The Grill On The Market, Smithfield, EC1

Previously known as Smithfield Bar & Grill, this is a steakhouse next to Smithfield Market which begrudgingly offers a small bar area for those mad enough to prefer drinking here to a proper pub. If steak is your thing, this isn't a bad place to visit - the menu offers an extensive selection including some specialist cuts for up to £80. We were after something a bit more modest and tried some options from their burger menu which came in at around £12 each and were very good quality. The restaurant sprawls out over a series of rooms. You enter to the bar with the servery down the left hand wall and a series of large tables for bigger dining groups opposite. Moving to the rear, two further rooms appear - to the left is a very formal looking space that looked like it might suit private hire (it remained empty throughout our stay). Meanwhile, to the right there is a very smart lounge-diner with comfy padded banquettes throughout formed into nice intimate booths. The drinkers are left to enjoy the small area in front of the bar where a couple of standard tables and chairs have been left alongside a drinking ledge which runs down the bare brick left hand wall. A couple of drinkers were propping up the bar as well, but I imagine this would be discouraged during peak hours. An enjoyabe indie soundtrack played quietly throughout our visit and I should also mention the waiting staff who were superb. Should you decide that a few beers in a steakhouse is your idea of a fun night out, you have at least got a couple of decent options to go for, with draught beers comprising Amstel, Innis and Gunn IPA and Curious Brew Pale Ale, all on keg of course. I had a pint of the latter and found it very tasty, not too carbonated and a good accompaniment to my burger. The beers aren't mentioned in the drinks menu, which instead focuses, perhaps unsurprisingly, on wine and cocktails, of which there are plenty. I don't think there would be too much hyperbole involved if I declared this one of the best burgers I've ever eaten, but as far as drinking experiences go, I found it severely lacking. The whole point of my visit here was to enjoy a meal and if that's your plan, you can't go wrong, with top quality meat from the neighbouring market, great service and a couple of interesting beers on tap. But if you're heading here just for a drink, expect to be stuck in a corner near the door drinking expensive beer in a restaurant.

What Pub: The Grill On The Market - www.whatpub.com

Official site of The Grill On The Market - www.blackhouse.uk.com

Official site of The Grill On The Market - www.blackhouse.uk.com