Balls Brothers Buckingham Palace Road

Come 5pm, crowds of 40something suits make a beeline for this grown-up branch of Balls Brothers, drawn by its straightforward bar food & drinker-friendly wines. Sharing platters, fishcakes, burgers & steaks provide a solid base, while the 50-strong, French-leaning wine list includes a decent range by the glass. Bordeaux & Burgundy are well represented with handy tasting notes & vineyard details, & bubble lovers have a selection of 13 sparklers to choose from. Volume levels build as the night wears on (not helped by rackety wooden floors & high ceilings) – although the atmosphere is more circumspect during the day. Large arched windows looking onto the bustle around Victoria, & the promise of free Wi-Fi, make this a pleasant spot to linger at lunchtime or after work.