The Nags Head can be found on the corner of Brook Street and Nag's Head Lane, Brentwood. Contemporary pubs such as these usually share a number of characteristics. An important feature is space, preferably a restaurant where you are comfortable, not overawed, and not sharing elbow space with the next table, however sociable they may be. Good, too, to have a garden or optional al fresco eating out space, in this case seating eighty, and by no means least a roomy and well stocked bar where you can actually get served without undue delay. After all, drinking should be taken seriously.

If a pub offers all of these, and is in a good location, there is little reason in today's economic climate why it should not flourish. The Nags Head provides ample evidence that this is true. But of course there are other factors, not least of which is the food and drink. The term 'gastropub' covers a multitude of blessings and it is possible to see influences of brasserie, bistro, restaurant and even café at work within the great gastro umbrella. So expect to find no one single cuisine, but a blend designed to provide something for everybody, no matter what their treat may be.

To set the right note of fashionable sociability there are sharing plates, garlic pizzette, caramelised onions and rocket, or Mediterranean mezze of hummus, roasted vegetables, fregola, tzatziki, feta, spinach and ricotta pâté with flatbreads.

Amongst the starters there is always freshly made soup; the like of potted duck and smoked chicken, wholemeal toast with plum and balsamic chutney; gambas with garlic, rocket, aioli and rustic bread, and water melon, prosciutto ham and feta with chilli ice cream are also to be found. The salads - sorry, that should read 'leaves' - offer crispy duck, mouli, carrots, hoisin, spring onions and plum sauce, and for the seafood enthusiasts some prawn, avocado, pecan, mango, watercress, bacon with orange and pomegranate vinaigrette are well received.

These days no self-respecting gastropub can afford to be without its pizza range; expect to find a classic margherita of tomato, mozzarella, oregano and basil, or another with roasted Mediterranean vegetables, goats' cheese, cherry tomatoes and rocket. Pastas include linguini with tiger prawns, crab, chorizo, chilli, tomato and white wine, or the tagliatelle with slow cooked Bolognaise and parmesan.
 
For the big event, there is always Indian spiced salmon fillet, wilted spinach and sweet potato with aubergine and mango chutney. The calves liver, tray baked potatoes, red onion and bacon with sage panagrattato is worth trying too. The classic burger, which has risen from the confines of fast food chains, carves a niche for itself on the menu and comes with gherkin, mustard mayo, cheese, bacon, relish and frites. For hearty eaters there is a good rib-eye steak with smoked paprika and tomato butter, watercress and frites.

A wide range of supporting dishes include Belgium frites and mayo, and cabbage, leeks and peas. Desserts are some of the best you'll encounter with apple, blackcurrant crumble and vanilla custard, and sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream, and there is also a selection of cheeses to set the buffs alight.

The Nags Head stocks a wide range of beers, both well-loved draught ales and bottled from further afield. The wine list covers plenty of territory from traditional clarets to Pinot Grigio, and champagne by the glass or bottle is always available. Service is cheerful, brisk and totally in keeping with the friendly nature of a good English gastropub.

A well constructed Website enables you to keep in touch with menu changes or forthcoming events. Please note that the E-Mail Contact is for enquiries only, not for bookings.