The Salusbury reviews
I'm a new resident of Maida Hill and have been to The Salusbury on two recent occasions. The food exceeded my expectations but I think the portions are too big. We had a delightful waitress late on a Saturday night but I think generally the staff have a bit of attitude which needs to be sorted out. I will be going back again though... for the food!
by romyj, 28 Jan 2008Used to go to this pub religiously about 2 years ago but was put off by the bad attitude from both customers and staff. Went there a few days ago and it seems things have been completely turned around by a change in management. Spoke with a fellow named Luke who bent over backwards for us - hope this attitude is passed on to the rest of the staff, who seem like a bunch of layabouts.
by jregal73, 19 Jan 2008Have been to The Salusbury a number of times. Always enjoyed the food and the company, service is usually OK. As there is a general derth of good pubs in Brent, The Salusbury manage to rescue what could be drinking and dining hell.
by Sandy121, 11 Dec 2007I agree wholeheartedly with the comments about clientele and bar staff attitude making the place a lot worse than it ought to be. I've spent a couple of decent afternoons listening to some choice music (a rarity in a pub) and drinking some quite well-made espresso. However, come 19.00 the place fills up with 30-something loud mouths shouting each other down and 'being seen'. Then the attitude of the bar staff becomes pretty understandable. Time to leave.
Restaurant is what you might expect in a gastropub - predictable food, decently cooked and well-presented. Atmosphere less offensive than in the bar. As for the deli, it appears to be run (I am assuming she runs it by the demeaning way she treats the rest of the staff and the customers) by one of most obnoxious people I've had the misfortune to meet in the whole of the Queens Park area. And that's quite an achievement. Well done!
The food is fairly good as far as pseudo pub grub goes, and that whole thing of seeing the cooks sweat over the stove is very appealing to the type of young, posh, loud and scruffy types who eat/drink there. A varied menu with more than adequate portions, priced reasonably.
Service is useless and very slow. The bar staff mirror the punters, badly dressed and useless. They need to understand that they are there to serve the public and not to socialise amongst themselves during busy periods at the bar. The interior décor is somewhat dishevelled and it suits. This establishment is an eclectic mix of old wooden chairs and battered tables, reggae posters/records and carnival photography nostalgia with good food and OK beer and cider (not much of a selection, although there's Leffe, Adnams and Aspalls cider on tap).
If you're a wannabe posh person from not-quite-Ladbroke-Grove that likes to wear sunglasses inside and needs to be seen, then I think you'll find this place appealing. It is the food alone that gets the rating.
I've lived in the area for over 15 years now and generally drink in Kensal Green. Lately I've begun to frequent the Salusbury. The restaurant is fantastic but apart from that and the fact that they sell Leffe I can only give the place minus points. The bar staff, for some strange reason, seem to think they are doing you a favour by serving you. There's an unfortunate tendency in this country that when an area becomes popular the service in their Public Houses goes downhill. Shame really, as it could do quite well with normal folks such as myself as opposed to C-list media types who just follow the latest trend.
by Jiggs, 23 May 2007Just moved into the area and The Salusbury is a little too close to be good for my liver! A great place - lively, decent beer, sound wine list, nice food, understated music. I've already noticed one regular nutter who makes me smile.
by pitstroker, 08 Sep 2006I've always had great service at this pub and I'm not posh!
Food is reliably good, very friendly atmosphere of scrubbed tables and candles and large selection of wine, all at good prices. Never had a poor night, but the bar is minging - go straight to the restaurant area.
Would be great if it didn't take an hour to be served because all the bar staff are chatting to their posh mates, if the air-conditioning worked so it wasn't as smokey as a goth gig, and if half the clientele didn't make Nathan Barley look serious... That said, the food is terrific.
by Anonymous, 01 Dec 2005I thought the food and service were fabulous, will definitely be revisiting this wonderful pub.
by Poppy75, 01 Oct 2005The Salusbury is at the heart of the new Queens Park. Truly a buzzing pub, restaurant & deli. First things first, the pub is surprising, and not in a good way. A long thin room stretching back from the road to the bar at the back, very little space so you will be always climbing over someone. But you know, it turns out that is the attraction. Because the people you climb over are, on the whole, beautiful. A great vibe, and my favourite pub in the area.
Next restaurant - we have done everything from Valentine's Day to Sunday lunch here - and it’s consistently excellent. Food is subtle but tasty - meats are always good, and side dishes likewise. Portions are very modern (i.e. minimal) but I’ve never left dissatisfied.
Finally the Deli - the latest addition to the Salusbury empire. They bought the shop next door, and opened a superb quality deli, with carefully selected delicacies from across Europe. They have a good Italian connection, and bake fantastic pizza. Coffees are good too, could be larger, but well made. In fact Starbucks have just moved in opposite - but don't let that distract you. Summer afternoons with organic ginger beer and pizza lounging on the table outside - happy memories.
Have we missed a great gastro pub in London? Let us know.
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