PRINCE OF WALES - the Pub Dick Turpin Forgot

This time we hit the geographical centre of Wimbledon, the focus point where all roads meet and cross over Wimbledon Bridge. And nothing's better than choosing something with a bit of historic background. The Prince of Wales is across the road from the Centre Court Shopping Centre, and it has been its location since the 17th century, making it one of the oldest pubs in Wimbledon. Apparently, the story goes the infamous highwayman Dick Turpin even used it as refuge when it was back then a coaching inn.

Talking about old, the inside of the pub reflects this entirely despite a refurbishment in the mid-to-late Noughties. The old fashioned lamps make the lighting dim enough to re-create the traditional pub feeble glow of decade past, as it attempts to shine on the smooth oak-style wooden panels all around walls and columns. The rest of the layout and the furniture fail to shine with history, looking pretty neglected or not enough vintage. With carpets and curtains still belonging to the 1960s, it all falls apart when they appear side-by-side with a modern flat screen TV.

Yet, good traditions are there to be seem and enjoyed when you hold a pint of Guinness with a clover stamp on top, or an old tankard as drinkware. The menu as well holds good items from the traditional pub cuisine, which is what we fancied to order and hopefully pick the "strong" dishes. We all thought the pub could still hold the cozy feeling of your grandad's house.

The fish 'n' chips was a good portion, complete with mushy peas and sauce tartare. However, chips were thin, far from the traditional chunky ones you would expect, and it had not been seasoned at all. The steak burger was delicious and good value, nicely presented on a branded wooden board. Ham, eggs and chips would have been more successful if the ham had been thicker or at least if proper gammon was used. The cheesecake on the other hand was a good vegetarian choice which still tasted of that greasy pub feel without compromise. And at last, the steak frites came very late and as a complete disappointment when it was clear no steak fillet was used. Instead, it was minced meat shaped as steak!

The Prince of Wales has a lot to offer but it seems no effort is being made to build on the history and traditional look they seem want to preserve and advertise. A place can still be good old-fashioned and rustic when its chairs are not sticky or wonky, or when tables are at least sanded for a bit of shine. Without being enticed for dessert from a poor short list, we made our way out into the autumn sun as we heard Dick Turpin and his horse run away for the last time..

Our verdict is as follows:

Quality of Food        2.17
Hygiene                     2.17
Value for Money      3.17
Speed of Service       2.83
Quality of Service    3.17
Ambience & décor   2.33

Prince of Wales gets an overall rating of 51.1%