Builders Arms, The

In Chelsea, tucked away between the Fulham Road and the Kings Road is an attractive Georgian building known as The Builders Arms. Thanks to a successful makeover, what was once a dreary old pub has now been converted into a first class gastro pub, so much so that it won The Evening Standard pub of the year in 1999.

Actually located in Britten Street between Sydney Street and Chelsea Green, it is a large three storey Georgian pub of traditional character and features a spacious interior with attractive artwork, comfy leather sofas, banquettes and brightly coloured bookshelves that lend a relaxed and informal feel to the place. Linger by the fireside on a warm winter's day and sample some of the best drinks and food, all created from local produce whenever possible.

The food is made up of a daily changing all day menu, but you can expect to find dishes such as beer battered fishcakes, a pint of prawns with mayonnaise and watercress; steak sandwiches with wilted spinach, onion rings and tomato jam; fish pies; sausage and mash, roast salmon, succulent steaks and Builders Benedict that takes in English muffins, ham, spinach, poached eggs and hollandaise. Don't forget to request one of the Builders staff to give you information about the day's specials. Main courses are priced at around the £10 to £14 mark.

Desserts could include sticky toffee pudding with butterscotch sauce and a wonderful chocolate brownie with orange marmalade and passion fruit salad.

The 1,200 square feet ground floor houses the bar, while there is a paved outdoor area at the front of the building. The ground floor takes 80, and 12 can be seated outdoors. Expect to pay around £11.40 for a bottle of house wine, with many more available by the glass.

Builders can occasionally take bookings but only if they can be fitted in around the regular trade and are for larger groups. The venue is often used to meet before or after a wedding at St. Luke's Church.

Owners Geronimo Inns run 22 pubs, each of which creates a warm home away from home atmosphere, where tasty food at affordable prices is available seven days a week. For more information, do visit their Website, which also has details of all the other pubs owned by Geronimo Inns.