The Tapster

Looking every inch the archetypal Davy’s wine bar, this subterranean branch of the chain provides visitors with a familiar landscape of exposed brick walls, low ceilings & battered wooden floorboards, embellished with shelves of empty bottles & wine paraphernalia. The menu delivers exactly what you might expect, too – hearty English grub of the steak & kidney pie/bangers & mash persuasion. For time-poor workers, the 30-minute express lunch of hand-carved Alderton ham with piccalilli & potatoes offers good value at £11.95. There’s no shortage of moderately priced accompaniments on the mainly French wine list, which includes a cracking by-the-glass selection. The Tapster’s underground location makes it an especially cosy hideaway in the winter months.