BJK&E Debate - Best Summer Lunch Venues
Now the Summer sun is finally shining - at least for a week - some of my old lunchtime haunts are looking a little bit dark and dejected. It could be time to move onto places lighter and brighter…. being new to Holborn in the Summer where are the best places to indulge in a spot of outdoors media lunching?
My impressions to date:
Truckles : Very close but it’s overpriced, under-portion-sized and refuses to allow outside reservations.
The Old Crown: This is probably my favourite local pub but the comforting winter exterior looks a bit dark and gloomy in the summer sunshine. Easier to get a table mind you.
The Plough: Again nearby with some outdoor seating (which gets over the slightly stale inside smell - to put it nicely) but the road tends to get covered in shade by the buildings and lets face it, unless you want your food fried not a culinary classic.
Collective media thoughts on nearby alternatives?
May 12th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
We once ordered a Ploughman lunch at the Plough and instead of the stated ‘fresh crusty bread’ it came with a burger bun! Avoid.
May 12th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
My favourite is the more traditional picnic in park idea. Bloomsbury Square has all that you need. Nip down to Sainsbury’s, pick up a couple of salad nibbles or sandwiches and park yourself in the middle of the grass, shut your eyes and imagine you’re miles away. Just remember to wake up and get back to the office!
May 13th, 2008 at 9:27 am
Pizza Express has seating outside, however the smell wafting from the nearby drains could put you off your food. I agree with Louise, although I prefer Pure California salads and a nice relaxing spot of sun bathing in Bloomsbury Square.
May 13th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
I do like the Old Crown - although I agree with Milly that it’s more of a cozy winter pub. There is always the option to crowd around the 2 outdoor tables with everyone else and shout over the traffic, watching bendy buses drift by with chilled pint in hand. (I don’t recommend the cocktails there!)
I’m with the girls- nothing more relaxing than lying in the park at lunch.
May 13th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
For a bit of upscale only-if-a-media-owner’s-paying spot of al fresco, what about The Montague on the Gardens hotel on, strangely, Montague St?
They do a £30 per head bbq (gulp!) on a terrace overlooking a private garden. There’s also outdoor fine dining, apparently.
http://www.montaguehotel.com/dining/dining-choices/al-fresco
May 13th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
There is that place in Lincoln Inns Fields (or whatever it is called) was quite good… you can watch the loons running around playing tennis, whilst you sip Pimms… I agree though Milly, as lovely as the square at Truckles is, the bar managers are about as rude and annoying as I have ever met. She put me right off my food… quite an achievement really….
June 6th, 2008 at 9:18 am
http://www.visitlondon.com/attractions/eat/great-outdoors-eating
A great guide to outdoor eating