The Red Lion makes a welcome return to our High Street!
Located on Leytonstone High Road opposite the junction with Church Lane, the Red Lion has stood for over 300 years and been through many incarnations. Thankfully it has now returned to being a community local, and although it’s only been open since 15 June it is already establishing itself as the sort of place where you will run into someone you know.
They have an impressive selection of drinks – 7 real ales on cask (2 of which changed while I was visiting), and 3 more on keg along with a cider and a lager. Otherwise, there’s the traditional fare of lagers and ciders on tap, but these are backed up by several interesting alternatives in bottles. There are a good range of spirits too, usually of a high quality – Hendricks gin for example – and even three tequilas!
The pub is still a little rough around the edges – level access and a wheelchair accessible toilet are due to open in the first week of July, with the kitchen to follow a few weeks later. The space is big and open plan, and the lack of carpet or curtains means it gets quite noisy and in some seats can be hard to hear your friends.
Although they don’t yet serve food from the kitchen, they offer pork pies and scotch eggs, and vegetarian versions of both (my friend enjoyed the veggie scotch egg). They also have cashew nuts in jars, flavoured with either salt and pepper or chilli. This, as well as crisps, meant that we didn’t go hungry.
Opening hours are currently 4pm – close on weekdays, and 12pm - close at weekends. No doubt when the workmen have left and the kitchen has come on stream, these hours will be extended.
Altogether, the Red Lion has got off to a promising start, and is already attracting a good crowd through the doors. With the addition of noise-muffling drapes around the window, disabled access, and of course hot meals, it would be an even better venue. I can’t wait!
Review by Flash Bristow, 28 June 2011
Green Borders Cafe
“The coffee is one of the best I have tasted”
Just south of the FARA area and next to the old police station on the High Road, David Barry has opened a small and welcoming café in the building which once housed the family textile label business. Faced with a diminishing demand for his product, David considered how best to use his premises for another purpose and, given his commitment to green issues, decided to open a small café dedicated to vegan and organic products.
You are assured of David’s personal attention when you arrive. The coffee is one of the best coffees I have tasted. All hot drinks are served with fresh soya milk. My latte was beautifully creamy with a smooth flavour. All the cakes are vegan and are sourced within the London area. The range of shelf products is expanding all the time. I bought some recycled printer paper and there are edibles as well.
The opening times are on the home page of Green Borders website www.greenborders.co.uk. Please check the website for the week’s opening times as sometimes they change.
David has a strong commitment to a community involvement. Amongst his ideas for developing his business is to invite speakers along to talk about green issues, to provide a showcase and occasional sales space for local craftspeople and artists, and to set up a community noticeboard. He is very open to ideas which enhance the ethos and ambience he is nurturing. This is a new venture on our doorstep worth supporting.
476 High Road, Leytonstone, London E11 3HN
Telephone: 020 8539 0941
Review by Gail Smart, May 2010
