The Old White Bear

In recent years, several of Hampstead’s rundown boozers have been transformed into snazzy gastropubs. The Old White Bear is the latest, & the team behind the ever-popular Oak in Notting Hill have done a sterling job. Composed of olive walls, pine furniture & mosaic-topped tables, it’s now classy, cosy & undeniably charming – & the NW3 locals love the place. The menu is a good read, from rousing bar snacks of sautéed chorizo with fennel seeds & lemon, or baked ricotta with tapenade toast to appealing mains such as juicy rib-eye steak with mushroom duxelle, sticky wine sauce & a heap of matchstick fries. Other plates might hold a pearly piece of cod sitting atop fragrant butterbean stew, an earthy game terrine, or a pure-indulgence sticky toffee pudding with salted caramel ice cream. Chipper waiting staff & a decent run of wines by the glass also please.