After a very
disappointing visit to the Bree Louise in Euston, we decided we'd
head towards Islington or that direction at least. Maybe stopping off
somewhere along the way at a roughly halfway point, after all,
Islington is up the hill from Kings Cross.
Approaching St Pancras
I decided that we should 'pop in' to The Betjeman Arms. I didn't
actually know that was it's name, simply that it is nestled in the
corner of the station. A sort 'Al Fresco' dining area separated from
the platform by a glass wall, an actual outdoor area overlooking the
entrance to Kings Cross Station and the Euston road and then a couple
of dining and boozing areas indoors. I would class it as a swanky
modern pub/restaurant encased in the classic architecture and
interior you would expect to see in such a grand and recently
renovated London landmark that is the old St Pancras Station and
Hotel.
I didn't know how my
uncle felt but I was so damn hungry by this point. Remembering that I
hadn't had a pie and pint that I'd been thinking about for so long.
After my disgusting kebab shop burger I'd unfortunately devoured the
night before, I felt I needed to fulfil my urge for a bloody good
burger and give it another shot.
First things first, I
ordered a couple of pints. They had Camden Pale Ale on tap so I went
for that, a guaranteed good pint. I took a tenner (£10 note) out of
my wallet thinking that should be a sufficient amount to cover the
cost of 2 pints. How wrong I was. The 2 pints came to £10.50. I hear
people complaining on a regular basis about over £4 a pint, I have
recently spent as much as £4.84 on a pint but £10.50 for two. You
don't need to be a mathematician to work out that that is an insane
amount. What has the World/London come to?
Given the pubs
location, their demographic and just how posh the whole place was. I
conceded. I bit my lip and got on with more pressing matters, by
taking a sip.
I got my wish, albeit
second best and ordered a burger. Frank went for sweet potato
falafels and a side of chips. It took over half an hour to come out.
Actually thinking about it, if I hadn't made it known that we were
waiting we may have never received our food. When it finally arrived
at our table it was mountainous. The burger held together by a large
wooden handled steak knife, served on a small wooden chopping board
with tiny little jars filled with various sauces, the kind of single
use ones you get jam and marmalade in at fancy hotels. It looked
delectable, as you would expect or hope for £11.95. I heard the
falafels were good but hands down, the star of the show were Frank's
hand cut big fat old chips. I never had any but from what he said and
the noises he made when eating them I figured it out. If it hadn't
been for the little jam jar things it may not have been so enjoyable even though it is a right pain in the bottom trying to get the last little driblet of sauce out.
A prodigious selection
of what looked like handmade condiments, good beer and the almost
painfully noisy yet relaxing Eurostar trains concluded an overall
great meal. We finished up and left for our final pub destination for
the evening.
All things considered, the pub is definitely worth a visit
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