The Roebuck

In an area practically saturated with bars & restaurants, this relaxing new-ish boozer succeeds as a neighbourhood pub with good modern British cooking & a comforting environment. The entrance bar features deep leather sofas & chairs with a scattering of newspapers & magazines while the rear dining room is crowned by an impressive art-deco chandelier. The daily changing menu mixes earthy pub fare with more elaborate dishes. Starters might include a simple globe artichoke with shallot vinaigrette or smoked salmon terrine lifted by a lemon & dill potato salad, followed perhaps by cleanly flavoured poached smoked haddock with new potatoes & mustard cream or roast chicken breast with leeks, potato & bacon cake in a creamy tarragon sauce. Puddings include an excellent pear & almond cake with hazelnut ice-cream. Wines & beers offer good choice, with the latter including some noteworthy imports.