The Pear Tree — Restaurant in London

I have made several trips to UK and have always tried to find character pubs in which to stay. Because I wanted to visit sights in the area of The Pear Tree, I checked it out and it did seem to meet the bill being well placed for my purpose and so it was booked and paid for before leaving Australia.||||Unfortunately, this did not turn out to be the case. All appeared fine from the outside but that impression changed when entering. The place had a definite tired feel to it in the bar and even the seating was covered in cloths to mask age... There was no real designated dining area and we had to eat with plates on our laps sitting on old cloth covered lounges. The food was average to say the best.||||When we arrived they did have the record of our booking but then disputed that it had been paid more than 8 weeks previously (via Expedia). This wasn't sorted until the following morning.||||Our room was on the second floor up some very steeps stairs and though difficult for me to navigate due to age with loaded suitcases (no assistance offered) I accepted this as part of what I look for in old pub character.||||Our room with modern ensuite was at the front of the building. It was reasonable size but lacked in some aspects.||||There were few power points (with requiring a CPAP machine to sleep I need power next to the bed.) The room had no casual chairs or luggage stands. There was one stool but it was broken from its base and unusable. There was good WiFi but no television, bar fridge or telephone. Also the room was very dark with heavy decor and unsuitable lighting for such decor.||||Also, once the pub shuts, there is no service available until it reopens the next afternoon - this meant that the room was not serviced at all during our stay.||||We have visited the UK now four times over the past 6 years and stayed and eaten at many pubs around the country but I do find this particular pub difficult to recommend for accommodation especially as the cost exceeded...

I have made several trips to UK and have always tried to find character pubs in which to stay. Because I wanted to visit sights in the area of The Pear Tree, I checked it out and it did seem to meet the bill being well placed for my purpose and so it was booked and paid for before leaving Australia.||||Unfortunately, this did not turn out to be the case. All appeared fine from the outside but that impression changed when entering. The place had a definite tired feel to it in the bar and even the seating was covered in cloths to mask age... There was no real designated dining area and we had to eat with plates on our laps sitting on old cloth covered lounges. The food was average to say the best.||||When we arrived they did have the record of our booking but then disputed that it had been paid more than 8 weeks previously (via Expedia). This wasn't sorted until the following morning.||||Our room was on the second floor up some very steeps stairs and though difficult for me to navigate due to age with loaded suitcases (no assistance offered) I accepted this as part of what I look for in old pub character.||||Our room with modern ensuite was at the front of the building. It was reasonable size but lacked in some aspects.||||There were few power points (with requiring a CPAP machine to sleep I need power next to the bed.) The room had no casual chairs or luggage stands. There was one stool but it was broken from its base and unusable. There was good WiFi but no television, bar fridge or telephone. Also the room was very dark with heavy decor and unsuitable lighting for such decor.||||Also, once the pub shuts, there is no service available until it reopens the next afternoon - this meant that the room was not serviced at all during our stay.||||We have visited the UK now four times over the past 6 years and stayed and eaten at many pubs around the country but I do find this particular pub difficult to recommend for accommodation especially as the cost exceeded...

It's clear the staff at the Pear Tree have gone out of their way to craft a certain ambience in their gastropub and have do so with great success. Their two rooms succeed in having a personality without comprising on space or overdoing it on ornaments.

Having eaten there twice, my expectations of the food were high and, on the whole, fell a touch short of the mark. On the first occasion, I was lured into sampling their gourmet burger (priced at a hefty £14.95, but served with salad and homemade wedges). Whilst happy with the sides, the actual burger itself was the biggest disappointment, the meat being stodgy in texture and looking over processed, as well as having peppery spiciness to it that clashed with the bacon and Monterrey Jack it was served with.

Second time, I had the lamb noisette, possibly their priciest main at £19.95. The lamb itself was beautifully cooked and clearly a quality cut, but was served on a sparse bed of veg, parts of which were a little too close to raw for comfort.

Food aside, it's a nice place for a drink, I've known regulars even to bring their own on occasions, but the place is more often than not wholly given over to diners during meal times.

If it weren't for the prices they charge, the Pear Tree could be forgiven most of its sins (small as they are) but at present they stand to amplify any shortcomings. I imagine this is largely a conscious decision on their part in order to deter a certain stratum of clientele (or rather to preserve another)....