The Albion pub

Photography by The Albion

Words by Simon Difford

The Albion pub image 1

Address: 10 Thornhill Road, (btwn Barnsbury St & Richmond Ave), London, N1 1HW, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)20 7607 7450
Email: bookings@the-albion.co.uk
Website: view The Albion pub’s website
Door: Make reservation
Style: Gastro pub
Food: Set menu
Established: 1700

Review

A gentrified pub in the equally upmarket residential hinterland between Islington's Upper Street and the Caledonian Road. The Albion is a large Georgian pub which dates from when Islington comprised fields and farmland with patrons visiting as part of their afternoon constitutional from the city. Today it's the food and walled garden that still causes people to trek to this wisteria covered pub that retains its countrified charm.

This massive pub wraps itself around the impressive oak bar counter which greets you as you walk in, rising from a well-worn oak floor. Behind the bar are two further large lounges and beyond these the picturesque garden. With its panelled walls and log fires the Albion has something of the feel of a grand country lodge.

The drinks offering is more pedestrian than some other comparable gastro pubs with a choice of two cask ales (Ringwood Best and Deuchars IPA) and an uninspiring line up of lagers. The wine list is more broad with 20 wines by the glass and is bolstered by a "wine specials" list stretching to Chateau Branaire Ducru Saint-Julien 1999 at £96 a pop.

The classic modern British gastro pub food offering, complete with roasts on Sundays, is above average in quality but not sufficiently so to rave about. This is not helped by blue patterned plates adversely affecting presentation, although they do suit the pubs countrified look.