Eagle, The

The venue that started it all shows no signs of slowing or slacking and still runs packed for both lunch and dinner and the busy kitchen continues to churn out nifty Mediterranean cooking without so much as hinting at complacency. The restaurant combines friendly and efficient service with a tasty menu to create a perfect spot for a delicious meal at modest prices in a traditional pub atmosphere.

Walking along Farringdon Road, it is impossible not to notice the venue. The green building itself looks like any other pub in London, but it's always brimming with loyal patrons. The place is packed with seating, including a couch and coffee table and stools near the windowsills, where you can perch whilst grabbing a pint or enjoying dinner. The bar along the back wall doubles as an open kitchen where you can watch the cooking taking place. There is also a limited amount of outdoor seating, which is very pleasant on a nice day.

If you're winding down from a long day at work, the lively environment is likely to put you in a good mood. The friendly staff keep the place running like a well oiled machine and the clientele are chirpy and chatty.

The Eagle serves up a variety of dishes and the chalkboard menu changes daily but always offers a good selection of items, including soup, salad, pasta and meat dishes. With hearty starters like minestrone soup or linguine with pesto leading on to copious main servings of sausages and lentils or sea bass with turnips and aioli, you need to go with an appetite, especially when there's freshly-baked custard tart for afters. And if you're in the mood and it's on the menu, try the steak sandwich, oxtail stew, grilled swordfish and partridge with potato gratin, anchovies and cream.

There are several beers on draught including Red Stripe, Kirin, Leffe Blonde and Hoegaarden, as well as a variety of liquor. There is also an international list of wines, most of which come from Europe.

With a good meal inside you and conversation flowing amongst friends, you'll have a hard time leaving this well known gastropub.