As promised, we went back to The Castle to sample the food. During the work week, they have a lunch special, which includes a sandwich and chips (fries) for five quid. We had last Monday off so we wandered down on a chilly and rainy day. The weather prevented us from participating in outdoor activities and let’s face it, we love pubs, so we’ll use any excuse to go pub hopping.
We had two choices for the sandwich: beef or pork. The Better Half and I ordered one of each. How clever are we? I won’t lie, the sandwiches are pretty simple. Bread, meat, and some sauce. I saw other sandwiches leaving the kitchen that had lettuce and tomato, but I’m guessing they weren’t part of the lunch special. However, I’m a simple person, so I was pleased with my sandwich. I preferred the beef, but both were decent. The Better Half doesn’t like a lot of bread and left behind the crusts—on my plate of course. I did splurge and had some apple pie. I was expecting a slice, but had my very own that was simple again, but good.
We were there a week ago and I enjoyed sampling the Portobello Star. I was surprised that they had already swapped out the beer. Sighing I decided to sample the Shere Drop, made by the Surrey Hills Brewery. It was pleasing and I soon forgot my disappointment about the Portobello Star.
Again we enjoyed our time at this pub. Something amusing did happen during this visit. In the restroom, one of the doors to a stall was hard to close. At the time it was the only one available so I did my best to close it completely. After I succeeded I noticed that it didn’t have a lock. I figured it would take a person some time to open the door and I would have plenty of time to let them know it was occupied. I didn’t factor in one thing. When I was ready to leave, I couldn’t get the door to budge. There wasn’t a door handle and all I could tug on was the useless lock. It took some doing, but I freed myself with minor damaged to my finger from pulling on the lock. I wish I took a picture of my bright red finger. The Better Half got a good chuckle from the story and was relieved that I wasn’t sick in the bathroom since I was in there longer than normal.
Overall we both like this pub. It’s not showy, the food is simple, and it has tasty beer. In my book, that’s a winner. I give it four stars.
50 Year Project 
Yummy yummy french fries :), but what did they do to the apple pie. Is that custard drizzled all over it? Why do they have to soak everything in custard???? Where’s the icecream and whipped cream or even a slab of cheese? LOL!!! Glad you had fun :).
I had a choice between custard and ice cream and I don’t actually like ice cream on pie. On cake, yes. Not on pie. And I never tried cheese on top of apple pie. I’ve heard it’s good, but I can’t get my brain and stomach to accept that.
OMG, for a minute there I thought you were going to say you didn’t like icecream, and I just about fainted!! LOL
dude, you know me! Not like ice cream–are you insane?
I know, I know – it was just a momentary loss of sanity :).
Seriously, I think you have a fever and should rush to the ER.
Wait a minute, I think I have really lost it!! Did you just tell someone that the beer was warm?!?! Tell me it isn’t so….
You won’t get many ice cold beers at a pub. Sorry to tell you.
Is that an English thing? They served them cold in Boston didn’t they?
Yep, England is known for serving warm beer. I have had warm beer in Boston, but that was my own fault. I’m a slow drinker.
Ewww yucky 🙂
Trust me, it isn’t bad, once you get used to it. Practice before you visit 🙂
Looks good enough to eat
It was. no frills or anything, but decent.
The apple pie def looks like a winner to me 🙂
It had more ingredients than the sandwich.
But only if you count the custard 😉
That’s the most important part!
Absolutely. I’m also not a big fan of ice cream with my baked goods. I love ice cream, and I love cake/pie, but I’d rather have them separately. I don’t even particularly like fruit & ice cream together.
I’m trying to think if I’ve had fruit with ice cream. Not sure I have. I love fruit and custard/yogurt. Do you like ice cream cones?
Fruit and yoghurt is OK.
Yes to ice cream cones 🙂
But just ok … it depends on my mood about ice cream cones. And I just realized I lied to you. I love banana splits, so I have had fruit and ice cream.
OK… I think I, too, might make an exception for banana splits 😉
Whew! I thought you would be soooo disappointed in me, but I had to confess.
Was any or all the food served warm or just the beer?
Sandwich was room temp and the pie was hot. Super hot. Kept burning my tongue, but couldn’t wait for it to cool. Beer was warm.
I shared your post with my colleague, Godsend. She said she would love custard on pie and it makes her want to visit the UK RIGHT NOW. I hope your tongue has made a complete recovery by now.
Tell Godsend that they love custard here. They served it with a lemon tart and at first I thought I would hate it. It was the best lemon tart I’ve had. My tongue has recovered–warm beer is the cure.
Godsend: “I know where I’m going on vacation.”
Does Godsend like tea? I went to a formal tea and was in awe by how many sandwiches and desserts they served with the tea. It was wonderful!
Godsend: “I’ve really got to go to London.”
And yes, she’s a hardcore tea drinker, too. I only drink tea, but she also does coffee.
I was surprised that many people here drink coffee. I was expecting them to scoff whenever anyone ordered it. I’m like you, I only drink tea.
Our former Marketing Director, one of my all-time favorite colleagues, is British and she seemed to prefer coffee. Go figure. It must be Yankee influence. She moved back to the UK but visited us last month.
It ruined one of my beliefs. Then when I moved to London I found out it isn’t foggy all of the time and I meet more foreigners than I do English.
Probably because most real Brits can’t afford to live in London.
That’s true. We just moved south of the river since we can’t afford it either.
Since I am as familiar with London as I am with Mars I have no idea where that is but I get it that it’s cheaper. Is the river the Thames? I’m certain it’s not the Mississippi.
I had never been to London before I moved here. Luckily I love it! Yep, it’s the River Thames. I do like the Mississippi, but have only seen it once when I was visiting New Orleans. I remember standing next to it, trying to picture Mark Twain on a steamboat.
It would have gotten 5 stars had the bathroom door worked properly!!!!
And I left my cell at the table so I couldn’t call for help.
Of course you did.
Oh yea–having tea with Queenie this morning, by the way!!! Can’t stop smiling.
Thta’s good for a fiver! Sorry about your finger did I miss the photo or didn’t you put it in 😦 have you moved south of the river then to my old “hood”?
I am south of the river but not in your old hood. nearby, but I don’t live in Tooting. Our flat in Earl’s Court was getting pricey! I didn’t snap a photo of my finger. I wish I had. It was angry red.
I’m a south London gal so I’m happy you’re south of the river!
It’s nice and no tourists. And my neighbors talk to me now.
Ah, those south londoners are a friendly bunch 🙂 mostly!
I’ve noticed that! Mostly. People are friendlier at the pubs as well.
Yum!
The pie was good
Looks like a great, cozy atmosphere. And I prefer the simpler food too.
It’s a PA day from school today and I have al 3 kiddos – plus 1 I am babysitting at home with me.
And it’s raining.
I could really use a pub like this today 😉
Come on over. We’ll put the kids in my garden and Miles (my dog) and Att (my cat) can babysit. All of them will be exhausted in a few hours. Just in time for bed here in London. Then we can go back to the pub 🙂
I think if you tried hot apple pie with cinnamon ice cream you’d change your mind. 🙂
They actually put custard on top of apple pie? Have never seen that! Two desserts in one, yeah?
That’s what the Better Half said–two desserts. I’ll give the cinnamon ice cream a go if I get the chance, but can’t make any promises that I’ll like it 🙂 Always up for a challenge.
I have noticed that about you. 🙂
🙂
Glad to see you still like this pub! I’m a fan of simplicity, so that’s a definite plus to me. Sorry that bathroom stall gave you so much trouble, though! At least you were able to get out on your own. Would’ve been embarrassing if you had to wait for someone to help you get out!
I was quite relieved when I got the door open completely. I’m shy and shouting from the toilet would have been an issue for me 🙂
That pie!!!!!!!!!!!
I go nuts when public bathroom doors don’t function properly! I would have had an issue too.. 😀
I don’t like feeling trapped in a small place, and bathroom stalls are really tiny in England.
Nice review, TBM! I am sorry to know that the Portobello Star is no longer anchored at The Castle Pub. I liked that name so much.
It’s a great name and a tasty beer. But I do like that the pub offers new beers on a regular basis.
I’d say that simply wanting to go to a pub is a good excuse to go to a pub! How fun! THe food looks good. It’s lunchtime right now and your food photos are making me hungry.
Sorry you had some difficulty with the restroom door. That would be an uncomfortable feeling.
I don’t like the feeling of being trapped and in the bathroom! Oh well, I got out and my finger has healed.