From King's Cross: Leave the station by the St. Pancras exit and head down Euston Road. Cross over and take a left into Judd Street. Leigh Street is the 3rd right and the pub is about 50 metres from the corner. From Euston: Find Euston Road out in front, cross over and turn right across Upper Woburn Place. Head down the road toward the British Library. Take the 2nd right into Mabledon Place which turns into Cartwright Gardens (with a crescent) and Leigh Street is the next left. The pub is ahead.
Street View - click to see the area around the Norfolk Arms
When we last drank here in 2005, although not totally enamoured of the pub, we did write: "The Norfolk Arms... is worth visiting before King's Cross is trendified beyond all recognition". Well, the transformation of the area isn't totally complete, but going by the number of pubs gentrifying it's certainly getting there. This one's now styling itself as a 'Public House & Restaurant', but after a few visits, we think they may be better off dropping the 'Public House' part. This one suffers from the regular gastropub flaw of cramming in small tables that are only able to seat four around them: handy for a couple, less so if it's you and a group of your mates. Regular choices on the pumps and chalkboards on the walls tell you all about the lovely wines you can have as an alternative. They may have some bottled beers, or some spirits, but it's difficult to tell as most of the old bar area has been ripped out and replaced by a massive charcuterie slicer and food preparation space. Our main gripe though was when we asked for a tomato juice: we were expecting something a bit classier than the vile 'Happy Shopper' brand straight from the carton and unrefrigerated to boot. No offer of Worcester sauce or Tabasco was forthcoming, so watch out if you ask for a Bloody Mary. Top tip chaps: if you're not going to spend the money on things like this, at least have the sense to decant it, rather than advertise just how cheap you're being.
reviewed: 26/08/2006
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