Part of the Geronimo Inns Group, this pretty gastropub has everything going for it in abundance.

The Venue
The Queens is a very inviting gastropub located on Regents Park Road, within touching distance of Primrose Hill. In fact, you can walk off any hearty meal as its literally outside the door. The restaurant benefits from being upstairs, away from the hustle and bustle of the pub. A cosy interior awaits and would easily receive 5 stars on the decor front. Olive green walls are combined with tasteful art, smart furnishings - including a couple of comfortable upholstered seating areas (cushions included) - and a rear view of Primrose Hill, which is an added feature.

The Atmosphere
Although the size of The Queens is not grand, this is certainly made up in the lively ambiance. Everyone has one motivation - to have fun, which people do with aplomb. Don’t be discouraged about the noise as it adds to the feel and vibrant atmosphere. The staff are courteous, knowledgeable and particularly warm and inviting.

The Food
To start it would be criminal to forego the soup of the day. The autumn vegetable is particularly delicious. A medley of carrots, celeriac and onions amongst other winter delights are crammed into this hearty wholesome soup. The granary bread accompanying this is spanking fresh and you can instantly feel and taste the quality. The oak smoked salmon is almost as good - delicate strips of smoked salmon are beautifully presented with a small pot of creme fraiche, infused with dill and served with top notch pumpernickel bread.

On to mains and there are some classics to whet the appetite, including Welsh lamb steak and cider battered haddock. The stand out dishes are the chef’s signature plates. The daube of venison comes with a truffled mash and caramalised apples in a rich gravy. The meat is soft and tender, which goes well with the texture of the apples. The mash is so subtle that you may be unsure if there’s any truffle in there, while the gravy is tasty but quite heavy on the stomach. The duck confit is also another winner - the leg is slowly cooked with carrots, excellent crispy roast potatoes and finished in a thyme jus that seeps beautifully into the meat.

For desserts the sticky toffee pudding is rich and moist but isn’t as stand out as the mains, whilst the apple and blackberry crumble is a thumbs up on the whole. The crumble has different textures while the inside is crammed full to the brim with fruits, but is slightly too runny in consistency.

The Drink
The Queens house white is a must to sample. The French Domaine de la Jalousie 2006 is a clean and very drinkable white, whilst the Chilean Sauvignon Blanc is crisp and not one for the faint hearted. There are also fruity reds and whites and classic reds to sample including an organic Cotes du Rhone 2004.

The Last Word
The Queens is a superb venue and is an extremely pleasurable dining experience on all fronts. Technically excellent dishes and warm hospitality make this an almost faultless performance.

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