The Harrison

Surprisingly nice pub considering the surroundings. Stark decor but staff are really friendly and good beers on tap.

Great pub - a total transformation of what it was - a sticky carpet, furry wall papered dive.

I love this place, it's so cozy and friendly! Every other week there is live Irish music on Sunday night, which is how I got to know about the place. It's awesome!! Location is convenient too, not too far from King's Cross. Check it out!

The Harrison - Pics at The London Foodie
(http://www.thelondonfoodie.co.uk)

In my search for the best burger in London, I have been fortunate to have had some pretty good experiences like the ones at Byron, Gourmet Burger Kitchen, and more recently at The Harrison with Mr Noodles and Dr G.

This arduous task is proving a most enjoyable quest despite disastrous meals at The Diner in Islington and Grand Union. I was also a little disappointed with Hache in Camden Town although I feel I should pay it at least another visit before making my mind up. Another unfortunate experience was at The Fine Burger Co. on Upper Street which I am still to write about.

This month I will be trying the two most talked about burgers in town, Hawksmoor and Goodman’s. Considered the top end of steak houses, their burgers & chips do not come cheap at £15 and £12 respectively.

The Harrison was an interesting find, and one I would not have come across but for Mr Noodles’ invitation. I would not describe it as a gastro-pub and despite its subtle gentrification, it retained some of its original elegant features.

The menu was reassuringly simple and excellent value with meals ranging from £8 for a “wild mushroom, spinach and ricotta lasagne” to £13.50 for a “rib-eye steak, salad and chips”. The beers on offer included quality brands such as Guinness, Staropramen, Erdinger (weissbeer) and some Belgium bottled beers.

Mr Noodles and I were both happy with our combination of burgers, coleslaw, salad and chips @ £9 – the patties were meaty and juicy and perfectly cooked. Dr G was however not as lucky – his burger was overcooked, while his French fries needed a bit more cooking, and his salad was poorly washed and gritty.

I would like to return to The Harrison although the lack of consistency in their cooking is an issue that needs to be addressed.

Cost: £9 for burger, chips, and salad + £3 to £4 for a pint of beer.

Likes: good patties, simple and good value menu, and Erdinger weissbeer on tap.

Dislikes: lack of consistency in their cooking, gritty salad.

Verdict: good value local pub serving some quality beers and food in Kings Cross. Well worth a detour if in the area, but make sure the burger is cooked medium and the French fries are crisp.

I dragged out The London Foodie and his mate to give the burger at The Harrison near Kings Cross the once over. It should be noted that this wasn’t my first choice for a pub burger but the place I had in mind, the Gunmakers has a rotating menu and the burger isn’t always available.

Now the burger at The Harrison was by and large a fine specimen although not without flaws. That said many of the flaws are due to foodie-fussiness. Personally, I was a little disappointed with the bun, which didn’t hold the burger in properly and there were also issues with consistency. Two out of the three burgers were fine but one was overcooked.

That said I think the burger here is a cut above the gourmet chains with the patty having a definite own-made feel about it. Other than the one duff specimen, the burgers were thick and juicy and a steal at £9, including a side salad, coleslaw, and fries or chips. The only downside is location as although The Harrison is a decent pub, unless you live or work nearby, I’m not sure it’s worth coming to this part of a town for a burger and a Guinness.

One of my favorite gastopubs in London! The menu is nouveau-French and quite good, the beer is always flowing, the ambiance is quite "postgrad student-y" and a mix from the local colleges. One some nights there are candles everywhere and it is quite, not a bad place for a quick drink with your date.

This pub has gone gastro. It reminds me a lot of the Bird in Hand near Shepherd's Bush.

It wasn’t packed at 2:30pm so I easily got a table, and proceeded to have the most substantial and delicious Sunday roast I’ve ever had for £8.50.

It was a nice, relaxed spot. There were small groups of friends, definitely a younger crowd, coming and going. Most people were having roasts, too.

They have blues and folk nights here sometimes apparently, and even the soul and instrumental CDs they played this afternoon were great.

I stayed here a year back. The rooms are modern and nicely furnished in a boutique style. Flat screen and DVD’s to borrow. Simple and plain, but nice and quiet as it’s off the beaten track. There is a narrow stair nd no lift, but it’s not a big place. I enjoyed the food very much, and chose to eat there both noghts I stayed. There was a poetry reading the first night I was there, which was “interesting” :-)

Great location, only 5 mins walk from Kings Cross.

Having worked about 100m from this place for a year I thought a visit was rather overdue - and quite so after deciding it’s the nicest pub in the area. I’m not sure how you would find it if you didn’t actually work in the area as it’s just out of reach of either Holborn or King’s Cross tube stations. But it’s a really nifty little pub.

There are tables outside, big windows to let in lots of light, great retro decor and decent staff. I had the roast beef open sandwich, a little different but still quite tasty, for £4.90 and a Magners for £3.80.

It’s just refreshing to find a pub in King’s Cross that doesn’t have OAPs drueling at the bar nor a lingering urine smell. Hoorah.

Used to be a standard back street estate boozer until a few years ago when it got turned into a more upmarket bar. Now it’s a gastropub with good food (not eaten there myself but friends have) and a decent selection of beers. Fruli on tap, a couple of real ales, Guinness poured pretty well.