Hammersmith Belle, Hammersmith, W6

There were a couple of real ales on during my midweek lunchtime visit - there was a Deuchars IPA clipped pump prominently on show, with another pump tucked away a few feet along the bar counter hiding behind a water or milk jug. This one had a Hampshire Hog (4.1%) clip on it. At £2.30 a half it was a bit on the expensive side for a straightforward brown bitter. On being asked who brewed it the barman said it was the same people who brewed Heineken, then after a re-think said he thought it was Edinburgh Castle. My guess is Caledonian as Deuchars was the other ale on. It tasted pretty good though, but not good enough to justify the price tag. The pub itself is not much like a pub. As you enter, on the left is the "Pantry", which is a small room where all tables are laid for diners. The larger room on the right continues with the "tea rooms" look - one end of the bar counter has teapots and other china stuff on it; all the tables have sprigs of flowers on them; some of the tables and chairs are positively elegant (antique even); there were several vases around the place; and a table by the door bore some decorative things like ancient kitchen scales, cake stands, and pots of jam or preserves. I've encountered all manner of odious odours in pubs over the years, but the prevailing smell in here was one of cinnamon cakes. There are no fruit machines, TVs or pool tables in here of course. In fact it's all very genteel. It just doesn't seem like the place to come for a few pints, even if undeterred by the prices. You could certainly bring your mother here to give her afternoon tea.

We were looking forward to visiting as part of a Hammersmith crawl but the 'Bar + Pantry' sign offered a warning and a glimpse through the windows at what appeared to be a pub converted to a transport cafe was enough to put us off entering. Another on the 'not to bother' list.