College Arms

Irish Charm Meets Authentic Thai Delight

Nestled away a hop, skip, and a jump from bustling Oxford Street, The College Arms renders itself as a surprising confluence of refinery and folksy charm, capturing the essence of an Irish pub serving potent potions of Thai cuisine. It’s like the ongoing attempt at elevating fusion dining combined with haphazard scheduling collided with a spirited community center, manifesting in equal parts brilliance and befuddlement. The food? Let’s just say, if you can time your hunger with their hit-or-miss service efficiency, Chef Simon provides flavors that warmly whisper Dublin whilst shouting Bangkok – it’s daring, and worth an impatient shuffle or two off your edge.

But now, let’s mull around amongst the patrons, where attention swings drastically between the saintly, ever-bounding warmth of the owner, Neville—accompanied adorably by his heart-stealing pooch Penny—and the innate quirks of junior staff fumbling through bottomless brunch disasters. Yet somehow, this inherent chaos dissipates into a both convivial and nostalgic fizz once a particularly well-sculpted pint of Guinness is in hand (best pour I’ve had whilst alighting London—which is a statement). A space cleared of football watchers offers introverts and extroverts alike an arena for liberally swigging craft beers whilst social acumen sharpens over menus rumored more pretentious than fulfilling on late bustling weekends. In said spirit, brace for bouts of mediocrity enhanced with nurturing attempts, perhaps best savored in segments: fantastic ales upfront and divine Irish-induced buzz firmly blurring any midday shadows. — Milo Tastemaker