Saturday 20 October 2012

Regent to reopen

Thanks to various commenters we learn:

The Regent is going to reopen as the Parlour (http://parlourkensal.com/). No more information - I hope they still server burgers. 

Also the Island is being refurbished; it will be interesting to know how they change it. We've always had a great meal in the Island but it's been quite quiet (the restaurant bit). Perhaps it will become more integrated with the rest of the pub, but I used to like how it was a bit hidden away. 

For once not just parroting what commenters say, I noticed tonight while driving past that the IT/telephone shop opposite the overground station had been gutted and it looked like it was going to be something different?

Update - ah, maybe it's this, which being an A2 suggests another estate agent?

Ps we were noting today that Kensal Rise doesn't have any charity shops at the top end, and just that newish one down the bottom end. Yet West Hampstead ten years ago had at least five, maybe more. Is that a good or bad sign?

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Parlour is open. Looks like a cool diner. May pay w visit tomorrow.

Cat said...

Have heard a rumour that the Paradise has been sold recently, and that the new owner has tried to get some mums groups interested in using it as a meeting place, probably to boost the lunchtime trade with some yummy mummies. I am a mum on maternity myself, but have to say I kind of like having somewhere to go locally that DON'T do the buggy brigade. The Paradise is somewhere we go when we have a babysitter specifically because we don't go there with the baby...

DJMonkey said...

The Paradise has been bought by a friend of the owner. At least it is not Greene King.

I also went to Parlour last night. Big change in there. A white diner. The staff were very attentive and it is table service for beers if you so wish. I had the cow pie which I must say was amazing. Slow cooked shin of beef with a duet top. It is mega filling so no other sides required. We did try the home smoked mash which was yum. We had salted Carmel Rollos given to us at the end. Wow. Again fab. Will go again.

Anonymous said...

Has the Island reopened yet?

Anonymous said...

Two more estate agents are coming to Kensal Rise I have been told, namely Winkworths and Greene & Co. This certainly is proof of an "up and coming area".

Anonymous said...

Yeah, because I love to visit an estate agent In a morning.

Anonymous said...

Winkworth is opening next to Kensal Eyes - the gutted internet shop and Green & Co next to Scarlet and Violet. High Streets will soon only be filled with coffee shops, estate agents and charity shops. NOT A good sign.

Anonymous said...

The Regent used to be a lovely pub.
Was it's proximity to The Paradise ever a problem for business?
I passed by the other day & it looked awful -like an East End pie & mash place or butcher's shop -all white tiles. Very stark & not cosy & relaxing like before.
Shame...

Anonymous said...

Have any mummy&baby groups started at Paradise yet? New mum with a 6 month old looking to get more involved in local groups x

Anonymous said...

The menu for Parlour does the most reasonable kids meals. £3.50 each, plus babyccino and hot choc free.

It is a great space for NCT mums. We used to go to Harvist until that shut.

Anonymous said...

I was eagerly awaiting the re-opening of what was my favourite local pub, 'The Regent' aka. Parlour and went this Saturday. However, I could not have been more disappointed. Its stark white walls leave it with about as much personality as a hospital bathroom and the less said about the chavvy clientele, the better. I shall not be returning, and the sooner this place goes out of business the better.

On a positive note, thew new pizza place - Sacra Cuore - is excellent!

Anonymous said...

Re: above comment. Bit harsh.

Anonymous said...

Agreed, above comment is harsh.

To clarify, it's the same owners as the Regent, it's just been 'renovated' - it is also 1 of 3 pubs - the other being: The Stag (Hampstead) & The Mall Tavern (Notting Hill). Thus I suggest the Parlour is here to stay.

Agree, that the tiled walls make the atmosphere cold / harsh, and also very LOUD - no soft furnishings to absorb any noise.

Staff are very friendly though!

Someone in the pub industry obviously thinks it's a good renovation, not sure who that is though...

Anonymous said...

Think the comment is really harsh. Yes, I think it is too stark. But to want a business to go bust is ridiculous. It still promotes the area and is something different. The food is spot on though.

Rachel said...

I only got to visit the Regent once, loved the smoked food, such a shame I won't be able to return for the menu anymore.

DJMonkey said...

They are the same owners and have their own smoker. The smoked mash is fab.

Anonymous said...

We went last weekend and ate in the main bar area. The menu is meaty British larder-type fare and homely kinds of dishes - the sort of menu which seems to be the in thing at the moment. Food was fine but not outstanding, but they do have a smoked salmon sashimi-like starter with soda bread which is really good. The staff were friendly and eager to please.

Having been there twice now, although I don’t have a massive problem with it, I definitely preferred the old regent. The decor as others have mentioned is not at all cosy and it's also lacking in real personality. The regent wasn't exactly your standard pub I know, but this is even less of a pub than ever which is a shame as there are hardly any around the Kensal area.

Anonymous said...

The Parlour is not a patch on the Regent, I really hope the owners are forced in to a rethink and bring back some of the life and atmosphere they curiously decided to rip out. I don't think the previous comment was harsh at all. Just another example of being told what we should like rather than businesses listening to they loyal customers.I will not be going back.

Anonymous said...

Yeah,

Greene and Co. Estate agent near the Diner.

Winkworth Estate Agent on the Bridge.

I spoke to the Winkworth Franchisee, his view was that now the big boys have got Kensal Rise in the sights (he's including himself there) the smaller, less professional, shabby, one man bands will inevitably close / move on.

Maybe he has a self inflated view of himself, but it does make some kind of sense. Perhaps then we'll see Estate Agents becoming proper shops?!

fingers crossed

Anonymous said...

Kensal 'Rising' leaves me with a sinking feeling...
-Remember how to tell when an estate agent isn't telling the truth: It's whenever their lips move !
Betting shops, estate agents & Bacofoil-clad, naff buildings are three things any community is perhaps better without.