The best pub grub

THREE GREAT GASTROPUBS

The Princess
76 Paul Street, EC2

The pubbiest of pubs on the ground floor, with cask ales and indifferent service, contrasts markedly with the excellent first-floor dining room, which has fabulous, modern British fare. (020 7729 9270)

The Anchor & Hope
36 The Cut, SE1
Fantastic, robust English fare and a few good ales make for one of the most popular gastropubs in London. Bookings aren't taken and you might end up sharing a table with strangers. (020 7928 9898)

The Bishop
27 Lordship Lane, SE22

This contemporary gastropub-cum-bar is well worth making any number of detours to sample its extremely good food and a top-flight wine list - both at inexpensive prices. (020 8693 3994)

WHERE TO EAT IN TRAFALGAR SQUARE

Albannach
66 Trafalgar Square, WC2
This Scots establishment is Braveheart through and through: downstairs there's a businesslike bar with an epic range of malt whiskies, upstairs a restaurant, showcasing the best of Scottish produce. £35pp ex-drinks. (020 7930 0066)

Thai Square
21-24 Cockspur Street, SW1
This enormous and ebullient Thai food factory is part of a chain that has made a very real impact with its speed of growth. There's suitably exotic décor and sound enough Thai food. £25pp ex-drinks. (020 7839 4000)

Texas Embassy Cantina
1 Cockspur Street, SW1
Large and lively bar and Tex-Mex eatery. The steaks have a good reputation, this is a great place for one of those "tequila" nights - the foundation of a serious hangover. £25pp ex-drinks. (020 7925 0077)