Roux at The Pembury

The reconfigured & renamed bar aligned to Roux at Parliament Square occupies the first floor of the solidly impressive Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. Its cocktail list goes overboard with twee gastronomic headings (hors d’œuvres, plats principaux, & so on), but a quick survey reveals some royal & parliamentary rinses: William’s tipple combines Tanqueray 10, Kammerling’s ginseng liqueur & peach bitters to harmonious effect, while white paper & penultimate word (Don Julio blanco Tequila, Talisker, green Chartreuse, coriander & lime) are vote winners at £8.25. A dozen wines are available by the glass, & the bar menu promises pea & mint arancini, char-grilled mini chorizo & perfectly runny Scotch eggs, as well as hefty beef & ale pie. Alas, the colour palette – ‘varicose vein’ springs to mind – feels instantly dated, likewise the clumpy drawing-room furniture & some cheap-looking accessories.