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Freemasons Arms
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So shiny is the recent refurb at the Freemasons Arms that you could probably eat straight off the marble-topped tables. The main bar is hotel lobby-like in size, with leather armchairs dotted around a central light-wood bar. There are two dining rooms, but drinkers tend to head for the mirrored and muralled 'Hampstead Room' or, in summer, the pebbled beer garden. There are only two real ales, Timothy Taylor Landlord and London Pride, but interesting draught lagers include Paulaner and Birra Moretti. Diners tuck into fancy cottage pies (£10), pizza (£7) and lamb shank (£14). Staff are friendly, but their logoed tees make them look less like a team of chummy bartenders than members of a militia.
Time Out Bars, Pubs & Clubs Guide 2008/9
Time Out reviews restaurants anonymously and pays for meals. Of course, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or independence of user reviews.
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Details
- 32 Downshire Hill, Hampstead, NW3 1NT
- Area: Hampstead
- Tel: 7433 6811
- www.freemasonsarms.co.uk
- Category: Bars & Pubs
- Travel: Belsize Park tube
- Times: Open: noon-11pm Mon-Sat; noon-10.30pm Sun, Food served: noon-10pm Mon-Sat; noon-9pm Sun
- Credit cards: AmEx, MC, V
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Absolutely appalling service. Hit and miss that full menu will be on offer!!
I went in at 730pm last night and after waiting an age to be seen, was told by the front of house, that I wasn't able to order from the full menu, I could only have Pizza'a or salad. I asked why. I was told "the kitchen is slammed tonight. We have 3 large parties coming in and therefore I can't offer a full menu until those parties have made their orders". I was rather disspointed and annoyed that on a quietish weeknight, their kitchen could not offer a full menu. I5 minutes later I returned to the bar having selected my salad and pizza to be told unapologetically that the kitchen wasn't taking any more orders that evening!!! I was incensed. A barman was then despatched to go around every table in and outside saying to customers that the kitchen was closed for the evening. I ask: how on earth can a place not accomodate its customers on a quiet weeknight evening? No apology was offered for this and seemingly none of the staff cared.
This is not the first time this has happened. I visited on a Sunday 2 months ago and again the menu offer was limited because the kitchen was busy. Again there was no apology. Again the staff were lacklustre and slow. Again I had to wait over 15 minutes to be served at the bar. Again there was a delay with food.
Perhaps now I have learned my lesson and hence this post to advise other potential diners of what they may experience.
The only plus side to the Freemasons is that its in a lovely location and has an exceptional ( recently enlarged) beer garden. What a shame they cannot cope with increased capacity