The Lodge, Lark Lane

As a huge fan of Negresco on Lark Lane, I was more than disappointed to see that it had undergone a refurbishment, and was now named "The Lodge".  The exterior seemed to have none of it's former Gothic charm, but still, I thought I would give it a go.  Once inside, however, I realised that some of the artwork and furniture were the same as before, but some had changed for the better, giving a lighter and more welcoming atmosphere.

There are a range of world beers available, and a menu offering a variety of meals and snacks, with a good vegetarian selection.  Since it was a Sunday, I ordered a vegetarian roast dinner, and a chicken roast for my partner.   The food was wonderful, with a real home cooked feeling, as opposed to the frozen roast potatoes that are becoming more and more common when ordering pub food.  The staff were really friendly, and the atmosphere was welcoming and relaxed, with a nice mix of indie, rock and classic pop music playing.  Many people were dining with their families, and high chairs are available for babies.

The beer garden is a wonderful addition,  and is a lovely place to sit and enjoy the weather.  It has a  feeling of bringing the indoors outside, which really adds to the cool, laid back vibe.  As for value for money, I would say that it's a little more pricey than some other pubs offering Sunday lunch, at £20 for two roast dinners and two half glasses of beer, but I would still highly recommend visiting The Lodge - you will not be disappointed.