Great pubs: The Lamb Tavern
Leadenhall Market, the finest complete Victorian market building in London, is worth a visit anyway. It’s a superb space, though not what it was. I remember when it had a faded little supermarket in the middle – a shop that seemed to have come through from the 1950s without ever changing – with a confectionery section where you could get yoghurt cashews and chocolate brazils. And there used to be many more fishmongers and gamedealers; pheasants and grouse hanging up, or rabbits, and the stink of fish. Nowadays, the boutiques have moved in, and the chain stores, and the market’s lost a bit of its character.
Still, the Lamb Tavern remains. It’s a proper old pub, on three floors, with a rickety iron spiral staircase leading up from the main bar (don’t wear stilettos if you’re aiming for the top!). The main bar is just a place to perch with your pint – standing room only on most summer lunchtimes. The architecture and decor is magnificent; this is a palace of beer, one for the lover of Victoriana. (Oh yes, there’s a picture of the Queen Mother pulling a pint here, too.)
When I worked nearby with a team of analysts, we quite often used to pop in on Fridays for a pint with a hot beef sandwich, and as much horseradish sauce as we could stand. (That was quite a lot; but go easy if you’re not used to it – horseradish is the nearest traditional English cooking ever comes to jalapenos!)
And the beer is excellent – this is a Young’s pub, so you’d expect it to be. Try the honeyed ‘Waggledance’ if you don’t want the standard bitter, or (in season) ‘Winter warmer’, a strong beer that really will warm the cockles of your heart. If you’ve a sweet tooth, Double Chocolate Stout is the one for you – and I’m going to lay down a little challenge here. I have never managed to drink more than a pint of it, despite being a seasoned beer drinker. Anyone that can manage two has my heartfelt admiration!
This used to be the market porters’ tavern. Now, it’s full of city workers. But it’s still one of my favourite period pubs – a real delight. Try it for yourself!
Photo credit: Todd Huffmann on Flickr
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