London's new chef-led gastro pubs
There's a bevy of new pubs offering food a cut above the often underwhelming gastro-style menus. At these public houses, the ingredients are the finest and most seasonal on offer, and the chefs are mighty impressive. And, they still serve a pint and a decent Sunday lunch.
Here are five of the best recent openings.
With far more seating than his Islington debut, Tom Oldroyd is clearly revelling in becoming a publican. It suits him well. In the bar of his Dalston pub, The Duke of Richmond, you can enjoy saucisson brioche with cornichons, crab and chip butties, and golden-crusted pies filled with beef shin.
The 30 cover dining room's menu is French accented whilst using the very best of seasonal British produce. It has a semi-open kitchen with open fire cooking adding theatre to proceedings.
On the menu: the starters always include a terrine and delights such as scottish girolles and grelot onion vol au vent; or tomato confit tart with black olive tapenade, crème fraiche and provençal herbs. For the indecisive, there's the option of all the starters. The Duke burger with roquefort, confit shallots and béarnaise is very popular. Perfect for a colder evening is Swaledale lamb en croute with green beans and wild garlic butter. There are exotic beautifully made desserts too: rum baba with grilled pineapple and creme brulee custard tart.
On Sundays there is an all-day roast and rotisserie menu.
To drink, there is a knowledgeable array of local and well-sourced beers and ciders, as well as a reasonably marked-up wine list, and a selection of classic cocktails.
Dinner for two: £80 with drinks