The Havelock Tavern

I have enjoyed a couple of good meals at The Havelock, but was very disappointed with the quality of the food served last night.

My steak, requested rare, was medium and indifferent, but it was my friend's shoulder of lamb that provoked curiosity, followed by disbelief. There was no mention on the menu that the lamb, if indeed that's what it was, would be served off the bone, in the form of a couple of patties. Our jokes about mechanically-recovered meat weren't far off the mark.

A shame, as the location is lovely, the venue pleasant, service better than average for a bustling pub on a summer's evening, but it was the food that was the main draw for me when I decided to visit.

After last night, I would certainly reconsider The Havelock as a long-standing safe West London bet.
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Emma Norman
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 3
Thursday, August 07, 2008

I went in again with my wife the other night and the place was empty. The floor was littered with dirty napkins and scraps of food. They had run out of the only wine left on the list which is both drinkable and any where near affordable. The smells coming from the kitchen were not appetising.

Seeing the food delivered to punters it was clear that the portion sizes are not what they were either - even though the meal prices are.
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Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 2
Tuesday, July 22, 2008

I have to say that I used to like the Havelock as a place but hated the staff and the food always appeared to be good but never matched what was written on the board. Always enormous portions, gigantic steaks with gigantic chips.

Since the new management took over I have to admit that the food is a million times better, less options=better quality. Admittedly the wine list is not as extensive as before but it still has a few gems and they are no more expensive than other similar places. I think what people forget about this place is its not a restaurant so expecting to order drinks and food at the table is not really a surprise. Its a PUB people!!! that serves good food. It is also a LOCAL pub so yes the staff can be a bit unfriendly to non-locals who they don't recognise but then people in London are unfriendly generally so its no surprise!! I could list 100 pubs in London where the service is rubbish and the faces of the staff equal that.

Probably my favourite pub in London, a very mixed crowd of people which is what a PUB should be and always busy creating a great atmosphere. Yes there have been balls ups with food but tell me any establishement that doesn't have its off nights occasionally. I would say go there if you can there are very few places like this left in London, unless you prefer eating at a souless restaurant that is pretending to be a pub. This is a pub serving good food
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Matt
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Thursday, July 17, 2008

Let's be honest, the Havelock has never been a particularly welcoming pub, but the prospect of excellent food has helped to lure those with a discerning appetite. For me though, the continued lack of hospitality means that I have set foot in that pub for the last time.

There is little or no service. Orders are to be placed at the bar and never from your table. Drinks too must be obtained from the bar throughout, so brace yourself for a mid-meal loiter at the bar, and be prepared for the utter contempt that the bar staff have for you and the other jostling customers.

One of the salads we ordered with our meal arrived after 20 mins without some of the constituent parts for which my wife had specifically asked. This was remedied, but not without further disdainful looks from the staff.

I have received better service from the Little Chef. Even the 'little thief' wouldn't charge £9 for an at best very average salad, £14 for fish and chips, and £20 for simple vino verde - further evidence that at The Havelock the customer is to be fleeced and then released whence they came.

With plenty of excellent friendly alternatives in the area, I'm not sure what there is to recommend about this pub. They do finally take credit cards, which, unless you're in habit of walking around with £100 or so in your back pocket, will come as a relief. Parting with it after such a disappointing experience however, is another matter.
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Oliver Hall
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Monday, June 09, 2008

I've been going to the Havelock since 1996 and up until the fire I always loved it. After it repoened it looked the same and many of the staff were the same, but the atmosphere was different, like everyone was on autopilot.

Then the new management took over. They murdered the wine list - quality down, prices up. The manager seemed not to care that the air was unbreathable due to a broken fume extractor in the kitchen. And they served me a ruined bavette with disgusting chips. Awful; the worst meal I've ever had there bar a raw duck leg in 1997.

In a few short months the new management have destroyed the goodwill built up over so many years by the previous owners.
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Sad ex-devotee
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 2
Friday, May 30, 2008

I visited The Havelock with friends or the first and last time after the take-over.

As a group we have eaten at the Havelock for about 6 years on and off and never had a bad experience until now. I ordered the beef and chips and was presented with cremated sticks of thin fat which were apparently the chips, fresh cut today and not frozen I was told, although I could swear they were frozen chips, and I have never had beef as tough and devoid of flavor in my life.

I did raise my concerns with the manager who seemed as vacant as the pub was at the time but he did talk to the cook, chef would be an overstatement, who seemed mildly amused by the whole thing.
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N Lacey
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 0
Monday, May 19, 2008

Having heard that this Pub has been bought by new owners I visted it last week and thought the staff were great, friendy and welcoming great value.

The food was fabulous and at long last they now take credit cards.
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Ben Shinner
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Thursday, April 10, 2008

The childish attitude of the staff kills this pub. One almost has to apologise to the staff when asking for a drink. The fact that they are drinking behind the bar themselves while on the job doesn't really help the problem either. I will be avoiding this pub except maybe when I am in a bad mood and fancy cheering myself up by watching this miserable crew in action.
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Tom Nesdale
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Sunday, June 24, 2007

You city folk do not know how lucky you are. I live in Hants (eating out badlands) and come up to West London on business once a week. 9 times out of ten I have lunch at The Havelock and 9 times out of time it never fails to please. Sure the staff can sometimes be a little "distracted" but the food is generally spot on, interesting without being too challenging and whoever runs this place deservesa gold medal for consistency - I love it.
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Jon Couzens
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Tuesday, April 03, 2007

I was a Havelock addict. I couldn't get enough of their unpretentious, interesting & delicious food.

I'd eat here almost three times a week... Until the fire which temporarily put a stop to business. After a difficult withdraw from my favorite local, it eventually opened. I couldn't wait. So How is it now? I can only say it isn't the same any more. It's as if everything looks the same but has had the magic sucked out of it. The food feels as if its not made with the old love and pride and this is reflected in the atmosphere & attitude of the staff. I can only imagine that they're ticking over for a while until they sell the place. Maybe they'll read this and get the quality back in the place.
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an old local
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 4
Sunday, October 22, 2006