it have a maximum potential score depending on its difficulty level? So many quasi-existential issues in this game...or something like that...
Anyway, The Queens does a job. Come lunchtime the day after a big event, it seems we head to this Primrose Hill pub for a burger. Occasionally in the past the service has been truly horrific, but the staff and the kitchen have changed in the last year and it's pretty decent these days.
The menu is fine but unexciting - burger, club sandwich, fish 'n' chips, cobb salad, linguine, chicken. Upstairs it feels a bit more gastro-y with posher mirrors and patterned upholstery, while downstairs has a more pubby feel. The wine list doesn't really get the blood pumping either.
So i'll stop skirting around the main issue. The food is fine. It isn't cheap and it isn't brilliant. The burger can be meaty and juicy. The club sandwich is fine. Chips with both are entirely reasonable. It's just that you might not bother unless you're worn out or hungover. Or if it's sunny - there's a tiny but lovely terrace upstairs which looks out over the park. You can munch your bread and meat combo and watch Liam Gallagher or Jules Oliver wandering past below.
But back to Winter...and lunch today. We left with the distinct feeling that the two high points of the meal were the feeling of stomachy fullness and the Frank Sinatra soundtrack which had everyone humming along. But that's okay and it hits 3 stars with flying colours. It's like it came 7th in the rythmic gymnastics - it's not going to get much time on the BBC highlights show. That said, we 'come fly-ed with me' all the way back to the office and the afternoon didn't look so bad at all.
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