28th May 2007
Unusual - Good
I dig this place, it's a little bit indie, a little bit shabby and has a whole lotta love. In the backstreets of Angel amongst grand white town houses and opposite the local sky pen for children (a school with a roof top playground) it stands big and purple. They serve a great selection of drinks from London Pride to Frli and my new lunch time knock out favourite: Westons Cider (and Brothers by the bottle if I've got important things to do in the afternoon).
The food is more reasonably priced than it's neighbour the Narrow Boat (fish'n'chips 7.50) and the staff are sweeter and care more about your experience (and have a lot more character). The menu is an curious collection of Mexican, Welsh and traditional English.. with big plates, burgers, sandwiches, deserts and things to share.
We had a lunch of lamb and beef burgers, the chicken club sandwich and a pie, all were quite heavy on the saturated fats but tasted good, I grilled the chap serving, and then took ages to decide (yes the bar staff are patient) on his recommendation of the stout and beef pie. Subsequently I won the food pick of the table, and learnt how to pronounce mange tout while nibbling on seriously succulent steak in gravy.
The burgers were a little unusual but good and the shared platter and quesdillas are great drinking partners. There's an upstairs lounge and dining room, which is non-smoking and would be great for rainy days and functions. On the stairs up are chalk-written random facts and odes to alcohol, which is a nice touch.
They have quiz nights and comedy, and outside seating, and I can't forget the giant chandeliers and ample seating downstairs.
This place kind of feels like a grotty old pub that was found and loved by an eccentric indie music/book type. He/she wears thick glasses, and enjoys a good drink and company, wears wool and often corduroy, and in their absentminded way, adores their slightly oddball staff encouraging them to be themselves.... The Island Queen is absolute quality in the over designed chic of Angel.
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(9/9 found this review helpful)
