The Fishermans Arms, NW10

Substantial 1928 pub close by the Paddington Arm of the Grand Union Canal (but not adjacent thereto). Three-part interior with a pool table in front of the traditional central bar, a light dining room at the south end and gloomier events space with a compact stage in one of the bay windows at the other. No real ale, and indeed nothing but lager or Guinness on the limited number of keg taps, so tried an overpriced Sagres (£6.20) as the least usual option.

This is a three room pub, although all three rooms are inter-connected. You enter into the centre room, where the bar counter’s located. This room has just three sofas in it, along with a large low table, in front of the window. The room on the left is a dining room; and the room on the right is something of a sports room, as it contains a table football game, and a pool tables, plus some tall stools at ledges round the sides. Thus there is no traditional seating for someone just wanting a drink. The bar counter flatters to deceive. The magnificent brass based handpump is for decoration only; even the bog standard lager taps on the T bar aren’t all in operation, with just Guinness, Fosters, Strongbow and Sagres (£2.20 a half) available. There is a chalkboard menu above the bar counter (I guess a more flash version would be available if you elect to eat in the dining room) with burger and chips (£8) and fish, chips and mushy peas at £10. The Portuguese influence didn’t end with the Sagres. The TV in the main bar was tuned to a Portuguese channel, and the barmaid, a bloke who seemed to be at home behind the bar, and a customer all conversed in Portuguese. From the outside this looks like the real deal – i.e. a real pub – but in fact it’s really a Portuguese bar/restaurant.