The Greyhound, West Ham, E15

Claims to be 'Your Traditional Local', and I suppose in some ways it probably is, including its retention of two separate bars and the West Ham memorabilia. However, the plain, dark façade disguises a refurbished interior that is painted and furnished in a surprisingly light style. Just a reversed Doom Bar clip on one of a pair of handpumps on the lounge bar counter, so it was a quick John Smith's (£3.50).

I wasn't expecting much from this place; the frontage is in need of a bit of TLC, plus smokers clustered around the entrance eschewing the small garden area at the side of the pub for some reason just increases the tatty look. But inside it's very different. There are still two completely separate bars, and I spent my visit in the Saloon Bar on the left. This room is clean and looks to be well cared for, has a nice carpet and is furnished with banquettes and normal tables and chairs. There's what some might call an eclectic range of decor, with some china plates adorning a wall at the back and above the bar counter. There are also some large bits of wood - possibly farming or weaving equipment or something like that - plus, most unusually, a collection of sombreros on the left hand wall. The bar counter here (as well as in the Public Bar) has a tapered matchboard front, and some of the walls are matchboard covered as well. But there is a fair bit of brewer's rustic in here, with black posts on some of the walls. Very much a mixed bag in fact. A nice feature is the row of potted plants on a shelf in front of the window. The Public Bar is traditionally much more basic, having no carpet, cheap looking plastic furnishings, and with a pool table at the back. On the downside here there's no real ale. Nor did I see any sign of food when I was in on Friday afternoon, but a sign on the wall cautioned customers that only food bought on the premises may be consumed here, so I suppose they must do food at some times. I really liked this place, despite the fact that one of the apparent regulars at the bar only seemed to know one adjective which he overused somewhat. It would of course be much improved by a decent real ale.

Standard draught selection.