The Hope — Restaurant in London

It was probably one of the worst pubs for food I have been too for a long while. This was early Friday lunch and we got there before other work goers; we were out for a colleagues celebration meal.

Firstly the Heineken was flat and warm the bar lady argued on the contrary - this was one of the people we were with's selection, not my choice of beer. They did have a good range of beers that were good (as told by the other people I was with.) Secondly this member of staff who was also our waitress said all the food contained dairy after I told her I was lactose intolerant... Only after I pushed her for the 'allergy advice sheet' (that was clearly mentioned on the menu) did she come back to me and say again there is no dairy advice. After asking two other staff members, reluctantly she went to ask the chef and pointed me towards the salads. There was no suggestion of a burger without cheese or the brioche bun.

Our food did not take too long to arrive my chicken and bacon salad being the last and it went downhill from there. It was a bland salad presented on a board with some heated up french bread. The bread being the highlight of the dish. I asked for some Olive oil and vinegar but the same staff member who had turned even ruder with her mannerisms decided she would prefer to give me salad cream. I decided best not to push her in case she decided too take it out on me. The chicken was cooked quite well but the overall dish which was literally just some chopped up iceberg lettuce, bacon and chicken with a healthy helping of extra salt was worse than I could have rustled up at home in 5 mins and well under £6.

I did ask if I could have some tap water but the same member of staff said you had to go down to the bar to get it... which i found quite astonishing since the kitchen was just next to where we were eating.

Overall it was a disappointing meal at an overpriced pub with a rude (the other staff members seemed nice to be fair) staff member who I could only imagine must own it or be related to the owners. If she isn't I don't know how she still has a job there. I cant comment on the burgers but they did look tasty however one of my colleagues who had the 'Legend Meister (~£13)' Burger had food poisoning for the rest of the weekend. Its fair to say I wont be returning to eat there and most probably not to even have...

🚇Goodge Street 🍺 £6.60 Guinness

A Fantastic New Irish Pub.

The Hope is tucked away in the back streets of Fitzrovia just off Tottenham Court Road. The nearest Tube is Goodge Street, it’s a two minute walk to get here.

This pub was first licensed in 1809, the present building dates from 1867. The Hope was taken over late last year and given a new lease of life with a new Irish Guv’nor at the helm.

This is a one bar pub that is small and perfectly formed. The decor here is traditional with a few contemporary touches here and there. The servery runs the length of the bar and has an exposed brick back bar with a large ‘Céad Míle Fáilte’ sign. Around the walls are some lovey signs, prints and trinkets hinting to what this pub is all about. The seating is all high stool with a comfy leather banquette by the window.

The beer selection was great and included Guinness, Murphy’s plus beers from Irish Brewers Franciscan Well. I decided on a pint of Guinness, my pint was superb, one of the best I have had for some time. The Hope also serves a range of 32 Irish whiskeys to represent the 32 counties of Ireland. The Guv’nor asked me to try the Slane Whiskey, I’m not normally a whiskey drinker but this was as smooth as you like. There is no food served at present, but there are plenty of Tayto’s if you’re feeling peckish.

I visited on a chilly Saturday afternoon in mid January. As I entered the pub there was a cracking atmosphere with a lively buzz about the place. The punters were a mix of locals, local workers and a few visitors to the area. I received a warm welcome from Glen the Guv’nor who was on top form and was the consummate host interacting with his clientele.

The Hope hosts traditional Irish music on Sundays and shows live sporting events.

Across London there are outstanding Irish pubs which have been on the London pub landscape for many years. @thehopeirishpub is a new breed of Irish pub which is energetic and modern but has all the old traditions of Irish hospitality at its heart. If you’re looking for a new Irish pub this St Patrick’s weekend, then look no further. Sláinte

ℹ️ Info...

The reason for my low review is the ownership. Completely anti traveller pub (again the owners fault) the pub has given me and my friends some amazing nights to remember. Sunday nights specifically, the session was brilliant as always thanks to the micks and co! There used to be a great sing along after the trad session which brought us all together yet sadly faded away due to ownership again. Underpaid staff or not paid at all staff. Overpriced alcohol and people being charged multiple times for the same order. Now that the manager Glenn has gone and the session has ended, there is absolutely zero reason to go in to this pub unless of course you like being overcharged, underappreciated and bored. So long to the once mighty hope of...