The Ship — Restaurant in London

Brilliant cosy gem tucked away with good meals, great beer and excellent service!

Many pubs around this area tend to be quite packed with overspill congregated around the front so don't be surprised to fight your way through a crowd of smokers to get inside.

We'd already tried the nearby Wetherspoon's (Crosse Keys) and found it packed and noisy, so wandered back up the street and caught sight of this place by chance, spotting it up an alleyway, hearing some rock music pumping out of speakers. We peeked in.. and found it wasn't as busy inside, particularly upstairs where plenty of seating was available for a more relaxed environment with nice views over the street, and the music originating from downstairs wasn't set at too high a volume so made for pleasant settling.

Being a Nicholson pub it has their range of beers (Nicholson's own) along with some good pies. I ordered a London lager and chicken & ham cheese pie, which arrived with mash and some veg. The pie contained some good chunks of chicken and ham hock in a cheese sauce (which clashed with the gravy, I found - but that was my fault for ordering that pie) surrounded in a crispy flaky filo pastry; a nice soft hot filling with crunchy outer, very well made. The veg was slightly underdone so still crunchy (hard carrots) which I found preferable to a soggy mess. Mustard - when requested - was Colmans! Definitely a foodie's place.

I found the service good: a young Brazilian girl flitted around all tables, checking things were fine, offering drink replenishments, etc. I could have happily sat there for hours more, supping the night away.

A great find, a gem off the beaten track, a place to temporarily shut out the chaos of the city business. I'll definitely return, and heartily...

Patroned here 1st week of October.

So, really, this place deseves 2 ratings:

Food: 5/5 Atmosphere: 2/5

Obviously, during the week shortly after 5, you're going to run into the financial crowd. So we weren't expecting anything less than a bustling area. We found this place online and were curious as the food was well rated.

The food was classic pub fare done right. Fresh and tasty. As most patrons were drinking, dinner around 6 didn't take long. Prices were decent for London. Around 45 for 2 people, entrees, and 1 round of drinks.

So why wasn't there a second round, you ask? Apparently, the bar goers are far more important than diners. Seating was upstairs away from the spill out crowd of happy hour goers, but once seated, we were never checked on.

We ordered at the bar for food as requested, but once food arrived, we weren't checked on to determine if everything was okay (had to go back downstairs when we needed something). Our solitary check-in consisted of being kicked out of our table and relocated to another table mid meal because they forgot they had a section reserved for a group and had not marked it.

They allowed us to sit, be served our food, and then had us pick up our partiality eaten meals to move. Just bad form. And then nothing more than a half-hearted, sorry?

Overall food was delicious, but the atmosphere is unwelcoming, I assume, until the financial...

I recently had the pleasure of visiting The Ship pub in Talbot Court, and I must say it was an exceptional experience from start to finish. The charming atmosphere, combined with the warm and welcoming ambiance, makes it a true gem in the heart of the city.

One standout aspect of my visit was the impeccable service provided by Reece. From the moment I walked in, Reece greeted me with a genuine smile and a friendly demeanor that instantly made me feel at home. His knowledge of the menu and drink offerings was impressive, and he went above and beyond to ensure my dining experience was perfect.

Reece's recommendations were spot on, showcasing his expertise and passion for his work. Whether it was the perfectly poured pint or the delicious meal, everything was top-notch. He was attentive without being intrusive, always checking in at the right moments to see if there was anything I needed.

The Ship's cozy setting, combined with Reece's outstanding service, made for an unforgettable evening. It's clear that this pub prides itself on delivering quality in every aspect, and Reece is a shining example of their commitment to excellence. I can't wait to return and enjoy more of what The Ship has to offer. Highly...