Crooked Billet

Since the last review from Joe R in 2011, the Crooked Billet has undergone a massive transformation and renovation from a simple, unpretentious neighborhood pub to attempting to be more of an upmarket pub and restaurant. It’s an ambitious attempt in this neighborhood. The area is working class, mostly council housing and one of the most culturally diverse neighborhoods in London. They have done a wonderful job of renovation and the atmosphere is great and very popular with the young locals since upmarket pubs are a rarity in Clapton.
Allegedly this area is supposed to be «up and coming» for years. Still waiting for it’s arrival ;) The only reason I bother to come to this part of London is because a good friend of mine lives here.
Unfortunately, the menu prices are West end high and they don’t deliver the quality. The menu choices are limited and they boast that they use only organically grown and free range farmers market quality food. Perhaps, but the hype doesn’t equal good food. Very basic British pub menu choices, fish & chips, burgers, and pies and such. We ordered fish & chips and the burger. Small entrée portions but they don’t skimp on the chips. In fact, they seem to try to create the illusion of a larger portion by heaping on the chips. My burger was very small, overcooked, not seasoned and was lost in the ample bun. My partner’s fish was a small filet, the breading was nothing special.
If you have a limited menu and are charging upmarket prices then just do it well.
Despite the high priced, mediocre food, this pub is a welcome addition to the community.

Excellent food and atmosphere. You’ll feel like you are being hosted by the family in this cottage-​like restaurant. The waitress was very friendly and accommodating. Try and get the table «in» the fireplace and watch your head as you enter. The cottage is circa 1600’s.

This is a Brakspears pub about a mile outside the centre of Wokingham at Honey Hill on the Crowthorne side of the town.
Absolutely no problems with the beer but my girlfriend & I have decided not to have a Sunday Roast there again. Under cooked potatoes the 1^st time, sort of OK the 2^nd & missing parsnips on our last visit just before Christmas 2010.
So why would we return? Simple, it’s a place to end a really nice walk out the back of Tecos, past Lucas Hospital, past Ludgrove School, through Grays Farm to Heathland’s Rd opposite Holme Grange Arts & Crafts Centre then to this pub.

Nice old pub — near a river ford.
Out in the sticks
Good food
Varied menu
Lots of Ales