The Black Eel, E8

Though it's sad to see a tradition like London's Pie and Mash shops slowly dying out, at least this one has been replaced by another tradition, the pub, a nicely put together one as well. The main bar area with a long bar down the right hand side, retains the original and splendid tile work, a few various seating options helps it feel an almost micropubby space, but beyond this are a number of stylishly furnished rooms and areas including a games room and further still a beer garden making the whole establishment a much larger concern than it first appears. The toilets are unisex. On the bar are two handpumps one clipped with Exales Mellow Gold which unfortunately hadn't yet fully settled in the cellar, maybe a problem when a pub relies on just one cask beer, the second handle was serving up Seacider Mango. There is however plenty of keg back up with twelve taps ten of which were from the pub owners brewery Exale, but a varied selection, of the remaining two taps ,one offered Adnams Wild Wave the other Guinness. It's a very nice pub though ideally I'd like to see a couple of more cask beers on offer.

Newly opened by Exale Brewing, having been converted from F Cooke's famous 'Eel Pie & Mash Shop'. More space inside than the narrow frontage might suggest, once you've got past the gantried bar at the front, with the Ballroom dining room on the left-hand side of the corridor before you reach the larger, partitioned Games Room at the back. It's Grade II listed, so some decorative tiling and other heritage features have been retained. Also has extra seating in a covered alleyway and open yard beer garden. I found their Mellow Gold (£6.00) on one of the pair of handpumps, along with a Seacider, and nine of their craft keg beers plus Guinness on a total of 12 shiny taps.

Official site of The Black Eel - www.theblackeel.uk

Official site of The Black Eel - www.theblackeel.uk