The Rose, SE1

Claiming to have views overlooking the Houses of Parliament – it doesn’t – The Merano Rose Bar to give it its full name, is a late 19th century pub, originally known as the Crown Tavern, handily placed for the Terry Farrell-designed MI6 building and situated along the virtual dual carriageway that is Albert Embankment. The interior is very twee, with patterned wallpaper, indigo paint and enormous sprays of red and white roses (and carnations, see photo) clashing with some enormous oversized industrial lamps and animal skulls bolted to walls. Customers were mixed – including a child – and may have been drawn from the very modern hotels that have gone up in the immediate vicinity of late; perhaps there were some spies in too, given that the website shows some gentlemen in black tie. I didn’t find this place to be very gastro, but then I did order my drink at 10.21pm and atop a very cluttered bar, the ale front amounted to just Caledonian Deuchars, swerved in favour of something on keg from Wolfpack which was off, my second choice being an anonymous tap called Sassy Session, which turned out to be a cider at £3.50 a half and sweet as hell; one sip was all it took to have me making for the nearest Tube. The Windmill is the preferred choice in these parts, the Rose certainly not worth sniffing out.

Official site of The Rose - www.therosepub.co.uk

Official site of The Rose - www.therosepub.co.uk

This street corner pub has had the full gastro makeover with Farrow and Ball colours decking the walls.There is a wooden floor throughout and a mix of high tables opposite the bar and more regular dining tables elsewhere ,with all furniture in heavy wood.A long bench seat in red leather on the otherside of the small island bar below some flock wallpaper does give some relief ,although a side area does feel to be for the use of diners.There is however a first floor restaurant with river views.Waitresses will pounce if you show any intent to order food while sitting in the ground floor.The menu is short with mains starting at £10 with a median price of £13. Just two handpumps offering Doom Bar and London Pride (short measure and a rip off at £3 the half).Eurofizz kegs and £8 cocktails are other options but I found the place modern and devoid of character,there are just so many gastro conversions in London and they all seem to merge into one in the memory.Nothing special at all.