Albany, The

For frequenters of the hallowed acres of Twickenham Stadium there is good news; the area has its first gastropub. Much more than that it is formed by four identities, with a bar, lounge, restaurant and terrace, all housed within the handsome Victorian building. Two minutes from the train station, ten minutes from the stadium, just far enough to work up an appetite if the game has not done that for you already, The Albany is the place to be.

However should the appetite require a slight awakening order up some bread and olives with olive oil and balsamic, and dishes like pan fried crab cake with a cucumber salad, or hot smoked salmon and shrimp cocktail take on a new urgency. If there's a few of you order Spanish meat platters for two, with olive tapenade, cornichons and pickled onions, and vary the choice with a Camembert baked in the box, with spiced plum chutney, walnut and raisin bread.

Summer salads are a speciality of the house, with a Classic Caesar of crispy pancetta, poached egg, anchovies, croutons and parmesan as one of the lead choices.

Before eyeing up the main courses have a careful look at the Daily Specials, with the fish or pie of the day dish. Your server will be able to help.

And so to the mains, with a 10oz grilled ribeye steak served with roast field mushrooms and wilted garlic spinach leading the field. A pot of mussels tossed in white wine, tomato, shallots, garlic and coriander comes with a good helping of fries, and roast rump of lamb has the company of sweet potato, garden beans and pineapple red pepper chutney.

Complete with a flourish, say poached peach with honey almond biscuits, a thick caramel cheesecake, or a cheese plate with crackers, grapes, celery and pickled walnuts.

The all-day bar menu could lead you though a plate of mini Cumberland sausages with honey mustard dip, a homemade Albany beef burger topped with Emmenthal cheese, and a helping of fries, or funky fish fingers with lemon mayonnaise, fries and salad.

The Albany can cope with up to 200 guests for a private hire - just talk with Steve Kelley about the variety of packages to suit your party. From Tuesday to Sunday, 5.30 to 7pm, value for money is well demonstrated by the Early Diner Special, with a choice of any two courses for £12, and the Monday Night Special of 50% off your food bill is enough to rouse anybody from a post-weekend lethargy. On Sundays the traditional roast is served from noon onwards, and for the benefit of late risers until 9pm.

The customary range of beers, ciders and wine provides ample opportunity for those to whom lunch, or any meal for that matter is a more liquid-than-solid occasion, and areas of the bar can be reserved for parties who are there for drinks only.

Visit The Albany Website with its images of the spacious interior, bar, restaurant and terrace to get the bigger picture.