Prince Regent, Marylebone, W1

A decent looking exterior but once inside it's pretty standard London pub fayre, four handpumps with just a couple on, London Pride and a reasonable Dark Star Hophead served by a surly barmaid. Not on the revisit list.

The main front bar area on the ground floor is kind of tick shaped (as in a written tick) due to the angle of the corner where the pub sits, and then returns further beyond the bar end. A rather elegant interior with an attractive carved bar back featuring gold pediments and etched mirrors, large vases of flowers each end of the counter, the floor is polished or lacquered boards, attractive arched windows, dark patterned ceiling and a pair of elaborate chandeliers. Seating is mixed, of all known types including some rather sumptuous curved banquettes and stools at a drinking ledge in the front windows. Not a seat to be had early on Saturday afternoon so I propped up the bar in a corner and watched the world go by. The Saturday brunch menu was in full swing, traditional breakfast £8.25, smoked haddock with bubble and squeak, poached eggs and hollandaise, £11, other dishes available as well as a daily chalkboard menu. Four handpumps, all hand interesting offerings, Great Yorkshire Brewery Top of the Hops (claims 2014 hop varieties...)(£3.60), Broughton Dark Dunker, Windsor and Eton Knight of the Garter and Hop Back Winter Lightning. My TOTH was in good shape and not a bad price for this part of the world, just not as hoppy as I might expect. Some good bottled choices too including Delirium Tremens from Belgium 8.5% and from the USA, Flying Dog Snake Dog 7.1%. Unusually there was a carafe of water on a tray on the bar counter surrounded by small glasses, presumably you can help yourself. There is a TV, this was off but I imagine would be on soon as a burger and drink deal was advertised for the 6 Nations matches. Upstairs is the interestingly named Opium Lounge, who knows, I didn't however venture up to take a look. I was pleasantly surprised by this pub, an excellent unorthodox ale selection at a fair price for this area and a proper pub too.