The Torch

Just what London needs - another pub near Wembley calling itself The Torch. How imaginative. I'd normally torch my own review notes rather than waste time writing about yet another mediocre watering hole, but something about this place got under my skin. Perhaps it was the way it defied my carefully cultivated cynicism with its irritatingly competent service and surprisingly decent fare.

Let's be clear - The Torch in London isn't trying to reinvent the wheel. It's a pub. Near a stadium. In a city full of pubs near stadiums. The exterior has all the architectural charm of your average railway station waiting room, and on match days, it heaves with humanity like the last lifeboat off the Titanic. And yet...

I found myself returning. Not just once, but several times, each visit eroding my professional detachment like waves against a cliff. The staff - curse them - are genuinely friendly without that forced cheeriness that makes you want to commit crimes. There's a particular bartender whose wit is sharper than the knives in most professional kitchens I've visited. I'm not naming names, but you'll know who I mean when you meet them.

The food menu reads like every other pub menu in Greater London, which initially had me rolling my eyes so hard I could see my own brain. But then the dishes started arriving. The steak - and I can't believe I'm writing this - is actually worth ordering. In a pub. Near Wembley. I know, I'm as shocked as you are. It's cooked with the kind of precision you'd expect from establishments charging twice as much, and the portion sizes suggest they've never heard of the profit margins their competitors swear by.

The pricing is what really throws me off my game. In an era where London pubs seem to think they're Michelin-starred establishments, The Torch maintains a refreshing grip on reality. Three decent meals and chips for around thirty quid? In this economy? Near a major venue? I checked my receipt twice, convinced there had been some sort of error.

The atmosphere manages to walk that fine line between "comfortable local" and "sports bar chaos" with surprising grace. Yes, on match days it's packed tighter than a tube car during rush hour, but somehow the staff maintain their composure and the kitchen keeps pumping out consistently good food. It's like watching a well-choreographed dance, if the dancers were carrying plates of pub grub instead of doing pirouettes.

They've got the usual suspects behind the bar - your beers, wines, and spirits - all served at temperatures that suggest they actually maintain their cooling systems, unlike some establishments I could name but won't (you know who you are). The cocktails aren't going to win any mixology awards, but they're honest drinks at honest prices, which is becoming rarer than a reasonable rent in Zone 1.

The amenities are basic but functional. Yes, there are some chairs outside that have seen better days - probably around the time of the last World Cup victory - but inside, everything works as it should. They've even got free parking, which in London is about as common as a politician keeping their promises.

What really gets me is how they handle the crowds during major events. While other venues near Wembley seem to treat surge capacity as an excuse to drop their standards faster than a hot plate, The Torch somehow maintains its composure. The staff don't just cope - they thrive, like they're actually enjoying the challenge. It's frankly annoying how well they handle it.

For those keeping score: yes, they take cards (welcome to the 21st century), they're dog-friendly (because apparently that's important now), and they do take reservations (which, given the location, is actually rather crucial). The accessibility to Wembley means you'll want to book ahead if there's any sort of event on - and there always is.

Look, I didn't want to like The Torch. I really didn't. But here I am, recommending a pub near Wembley Stadium that actually deserves your time and money. Whether you're catching a game, a concert, or just in the area wondering why everything else is so expensive, The Torch in London offers that increasingly rare combination of decent food, fair prices, and staff who seem to genuinely give a damn. Just don't all go at once - I still need somewhere to get a reliable pint and a steak without remortgaging my flat.