The Portman — Restaurant in London

A little over a year ago, I relocated to 25 Upper Berkeley Street and was absolutely delighted to discover that a charming pub, The Portman, was situated just across the street from my house. Upon my first visit, it quickly became apparent that The Portman was no regular pub, it is an exceptional and immersive experience unlike any other I had encountered.

As soon as you step through the door, you are warmly greeted by the friendly and cheerful staff behind the bar, and your senses are instantly awakened by the delectable aromas wafting from the kitchen. It's evident that the owners have gone to great lengths to ensure that food is a focal point of their establishment, as the culinary creations served here go above and beyond the realm of typical pub fare. The menu features an array of dishes crafted from fresh, locally-sourced ingredients that cater to a variety of palates and dietary preferences.

The Portman's cozy and inviting atmosphere adapts seamlessly to the changing seasons. In the winter months, the crackling open fire provides a welcome respite from the chilly air, casting a warm glow throughout the space. Conversely, during the summer months, guests can take advantage of the lovely outdoor seating area to bask in the sunshine and enjoy the gentle breeze while sipping on a cold pint or sampling one of their refreshing cocktails.

Living in such close proximity to The Portman has truly been both an honour and a pleasure. I wholeheartedly encourage anyone reading this review to take the time to visit this remarkable pub and experience the magic for themselves. Trust me when I say that you won't be...

Phenomenal. Love this place, and I travel all over the world. There must be a 100 bars and restaurants within a 3 block radius of the Marble Arch... This place is the best of them all.

The food is outstanding, the beer selection is great, The wait staff and bartenders are professional, knowledgeable, attentive, and friendly. The fact they are all smoking hot is a bonus!

The drinks are fun and well done, and, again, the wait staff is amazing.

The fish-and-chips are perfect. The chips are slim and crispy like McDonald's, not fat and potato-y. The mushy peas are flavourful and wonderful--order extra, if you like mushy peas! The short rib was tender, flavourful and perfect. The mussells were an absolute treat. Did I mention that the service was outstanding?

And don't miss the sticky coffee pudding with ice cream at the end! Done right, traditional, and wonderful. Order it with extra sauce and extra ice cream! One order is easily enough for 2 unless unless you have a sweet tooth then you may want to order 1 each!

As a bonus, if you like American football, the Carpenter Arms, a half- block away, has it (including NFL Red Zone) on live TV on Sunday nights

An...

We visited The Portman as a large group and so had to order dinner from a set menu in advance. Unfortunately the menu had no vegan options but they were willing to edit some of the vegetarian options to suit my diet which I thought was very good of them. However, this consisted of simply removing any egg or dairy which I assume made up a significant portion of my main meal as I was presented with a 'tomato tart' which was a layer of filo pastry made soggy by the three slices of beef tomato which lay on top of it and decorated with a sprig of rocket. I'm usually very grateful when restaurants accommodate my diet as I know veganism is still seen as a bit of a pain in the ar*e to some. However, I thought this was a poor show for somewhere in London, I can't have been the first vegan through the doors.

I will say that the particular waiter that served us was incredibly friendly and patient. If I weren't vegan I'm sure I would have rated it...