Prince of Wales, Holland Park  

This pub's refit a few years ago was not much of a surprise to us, nor was the style of refurb: a M&B makeover, with seventies light fittings, colour scheme and mixed furniture, a look that has grown to be very familiar to the contemporary pub goer. It is, however, a very decent boozer, with an imaginative range of beers on the hand pumps, continentals on the ornate pumps and the usual keg stuff discretely hidden away. The wine list is decent if you favour the New World and there are plenty of spirits if you're thinking of fuelling up for a night out. The tiny TV won't set sports fans' pulses racing, but we'd hazard a guess they're not the P.o.W.'s main market. The rather splendid beer garden makes a pleasant place for an al fresco pint (though it does close rather early to appease the neighbours) and this one also makes great claims for its Sunday roast (followed by a quiz). All-in-all this one's a pricey, posh local, and one that we've found to be the most relaxed of all the pubs in the area.

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