The Royal Oak, Borough

Can't quite believe someone would go to the Royal Oak and moan about the wine list. It's kinda missing the point. You can get a choice of three different chardonnays at any identikit madeover pub or bar in London, but what you can't get is the range of wonderful Harvey's ales, the warm welcome from the landlord and landlady (who recognise you after just two visits), the timeless atmosphere and the really good hearty food (that doesn't wave the fact that it's sourced from Borough Market in your face and hitch up the cost by a fiver for doing so). As a woman, there aren't many pubs in London that I would happily go to by myself and read a book by the fire with a pint of Best at my side, but then again there aren't many pubs in London as wonderful as The Royal Oak.

26 Nov 2007 18:15

The Montpelier, Peckham

While I lament the demise of traditional pubs, with real ales, chatty landladies and locals who remember drinking there with their grand-dads, there are others - the gloomy, dirty-glassed, formica-clad dens - that aren't worth crying into your beer for. For me, the old Montpelier was one of latter. The kind of place that sucked in light and gave the impression your were more likely to leave through a window than the front door. However, it's now a bright, friendly and inviting pub that hasn't been done-over to within an inch of its life. Dark wood panelling, cream walls and low lighting give it a Dickensian feel, while the banquette seating gives a cosy edge to a what is quite a big space. There's not a bad selection of beers and I was impressed with a good pint of IPA. The food menu looks ambitious, but seems well-priced - let's hope it lives up to its promise. Definitely a alternative to The Rye Hotel for those of us who live further north. Will definitely come back and hope it will become my local.

26 Nov 2007 18:02