The Blackfriar

I dined here on the 17th of September 2023. When I got here I was unsure what to do - sit down by a table? Wait to get seated? I wanted to dine, but did not know if they served food at any table - or just in the back labelled “Dining room”. I am sure I looked a bit lost - and despite that the bartenders/waitresses looked at me - no one did anything. So I finally asked at the bar. And they were quite confused. I got sat by a table after a few minutes - but the table was flooded in beer from previous customers, so after a few minutes I moved to a different table - less dirty - and cleaned that my self with napkins from the bar. I ordered my food and beer at the bar. Got the beer once poured and the food was served within a few minutes. Very good in that front. The food - a Steak & Nicholson Pale Ale Pie - was an absolute winner. Very tasty. And of course a pint of Guinness goes well with any English food - also the pie. The whole food experience in this old charming building from 1875 was a clear winner - despite the confusion in the beginning - and despite for me having to clean the table myself. If you come by - definitely drop by - if for nothing else then a beer and the experience.

We enjoyed our first meal in London in this @nicholsonspubs hotel, The Blackfriar. The pub itself was built in 1875 where the Medieval friary previously existed. It references jolly monks throughout the interior in mosaics, and of course the black friar guarding the front of the pub itself. The food was everything I imagined British pub food to be, tasty and hearty comfort food. I had the steak and ale pie which had a golden crust and was filled with delicious piping hot steak filling. The vegetable accompaniments were cooked beautifully and very fresh. Our party also enjoyed sausages and mash, cheese and bacon burger, fish and chips with mushy peas and garlic butter schnitzel. Everything was very good. London is experiencing some very hot weather and the pub was definitely not designed for this so it was uncomfortably hot. We ended up taking our drinks outside to enjoy where it was much nicer temperature wise. If you are after a hearty meal with a lovely British pub atmosphere then I recommend The Blackfriar.