A perfectly positioned pub-spot at the London-end of St Clement's, 76 St Clem's used to house The Duke of Edinburgh pub (which was previously known as 'The Duke'), charming in its traditional way but mainly notable for the pies - that royal personage was succeeded by Joe Perks & Co in 2014, bringing a hipper atmosphere, great coffee and bro food. The management of Joe Perks have remained but now changed direction, launching the more inclusive Globe, a community- and family-oriented establishment replete with pub quiz, highchairs and globe-related colouring-in for the childers, and a co-working space during the day. So how has the Globalisation changed this great space?
Daily Info popped along on a quiz night (Tuesday) to flex its synapses and get some grub. First impressions: we prefer the navy-blue frontage and woody interior to the eye-catching predecessor, and like the drinks and menu continuity with Perks' latter incarnation. The menu retains some truly flipping delicious options, and there's a great range of craft beers, gins, wines and cocktails (the latter now less emphasised). We aimed to stay sober enough to storm to quiz victory.
Sadly a couple of days early for the craft kegs, I had a bottled Belhaven, a worthy (hoppy) substitute. My main was meatballs, tomato sauce, mash and gremolata - I may have been tasting the beta version of this dish (an orzo-like pasta instead of mash), but it was flavoursome, filling and somehow healthy-seeming. The hint of citrus from the gremolata may've contributed this air of virtue. This and other mains are around the £10 mark, whereas for £6.50 you can have a lighter trio of tacos. The beetroot, preserved lemon and marinated feta taco is acidic without being overpowering and tastes even better when combined with the sweetness of ham hock, bbq sauce and pickled carrot. DI's favourite has to be the tempura fish with avocado and chilli: a good-sized chunk of crisp white fish contrasting the creamy avocado filling, while the hint of chilli adds the much-needed spice.
Half the starters are vegetarian, but only one of 5 mains is. We'd expected more vege-friendly options from an early iteration of the menu, but that Roasted root veg and spelt salad with chimichurri and rocket sounds admittedly ace. The snack selection fortunately still includes the best Korean chicken wings I've ever had. But in terms of inclusivity of clientèle, it was great to see a full pub on its 2nd ever quiz night, getting involved, haranguing the quizmaster about an obscure geographical term and winning prizes by aiming at the (literal) dartboard of victory. DI did pretty well, and we're happy to head back to the Globe - convincingly staking its place between the hip and the merely classic.