The Tommyfield, Kennington, SE11

Official site of the Tommyfield with menu - www.thetommyfield.com

Traditional-looking corner pub, but the interior has sparse gastro-pub furniture and decor. The rectangular bar, with metal columns supporting the ceiling, has a raised seating area up two steps (with the window seats set aside for dining) and one of those annoying semi-open kitchens. Three handpumps, offering TT Landlord and Wandle (£3.60) with the Doom Bar being off. Overall, I thought this place had a characterless (almost cold) feel that won't see me rushing back.

Official site of the Tommyfield with menu - www.thetommyfield.com

Sitting on Kennington Lane, a five minute walk from the tube station, is the Tommyfield, the new name for what was the White Hart, as is pictured above. It is part of a small group of boozers called Renaissance Inns, along with others in Clapham and Northcote Road. I imagine that 10 years or so ago this would have been a smoky, popular local; It is now a trendy gastropub; all zinc tabletops, funky low-hung lighting and beige leather couchettes. Still, when its done well I don't mind this sort of place; Doom Bar, Landlord and Sambrook's Wandle available on draught alongside what looked like a fairly impressive wine list. Not the sort of place where I'd become a regular, the service and food orientation rather put paid to that, but not a bad boozer to while away a couple of hours in. Reasonable.

Timothy Taylor and Sharp’s Doom Bar on handpump. The pub looked like it was being used as a crèche when I popped in during last week. Lots of high stools and tables, and very little character. I was pretty sure that I wouldn’t particularly like it when I walked towards it – pubs painted battleship grey always seem to have nothing to attract me for some reason. Looking at the architecture of the building, it has all the hallmarks of a late Victorian structure. But I doubt whether I’ll be back.