In the mood for some pub-grub after a Sunday visiting historical sites around central London, we found exactly what we were after just a short distance from our hotel in* the Strand.
The Wellington is a slightly up-market but typical British pub with a main floor drinking establishment, an upstairs dining room, and outside seating when weather allows.
Climbing up the stairs (handicapped accessibility is NOT a given in the U.K.), we came to the sign on the landing that said, “Wait here to be seated.” One of the locals and/or regulars saw us and said, “Go on in or you’ll be standing there a long time!” So we did.
One of the servers saw us, ushered us to a table, and brought a wine list and menus which included their Sunday special: roast beef!
My wife and our daughter each enjoyed a steak and ale pie while I HAD to try to roast beef. I asked for it “as rare as they could find,” and they accommodated me quite nicely. They even brought a side of pure horseradish at my request.
There is not the same focus on tipping in the U.K. as in the U.S. Some restaurants will add an automatic – though completely discretionary – gratuity, while others will list the amounts of a 10 percent, 12.5 percent and 15 percent tip at the bottom. Ours did neither.
In such cases, some people say the proper way to determine an amount is to “round up” to the next note, but that is incomplete advice. Rounding up is fine, but with a target of 10 percent, more or less. As our bill came to £117, we rounded it to £130, or a tip of £13.
I am especially sensitive about this issue, having worked in the industry and having been on the receiving end of tips, so I asked our server and she responded that it was an excellent gratuity.
Good food and service in an authentic British pub was just what we needed to cap off our first full day in London. Should you be in the area, I’d recommend the Wellington at 311 The Strand without hesitation.
The Wellington is a slightly up-market but typical British pub with a main floor drinking establishment, an upstairs dining room, and outside seating when weather allows.
Climbing up the stairs (handicapped accessibility is NOT a given in the U.K.), we came to the sign on the landing that said, “Wait here to be seated.” One of the locals and/or regulars saw us and said, “Go on in or you’ll be standing there a long time!” So we did.
One of the servers saw us, ushered us to a table, and brought a wine list and menus which included their Sunday special: roast beef!
 |
| Sunday special roast beef |
My wife and I chose a Silverland Malbec from Argentina, as most Malbecs are. We thought it could have used more time in the bottle but, at £11.25 per glass, was still a good value.
Turning to the solid food, our 14-year-old grandson chose a typical cheeseburger to accompany his British Coca Cola, which he found more like Mexican Coke than the U.S. variety due to the sweetener used.
Turning to the solid food, our 14-year-old grandson chose a typical cheeseburger to accompany his British Coca Cola, which he found more like Mexican Coke than the U.S. variety due to the sweetener used.
 |
| A boy and his burger |
My wife and our daughter each enjoyed a steak and ale pie while I HAD to try to roast beef. I asked for it “as rare as they could find,” and they accommodated me quite nicely. They even brought a side of pure horseradish at my request.
 |
| Steak and ale pie with a glass of Malbec |
Meal times across Europe are much more leisurely than at home and the experience at the Wellington was no exception. However, perhaps because The Strand is a heavily touristed area, the service was more attentive than at many other restaurants we visited. Still, we were not at all rushed, offered dessert, and not given the bill (never a “check” in the U.K.) until we’d asked for it.
There is not the same focus on tipping in the U.K. as in the U.S. Some restaurants will add an automatic – though completely discretionary – gratuity, while others will list the amounts of a 10 percent, 12.5 percent and 15 percent tip at the bottom. Ours did neither.
In such cases, some people say the proper way to determine an amount is to “round up” to the next note, but that is incomplete advice. Rounding up is fine, but with a target of 10 percent, more or less. As our bill came to £117, we rounded it to £130, or a tip of £13.
I am especially sensitive about this issue, having worked in the industry and having been on the receiving end of tips, so I asked our server and she responded that it was an excellent gratuity.
Good food and service in an authentic British pub was just what we needed to cap off our first full day in London. Should you be in the area, I’d recommend the Wellington at 311 The Strand without hesitation.
* Editor's note: In the U.K., something is "in" a street, not "on" it.
Visit my main page at TheTravelPro.us for more news, reviews, and personal observations on the world of upmarket travel.
Photos by Carl Dombek
Visit my main page at TheTravelPro.us for more news, reviews, and personal observations on the world of upmarket travel.
Photos by Carl Dombek
Click on photo to view larger image
Comments
Post a Comment
PLEASE NOTE:Comments on this website must pertain to the topic of the article and may be edited for content and/or clarity. Comments that include URLs WILL NOT BE POSTED. Please contact me directly if you wish to do a "link exchange."