After a revamp, The Lord’s Tavern is no longer a strictly traditional pub, but with good food and an extensive drinks list, it’s a great venue for cricket lovers and locals alike.

The Venue
Situated next to Lord’s Cricket Ground, The Lord’s Tavern has provided hospitality for cricket-lovers for well over a century although the current Lord’s Tavern was built in the late 1960s. The venue has moved with the times and more recently it has been refurbished to become a stylish gastropub. With a sleek dining area, a large sloping bar, shiny white tiled floor and glass cabinets full of cricket memorabilia, as well as bookshelves, tall tables with chess and draughts boards and cricket-related cartoons on the walls, the venue does this well, perfectly mixing a clean and modern feel with features of an old tavern-like venue. There’s decking at the front of the venue, too, which has heaters if the English weather doesn’t hold out.

The Atmosphere
The venue aims for a laid-back vibe and the admittedly clean, modern decor doesn’t usually enhance this, but there’s something about The Lord’s Tavern that makes it relaxed. Expect to find a mixture of everyone from St John’s Wood residents enjoying a pint in their local, to players having a swift couple after a match, all relaxing to a mellow soundtrack of modern and classic songs. Staff are friendly, helpful and willing to go out of their way so you have a good dining experience.

The Food
Drawing on local influences, the menu is very British. And the prices aren't bad either. Starters cost from £3.50 and include a delicious silky smooth chicken liver parfait (£4), which is served with light and airy toasted brioche and a soft and sticky onion marmalade. It’s a satisfyingly generous portion too. If you’re veggie, the salad (£3.50) is a good option. With generous chunks of rich-tasting goat’s cheese, subtly sweet poached pear pieces, soya beans, caramelised walnuts and a drizzling of hazelnut vinaigrette, it’s both well-balanced and scrumptious.

For main, the venue offers all the classics – steak and chips, bangers and mash, fish and chips, hot pots and ploughman’s, which are all done exceptionally well. If you’re after something a bit different, try the specials on offer. Made with haddock and salmon, the fish pie (£10.50) is divine and the portion is huge. The dish comes to the table steaming hot and it might take a few minutes to actually enjoy it, but when you can, it’s worth the wait – the fish is tender, well distributed in the pie and topped with a generous covering of creamy herby mash, which is lightly browned in the oven. It comes with roasted asparagus and carrots on the side, which are full of flavour and cooked to perfection so they have a light crunch. The vegetarian option is a tasty roasted pumpkin, spinach and goat’s cheese pasta dish (£8.50). This is beautifully presented with pockets of tortellini presented on a plate and accompanied with a salad of soya beans, sun-dried tomatoes and mixed leaves. The pasta is cooked in sage butter, which gives the pockets of pasta a gentle creamy taste. They literally melt in your mouth.

For dessert, the venue sticks to traditional favourites. The apple and plum crumble (£3.50) comes with custard – or ice cream if you ask – and is very gratifying. The crunchy biscuit topping is thick, crunchy and nutty and works perfectly with the chunky pieces of hot fruit. It’s also sweet, but not sickly. Dark and delicious, the chocolate tart with milk chocolate ice cream (£4) is perfect if you love richer dishes. It’s moist, very chocolatey and tastes divine.

The Drink
The bar is very well stocked and includes everything from fine wines to bottles of beers and cocktails. If you’re after beer, the venue sells draught Marsden beers, including Marden’s Pedigree, EPA and Oyster Stout, as well as Ringwood Boondoggle, and the popular favourites Fosters, Peroni and Strongbow. You can also get bottles of Corona and Bulmers. Pints start at a pretty standard £3.20. For wine, the list is extensive – and there’s everything from champagne to dessert wines. You’re looking at spending around £18 for a good bottle of wine. The pinor noir is just that (£18 a bottle, or from £4.40 a glass). Light and fruity with a hint of smokiness, it goes with most dishes on the menu. If you’re after cocktails, the they serve all the favourites – from caipirinhas to mojitos (from £5).

The Last Word
With fab, great value food, divine drinks and very friendly staff, you’d be silly not to pop in if you’re watching a match or just in the area.

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