Marlborough Head Pub, Mayfair, London

We first ran into the Marlborough Head about ten years ago, although it’s been there for a very long time. When I say we “ran” into it, that is literally what we did. We had been walking down North Audley, just south of Oxford Street, near what used to be the American Embassy on Grosvenor Square.  A heavy rain shower started to pummel down, so we ran across the street and into the door. It turned out to be a great find!

The pub is in the Greene King family of pubs, serving Greene King beer and ales. Greene King beer is brewed in Bury St. Edmunds, in Suffolk, which was about ten miles from where we lived in the ‘70s, so we know (and love) Greene King beer. To find it in the middle of London was a real treat.

The main street level bar is usually pretty crowded, so I suggest moving to the lower level where there is another bar and tables. The menu is variable through the seasons, so check out the website at: http://www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk/pubs/greater-london/marlborough-head/ to see what is available when planning to visit.  (UPDATE: Greene King no longer lists the Marlborough Head as a Greene King pub. It is still a convenient pub if you are on Oxford Street near Marble Arch.) Look over the menu, make your selection, order at the bar and tell the barman at what table you are sitting (they are numbered) and in a few minutes someone will bring the food to the table. Service has always been pretty good there, but as in all pubs, it will vary depending on the size of the crowd at the minute.

Greene King India Pale Ale (IPA) is my choice when in a Greene King pub. It’s smooth, flavorful and is, for me, the way ale should be. Of course, it’s served at room temperature, which for Americans can be a bit of a shock, but after you try it I think you will find that it’s good that way. Chilling an IPA actually diminishes the flavor in my opinion. Marlborough Head has IPA in casks on draught. Fish and Chips with an IPA makes for a good, hearty lunch after a morning of shopping on Oxford Street.

Marlborough Head, 24 North Audley Street, Mayfair, W1K 6WD