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Wells

  • Bars and pubs
  • Hampstead
  • price 2 of 4
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended
Paul Winch-Furness
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Time Out says

4 out of 5 stars

The dining rooms above this very soigné Georgian pub are a useful addition to Hampstead’s relatively limited restaurant scene. Three handsome spaces, each with good acoustics and their own colour scheme and fireplace, make the Wells perfect for family occasions – accordingly, Sunday lunch is a hot ticket.

The menu is appealing without being faddish or daring; there’s a section devoted to steaks. Watermelon, feta and mint soup topped with toasted pumpkin seeds was a refreshing twist on gazpacho. Perfectly grilled scallops came with crisp bacon, samphire and two fashionable pureés: shallot and rocket. Piping-hot mains prepared with skill and exuberance followed swiftly: beautifully crisp-skinned sea bass on tender fennel, courgette, chorizo, green beans and red pepper with a precision-chopped provençale salsa; and swordfish on a terrific salad base of avocado, watercress, green beans, rocket, frisée and endive. Both dishes were generous and full of colour, vigour and flavour.

A standout pavlova with marshmallowy meringue studded with upright strawberries looked almost heraldic; a crème brûlée was peerless. Add solicitous service and well-chosen wines at friendly prices and the Wells is a winner. Downstairs has a posh neighbourhood-pub vibe with leather sofas, backgammon boards and as much emphasis on wines as beers.

Details

Address:
30 Well Walk
London
NW3 1BX
Transport:
Tube: Hampstead
Price:
Main courses £9.95-£18.95
Opening hours:
Open noon-11pm Mon-Sat; noon-10.30pm Sun. Lunch served noon-3pm Mon-Fri; noon-4pm Sat, Sun. Dinner served 6-10pm Mon-Fri; 7-10pm Sat, Sun
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