It’s sunny, it’s warm, I love commuting and I love sitting by myself in the office all day.
And even more, I love flat roof pubs with a garden such as The Monkey Puzzle.
OK, I’m way too snobbish normally to go in a flat roof pub, but I’d clocked the garden, I was craving sunshine, and I decided that I was going to reward myself with a lunchtime beer in the sun.
Quality be damned.
It was a West Coast IPA, not bad, if a bit too hearty compared to my NEIPA/Pale Ale usual.
Despite the prettiness of the garden, I cannot say I expected too much from The Monkey Puzzle. As I mentioned, I was here for the sunshine, not the cuisine. But I did need food.
It being lunchtime I had no desire for steaks, pies or burgers…and I wasn’t sure if I could trust a flat roof pub with a salad.
But actually the salad was quite nice (normally it comes with peas…yuck) – all fresh ingredients, cherry tomatoes, some leaves, cucumber and a little red onion (possibly marinated, not sure) – with some balsamic.
Fries were quite salty and had a crunch to them. Nothing amazing, but pleasant enough.
Also the fish was pretty good – cod (I’m more of a haddock guy), the batter perhaps more browned than ideal, and too crispy near the tail, but again I enjoyed the crunch of the batter, and the silky nature of the cod.
Ketchup was a bit naff, but I’ve had worse – though also I then had ketchup on my crotch for the afternoon after having to slice my way through the sachet. But I don’t speak to anyone in the office, and I highly doubt anyone looks at my crotch either.
Price was £23.80 – my rating is a 6.90 out of 10. I would eat here again…and I will almost definitely have a beer in the sunshine here again.
Also I love the trains being delayed on the way home.
And I loved how packed they were too because of said delays.
Ahhhhhh London in the sunshine. Can I work from home next time though please?