The Albion, Islington  

This gastrofied pub in Barnsbury has obviously done something right, judging by the full-to-capacity crowd on the Saturday afternoon we were in last. Well, almost full, but they were obviously well on their way with two huge tables reserved for large parties. Don't get us wrong, there's not a lot wrong with the Albion, and the families and other punters that go here obviously like it the way it is. We were a little disappointed in the beer selection, with only two on the hand pumps, Black Sheep and IPA, but then they probably sell more wine here. The food looks good, and we were tempted to stop, but we couldn't actually find a table. Overall it's pretty much par for the gastropub course and the scene is pretty familiar, by now - safe and comfortable, but it really depends on when you visit. The Albion is a pub of two halves - on a sunny spring afternoon it's a pleasant place to relax and converse, on a Friday night it can be completely the opposite: crowded, noisy and uncomfortable.

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