Friend at Hand Reviews Summary

Location & Atmosphere

Pros:

• "Very great central pub right next to the Russel Square hotels hence very good location for tourists who just want to stop for a beer and a bite to eat."
• "Lovely cosy pub, so well located within a minutes walk from Russell Square tube station and perfect for meeting friends."
• "The atmosphere was great with a full pub and the staff were good too."
• "A delightful island of tranquillity in an ocean of madness. Conveniently located round the corner from Russell Square tube station."
• "Lovely classic British Pub tucked away within Herbrand Street. Great traditional British food."
• "Very traditional bar and the vibe is amazing."
• "This is a gem. We stumbled upon this place as we were catching a train nearby. Great atmosphere and very friendly staff."

Cons:

• "A bit difficult to find a table for dinner as it's always busy."
• "The TV sound was quite loud so conversation was difficult but the atmosphere was still quite good."
• "Live football on TV and very busy."
• "The furniture was a bit wobbly and it could definitely use a lick of paint."
• "With so many great pubs in the area (such as the Lamb, the Calthorpe Arms etc.) it is bordering on sad to see so many people in here."
• "It's only just off the beaten track so it is easy to find and recommended if you're in that part of London."
• "We sat down, liked several items on the menu but no one ever came over."

Food & Drink

Pros:

• "Fantastic fish and chips! One of the less greasy and super fresh ones we have had in London!"
• "The turkey pie (the sauce for the buttered potato is 10/10) and de mac&cheese are very good!"
• "Very good beer (they have Camden brews) and the food was very well cooked."
• "Hands down it was the best fish and chips I had in London."
• "Excellent beer, decent food which for London is reasonaby priced."
• "Fish&Chips was very good."
• "The food was great, the staff friendly, and the beers delicious."

Cons:

• "Although I only tried the Fish and Chips, I can tell you there's nothing special about it."
• "Food was decent but the Nachos were some of the worst nachos I've ever had... They used ketchup as salsa."
• "The meat pie's crust was awful and it's internal temperature was dangerous."
• "This meal was overpriced and less than ordinary. Tasteless, bland and expensive. Rubbish."
• "I got an English breakfast which I thought would be tasty but unfortunately no it was miserable."
• "The vegetables for the bangers and mash were sad and flavorless."
• "The Sunday dinner was absolutely disgusting. Reheated chicken from who knows how long ago, and Yorkshire pudds where like crisps."

Service & Staff

Pros:

• "Food was hot and the landlord (Australian chap?) Was super friendly and made us feel very welcome."
• "Very genuinely accommodating staff who went above and beyond to not only make us feel welcome but also help us decide exactly what we were looking for!"
• "The overall service was great & staff helpful and friendly."
• "Staff are great, good selection of food and drink."
• "Lovely friendly welcome at this pub today. Good food at good prices. The bar staff were great and bent over backwards to give my husband the toastie he wanted!"
• "Booked for our family and was warned it would be busy and noisy. This was true but the service was excellent and the food very good."
• "The staff were really nice, food was good, the atmosphere was great."

Cons:

• "Will be telling our company to not come back to this local anymore."
• "The women's bathrooms are BEYOND noxious."
• "Rather small. But a classic British pub. Closes at 11 pm on Saturdays tho? Tables close to the men's bathroom smells of urine."
• "The staff are rude, the service slow."
• "The manager ?, tall guy + glasses, very unhelpful."
• "He was unaccommodating, rude, mumbled and came across very hostile."
• "I wish 0 stars was an option for these kind of visits. One of the worst pub experiences ever. Never seen as impolite of a manager anywhere, ever."