Franco, Marylebone, W1

Mainly a restaurant to rear but there are seats in the front for drinkers - also a pool table. Bar to right hand side with one unbadged real ale pump.

Backstreet pub with a refurb that feels early 2000s aping the late 70s - all mocha browns, sofas etc quite minimalist and devoid of any real charm. L shaped with (oddly, given the feel) darts at one end and pool at the other. Live music advertised and modern upright piano spotted. No ale at all here so settled for a half of keg Symonds cider which as expected was overpriced. The foreign barmaid seemed slightly startled to see us at 1pm on a Friday and we were the only customers throughout. The Wargrave a few doors down was almost standing-room only, go figure…

There's no real ale, nor any sign of food or menus on Friday afternoon (although there were coctail menus on all the tables). But they must do food at some times as there is a large room at the back past the servery where all tables were laid for diners. This dining area has skylights providing some welcome natural light. The pub itself has been thoroughly modernised. The aspidistras and decorative twigs (complete with fairy lights!) are present; the walls are a sort of dark sludge colour - I guess being generous you might call it aubergine - and the decor is very minimalist. The furnishings in the main bar area are all light pine coloured, although mainly normal tables and chairs with only a couple of tall tables/tall stools. The only other feature worth mentioning is the area on the right containing a dartboard. This isn't really my sort of place, but I'm sure it will suit some people perfectly.