The Old Black Lion pub on West End Lane in West Hampstead is now known simply as The Lion and offers a completely new contemporary look. The venue offers the choice of al fresco dining in a reasonably sized garden, which is equipped with powerful outdoor eating in the winter.

The Venue
The decor in the bar juxtaposes classic and contemporary for example, the high tech lamps on the walls and elegant glass chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. The main dining area is given shape by the brick partitions, making the large curved bar a focal point of the room. Try to get one of the tables alongside the wall so you can benefit from the comfortable cushioned bench seating. The garden has a large canopy covering the length of the garden to shade you from the sun in summer and keep you dry in winter.

The Atmosphere
The Lion is lively and bustling without ever feeling overcrowded and so far the pub attracts West Hampstead’s young professional residents as well as City workers visiting the area for a good night out. The bright, roomy interior and plentiful seating together with the open fireplace create a relaxed and comfortable environment. The pub’s landlords lend a personal and friendly touch to The Lion and treat both regulars and first time patrons with the same amount of care.

The Food
You can have a full meal at The Lion, or you might prefer to opt for the delicatessen platters, which are served with fresh bread. The seafood deli platter includes smoked salmon, crayfish tails, prawns and crab claws beautifully presented on a wooden platter. Similarly there are cheese delis and charcuterie delis. The cheese is served with celery grapes and sticky onion relish. The charcuterie platter includes carved ham, chorizo and salami with pate and olives and red pepper tapenade. The main menu includes dishes such as sausages of the day, haddock and steak plus daily changing specials.

The Drink
There is a list of selected wines but they have decided to offer quality rather than quality so you won't have to scan through several pages to find your favourite bin. A particularly delicious and good value red wine is the Spanish Campo Vejo rioja. But if you want to spend a little more on a red, you could always splash out on the Chateauneuf du Pape. As for white wines the Australian Rosemount Chardonnay is recommended and is available by the glass.

The Last Word
The Lion is a great place to choose if you fancy sophisticated pub dining with a more relaxed atmosphere than most of its local contemporaries.

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