The Hawthorn — Restaurant in London

I booked a table for my birthday and called the pub a week earlier to ask them if I could move the booking earlier, the lady I spoke to over the phone said “they don’t normally allow bookings for drinks but would do it on this occasion” and assured me it was done. I then showed up at 5 with 2 others and they said that wasn’t the case and there wasn’t anything they could do about it. The boys behind the bar were friendly and trying to help but the lady with the table reservations was not and didn’t seem to care that it was my birthday (despite me wearing a tiara and badge my friends had gotten me). One of my friends then showed with his 2 young children (4 and 2 years old) as he couldn’t get a sitter and this also caused an issue for the staff. Before we were even moved over to our large table I was approached and spoken to about 3 times about the concern of how many people were on our booking (bearing in mind we had had one drink at this point and there were 9 of us with 2 children that I wasn’t aware were coming and I couldn’t enjoy myself or relax at this point). I have also moved back to the UK after living abroad for several months so my friends had invited others to surprise me which of course then made the staff even more stressed and we were made to feel extremely unwelcome. When we moved across to our table booking at 6 PM the rest of the restaurant side was empty so we took one chair from a nearby table. This also caused an issue for the staff who came over to tell us off immediately to “put the chair back” and we asked if we could use it until the other reservation showed up and we were told no. The staff were so unwelcoming that my friends did not want to eat there, where most places would have been happy to create more revenue we were interrupted several times (not for being drunk or causing problems just because more people showed) - bear in mind this is (meant to be) a public house. The rest of the restaurant area was empty, during our time there none of the other dinner reservations had arrived. I ordered food but felt pressured to eat earlier than I wanted to. It was awkward and I could not enjoy my time there at all as the staff kept talking about us in an obvious manner and were quite frankly being rude and unwelcoming so we left early after one drink at the table and it ruined my birthday. I understand that the maximum people I could book for was 8 and more people arrived - but the circumstances were some people showed without my knowledge and it was a special occasion. Working in hospitality or any customer facing role these things happen and not every day goes to plan but the service was incredibly unwelcoming and they lost business from many locals who will never go back and have already shared this story with...

YOU HAVE TO COME FOR FOOD ON SUNDAY

Very nice local feel pub Quiet during the weekdays so perfect for a casual drink, cosy, rustic feel Bar staff are always lovely, a lot of board games on hand too

Friday/Saturday nights are fantastic, amazing rotating DJs, welcoming doormen who are known by most. Even seeing the interaction between indoor staff and outdoor gives you the “family” feel

I don’t think they serve food during the week but we came today on Sunday and WOW Caribbean based menu, quite small but with both vegan and vegetarian options also. Flavours to die for The lady who makes the food is absolutely one of the kindest and sweetest people I’ve ever met. She delivers the food to you so it’s nice to meet the person actually making your food We had the Mac & cheese and some doubles. The doubles were amazing and a must try I had the spicy girl beef burger, (sooo much flavour including tamarind and pineapple) and my boyfriend had the Jerk burger (the chicken was so succulent, I stole a few bites) The food is 100% made with love After our meals, we were playing a few games and she even came out to give us a taster of one of her deserts - a Guinness punch brûlée? (I think) It was so good I will definitely be down to buy a portion

A surprising hidden gem in a pub I usually go in for a few drinks every now and then. I was told by my boyfriend that they did food and I’m glad I trusted his opinion!

Please go and try the food and I doubt you will be disappointed Such a warm and personable chef too which makes the whole experience better Probably about £40 for two...

Well stocked cosy corner establishment opposite you know who s posh pub ( P.V.) on Uxbridge road. Can't comment on the food because none was on offer at the New Year's eve Bash. What was on offer was great hospitality, very efficient security, music to groove to in your seat or on the dance floor. Regulars were very friendly, generous and inclusive of new comers like my friend and l. I could just about cope with the loud sound system and still hold a conversation with people around me. It's possibly one of the best New Years Eve I've had in the last decade ! There were snazzy dressers there .. shirts, braces, fedoras. Love it. The staff were impeccable. I can only applaud them for running such a wonderful pocket rocket of a place that's within 15 minutes of White City where decent drinking holes are few and far between. I hope the staff got a chance to unwind and have their own celebrations later. They deserved it. Of note was how amazingly clean the toilets were. I can remember the last time l awarded 5* to a loo. The water sparkled clearly everywhere and l mean everyone. You do have to climb a few stairs first. Not too steep though. Disabled access toilet at ground level. Ask bar staff for the radar key. I carry my own. Had l been worse for drink l might have headed in that direction.

They have a cubby hole full of board games you can borrow for quieter nights. This would be a nice venue to do spoken word/ open mic poetry. I'll be back to eat or meet up with friends. Wonder what they're doing for Valentine's. Is this...