The Kings Head is a typical gastropub with a pleasant atmosphere, good food and high prices in one of North London’s prettier Zone 4 villages.

The Venue
The Kings Head is a huge, inviting gastropub on a corner opposite the green in Winchmore Hill. Huge mirrors, wide-arched windows and subtle colours set the scene for this homely but quite sophisticated local. Sitting as it does on the corner, the pub forms an L shape. The longer part is the bar area with a cosy snug at one end, and the smaller section is the more intimate dining area. During the colder months, a real fire blazes away within a column that divides the bar area from the dining area, sharing its cosy heat with both sides.

Iron chandeliers and cavalier suits of armour dotted around give the place a bit of a medieval feel, and you can sit on a huge wooden throne in one corner if you really want to play king for a day. Solid wooden tables of varying heights in the bar area give you a wide selection of seating options. The dining area has sofas at some of the tables, which are high enough for you to sit upright and reach your table and still be comfortable. The stunning Long Room upstairs can also be hired for private events.

The Atmosphere
Low lighting from church candles, tea lights and chandeliers help keep the ambience relaxed, and unobtrusive chillout music plays in the background, just loud enough to be heard above the gently hum of conversation. The crowd is mostly locals, aged 25-60, who are evidently happy to pay extra for their drinks in return for the salubrious surroundings.

The service here at The Kings Head varies according to staff member, with superbly friendly food service and excellent menu knowledge and attention to detail. Newspapers are available on the bar, and a TV above the main door shows sports, but it is quiet enough on a normal night to not be too dominating. Board games are available to play in the snug and include Scrabble and Blockbusters.

The Food
The menu at The Kings Head features classic, simple gastropub meals, with starters for £5-£6 and mains for £9-£13. Blackboard specials are updated daily, and staff will be able to explain each dish to you if needed. Some interesting twists give the menu an edge, such as chicken liver and pork pate with onion chutney. The solid, chunky and meaty pate is a strongly flavoured break from the smooth liver-only norm. The crayfish cocktail comes with diced avocado, which makes a tasty combination, but be prepared for a sharp citrus dressing.

The grilled supreme of Atlantic cod with chicory and beetroot salsa and ‘three times cooked chips’ is also an original adaptation of the pub classic. The chips are as close to perfection as chips can be. First they are boiled, then slow fried, then hot fried, which creates a crunchy, crispy outside and the lightest melt-in-the-mouth filling.

A seven course tasting menu is available on selected nights for £30 without wine and £40 with wine. A selection of European cheeses is also available for £6.

The Drink
The long wine list is helpfully divided into ‘aromatic’, ‘crisp and cool’ or ‘creamy and exotic’ whites, and ‘smooth classic’, ‘new world’ or ‘top of the tree’ reds. It also includes roses, port, sherry, pudding wine and several champagnes and sparkling wines, all at premium prices.

Draught beers are quite expensive, at more than £3 for a pint, and include Staropramen, Hoegaarden, San Miguel, Fosters, Kronenbourg, Strongbow and two Stella varieties. There are also two hand-pulled ales; London Pride and Sharps Doom Bar. Bottled beers include Tiger, Peroni, Corona and Magners. An interesting selection of spirits includes Olmeca tequila, several whiskies, Drambuie, Hendricks and Beefeater gins, Cachaca and Noilly Prat and Tio Pepe sherries.

The Last Word
The Kings Head is a homely, contemporary and rather pricey local in the classic gastropub mould. It’s a pleasant venue for a relaxing drink and is well worth a visit.

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