Monday 3 December 2007

Queen's Head, Downe, Kent

Unpretentious and friendly little pub with old-fashioned fittings and patrons in the pretty village of Downe just beyond the suburban sprawl of Bromley. The best tables are beside the windows, but one table at the back of the bar has some very comfortable and battered red leather swiveling chairs. There is a selection of ales on tap, such as local brew Spitfire, and a small food menu. The beef and Guinness pie (about £8) comes with an off putting large pasty quiff, but the stewed meat below was juicy and rich. Deserts (£3.50) include a suspiciously neat, but passable banoffee pie. The children's menu (£3.50) is basically a selection of chicken nugget or fishy dinosaur-style dishes, which have an almost plastic appearance, followed by ice cream. Little nutritional value, but enough to keep the kids quiet, while you enjoy a pint of beer. 6/10