Chaucer’s Pub

6/20/2007 10:00:23 PM, wednesday, june 20, 2007
Downtown London hardly seemed the most inviting of cities, what with all the homeless and destitute milling around and the large number of sex-oriented establishments -- hey, this seems like America! -- but this pub is a nice oasis. Large and bright English-y ambiance with lots of beer signs, light wood, and a very comfortable bar. My bartenders alternated between a slightly older Dutch guy and a very young woman who seemed Phillipine; this combined with a German-oriented menu and Belgian-oriented bottle list, and a trio of old duffers at the end of the bar from Australia, Ireland, and NZ, contributed strongly to the odd international flavor of the place. I stuck to Canadian beers and alas was disappointed, though I don’t think that was the bar’s fault; food was decent although the dumplings served with my pork roast were very odd and reminiscent of soggy baked white bread. All in all, worth a stop for a comfy place to drink, though you shouldn’t expect anything really special out of the selection unless Orval is unusual for you.

6/15/2007 3:01:12 AM, friday, june 15, 2007
I have to say that this was my favorite stopping point on our two-week driving tour through Canada and the Northeast states. Smoke if you wish on the wrought iron guarded patio, then enter a beautiful pub with an Olde English feel. Ancient carpeting, burlwood bar, stained and beveled glass, antique clocks, stone fireplace, cozy tables. Gorgeous. Glassware is meticulously shelved and labeled behind the bar, and your beer is oftentimes served with a branded doily as well (sometimes even on the appropriately branded beer mat!). Of our two bartenders, one was simply terrifiic while the other started out bit snooty, yet warmed up over time. Patrons all seemed like regulars and added to the English pub feeling of family. Beer menu was fantastic. Food was delicious and excellently prepared (an inch-thick cut of Prime Rib was cooked to my exact request all the way through). I can’t say enough about Chaucer’s. If you can only visit one beer venue in London, ON, this is the place.

4/15/2007 9:15:32 PM, sunday, april 15, 2007 [ Updated tuesday, april 17, 2007 ]
I love this bar. Hands down my favorite in London. Great ambiance, reminds me of the stereotypical bar to go to on the terribly cold day. Lots of selection, knowledgeable staff, proper glasswear and an overall great place. Only gripe is that it is kind of small, and there was standing room only last time I went. I plan on coming here many more times, I’ve already been twice in the last week!

9/7/2006 12:14:40 PM, thursday, september 07, 2006
Awesome place. MrManning took me there and introduced me to Milos, who is a true beer enthusiast and has created hands-down the best beer experience in London. He DOES keep Molson, Coors, Stella and other shite beers because he can’t turn the sixpack trade away, but he had Ludwig’s on draught, Unibroue and others, but his main claim to awesomeness is his bottle selection (very wide, over 80, many fantastic belgians) and the food - which is top notch. Just go - you won’t be disappointed

5/4/2006 10:04:11 AM, thursday, may 04, 2006
I heard about this place from numerous sources a few months ago but as usual I’m fairly lazy but also quite busy. I liked the atmosphere in this place, it has an oldish character that seems comfortable and inviting. The patio is pretty good too facing Carling St. though there isn’t much to gaze upon there as it’s fairly quiet. Service was swift and efficient despite what seemed to be only one person on the floor. Selection is solid considering this is London afterall - I haven’t been to Keaton’s for a long time but from what I remember, Chaucer’s at least has them on par in bottles. The tap list is somewhat boring though as it’s generally what other bars in London have except for a couple of Ontario micros and the Hacker Pschorr Munich. Probably about 90% of the people I saw on the patio were drinking either wine or Stella though, which is unfortunate. Food-wise I ordered the Schnitzel "princess" which was superb and something I’d definitely like to get again if not one of their other delicious sounding menu items that aim towards a European constituency. Although I won’t be living in London anymore, I still have ties to the city so I’ll certainly be back at some point.

3/1/2006 4:18:32 PM, wednesday, march 01, 2006 [ Updated monday, july 28, 2008 ]
Located in downtown London, this place is the city’s best kept secret. A warm fireplace and old wooden fixtures make you feel at home. The bottle list includes some hard to find belgians for this area, some american micros including dogfish head. Also bottle from Unibroue. On tap are some quebec micros like Unibroue, and lots of belgians like Affligem Blond and Hoegarrden. I was suprised to find the forbidden fruit there too. The food is awesome, and you should try the schnitzel, really. Worth a visit!