The Beaufort Pub & Dining
our review
The previously unloved suburb of Colindale is undergoing an impressive makeover at the moment, with flats going up, tenants moving in and the now closed Oriental City making way for a school and a B&Q. (I for one will miss the bustling food court and well-stocked supermarket, but I suppose Colindale’s new residents will need paint and picture hooks more than dim sum and Japanese crockery.)
The Beaufort Pub & Dining is part of the Young’s chain, and it’s a predictably slick affair. Inside, the spacious open plan area boasts a cosy armchair lounge; some New York style high tables; and a dining area with sturdy wooden tables, banquettes and comfortable chairs upholstered in plush-looking fabrics. It feels warm, masculine and a bit like home - thanks to the moody lighting and fake fire built into one of the walls. You could happily spend an evening here with family and friends, without feeling rushed or watched over, as you often do in the West End.
The menu offers standard pub fare, with a few more contemporary dishes thrown in to keep the young, cosmopolitan clientele happy. Traditional sausage and mash, steak béarnaise, and fish and chips sit alongside pasta primavera and pan-fried salmon with asparagus; so there really is something for everybody.
My dining companion ordered one of his favourites, scallops with black pudding, but smiling Head Chef George Voronin came out to explain that the dish was now served with mussels and crayfish. The alternative, with its generous slices of black pudding and plump chunks of crayfish in a light and zingy sauce, was very well received. I opted for the wild mushroom crostini. Now, I think ‘crostini’ implies something grander, and more crisp, than toasted white bread, but that’s just a niggle, as the mushrooms themselves were delicious; tossed with garlic, lemon, rocket and plenty of chilli.
For mains, we cheated and ordered from the special Italian menu that was on offer that week. Veal with sauté potatoes and garlic mushrooms was simply cooked and tasty, though a little pink for our taste, while my tagliatelle with meatballs was just ok. The spicy tomato sauce was nice enough, but the meatballs were dull in comparison. I’ll stick to the main menu next time, as the dishes arriving at the next table looked excellent. The house white - the El Coto Rioja - was fresh, zesty and very reasonable, and the wine list had an impressive selection of wines by the glass too.
Portions here are hearty, even when selecting the ‘ample’ rather than ‘generous’ option, but do leave room for pudding - they are excellent. Familiar favourites like crumble and banoffee pie are homemade, and the sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice-cream was deliciously light and moist.
With its charming staff, reasonable prices and friendly atmosphere; The Beaufort is a welcome addition to the area. For a Sunday Roast or just a few drinks in the smart al fresco area, this is by far the best option in Colindale.
KP - August 2008
your comments review this restaurant and win a bottle of champagne
I'm a regular customer at the Beaufort and I love it because of it's nice and relaxed atmesphere and specialy for it's great food. They have a great menu choice and every wednesday night it is a different cuisine, where George (Head Chef) will surprise you with his delicious dishes. Simply said, it is a very nice place to enjoy your dinner with a glass of wine.
Comment on this reader review
Olga
Overall rating 
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
