Sir Alexander Fleming, Paddington, W2

This is a great name for a pub, bearing in mind Sir Alexander’s connections with the area – shame it’s no great shakes as a pub. There’s only Greene King IPA on (£3.70 a pint and £2 a half). They were doing food on Friday afternoon, and it looks reasonably priced, with those pub grub classics bangers & mash at £6, and fish & chips at £6.50. There’s some pop memorabilia above the bar counter, but that’s just about the only thing of interest in the way of decor. Furnishings are a mix of tall tables/tall stools, and dark varnished tables with high backed armless dark brown plastic upholstered chairs. The pillars in the centre of the room had a range of pump clips displayed on them; I spotted London Pride, Brains, Boddingtons, Stonehenge Ales, and loads I didn’t recognise. It’s a shame the ale on the single pump when I visited didn’t show me evidence of an interesting real ale policy. There’s nothing really wrong with the pub, and it does seem to provide food at reasonable prices, but the chance of getting GKIPA is unlikely to convince me to pay a return visit.