Helena Halme Author

Nordic Fiction with a hint of Noir and Romance

  • Books
  • Blog
  • Join My Launch Crew
  • New Novel Sneak Peek
  • Contact me
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Google+

The Crouch End Knowledge: The Queens

February 17, 2012 by Helena Halme Leave a Comment

From the outside this pub looks far too large to be any good, and it took some emotional blackmail type of comment from the Englishman to even get me through the door, ‘But we said, we’d to try all the pubs!’

The thing was that as soon as I’d written the first post about The Maynard Arms, promising you all a thorough review of all the pubs in N8, I’d regretted the whole thing. With the emotional displacement the move caused me (as usual), and having – with an immense stroke of luck – found such a great drinking and eating establishment as the Maynard right on our doorstep, I just didn’t want to risk trying out some dive or other, with a smelly carpet, that served badly kept beer. But, this reluctance to try out new places just isn’t in the spirit of the Knowledge game at all.

Needs must, and promises kept, so yesterday we decided that The Queens on Broadway Parade, N8, had to be the next pub on our Knowledge tour. It’s only a little further from the Maynard, about five minutes’ walk away from our new abode.

And what a little (large) gem this place turned out to be! The Queens has two largish bars and a dining room as well as a garden. According to their website the pub was originally built as a hotel, which explains the grand entrance, the high ceilings, the chandeliers and the large dining room. As we walked in, about half past six on a Thursday night, both the bars were semi-full, although the dining room looked empty.

We had a pint each of a bitter called, Pure. (This Knowledge lark is going to give me a beer belly the way I’ve suddenly started drinking pints again). We sat down on a cozily worn-out, high-backed leather sofa to enjoy the jovial, and not at all stuffy, atmosphere of the place – as well as the beer.

There were jars with paper napkins and cutlery on the tables and I grabbed one of the menus. It looked fairly standard gastropub fair, with Carrot and Coriander Soup, Aberdeen Angus Burgers and Roast Butternut Squash Risotto, to name but a few dishes. I wouldn’t mind eating there one evening, but last night we both fancied noodles and left The Queens with a promise to ourselves to definitely be back.

The noodle hunger was satisfied by a nearby Vietnamese restaurant, Khoai, which was another new experience, but more about that later.

So, Pub No Two of Crouch End Knowledge is done!

You may also like:

New Book Trials and Tribulations Would You Like A Sneak Peek into An Island Heatwave? Books Set in Scandinavia It’s Publication Day

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Pre-order offer

To Melt A Frozen Heart now 0.99 on pre-order

Free Story for my Readers Group only!

NEW NOVEL

Find out more

new

View Book

Alliance of Independent Authors /

Free Exclusive Bonus Chapter

looking for the self publishing coach?

Buy Direct from the author

Follow me on Instagram

Whoo hoo! My new book, an enemies-to-lovers winter Whoo hoo! My new book, an enemies-to-lovers winter romance, To Melt A Frozen Heart, is now on pre-order!
💙
To Melt A Frozen Heart is Book 1 in a new series, titled, The Andersons.  In the first novel in the series, we meet  Kat Andersson, a passionate environmentalist TV producer. Heartbroken after a devastating betrayal by those whom she most trusted in her life, she travels to Lapland, where she meets – and immediately hates – Mikael Hult, a ski instructor from a wealthy Finnish mining family.
💙
Here’s the full blurb:
When trust is betrayed by those closest to you, can love still find its way?

Kat, a TV producer nursing a shattered heart from a celebrity chef's betrayal, seeks refuge in Lapland. There, she crosses paths with Mikael, a Finnish ski instructor from a wealthy mining dynasty.

Their worlds collide like ice and fire, yet an irresistible attraction blooms. Kat, an ardent vegan and environmental advocate, has sworn off holiday romances. Mikael embodies everything she detests about privilege: fast cars, inherited wealth, and disregard for the environment.

But destiny has other plans. When disaster strikes in Lapland's pristine wilderness, Kat and Mikael find themselves drawn together. In their struggle for survival, they uncover shared values and a connection they never expected.

Will Kat's heart thaw, granting her a second chance at love, or will it remain frozen forever? 

To Melt A Frozen Heart whisks you from London's bustling streets to Lapland's enchanting landscapes, where the Northern Lights and twinkling stars illuminate Kat and Mikael’s path.
💙
You can now pre-order the eBook version of To Melt A Frozen Heart from your favourite store for just $0.99. This is a time-sensitive offer, so if you want to read my next novel, Book 1 in a brand new series, as soon as it hits the virtual shelves go to my profile or here: helenahalmebooks.com to secure your copy.
💙
To Melt A Frozen Heart will be out on 30 November 2023, at which point the price will go up to $4.99. 
💙❄️📘📖
Happy Monday! I started my week with Pilates @moss Happy Monday! I started my week with Pilates @mossymummy . Now wonderfully energized, I’m at my desk with coffee (naturally), running through the first edits of my Lapland book (cover and title reveal coming soon - watch this space 👀). 
I hope your week has kicked off well too!
☕️📘🤸‍♂️❤️
I’ve had a glut of tomatoes from the cherry toma I’ve had a glut of tomatoes from the cherry tomato plant, but not so many from the ‘big’ one. It’s very satisfying to eat fruit from your own #London balcony though! 🍅🪴
There’s nothing like meeting up with a good frie There’s nothing like meeting up with a good friend who also happens to be an amazing author! 
✍🏻🥰
Freddie @freddieppeters and I write in  different genres but we have so much in common. Our 3+ hour lunches are legendary.
🥂📚
Always prolific, Freddie has once again beat me to publishing her latest financial thriller, Book 2 in the Nancy Wu series, SON AND CRUSADER. I cannot wait to read it!
📘🕵️‍♀️
Load More Follow on Instagram

writing and publishing tips

Follow Me On Facebook

Facebook Pagelike Widget
Alliance of Independent Authors /

PRE-ORDER OFFER

free exclusive bonus chapters

Copyright © 2023 · Author Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in