Island Queen, City Road  

After a long period in the wilderness, the Island Queen's decline was reversed a few years back when Mitchells and Butlers took the time, care and patience to make this a pub to be proud of. The beer line-up is up to the good usual M&B standard: Pride, Landlord and Deuchars on the hand pumps, with Kolsch, Fruli, Leffe, Hoegaarden, Staropramen and de Konninck all on draft. The wine list is small but perfectly formed, while the food is good, standard upmarket pub fare. Architecturally, it's fantastic here - high ceilings, etched glass, and dark, worn wood are the hallmarks of this quality establishment. The pub's popularity makes it tricky to find a seat at the usual times - Friday after work is particularly bad - but upstairs hosts extra seating to take the strain. It's in need of a lick of paint now, though; were not sure why they changed the previous exterior of black and gilding to an odd shade of badly sun-faded red instead, but they did. Still, this is certainly a grand pub we at Fancyapint? can heartily recommend.

reviewed:
17/04/2008

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

real ales

function room for hire

a few seats outside

quiz night Tuesday

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