The Cork & Bottle., NW3

This pub has a rather uninspiring ale selection, with Adnam’s Southwold Bitter, Spitfire and Deuchars IPA on. The Deuchars (£2 a half) turned out to be rank, but readily exchanged for something drinkable. The tables all had single page menus on them, held down by little tea lights. They do an express lunch during the week for a fiver a go, including such things as the sandwich of the day, or Cajun chicken wrap, all with chips. The standard burger and chips on the main menu is £10.95. This is an old wedge shaped corner site Victorian pub. As you enter through the corner door you face the sharp end of the wedge shaped central servery, splitting the room in two. The bar back cum stillion looks original, and at the back end of each side of the room the floor has some attractive tiling. But the most unusual feature is the ceiling, decorated as it is with what looks like glazed green panels surrounded by wooden frames. I’ve never seen the like of it before. At the back of each spur of the room is a marble and tiled fireplace, and the wallpaper here is most unusual being parrot-themed. There’s a small garden at the back on the left. Leaving aside the unusual features, I found the pub a little too impersonal and barn-like for my taste, but that could be a product of the trademark high Victorian ceilings. The furnishings are comfortable enough, and it is a very bright room. It’s certainly good enough for a swift one or two, but is not really the sort of place I would choose to spend any length of time.