Fox & Anchor, Smithfield, EC1

A must visit for the City Boy Breakfast. Served till 11am - think of a combo between a mixed grill and a Full English Breakfast. With a pint of Youngs Stout. An experience that should be had by all :-) Some photos at my walking blog - http://bit.ly/1nVW6J7

This place as gone downhill in my view since my last visit a few years ago, still a good looking place as described previously but beerwise disappointing, six pumps with four beers available, Sambrookes Junction and Scrumdown plus Brains SA and Youngs Special, as I said disappointing.

Some excellent reviews below of this narrow but oppulent Victorian pub,a fine example of it's type.The area immediately on entering does retain some pub atmosphere with glazed tiling and a flatscreen,Sky Sports News sensibly on mute during my quiet afternoon visit.Interesting muzak played at a sensible volume was another plus point.The use of mirrors in the wooden dividers does break up the interior .If you get a chance to investigate The Fox's Den at the rear between food services take the opportunity,it's charming with several small alcolves with just enough room for a single table.A classy place for a meal,if that's what you want.I thought for London the food pricing wasn't over the top,starters around £6.50,mains generally £16.The silver baron of beef trolly might set you back more.However a scotch egg for £6.80 is taking liberties,pork pies at £4.50 look better value. I came on the strength of the six handpumps which on my trip were dispensing Sambrooks Wandle,Ilkley Joshua Jane,St Peter's Golden Ale,Stringers Yellow Lorry,a house brew from Pin Up Brewery and Pixie Spring Tidy Bitter,well kept but an unexciting brew at the exciting price of £2.20 for a half. I wasn't as lucky as previous reviewers on the ale selection but the interior is justification on it's own to pay a visit.It's a bit of Olde England.

The main area is a long and narrow space with the bar along one side, all polished wood and what I took to be a pewter topped counter, carved back with mirrors and a central gantry with etched glass and the inscription "Pale Burton Ales". Seating opposite is mainly at padded upholstered benches with high backs, there is a row of stools at the bar which given the narrow layout would cause quite a bottleneck if used. The pub is opposite Smithfield market and the meat related theme runs into the food with pork pies, sausage rolls and scotch eggs (£6.50!) offered as bar snacks while the specials board had the rather heftier 600g Cote de Boeuf rocking up at £47.50 for two. A set of cow horns sit high on a wall at the far end of the bar where there was also huge lidded silver serving trolley. The room is divided up by short screens with Champagne bottles on top, there are various framed photos of the market in full swing plus livestock pictures and looking upwards, the ceiling is very elaborate with raised inlaid sections. At the back of the pub a series of small compact booths contain people mainly eating with table service. The handpulled ale range was very good indeed, Black Jack The Pokies, Vale Emporer Ale, pub branded Fox and Anchor (by Pin Up), Loch Ness Red Ness (£4.20), Dark Star Darkness and ELB Orchid plus the Jake's cider. No usual suspects in that list. Despite the rather high prices I really liked this pub, the beer quality and range were top notch, one glitch however, the toilet facilities, while seriously upmarket (there are flowers) are rather limited with just two cubicles provided, M&F, that will surely cause issues at busier times.