Crown & Sceptre

Charming Pub, Superb Service, Delicious Cuisine

Ah, nestled in a charming little corner of London, this pub embraces you with a hearty 'hello!' akin to an old mate you haven’t seen in ages. The staff is demonstrably upbeat, armed with genuine smiles, as they waft between checking tables and cracking cheerful banter like mother hens watching over their brood of food-loving customers. The rustically cosseted interiors are teetering on that nostalgia-laden tightrope between almost-boutique and almost-bare, offering a gruff embrace that is anything but pretentious. It's decidedly excellent for those tapped out from the wallet-wobbling boutique eateries of Kensington High Street and Holland Park Avenue; right here, price tags sit comfortably parallel with the unassuming and frankly delicious culinary offerings.

Yet, it cannot be ignored that noticeable holes pepper the overall experience, much like unsightly dents in a vintage Jaguar (the illusion of Gerard Depardieu cameoing and placing a matching air of je ne sais quoi glosses over that instantly). Picture this: tender morsels of Beef Bourguignon weaving into your system with just enough aroma and succulence to overpower the odd flash of a less-than-favorite memory starring a mouse on a dinner strike (squeaky feasting sentiments one might reserve for another kind of review indeed!). Outside meanders the London road, a perpetual hum, yet inside of this heartwarming sanctuary, comfort resides snugly with unintimidating character veering over visible blemishes that thereby become quite embracable. It's love at first sight or flavor, served sans spinach, yet won't stop savory tortillas sashaying across a pleasing plate for a closing gourd-thumping finale. Cheers to mixed-reality comfort at its quaintest form! — Milo Tastemaker