Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on February 2012
Now just three minutes from Hinodecho station, The Full Monty is back after a hiatus as Kannai’s Three Lions pub, reverting to its original name from its Higashi Kanagawa days. Smaller and cozier, the new venue offers the convivial atmosphere every neighborhood pub should have. It’s still smoke-free, and their made-from-scratch English pub menu is still intact—along with their proper Imperial pint serving taps.
Don’t be fooled by the sliding Japanese shori doors at the front—inside, the Monty’s all public house. The bar counter offers six taps which owner Clive will happily tell you about. Beers don’t rise above ¥1,000 for a pint, and come in middy- (¥800) and half-sizes (¥600). On offer are the likes of Belhaven Twisted Thistle IPA and Old Speckled Hen. I couldn’t help treat myself to guest beer the Rogue Breweries Dry Hopped Saint Rogue Red Ale. A deep copper with plenty of hops upfront, it never veered into overly bitter territory. Its effervescence made a delightful change from flatter ales (I’m looking at you Speckled Hen…). The guest tap changes regularly, so you’ll need to hurry to try that one.
Carlsberg is around for the non-ale-minded (¥850/¥650/¥500), along with bottles (including old standby Newcastle Brown), and ciders (Weston Old Rosie Scrumpy among others). An ever-growing selection of single malts (ask Clive about the 34-year-old Tomatin Liquid Sun) sits alongside the usual suspects.
What has always set The Full Monty apart has been its food. Clive and his partner Kae still regularly cook up the standout dish of vindaloo curry, but you can always count on one of the daily pies. Pies and chips (or mash) are brazenly proportioned for ¥1,200, and perfect for burning off the chill. The steak-and-kidney is chopped steak and generous kidney pieces in a gravy of goodness that both the fresh-made fries and the thick, flaky crust do their best to sop up.
Of course there is also the national dish of fish and chips, which starts at ¥700 for one piece. Breakfast lasts all day here: a half-size English is ¥1,200 while the regular will set you back ¥1,900. Or, if you can’t decide, just order up the—you guessed it—“Full Monty” for ¥1,200 and put that busy brain of yours on hold. Also on the burner: chicken and chips, bangers and mash, curries, kebabs and quiche from ¥700-¥1,200.
Clive still makes sure that footy’s on the large screen and the tunes keep punters on the bar stools, so there’s always something to natter about if you rock up alone. Free Wi-Fi enables a quick gathering of the troops for a good old fashioned pub night in Yokohama.
