Thursday, 4 March 2010

The 'notso' Grand Old Duke

Wednesday evening.
A pie and pint at the Duke of Wellington. Or so I’d hoped.
Wednesday afternoon saw the conflux of several brilliant ideas set me up for a great night at the Duke. Firstly, an email arrived from the Duke offering a free mini-pie with your first pint which was so well timed and suggestive that I couldn’t refuse. I mean, why not? Great spring weather, lighter nights, England friendly on Itv (the Duke only has terrestrial TV), board games and Pie Week.
But I’m sad to report that the Duke has slipped.
I was served by two young girls with sullen faces who acted as if my presence had just ruined their night. I asked for an interesting, seasonal beer and they gave me Young’s Bitter. They had no idea about the pies.
The Duke’s board game selection was reduced to about 5 and both games we tried were missing so many pieces we would’ve had more fun playing with the empty boxes.
Oh dear.
We drank our pints, left and watched the game at home.
There are several pubs on Portobello Road that seamlessly transition from catering to tourists on the weekend to locals during the week (Portobello Star for one) but the Duke isn't one. Now it feels as if you’re paying tourist prices for tourist service.
I won’t be hurrying back.

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