The public house of old has had a makeover, combining the cosy drinking den of old with a food menu that could grace the finest restaurant. Here are some of the best of the bunch, well worth crossing London for.
Any comments - or a suggestion for a London secret? Please e-mail me.
Best Gastro Pubs
York & Albany
Gordon Ramsay protégé Angela Hartnett has taken an old Victorian pub and made something rather special. OK, the tacked-on deli seems a bit of a gimmick but the Modern European cuisine, with a strong Italian influence (on the wine too), make it worth the long trek up Parkway.
127-129 Parkway NW1
Tel: +44 (0)20 7388 3344
Tube: Camden Town
The Gun
Another Modern European menu and fine ales make this dockside pub a lovely spot in summer and a comfort food refuge in winter, whether in the bar or posher restaurant. Look out for fine fish from nearby Billingsgate Market and some exceptional wines.
27 Coldharbour E14
Tel: +44 (0)20 7515 5222
DLR: Canary Wharf
www.thegundocklands.com
Harwood Arms
Owner Mike Robinson hunts his own deer for the game-rich menu here and even the truffles come from near his Berkshire home. This attention to detail has helped chef Stephen Williams win a Michelin star - the first pub in London to do so.
27 Walham Grove SW6
Tel: +44 (0)20 7386 1847
Tube: Fulham Broadway
www.harwoodarms.com
Princess Victoria
Another Victorian pub given a stylish make-over, the thrice-cooked chips here (done in goose fat I believe) are among the best in London. Simple pub food done well and with a twist sums up the menu and the wine list is equally quirky and bold.
217 Uxbridge Road W12
Tel: : +44 (0)20 8749 5886
Tube: Shepherd’s Bush Market
www.princessvictoria.co.uk
The Carpenter’s Arms
Taking over the mantle of best gastro pub in the area from the Anglesea Arms (35 Wingate Road - still worth a visit), this unpretentious local serves great seasonal British food in simple style, with a dozen wines by the glass. The fact it’s in such a quiet spot also adds to the appeal.
91 Black Lion Lane W6
Tel: : +44 (0)20 8741 8386
Tube: Stamford Brook
Bull & Last
Big portions, good ales and hearty grub make this a popular haunt for those using Hampstead Heath to work up an appetite. The outside looks dull but inside the food is exciting enough, with a solid British menu offset nicely by a French influence.
168 Highgate Road NW5
Tel: : +44 (0)20 7627 3641
Tube: Kentish Town / Gospel Oak
www.thebullandlast.co.uk
