Giant Robot

‘You’re not in LA, so no substitutions, please’ reads the menu at Giant Robot – a modish 50s-style New York/Italian bar/diner that tries to inject Brooklyn swagger into everything it does. Long couches & packed magazine racks cater for Clerkenwell hipsters sloping in for good coffee, while a sunken bar with an enviable stash of spirits conjures up sassy cocktails for the after-work pack. The serious kitchen lives up to GR’s larger-than-life persona: ‘sliders’ (mini burgers) are big hitters, however it’s the ‘giant prawns’ with garlic, chilli & oregano that win the day, judging by reports. Other Italian stalwarts include crostini, veggie tortelloni & meaty ‘balls’ in all sorts of combinations – not forgetting a raft of cheese & charcuterie plates if you’re just looking for something to chew on. Weekend brunch is a must.