The Vine, NW5

A large pub with high ceilings, the bar and drinking area are to the front with a large dining room to the rear being accessed via a large exposed brick arch to the side of the bar. A smaller side room is adjacent. The entrance to the dining area sports a rather demanding and off-putting "Please wait to be seated" sign, hmm, I'll sit where I choose if you don't mind. I wasn't about to trouble the seating police however having entered with the intention of having a swift pint, Sambrooks Junction, Twickenham Hornet (£3.70) and branded Vine Best Bitter on offer. There were keg offerings from Camden amongst more regular suspects. The bar area is slightly split level, bare boarded and with mostly regular type seating at recycled domestic dining tables. Curved bay windows with stripped wood surrounds. Large white candles occupy the window cills. A large Dunvilles Old Irish Whiskey mirror takes pride of place behind the bar surrounded by chalkboards listing a daunting selection of wines and fizz. The busiest part of the pub was the extensive front decking and terrace, a popular spot on a warm afternoon. The menu is upmarket, mains £12.50 to £17 with the rib eye rocking up at £18.50. Unusually for a pub, a service charge of 12.5% is stated as being added to all food orders. This is a trendy vaguely pretentious place keen to appear upmarket and generally populated by 20/30 somethings (the soundtrack was some form of Latin American/Cuban stuff). It certainly isn't going to give the nearby Southampton a run for its money in my book although my pint of Hornet was fine.

Partly opened out, with a 'L'shaped layout leading past a side room to reach a rear dining area. Also has the Highgate Room (open) and Camden Room (closed) upstairs. High ceilings in the main bar area. All refurbished with a gastro-pub look. Large front patio, half under large umbrellas. Three handpumps, offering St Austell Trelawny, 6X and Vine Best Bitter (brewed by Greene King apparently, £3.70). Overall, not bad.