As with restaurants, we relied on our tried and true pubs on this visit. Our new discovery was The Boot in Bloomsbury. It appealed to us because it hadn't been tarted up, it had Irish beers, and very clearly served a local and regular clientele. We intended to return for dinner--they had traditional pub dinners, the sort we rarely find any longer. Gammon is listed on their menu--I probably wouldn't order it myself, but still it's nice to see! We simply ran out of time. We'll definitely go back...and I'll carry along my digicam!
We crossed a portion of London in order to spend time at this, our former local in Shepherd's Market. Shepherd's Tavern, in Hertford Street, serves a good lunch as well as fine ales. This pub dates from the 18th century.
The bar at Shepherd's Tavern.
Heaven in a glass! I've always been a cider drinker and rejoice that it's more commonly found than it used to be. Strongbow is on tap nearly everywhere now, but sometimes I pine for Scrumpy Jack. Bulmers is good, too. What I really miss is "real" cider, from the West Country.
A few steps away from Shepherd's Tavern is Ye Grapes. This has the distinction of being the second pub I ever visited in London, long ago during my student days. (The first was The Swan, in Bayswater, my local when I lived near Lancaster Gate.)
Still life with Guinness, Strongbow, and Nuts.
The walls are decorated with trophies of game animals and game birds, and taximdermy fish. Printed on the cases is the information about where the fish was caught, on which date, and the type of lure used.
More fish, and a flower picture. Like the Shepherd, and so many other old pubs, this one has been painted and redecorated.
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