The Pelican

Tucked away in a quiet back street of Notting Hill, The Pelican is a nice little boozer. It's cosy inside with dark walls, polished floorboards and stacks of board games in a corner. Prices are quite cheap for food and drink alike which is a boon in this neck of the woods.

The Pelican isn't trying to be a gastro pub and clearly the food served is mainly intended as a sponge to soak up the alcohol. Still, a little effort would be nice. Essentially the entire menu is cooked in the deep frier and my fish and chips did not even have a piece of token salad to ease the clogging of my arteries. It was unlovingly plated with the huge piece of cod strewn across a pile of thin and unsatisfying fries.

Salt and pepper squid seemed to have been fried in the same heavy batter as my cod and there was no lightness of touch or even the mix of Asian spices that you expect from salt and pepper squid. MTV boyfriend's burger was slightly better (at least it hadn't been deep fried) but the bun was flaccid and accompanied by the same disappointing fries.

Try your hand at Monopoly by all means, but it's best to stick to the beers here and head elsewhere for your meal.

Details: 45 All Saints Road, Notting Hill W11 1HE (Ph 020 7792 3073)
Damage: Such a bargain even my mother would approve
3/10