The Pub
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+The Albion Taverna is a pub which has a promising name - literally meaning
+the tavern of Britain. It is one of the further pubs from Faversham high street,
+but not too much of a trek.
+
+We visited around 2:30pm, and since it’s winter the sun was already starting to
+set. We still decided to sit down outside in order to see the Standard Quay, even
+though at this time of year it looks a bit of a mess…
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+The atmosphere in the pub is more restaurant-like than pub-like, which isn’t to
+say it’s bad, however it’s not quite the experience one hopes for when going
+to a pub.
+
+Drinks
+
+I had a Kentish Pip craftsman cider - it was decent, but did cost me almost £6,
+a bit steep for today.
+
+My friend had a Christmas Ale - he said it was very good, although had far too
+much sediment, as you can see below. His pint set him back a more standard £5.
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+
+Food
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+We didn’t try the food in the Taverna, since the cheapest main available was £17.
+This put us off ordering, although it did smell delicious! They serve mainly
+Mexican food and have quite good reviews from others.
+
+
+
+Overall, the Albion Taverna is a fairly standard Shepherd Neame pub - slightly
+expensive drinks, not a massive amount of character, but with some brilliant
+drinks available, mostly brewed locally. The worst part however of the visit:
+when returning our glasses and thanking the barman, I was ignored!
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+Location and Interior
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+The Albion Taverna, a strong name that secretes patriotic fervor. Will it do
+its name justice? Or like a political party, be little more than a soulless
+machination of ineffectual grandstanding? First, we must consider location.
+Situated on the banks of the River Fav, patrons are greeted with the sight of
+the Shepherd Neame brewery. As the air lingers with a hoppy tinge, one is left
+to contemplate how the company has affected Faversham, to what extent does a
+business go from being local to corporate; has Neame lost its roots? A question
+for another post perhaps. Alas the view is undoubtedly extraordinary, no other
+Faverpub rivals this. Although the reader must pay heed, the interior is
+ghastly. Lacking anything unique, the décor is substandard and unimaginative.
+All it would take is a short walk to the local antique shop and £200, this is
+not a job for Liberty or Harrods. I would recommend they expand their forward
+exterior seating; the majority is behind the pub giving drinkers a lovely view
+of the car park, useful for a town such as Sandwich or Headcorn, respectively
+filled with groups of tenebrous youths or ridden with wandering criminals eyeing any
+catalytic converters, but luckily not for Faversham. Yet. I have mixed feelings
+on the exterior architecture, it reminds me of a car park in Whitstable. I
+don’t like that car park but for some it may feel appropriate for the Standard
+Quay. I would perhaps change the colour to avoid it being mistaken for
+corrugated iron, reminiscent of the Third World. The seats are uncomfortable
+and childlike. This must change.
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+Drinks
+
+It has to be said the drink selection is rather impressive for a Neame pub, I
+was delighted by the cocktail offerings, an unusual sight in Faversham. The
+cocktails were well made, the staff were knowledgeable, but I dare not ask for
+something not on the small menu, that would be dangerous. I rather enjoyed the
+Christmas Ale, the weak would claim it to be seasonal but a good drink can be
+had whenever. I think the sort of people that say “seasonal” are pretentious.
+But, was this too good to be true? Indeed, it was, I was saddened to find an
+exceptional amount of Sediment lurking in the depths of my glass, ready to
+position itself within my arteries and create a blockage. My thoughts were
+surprisingly of unmelancholy, for I found solace in yet again proving the
+existence of the Sediment to my ever-denying friend. I can only hope he lives a
+longer life as a result, and if the cost of that is 50ml of ale, then so be it.
+I will not comment on the ciders as I am personally not interested interested
+in them. Prices were Faveraverage.
+
+Food
+
+Being on a budget, I did not choose to consume at this pub as it was rather
+expensive. This sentiment was only furthered by the choice of cuisine –
+Mexican. I realised it as soon as I walked in, the odour of Cajun craziness
+assaulted my nostrils. I regretted trimming my nose hair like those who remove
+sandbags before a storm, and instantly felt queasy. This was deeply wrong. A
+pub bearing Brittania serving Mexican food? I felt like I were in a hip hop
+video. Mexicans have substantially lower productivity than most, I suspect
+sales of dishes at this “Taverna” can be correlated with the productivity of
+Faversham. Overall, the food was overpriced and immoral. Do not eat here.
+
+Summary
+
+Ah the Albion Taverna, microcosmic of our society. A pub in a good location and
+access to many drinks, yet lacking the defining perennial. The owners thinking
+they were unique in having ethnic cuisine only add arsenic to the mind. I rate
+this pub a solid 5.5, it is not her fault but that of the owners. It has great
+potential, unlike the West, this pub can be saved. All that is needed is a
+return to traditional Anglo food and an eclectic interior to match the stunning
+scenery with an overall focus on its “quay” strength, the location. Do visit
+and have an ale outside, stay for an hour, and observe the Fav and the Brewery.
+But make no mistake, this is not Albion, this is a direct mockery to history. A
+more apt name would be the Lonely Sombrero, harking to Mexico, but also an
+honest isolationism to the Mexicans in our country. This could be a 9 if the
+issues are resolved, but we must ask, do the owners have the will to divert
+from their Mexican course?
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