An unexpected pint at The Mansion House

BY BILL LACY

Unexpected. Firstly, I was thrown off the Northern line at Kensington, a part of the line being closed for five months.

Next, I walked into The Mansion House, and instead of a pub I found a restaurant. It certainly looks the part.

It’s smart and modern. It has those Asian-style lights and fake shrubbery that reminded me of an overseas hotel, but not a pub.

Of course, it is technically a pub. It is Oakham brewery’s only London pub no less, styled as “Oaka at Mansion House”.

I was looking forward to a full range of their award-winning ales.

As I walked through the doors, a manger rushed over to me.

I wondered whether I was in the right place. Did I need a reservation? He looked up and down at the beer monster before him and realised I was here for a drink.

“You can sit at the bar,” he gestured.

Evidently, there was often confusion on this point. A couple of old fellows, who looked out of place, were already sitting in silence at the bar.

I was disappointed to see only two Oakham’s beers operating.

I ordered a pint of Citra and stayed at the bar for a couple of seconds before moving to a table.

Everybody was young and polished, and drinking wine. Menus were on tables, and waitresses were shuffling around serving up fragrant noodles and curries.

At one point, a member of staff placed a Reserved sign on my table, as a party had booked it, but I was welcome to use it for 20 minutes until they arrived.

Everybody was only talking in intimate groups.

The music was jarring, and too loud. It made for an odd, un-pub atmosphere.

Apparently it used to be a cocktail and piano bar, and it still felt like that, with a side of pad ga prao.

The food looks decent to be fair, “pan-Asian” with some unusual choices.

It’s probably the main reason to come here, even over the Oakham’s beers.

They say the beer makes for an “surprising but perfect accompaniment to our cuisine” which I’m sure it does (especially with the strong and citrus flavours) but it felt a bit forced, bolting a pub onto a restaurant.

Nothing wrong with it, but it was not what I expected.

Oaka at the Mansion House, 48 Kennington Park Road SE11 4RS

 

Picture: Google Streetview