Hampstead's famous Old Bull and Bush reopened this weekend after a month-long makeover, with a cosy new look and revamped menu.
There may be eye-catching new wallpaper, and comfy leather and velvet seating, but the historic pub's owners Premium Country Inns haven't forgotten its past as a popular day trip for Cockneys, with pictures of music hall star Florrie Forde on the walls.
In the early 20th century she made the Grade II listed boozer famous with her song Down At The Old Bull and Bush, which celebrated the time when East Enders flocked to its huge tea garden on balmy days.
Now the pub on North End Way has an elegant but inviting new look, with marble topped bar, and autumnal green and brown hues.
We started off in the bay window of the main bar overlooking the terrace and nearby Golders Hill Park and tried out their new cocktails - a blood orange and passion fruit Collins was a refreshing bittersweet combination of Seville orange gin, and lime juice to cut the sweet passion fruit and blood orange syrup.
You might also want to try the Cuban Mai Tai with cointreau lime and spiced rum, or the yuzu and lime Margarita.
The pub has always been popular for family get togethers and Heath walkers in need of a pit stop, and the all day menu has something for everyone, including burgers, steaks, rotisserie chicken, and roasts on Sundays.
Moving into the cosy but elegant dining room, we happily tucked into starters - an unadorned but moreish bowl of sticky chipotle chicken with smoky chili jam, and a crispy salt and pepper squid with zingy pickled ginger mayo.
Mains inluded a hearty roasted lamb rump with a generous portion of potato dauphinoise and Mediterranean veg, and that pub grub favourite; fish and chips with pea puree and tartare sauce. Veggie options include a massaman curry or for pescatarians there is a scallop starter and sea bass fillets.
Desserts are real crowd pleasers, from the sticky toffee pudding to the Lotus Biscoff chocolate bomb with vanilla ice cream and hot toffee sauce. We went for the apple and damson crumble with ice-cream or custard and the gooey chocolate brownie with crisp amaretti crumb and chocolate sauce.
The pub also serves a range of ales, beers and spirits and has an extensive wine list - our bottle of Italian Barolo was delicious.
Built as a farm in 1645, the building was first licensed in 1721, and rebuilt with modern extensions in 1923. It was a drinking spot for painters Hogarth, Gainsborough, and Joshua Reynolds.
Now North Londoners and tourists alike are welcome Down at the Old Bull and Bush.
The Old Bull and Bush is in North End Way, Hampstead. NW3
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