Barnsbury, The

The Barnsbury is a quality neighbourhood food pub on Liverpool Road, pleasantly restored to give a relaxed, informal dining experience. As background there are regular art exhibitions, not just the usual stuff slapped on the walls, but a good range of well executed pictures with properly designed lighting, guaranteed to lift the spirits.

Not that the food won't do that anyway - there has been a serious effort to provide a straightforward menu at good value for money within the immediate vicinity. Some remarkable dishes include Cromer crab on toast, slow roast shoulder of lamb and rare roast beef salad with croutons and parmesan with horseradish cream.

The overall effect is somewhat akin to being in one of the better Art Clubs, where thirty minutes or a few hours with friends slip away agreeably particularly when assisted by a contribution from their well travelled wine list. It's worth noting that there's a very pretty walled garden at The Barnsbury for use in the summer.