Phoenix, The

Located but a few stone's throws from the austere portals of Royal London the Phoenix is well able to offer its own architectural dignity to the scene, spread over an impressive three storey building, with an exterior appearance that invites closer inspection from within.

Part of a small group of mainly former public houses that have been skillfully converted into modern premises that retain more than a breath of their colourful past, The Phoenix offers a swift service to the local business community during the day, replaced with a more relaxed approach in the evening.

Head Chef Mark Blatchford works from a menu that concentrates on the familiar, with starters of, for instance, potted salmon with pickled cucumber, English asparagus with Hollandaise sauce or potato and leek soup with soured cream. Main courses of crisp pork belly seasoned with lemon and thyme, marinated chicken breast, rib eye steak or seared salmon make regular appearances, with a fresh take on the traditional dish of cider battered haddock, served with pea puree, home made chips and tartare sauce.

Cumberland sausage and mash is served with a sweet onion jus, offering a humbler alternative to the slow roasted duck leg, with a sauce and choice of two side dishes. For pasta lovers there could be chicken penne with roast pepper, basil and lemon butter. At weekends brunch is served from 12pm to 4pm, with a full Sunday roast for under £12.

Puddings follow much the same pattern, with a rhubarb and banana brulée competing with frozen berries and white chocolate sauce, or a wild berry cheesecake.

The express lunch service has a novel approach to a daily concern, served on a slate with a bowl of basil, tomato and feta soup, with a cider and sausage casserole served in a mini Le Creuset with buttered hispy cabbage on the side. For this wholesome repast you are asked to part with £7.50, and for another £2.50 you can add, say a dish of English strawberries with vanilla custard and sugared puff pastry - 3 courses for a modest tenner, great value and easy on the figure.

Click on their Website for details of menu changes and their function room and other eating houses in the same group.