The Running Horse Mayfair

Mayfair’s Running Horse opened its doors for the first time in the year that the future George III was born. It’s unclear what the original clientele would have made of the cocktail bar now housed on the first floor, but they’d probably have felt right at home in the boisterous atmosphere of the downstairs bar/restaurant. Squeeze into a seat at one of the tightly packed tables and order from a brief menu that’s heavy on comfort food. Decent burgers and chips (irritatingly referred to as ‘jockey’s whips’, a nod to the pub’s horse-racing theme); fish and ‘whips’; ham, egg and ‘whips’ form the cornerstone of the kitchen’s output. A daily brunch is also served up, ranging from porridge to lobster croissant or a substantial full English breakfast. Ingredients are carefully sourced and cited – and so they should be given the prices, which are aimed squarely at the Mayfair wallet.