Red Lion Bushey

Delectable Dishes and Exceptional Staff Await!

Recent adventures took me to the Red Lion in Bushey, a place as cheery as its name suggests, and one that has locals raving. A haven for hearty pub classics, let’s first talk about the Sunday roast—a veritable feast. The portions are generous, with roast beef cooked to tender perfection, though I’d say there's room for more carrots. You get unlimited roast potatoes and Yorkshires, which felt delightfully indulgent. And yes, the lamb shank, reportedly a showstopper, was indeed fabulous; the meat fell apart like gossip over an unexpected second glass of wine. There's fish and chips here that put dedicated chippies to shame, crisped batter encasing pearly white treasures, to be washed down with a pint. (Do ask Matt for his view on the best brew—he's got a touch for pulling your pint just right.)

However, as quaint as the Red Lion is, it's not without its quirks. The overall ambience manages to be both inviting and somewhat in need of a fresh coat of paint, a touch grubby at times with tales of scattered glasses in need of timely collection. The warmth extends beyond temperature, thanks chiefly to the staff who know hospitality better than their own drink menu. Despite the odd hiccup with slow orders or missteps with parking fines—the bane of many a confused patron—the atmosphere thrives. Amazing customer service sets this local apart, particularly from the watchful Lizzie with specs, who's possibly too metaphorically prickly, like a jolted porcupine, according to some less fortunate visitors. Yet, toss in a dog-friendly policy and a cozy garden area, and you’ve got plenty of reason to pull up a chair and linger over a grape—or two—and a conversation. This friendly pub certainly leaves its mark, and perhaps with a little TLC, it might even rival its bigger-city counterparts. — Milo Tastemaker