The Establishment

BoatLady ( 30s, Female, South Chelsea )

I was expecting more of a cosy pub given the old-school sounding name and the pictures of the Highland inspired decor, but this large, open-plan bar has more in common with the likes of Babel on Northcote Road than traditional boozers. I suspect the atmosphere changes hugely depending on the day and time. Saturday night buzzes with a young-ish crowd gearing up for a big night, especially in the bar area. I imagine there's a slightly more sedate clientele midweek, here for the food and happy to pay the high prices. The menu is all traditional English fare which looks appealing but is on the expensive side, witness the inclusion of a Chateaubriand for 2 for £45. My sirloin steak was tasty, cooked to medium rare perfection, and sides of chunky chips and seasonal greens were well executed. We had a reasonable bottle of Argentinian Malbec and shared a cheeseplate (with a glass of dessert wine) but still £51 seems expensive for what is essentially a pub meal. Whilst service isn't always perfect it is friendly enough to make up for any minor deficiencies (like needing to be prompted to bring over our chips which have been sitting on the counter for a few minutes). Good food but pick your time to come here wisely. I'm told by my friend who is a regular that this is a great venue for brunch and for summer evening drinks.