The Champion — Restaurant in London

After nearly 15 years of living in the UK, I can wholeheartedly say this was the worst experience I have ever had in a pub.

I booked a table for 5, as I had family friends visiting from the US. I specifically requested a corner booth/area of the restaurant that was tucked away so that we could have a decent conversation after not seeing them for nearly 12 years. Instead, I walk in, and we're placed at a rickety round table directly in front of the door. It is loud and chaotic. I sit down, and am not even offered a menu. After quickly greeting my guests a waitress comes over not less than 90 seconds after I arrived and just asks us what we want. Obviously we did not have time to look at the menu, so she leaves. I'm still barely taking my coat off & putting my umbrella away before the server is back, asking again if we're ready to order. No, we're not. We give her some drink orders. She comes back for now the third time in a span of about 5 minutes to ask us what we want. I was in the middle of explaining to my guests what a Sunday Roast was, as of course they'd never had one before. One of my guests asks the server for her recommendation, and she stares at him blankly and responds quite shortly: "We have beef, chicken, or pork." Yes - that we are capable of reading. His question was what is your recommendation, what are you KNOWN for? She looked quite annoyed and finally said beef. I then heard her say something about ordering a side, which confused me as a SR comes with sides. When I asked her about this, she admitted it does, so she was clearly just trying to upsell on my unknowing guests. Keep in mind - five adults were already in the process of ordering mains, so I have no idea why we were being so rushed and hassled to hurry up and order. Yes the place was busy, but there was no queue and we came at 3:30pm, so nowhere near kitchen closing time. Finally, she takes our orders. A different male server then arrives and he places the plates down so fast he sloshes gravy literally into the lap / all over one of the other guests. He is apologetic, and this was a genuine mistake, but given the rushed & rude treatment from the other server and our horrible table placement that I'd explicitly requested NOT to be placed in such a situation, it was yet another insult to injury. No offer or tiny gesture of goodwill from the server to make up for ruining her jumper with gravy.

The food when it arrived was served nearly stone cold. This has been mentioned in many, many reviews of The Champion, and no doubt the pub will reply with the same non-reply of "we will learn from this mistake" etc without offering any compensation or a real step towards improving, because clearly they have NOT listened to the many reviews complaining about food being served cold. If I were on my own or with a local friend, I would have sent it back. But we were cold (thanks to our table placed right in front of the door) and some of us covered in gravy so we ate. The food itself was the worst roast I have ever had. The Yorkshire pudding was rock hard and the consistency of a dried tortilla. No additional gravy was given. The meat was not medium rare as promised but super well done and rubbery on the outside and only pink in the very middle.

We paid the bill in full, including service. My guests even decided to add an additional £20 in tip because they worked in the service industry in the US and they felt they needed to support our sub par servers. Since I didn't want to complain in front of them, I let him, but they absolutely did not deserve it. Of course, once they gave the server the tip she became magically very friendly despite clearly showing her impatience and frustration for - I'm not sure what - being American tourists? - from the very beginning. Guess what folks - your establishment is in the heart of the tourist area. I lived in Paddington for 5 years & have seen many other establishments handle tourists much more gracefully than you did. Shame on you - I hope others will not visit based off...

Title: A Memorable Experience at The Champion Pub, Thanks to Bav!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

I recently had the pleasure of visiting The Champion Pub in Notting Hill, and I must say, it was an incredible experience! The pub itself exudes a warm and inviting atmosphere, making it the perfect spot to unwind and enjoy some quality time with friends. However, what truly made my visit exceptional was the exceptional service provided by Bav, one of the pub's staff members.

From the moment I walked in, Bav greeted me with a friendly smile and made me feel right at home. His enthusiasm and passion for his job were evident, as he went above and beyond to ensure that my visit was nothing short of amazing. Bav's knowledge of the pub's offerings, including their extensive drink selection and delicious food menu, was impressive. He was more than happy to provide recommendations and answer any questions I had, making the decision-making process much easier.

Bav's attention to detail and genuine care for his customers truly set him apart. He was attentive throughout my visit, ensuring that my glass was never empty and that I had everything I needed. His friendly demeanor and ability to engage in meaningful conversations made me feel like a valued guest, and I appreciated the personal touch he brought to the experience.

Moreover, Bav's expertise in mixology was evident when he crafted some of the most delightful cocktails I've ever tasted. His creativity and skill in concocting unique and flavorful drinks were truly impressive. Whether it was a classic cocktail or a custom creation, Bav's attention to detail and presentation were impeccable. Each sip was a delightful journey of flavors, leaving me wanting more.

The Champion Pub itself is a gem in Notting Hill, offering a cozy and relaxed ambiance that is perfect for any occasion. The pub boasts a wide range of drinks, including an impressive selection of beers, wines, and spirits. The food menu is equally impressive, with a variety of delicious dishes to satisfy any craving. The pub's warm and welcoming atmosphere, combined with Bav's exceptional service, made for an unforgettable experience.

In conclusion, I highly recommend visiting The Champion Pub in Notting Hill, especially if you have the pleasure of being served by Bav. His passion, knowledge, and outstanding service truly elevate the overall experience. Whether you're looking for a great place to unwind after work, catch up with friends, or simply enjoy a delicious meal and drinks, The Champion Pub and Bav will...

Visited today with a friend. Came in first to check with the staff if they have chicken Sunday roast still available. Been told they don’t miss anything from the menu. Sat down and got comfortable. Pub was almost empty. I waited 15 min and no one came with the menus or even ask if we need anything. Stuff of this place were literally hiding in the corner and talking in w bigger group of 5, 6 people on their phones, having fun. I got up to the bar and ask for the food menu and asked as well if there is a table service which surprisingly answers was yes. Went back to the table and then after another 10 min finally waitress arrived telling us there is no roast chicken left! Still wanted to have a nice meal with a friend so decided to give it a go and stay. Well that was a mistake! Ordered beef roast which came completely cold and my fish was literally so oily ( it was like an oily and super salty fish soup on my plate). Ordered side of fries and those were reheated for sure several times. None of this food was fresh that’s for sure. Complained about cold beef got it back new plate after a while but smaller portion. My friend finished her meal already while I was waiting for my food. No one came even once check is everything ok. Again in the end I had to go to the bar and ask about the bill and this came really quickly to the table. Different this time Waitress came and only then asked as how was our food and when we said horrible … she straight away said let me removed service charge and disappeared again. No other question asked. I could not be bothered either. It was not at all about money for my friend. As we paid in the end anyway but literally I was looking forward to have today just a nice meal and service for this couple of hours as a treat and this was just so bloody disappointing. I love going out to London’s pubs but you guys are literally not even on my list anymore. Hope you can improve customer service one day cause of your staff doesn’t know what to do when pub ow empty…then I don’t know what your service look like on your busy days. This all made...