Duke on the Green
Give this beer a go: Honestly, the only “unique” thing they’ve got on tap is Beavertown Necker, which we could argue isn’t very unique. But they’ve got some bottles in the fridge, so go on - give the Anchor Steam a try. It’s an amber lager - a bit heavier than the lagers that are coming out lately, but I like it.
The beer. To be kind of blunt about it, there isn’t really anything particularly special about the beer here. The options on tap are standard, so if you are trying to venture out and try new things, this isn’t the place… pop across the green to the Sloaney to get a bit more of a selection. They do however have some decent bottles in the fridge. In addition to the wide cider selection, they’ve got Anchor Steam, Ram Rod, Goosehead IPA, so you can satisfy your hipster urge to get a craft IPA if required.
The ambiance. That being said, although this isn’t exactly a beer-lover’s heaven, it is a pub that has a nice decor and cozy feel inside. There is also a little patio off the main road with tables and chairs, but most of it is restricted to the dining area, so there’s not a ton of allocated space if you’re just having drinks. The inside setup is kind of weird, as there is a long narrow area with high table seating right by the bar, so can make for a really crowded (and not super easy access) to actually order a beer. A pro to this, though, is that it keeps the main area of the bar less crowded. There’s also a lot of seating, with a mix of tables and chairs and big comfy armchairs thrown in the mix, which makes it a nice place for a date. The fact that it isn’t super loud and you can find a little bit of a corner makes it decent for a more intimate setting.
The food. The food here is OK. Actually kind of surprising, considering half the pub is an actual restaurant. I haven’t had a roast here, so this is purely based on a Thursday evening bite to eat. And the verdict is... It’s typical pub fare… nothing super to write home about. They do, however, have mac & cheese, which is pretty good, and I’m always partial to a good mac & cheese dish. I got the prawns starter as a main, but it tasted really fishy, and I ended up just having a couple pieces and then dining on the mac & cheese side as my meal! Based on my Thursday evening experience, I probably wouldn't dine in again unless I was in urgent need of something to line my stomach.
And the wrap up. All in all, it’s a nice pub, and has a decent vibe, but if you’re in Parsons Green or Fulham area, unless it’s your local and on your way home, I wouldn’t necessarily go out of my way to go to this one. I’m convinced there is a bit of an overflow crowd - “the Sloaney and Jam Tree are a little bit crowded, and since we’re in the area, let’s just go here” kind of mentality. I’m not against going in for one, but there are definitely other draws in the area that would take my attention before this one.
Avg price per pint: £5.70
