This is our favourite pub bistro in Balmain, located also in our favourite pub. Beef was cooked to perfection in the open kitchen, waiter was really knowledgeable and value was great for quality.
I love a lazy Sunday afternoon at The London, but had never tried the bistro until last weekend. I went in with the expectation that the food would have to be pretty good to stack up against the legendary London Burger.
We found great food, served in a warm and friendly environment. My boyfriend is still raving about his Pork Cutlets, and I really enjoyed my Mushroom Risotto. I was also surprised at just how busy it was for a Sunday afternoon (and also very pleased that I didn't have to negotiate my way past the 2 birthday parties next to us at any point during the meal), but I don't feel that the service suffered at all.
Really enjoyed watching the action from the open kitchen too!
This review is about the bistro, it is one of the friendliest, tastiest and best value meal I had in a while. Owner/waiter is a charm and the pub is an example of an old-fashioned local pub that is the epicentre of Balmain culture.
Good restaurant and excellent bar food. If you want a burger then look no further, mussels etc are also good, decent pub/bistro etc, always busy, good beers and wine, the wooden interior always makes it sound hectic but fun!!
The London Hotel is a stand out Pub for me, as you never have to wait for a drink, the food is great and there is nothing better than enjoying the view from the balcony with a group of close friends.
What a weekend!! a group of us had a birthday party in the Function room at the London Hotel, the night was unreal, we plugged in my friends ipod to the Bar sound system and got to play our own music. It's the little things that make good function room that much better.
I haven't eaten in the restaurant but would say the bar food is pretty good. Be nice if they had a normal "cooking" beer on tap other than VB (new or carlton) for when I don't want something too tasty. I've been served both quickly and slowly - depends on the day I suppose. The fact it's a Sydney pub where sitting at the bar is encouraged may tend to make getting noticed harder. The smell has stopped us going though - anyone know what it is? It's a mixture of spew and disinfection but it seems to have been around for years. I've worked in numerous pubs and clubs and never had anything hang around that long.
Great pub - bar food is excellent and well priced. Excellent selection of local / boutique beers, wine list could do with a revamp though. The place is at its best on a weekend - afternoons are a pleasure. Views of the harbour bridge from the outside balcony - who cares if the seats are a bit uncomfy. And locals taking their dogs in is part of the ambience - nothing pretentious about a pub that allows that. Highly recommended, one of Balmain's treasures, don't miss it!
Great food. The mussels cooked in that sauce is to die for. The calamari is the best I've had. The staff especially the beautiful Brazilian lady looking after my table were excellent. I only wish the calamari serving could have been a little bigger. What a great place to spend a Sunday afternoon.