The chosen “top pub” for this weekend’s trip as we continue our way through the list was The Hero in Maide Vale. I’m not sure if it’s because there’s not a ton happening in this neighborhood, or if it’s because the pub food is indeed ‘that great,’ but on a late Sunday afternoon, this place was absolutely mobbed! Every table was full, patrons packed around the bar, and spilled into the street using window ledges for a makeshift drink stand. There was a bit of live music, though you couldn’t hear it over the din of conversation and riotous laughter. Everyone seemed to be in a festive mood and that set the scene very well.
We had a dinner reservation at the white table cloth grill upstairs, but arrived early to try the sausage roll. Luckily, we were able to elbow in a little space at the bar to do so and I’m thrilled we did because it was absolutely delicious- a real rival to that of The Devonshire, if not better. The barman said if we liked this, we were in for a treat, because the upstairs dining was 100% better. Sign me up!
Unfortunately, the sausage roll was about where the good part ended, a line drawn in the sand with the bathrooms that seemed misplaced out of a fraternity house, strewn with toilet paper and Lord knows what kind of wet substances carelessly tossed throughout. Shuttering after that experience, we gave our name upstairs and held our coats closely, lest they fall into a cest pool of the loo!
The reservation system was a new one for me. Not only did they ask if it was a special occasion- it was, my birthday. They also asked for a photo of us so we could be greeted upon arrival. Oh la, la! And at a pub no less. Neither a birthday greeting or a named hello were uttered and the restaurant didn’t even seem to get the message from the downstairs host that we were being sent up. Not great, but not impressive either.
Despite our early reservation, we were seated directly next to another couple, who were very friendly but also closely guarding their coats and handbags, so the banquet was quite squashed. Our waiter wasn’t ready with a wine list so that came from our neighbor too. It was just all a bit…odd…
The bread and (smoked, yikes) butter were both served warm and while nice to have immediately, they were no match at all for that of The Devonshire.
We skipped starters and each went for a steak served with a peppercorn sauce. It was above cut and therefore price of the one listed on the menu as a “treat from the chef.” Literally, that’s how it was sold to us. It was no treat, as it was our wallet and doubly so as it was very fatty.
To accompany, we ordered a bottle of rioja, kale buds, and fries. The wine was lovely, but the meal could have stopped there- (save sending another sausage roll from downstairs). The kale was incredibly undercooked and lacking any flavor or salt.
After we finished our steaks, the fries decided to show up, cold, short, and seemingly from a frozen bag.
The meal was beyond a disappointment, considering we stayed overnight in the neighborhood just to accommodate trying it, and for a birthday! As The Hero is part of a small pub group, that easily removes it’s sister pubs from my list of trying. Steer clear of The Grill at The Hero. Special occasions are lacking, topped with dirty restrooms, and poorly timed service. To cap the night, as we were leaving the building, quite early, before 20:00, we exited and turned right down the street. That’s when a security guard who was surveying from a corner approached us and told us we had to go the other way. We had no drink in hand, were not drunk, were not loud, if we were even talking at all, just on our way to leave. He claimed that we “were associated with the pub” (since we left it) and had to turn left instead. Seriously, what on earth nonsense experience is The Grill trying to deliver? It seemed to have all the worst bits of frat house, night club, and bad restaurant disguised into one lovely looking pub.
If you do give it a go, and if I ever were to return, it would certainly be for a table in the bustling pub downstairs. Oh, and be sure to only turn left, because not much here is right.