Juvi G.
Yelp
Covid or no, this is still one of the most comfortable- and comforting- pubs in London. The interior is dimly-lit and rustic all around, complete with 'Lords' & 'Ladies' restrooms, a toasty fireplace, and cozy nooks to have intimate conversations in. The staff is still among the friendliest I've encountered in London- especially in a pub- and despite the current situation, not much has changed. Most places are now requesting that people pay a not-so-small holding fee (per person) in advance for the table, which one does not get back if cancelling on the same day; not so with this place. Booking was easy and the table was free. Prices were not so low, but more on that later.
My one and only reason to eat in a pub, on any given week, is Sunday Roast. If you're new to London and don't know what this is, don't ask questions; just go and order one, already (on a Sunday). The Sunday Roast at the Crooked Billet is in my list of Top 3 Sunday Roasts in all of London. Whatever gravy/ sauce/ Yorkshire-something-or-other they're putting in there, it lends the whole meal the perfect balance of flavor, whether you're eating the veggie version or a meat-laden one. Of that, you have your choice of beef, lamb, or chicken. My personal favorite is the chicken; because you can never go wrong with chicken.
As for the drinks menu, you have your usual round of stouts, lagers, ciders, and whatever else you alcoholics enjoy. I can never get away from my love of the sweeter drinks, so I always go for their ciders on tap; it compliments any meal perfectly, in my opinion. Don't judge.
I know I said I would never order anything other than Sunday Roast at a pub, but that may have been half a lie. One of my friends can't help herself when it comes to dessert, and I am not one to stop her. As such a great friend, however, I'm not averse to sharing the calories and splitting the bill. So, I can attest to the sheer delicious perfection that is their Salted Caramel Pudding dessert with a scoop of ice cream. The others are great, too, but this one really stands out among the rest.
Now, as to the unpleasantness: Given the current situation and all the measures that have been put into place, I feel that prices have gone up everywhere. I can't be sure if that's the case here, but between the 3 of us, my friends and I managed to spend a few quid shy of £100. Not unreasonable given all we ordered, but keep the tab in mind when going for all of those extra drinks; for your wallet's sake.
Happy gorging!