Balls Brothers Bury Court

High ceilings, big windows & a pale, creamy colour scheme set the mood at this animated Balls Brothers in the shadow of the Gherkin, which was one of the first in the chain to break with the heavy archaic house style in favour of a lighter & more contemporary look. The lunch menu is short but versatile: you can build your own burgers or sandwiches, unwrap haddock & chips in newspaper, or simply gorge on slow-roast belly pork with honey & thyme-roasted vegetables. Burgundy & Bordeaux at relatively painless prices are among the attractions of the Francophile wine list: try the £30 Château Lezongars ’05 Premières Côtes de Bordeaux. Cocktails include the woo-woo (Eristoff vodka, Archers & cranberry juice) & there are layered shooters, including the damaging B52.