Kensington Arms, Kensington  

We always had a soft spot for this one. It wasn't flash, it wasn't foodie and it certainly wasn't what you'd expect off the side of High Street Kensington. We thought such a regular boozer wouldn't be long for this world and so it has proved, as this one - just like its near neighbour the Britannia - has been remodelled and upgraded. The makeover has produced a stark and bright interior, reminiscent of style bars from the turn of the (twenty-first) century. The one aspect that's remained the same is the multi-screens for the sport, though they're now clustered around the bar leaving the back of the pub free to operate as more of a dining space. The pub has strong Cornish connections now, with landscapes photos on the wall, Cornish beers behind the bar and Cornish food on the menu. Those beers are from Sharp's Brewery (IPA and Doom Bar) and they're rare sights in London. All in all, an intriguing mix but it's one that slowly won us over. And you can fairly say - unlike many pubs which claim the accolade - there's nothing quite like this one around. Though did we really see the Cornish Pasty on the menu priced at £8?

reviewed:
14/01/2006

pub features:(click on an icon to see an explanation)

Sky TV (small screens)

WiFi hotspot

Link to your pub's web site