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Old Red Cow
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© Tim Knowles
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By Guy Dimond
This old boozer (formerly called The Long Lane), cheek by jowl with Smithfield Market, is in new hands. It’s not had a major restoration in the way that the nearby Fox & Anchor has, but they’ve tweaked a few things to improve it. Decent cask ales might include Timothy Taylor Landlord or Wadsworth IPA; a free jukebox of music you might actually want to listen to. Simple but effective decorative touches include candles and chandeliers. All of these, plus smiling and friendly staff, now give the place a cosy feel.
While they’re emphatic that this is ‘not a gastropub’, the food is clearly a draw for customers heading to the first floor. Main courses costing under a tenner include cod and chips or lancashire hotpot. The fish appeared to have been fried in oil that was at too low a temperature, as the batter had not crisped up properly. We took a risk with leek and feta fritters; these were doughy and a bit disappointing, and the accompanying roasted parsnips, steamed carrots and cold beetroot made a slightly odd ensemble. The best dish was a bread and butter pudding: rich, smooth and moist, the blueberries beneath and the crisp sugar on top were all perfectly judged.
One plus mark out of a possible three for food might not be great, but the pub does have other compensations. Every other Thursday there’s live jazz, and on the last Monday of the month, a pub quiz. There’s also a fine view onto Long Lane in the evenings, where you can watch the Barbican office escapees drift home early in the evening, to be replaced later on by by barflys and clubbers heading into Clerkenwell.Time Out London Issue 2015: April 2-8 2009
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
- 71 Long Lane, Barbican, EC1A 9EJ
- Area: Barbican
- Tel: 7726 2595
- http://theoldredcow
- Category: Bars & Pubs
- Travel: Farringdon tube/rail or Barbican tube
- Times: 12noon-11pm Sun-Thur; 12noon-12midnight Fri, Sat
- Services:
- Available for hire: Yes
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I went to a birthday party at this pub last week and made a note to myself to write a review as we had such a great time!
The staff were great and so helpful and it felt like we were in someone's home having a party and not in a pub - which is a good thing!
I think the comments made below about the food are totally unfounded!! I don't think we had stuff off their main menu, but we had mini fish and chips and mini pies and they were gorgeous....! Infact it was so good i'm going to have my 30th there in 2 months time :)
I went her a few weeks ago and cant say the food was anything but terrible, the welsh rabbit had a bottle of woucestershire sauce poured on it. The chicken pate resembled excrement, with no depth of flavour as for the fish and chips was anemic, and as for the duck pie it in no way resembled a pie. if Paul Zappa thinks this was something to recomend then he emulates what is wrong with the english idea of food.
OMG! The food is by far the best you can get in Smithfield. The guy above must have gone on freaky friday or something! LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS PUB! GO!
I've been frequenting the Old Red Cow since it opened and am surprised at the comments about the food. I have tasted many different dishes, including their fish and chips, which by the way, seems to be one of the most popular dishes. I particularly recommend the duck pie followed by brownie with cream - it simply melts in the mouth Hmmmmm! The staff is very friendly and the atmosphere inviting. The pub is always busy when I've been there and there's a good choice of ales and beers
I think the Old Red Cow looks fab with its new makeover, juke box is cool too. Havent tried the fish yet nor the fritters so cant comment on that, but I did have a lovely pork belly there on a sunday and my friend said his duck pie was v good too. Its quite small downstairs so gets a bit busy on a friday with the after work crew.
I have worked in the Barbican for 20 years and have often frequented what used to be Ye Olde Red Cow. I must say the pub looks completely different now. 'Tweaks' doesn't really account for the changes that have been made. The Cow has really been brought back to life. Although I can't comment on the food they do a jolly nice pint of Landlord.