The Prince Arthur

Words by Simon Difford on 20-Jun-2015

The Prince Arthur image 1

Address: 95 Forest Road, (corner Elrington Rd), London, E8 3BH, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)20 7249 9996
Email: office@theprincearthurlondonfields.co.uk
Website: view The Prince Arthur’s website
Door: Open door/walk-ins
Style: Gastro pub
Food: Set menu
Established: 2015

Review

The Prince Arthur
On an upwardly mobile residential street in deepest Hackney, the Prince Arthur is a great example of an old boozer given a new lease of live by passionate and imaginative owners who recognise good food as an essential part of their offering.

The interior is best described as homily with a mix of sofas and built in fawn leatherette banquettes. Old dining room chairs and bar stools at high tables sin on bare floorboards. Brightly coloured cushions and wall coverings ranging from dark stained wood panelling to blue tiles and mottled cream add visual interest while jar bound candles on each table complete the homely look. An oversize tapped Kilmer jar sits on the corner of the solid old bar counter, allowing patrons to help themselves to iced cucumber infused water.

The food is some of the best we've experienced in any London pub. "White and brown Devon crab, avocado salsa & parmesan" and "Chinese beef salad, coriander & spring onions" are examples of starters. As for mains, we highly recommend the "Arthur Burger" and the "Hampshire pork loin, chorizo and tenderstem broccoli", while the "double-chocolate and peanut butter pie is as rich and satisfying a dessert as it sounds.

The drinks offering is not quite up to the standard of the food but there are four cask conditioned ales on hand-pump with Sambrook's well represented.

Friendly staff and a good choice of music (the likes of The Kinks and Bob Dylan) make this local's pub welcoming to all.